Tag: cruise

Classic Harbor Line Announces Fall & Holiday Line-Up

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date October 25, 2019

Highlights include Hudson Valley Fall Foliage Cruises & Sails, & Holiday Cocoa & Carols, & Holiday Jazz Cruises on NY Harbor

NY Harbor is bustling with activity all year long, including Classic Harbor Line’s line up of fall and holiday cruises aboard a warm and cozy restored vintage yacht and historic schooner. Fall and holiday excursions appeal to residents and visitors alike. American made by Scarano Boat Builders of Albany, Classic Harbor Line’s historic schooners and classic style yachts offer an elegant “four-star” experience on New York’s illustrious and vibrant harbor surrounded by the city’s beautiful skyline. Cruises depart from 62 Chelsea Piers Pier New York, NY – Call 212.627.1825

HUDSON VALLEY FALL FOLIAGE CRUISES & SAILS

Jump aboard a classic 1920’s style yacht or schooner and head north up the Hudson River to take in the beautiful fall foliage. Escape from the chaos of the city and enjoy a 2.75-hour fall foliage morning brunch cruise on luxury yacht Manhattan or hop aboard a 4-hour fall foliage sail aboard Schooner Adirondack! Brilliant fall colors adorn the Hudson Valley mid-October through mid-November. Take in the beauty of nature while viewing iconic landmarks such as the George Washington Bridge, the Cloisters, the Palisades, the Little Red Light House, and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise aboard Yacht Manhattan
Saturdays & Sundays – October 12 – November 10 from Chelsea Pier: 2.75 hours – $128 per person
Features four-course brunch buffet with a complimentary bloody mary, mimosa, beer, wine or champagne. Travel northbound on the Hudson River in style aboard the Manhattan, a cozy, elegant 1920s style yacht. Admire the glorious leaves of fall through the skylights of the ship’s heated and enclosed observatory. Full bar available for purchase.

Fall Foliage Sail aboard Schooner Adirondack
Saturdays & Sundays – October 12 – November 17 from Chelsea Pier: 3.75 hours – $84 per person
Take a scenic sail up the Hudson River to the Palisades, among the most dramatic geologic features in New York City’s vicinity. Bundle up and bring your camera aboard the 80-ft Schooner Adirondack – a 1890s inspired pilot schooner! Guests are welcome to pack a picnic! Complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda & lots of hot cocoa + options for spiking – will be served. Full bar available for purchase.

HOLIDAY CRUISES ON NY HARBOR

Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise
Almost daily – November 23 – December 29th, afternoon and evening departures from Chelsea Pier, 1.5 hours – $84 per person
Step inside the toasty solarium of a vintage classic yacht adorned in full holiday decor for a festive NY harbor cruise showcasing New York City lights during evening departures. Listen and sing along to classic holiday carols backed by a live band. Each guest will receive one complimentary beverage of beer, wine, champagne or delicious hot cocoa (spiked if your pleasure). Homemade cookies and treats included! Full bar available for purchase.

Holiday Jazz Cruise
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays – November 26 – December 29th, afternoon and evening departures from Chelsea Pier, 1.5 hours – $84 per person
Step aboard a luxury 1920’s style yacht resplendent with full holiday decor for a romantic Holiday Jazz Cruise. Features a live jazz trio playing holiday tunes, guests enjoy holiday cookies and complimentary spiked cocoa, beer, wine or champagne. See the city lights twinkle at night plus a close pass by the Statue of Liberty! Full bar available for purchase.

Tags adirondack, classic, classic harbor line, cruise, harbor, holiday, Offer

Living

Captain Greg Shows Us The Ropes

Post author By Grace Capobianco
Post date July 22, 2019

Downtown Magazine caught up with Captain Greg Freitas of the Full Moon, harbored in Brookfield Place. There, we found out a little more about the sailing life and what makes Greg tick.

Downtown: Where did you grow up and where do you reside now?

Captain Greg: I grew up on the south coast of Massachusetts, went to engineering school in Worcester, visited 38 countries while working as an Oceanographic Engineer, lived 28 years in the U.S. Virgin Islands, have a mountain home in western North Carolina, and currently live aboard Full Moon in North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place.

DT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a Captain?

CG: I realized I wanted to be a captain when I found crewing to be hard work. That was many years ago. I have had my US Coast Guard Master’s license for over 31 years. As Mel Brooks might say, “It is good to be the Captain”.

DT: What was your first vessel you ever owned?

CG: I built the first boat I ever owned. It was an 8’ wooden pram. The mast was made from a closet pole and my mother made the sails. After that, I decided to buy boats instead of building them. The best boat I ever owned was a 1975 Hinckley Bermuda 40 Mark III Yawl, painted “Super Jet Black” which American Airlines contracted for their national “Fly us to the Caribbean” advertising.

DT: Are you a captain of sail or motor vessels?

CG: I actually do both. When I first joined Classic Harbor Line (then Chelsea Excursions) in 2000, I captained Adirondack, our 80’ gaff-rigged schooner. I did that seasonally through 2002. The summer of 2003, I worked in Newport, RI, running Adirondack II. Now I drive Full Moon, our 65’ motor yacht.

DT: Is there a difference between the two for our audience?

CG: Generally speaking, the difference between sailing and motoring is simple, sailing is about the journey and motoring is about the destination. However, at Classic Harbor Line, we make the journey on our motor yachts and the destination on our sailing yachts a high priority. Saying it in a slightly different way, it is hard to go wrong on any of our vessels.

DT: What is your favorite place to navigate in our US waterways?

CG: Technically speaking, the US Virgin Islands is in our US waterways so I would have to say there. But, I find sailing and motoring in New York harbor both challenging and rewarding. Sure it is a little bumpy out there but heck, that’s New York.

DT: Welcome back to Classic Harbor, we hear that you have had a long career here then left and now you are back, why did you leave and what brought you back?

CG: It was early July 2000, I was living on my boat, Spitfire, in the Virgin Islands, and made it known to anyone that would listen, that I did not want to be there during the upcoming hurricane season. One of the few people who was listening was related to the owners of Chelsea Excursions (now, Classic Harbor Line) and made the introduction. The next thing I knew I was boarding a plane to NYC. I arrived at 8:00 PM on a Wednesday and had my first charter running Adirondack the morning after. I enjoyed it so much that I came back in the summer and fall of 2001 and 2002. In 2003, I worked in Newport, RI, and ran operations there. At the end of that season, I bought a charter boat company out of Caneel Bay Resort on St John and spent my time operating that business. Coincidently, it was another hurricane, Irma, that brought me back to CHL last year.

DT: You are full of great stories, can you share a New York one with our readers?

CG: Which one do I tell? How about the one of us sailing Miss Universe around the harbor? Or the first time I brought the Adirondack (CHL’s 80’ schooner) into North Cove? Or record-setting racing in the Mayor’s Cup? September 11 evacuation by boat?

DT: Tell us about the Full moon, why you like this boat and what you hope to see from this vessel?

CG: The motor vessel Full Moon was built in Chicago in 1950, lived on the west coast for a number of years, was moved to Maryland in the late 1990s and then to Boston in the early 2000s. Classic Harbor Line bought her in 2017 and she spent almost a year undergoing an extensive refit in Albany. Her engines are new but her lines are original. What I love about Full Moon is that she is classic, very comfortable and responsive. The main salon looks like a set from “Mad Men”. It is like a floating living room. I could see Full Moon being club-like that Battery Park residents would bring their out-of-town guests to go visit the Statue.

DT: Is there anything that you would like to share with our readers that I may not have asked you about?

CG: A cruise on Full Moon is like a trip to the country where you leave the hustle of the city behind. Plus, we serve great drinks!

Tags 9/11, boat, Captain, Captain Greg, cruise, Full Moon, Greg Freitas, harbor, Hero, New York, north cove marina, North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place, NYC, sailing, September 11th, ship

Bars Culture Dining Entertainment Events Featured Lifestyle Living

Hop on Circle Line’s Brews Cruise for a Beer Festival Like No Other

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date May 26, 2019

New York City’s favorite sightseeing cruise, Circle Line, welcomes locals and visitors to kick off the season with a Brews Cruise craft beer tasting event on the Hudson River. A beer festival like no other, Circle Line’s Brews Cruise on Sunday, June 9 will offer guests a unique taste of the city with sights and suds from eight local New York breweries including:

Flagship Brewery of Staten Island
Sixpoint Brewery of Brooklyn
Rockaway Brewing Co. of Queens
KelSo Beer of Brooklyn
Barrier Brewing Co. of Long Island
Greenpoint Harbor Brewing Co. of Brooklyn
Original Sin Cider of Manhattan
Southern Tier Brewing Co. of Chautauqua

Brews Cruise guests can look forward to sampling 16 craft beers accompanied by a delicious BBQ-themed menu, live DJ entertainment, and a branded tasting glass to sip from onboard and bring back to shore as a keepsake. All brews, bites, and beats will be enjoyed with breathtaking panoramic views of the New York City skyline and iconic landmarks, making this event one that’s not to be missed. Guests can opt to take Circle Line’s Brews Cruise to the next level with a Premier ticket including all the above perks with an added hour of private beer tasting, special hard-to-find beers from the brewers, and exclusive access to the boat’s third deck.

The Brews Cruise is just one of several specialty cruises offered by Circle Line throughout the season. Dance your way through summer with the Rockin’ the River Music Cruises featuring live bands from Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience (Thursday, June 27) to Classic Stones ‘The Greatest Rock and Roll Tribute in the World’ (Thursday, August, 29). And cruise to the beat with the Summer DJ Series featuring amazing DJs from Steve Lawler (Friday, June 7) to Hernan Cattaneo (Saturday, August 24).

The Circle Line Brews Cruise will set sail on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Prices start at $69 for Standard tickets and $99 for Premium. The first lucky fifty to book their Brews Cruise tickets online will receive a $10 discount on standard or VIP tickets with the promo code BEER10. Boarding at Pier 83 on Manhattan’s West Side will begin at 1pm for VIPs and 1:30pm for standard, with departure at 2pm and return at 4:30pm. Guests must be 21+ to cruise; all individuals must purchase a ticket; there are no infant or child rates; no outside food or beverages allowed on board.

For more information or to book the Brews Cruise, contact Circle Line at 212-563-3200 or click here.

Tags beer, boat, brews cruise, Circle Line, cruise, event, festival, Food Festival

Featured Lifestyle Living News NYC

Beat the Heat This Summer with a Trip on New York Cruise Lines

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date April 25, 2019

There are many ways to beat the heat when summer sizzles in New York City, but none as exhilarating as a cool breeze on the water and the sight of the world’s most spectacular skyline on every ride with New York Cruise Lines, the parent company of Circle Line, New York Water Taxi and North River Lobster Company.

Circle Line

The world-famous New York City Fourth of July Fireworks show comes once a year, and there’s no better view than from a Circle Line cruise. Get the best seats in town for the fireworks and other New York City sights and landmarks, plus a boatload of on-board amenities to enjoy throughout the evening. The three-hour cruise includes stunning views of Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. Tickets on sale now at circleline.com; standard tickets for adults from $229, including snacks, beer and wine, a DJ spinning hits, and air-conditioned indoor seating through the evening. Premier tickets for adults from $279 offers full bar, buffet, DJ and more.

Groove to the rhythm of the sea with live bands on select dates this summer with Rockin’ the River Music and DJ cruises from Circle Line. Sip a drink, check out the NYC skyline, and rock out to the sounds of DJ Boris on May 4, ZoSo “The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience” on June 27, Wanted DOA – America’s Truly Authentic Bon Jovi Tribute on July 26, Classic Stones Live: The Greatest Rock and Roll Tribute in the World on August 29, and many more. Tickets on sale now at circleline.com. Tickets starting at $35 for general admission; $65 for premier with access to VIP viewing area, two free cocktails and more.

New York Water Taxi

Enjoy food, fun, and a show to celebrate America’s birthday onboard New York Water Taxi’s Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise. Declare independence from crowds on July 4^th with front row seats to the world’s most spectacular fireworks display lighting up the New York skyline, with an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty plus a lip-smacking station buffet of hors d’oeuvres and entrees, as well as beer, wine, and soft drinks to quench your thirst through the night. Tickets on sale now at nywatertaxi.com; adults from $229, including food and beverages.

Experience the best of New York with hop-on, hop-off sightseeing on New York Water Taxi. Guests can cruise all day from four convenient stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn; exploring each destination at their own pace with the All-Day Access Pass. On board they will enjoy breathtaking views of New York City skyline and photo opportunities at iconic destinations in the city. Tickets starting at $37.

The Beast is Back!

Move over, roller coasters. New York City’s only marine-based thrill ride attraction is back with The Beast, returning to the Hudson River on Thursday, May 9, 2019. Hang on tight, as twin Hamilton jets kick it up to 1400 BHP-horsepower, thrusting The Beast over the water at up to 45 miles per hour. Tickets on sale now at beastnyc.com. Adults, $30; children (at least 40-inches or 102 centimeters tall), $25. Departs every hour on the hour from 10am-6pm from Pier 83 at West 42^ndStreet at West Side Highway; arrive 30 minutes before departure time.

North River Lobster Company

Let the good times lobster roll! North River Lobster Company is back for summer, offering New England seafood and much more, as of April 18, 2019. The award-winning, kick-back-casual, floating lobster shack takes short cruises on the Hudson River, offering inspiring views and a menu of summertime favorites, including the new “Shelly,” New York City’s longest lobster roll measuring more than 28-inches; the Bacon Lobster Roll (bacon, lobster salad, lettuce & tomato); the Lower East Side Roll (lobster, scallion cream cheese, red onions, chives and “Everything” Seasoning); and for those looking for a more elevated take on the traditional roll they can enjoy the “Double Truffle” – a white truffle lobster served with a side truffle parmesan fries. The perfect outdoor venue to spend a summer Friday, weekend afternoon or warm evening, drinks are equally delicious with signature cocktails and buckets of beer. This season, North River Lobster Company has added a festive 64-ounce Fishbowl option, which is ideal for groups. North River Lobster Company offers a $25 season passes to entry all summer long, which are typically, $10 to board on a first-come, first served basis, departing from Pier 81 at West 41^st Street and 12^th Avenue.

Let the good times lobster roll! North River Lobster Company is back for summer, offering New England seafood and much more, as of April 18, 2019. The award-winning, kick-back-casual, floating lobster shack takes short cruises on the Hudson River, offering inspiring views and a menu of summertime favorites, including the new “Shelly,” New York City’s longest lobster roll measuring more than 28-inches; the Bacon Lobster Roll (bacon, lobster salad, lettuce & tomato); the Lower East Side Roll (lobster, scallion cream cheese, red onions, chives and “Everything” Seasoning); and for those looking for a more elevated take on the traditional roll they can enjoy the “Double Truffle” – a white truffle lobster served with a side truffle parmesan fries. The perfect outdoor venue to spend a summer Friday, weekend afternoon or warm evening, drinks are equally delicious with signature cocktails and buckets of beer. This season, North River Lobster Company has added a festive 64-ounce Fishbowl option, which is ideal for groups. North River Lobster Company offers a $25 season passes to entry all summer long, which are typically, $10 to board on a first-come, first served basis, departing from Pier 81 at West 41^st Street and 12^th Avenue.

This Fourth of July, North River Lobster Company is offering a cruise party up the East River. A DJ will be spinning all night as guests sail along the harbor and dine on a summer buffet dinner featuring lobster, along with an open bar. The cruise stops near the Brooklyn Bridge for fantastic views of the New York City fireworks show. Tickets on sale now at northriverlobsterco.com. Tickets start at $338.92 for Buffet, Individual Lobster and Standard Open Bar, departing from Pier 81 at West 41^st Street and 12^th Avenue.

Tags boat, Circle Line, cruise, lobster, new york cruise lines, new york water taxi, North River Lobster Company, summer, the beast, water taxi

Culture Entertainment Events

Where to Watch The Fireworks This 4th of July

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date June 29, 2016

The 4th of July is one of those holidays you either love or hate. My family is in the latter camp because for us, the holiday was always spent coddling our terrified border-collie. The loud unpredictable bangs were too much for her neurotic demeanor. I however, unlike my dog, and most house pets, love the 4th of July. Something about the gathering of friends and family under a lit-up night sky reminds me of New Years Eve, hope and excitement for the future. I am also a sucker for a classic burger and seasonal attire.

Many New Yorkers will flood the highways this weekend to escape the city for a relaxing few days. However, staying here does not mean you will have to miss out on the wonders of 4th of July fireworks. New York City is full of rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the skyline, perfect for watching the colors erupt over the city. Another special way to witness the celebration is from a sailboat or cruise.

Here are some picks from Downtown for great places to watch this year’s fireworks:

Penthouse 808 at Ravel Hotel

The Standard, East Village

The Ides Rooftop Bar at the Wythe Hotel

Hudson Hotel Sky Terrace

South Street Seaport

World Yacht 4th of July Cruise

Shearwater or Clipper City Sail

Tags 4th of July, cruise, Fireworks, holiday, hotel, rooftops, sail, views

Dining Lifestyle Living

The Morimoto Sunset Sushi Cruise — Mondays at 6:45 PM through September

Post author By Downtown Magazine
Post date June 15, 2016

Breathtaking views of the city skyline, cool summer breeze, and award-winning fresh sushi. What more could you want from a romantic dinner date? Every Monday night until September, the Classic Harbor Line will be hosting a magical evening aboard the majestic schooner, America 2.0. The Morimoto Sunset Sushi Cruise leaves from Pier 62 (W. 22nd and Hudson River, Manhattan, NY) in Chelsea at 6:45 PM every Monday. The sushi cruise sails up the Hudson River, is two hours in duration, and costs $132.

The unforgettable night provides unobstructed views of the city skyline, Battery Park, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. As you lounge comfortably on the 105-foot sailing yacht, chefs from the notable Morimoto restaurant will serve a sampling of nine sushi pieces and one roll served in two courses. Many different types of Sake including Junmai Ginjo and sparkling sake as well as champagne, wine, beer and soda will accompany the fresh sushi. Chef Morimoto’s cooking has received high praise from New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit and Travel & Leisure.

The night promises to be relaxing, luxurious, safe and enjoyable. New York City can be chaotic and loud, so the opportunity to witness the city from afar while enjoying fine cuisine should not be passed up this Summer.

Iron chef Marimoto himself attended the first sushi cruise of the year, and CEO/Publisher of Downtown Magazine, Grace A. Capobianco was invited to enjoy this fabulous evening.

Tags chef morimoto, classic harbor line, cruise, Hudson River, sailing, summer, sunset, sushi