Where is check-in for this cruise?

Meet at Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) on the Hudson; exact check-in details are provided after purchase.

Is food included with the ticket?

Light fare and additional beverages are available for purchase; one complimentary drink is included with admission.

Are there age restrictions?

No minimum or maximum age is listed, but check with the operator if you have concerns about seating or noise for young children.

What happens in bad weather?

The cruise operates in most weather; check operator policies at booking and contact Classic Harbor Line for cancellations or changes.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

There are some accessibility limitations—call Classic Harbor Line at 212-627-1825 to plan accommodations before your visit.

Is gratuity included?

Gratuity is not included unless you purchased a groups ticket type where a 10% gratuity may be applied.

Harbor Jazz Cruise: Live Music Aboard a Classic Manhattan Yacht | Boat Tour | Sailing

On a clear evening in New York Harbor, the signature skyline takes on a new urgency from the vantage of a classic yacht. The Jazz Gallery at Sea Cruise launches from Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) in Manhattan, NY, and in 1.5 hours it stitches together live jazz, open water, and close-up views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, One World Trade Center, Battery Park, and South Street Seaport. Operated by Classic Harbor Line aboard its elegant Manhattan yachts, the series pairs The Jazz Gallery’s emerging artists with a vessel whose 1920s-style lines and climate-controlled grand salon recall the city’s golden commuter era.

Boarding feels like stepping into a private music room that floats. Seating is assigned at tables inside a heated salon, with an open outer deck for skyline portraits. Musicians rotate nightly, presenting standards from Gershwin to Ellington alongside original compositions and modern reworkings of R&B and Motown. One complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soft drink is included; additional beverages and light fare are available for purchase. The sound—intimate and immediate—carries differently on water: brass and saxophone breathe against a backdrop of lapping waves and distant horns.

This experience is uniquely New York. It doesn’t just show you landmarks; it maps the city’s musical memory across its waterways. The Jazz Gallery’s curatorial focus on emerging talent links the performance to a broader cultural mission: nurturing the next generation of jazz artists while celebrating the city’s deep jazz heritage during International Jazz Month in April. The choice of Classic Harbor Line’s classic motorized Manhattan yachts—manifold in their polished woodwork and open decks—adds a tactile sense of history that complements the music.

Practical details matter. The meeting point is Chelsea Piers (Pier 62); exact check-in info is provided after purchase. Expect a relaxed crowd, smart-casual attire, and accessible seating with some limitations—contact the operator at 212-627-1825 for accommodations. The cruise covers lower Manhattan views and passes Liberty and Ellis islands, so bring a camera and a light jacket for the outer deck.

Why book it? For visitors who want more than a skyline photo, this cruise delivers a curated cultural evening: live performances in a compact, atmospheric setting with panorama-stage views of New York Harbor. It’s short, transportive, and easy to fold into a night out in Manhattan—perfect for music lovers, couples, and anyone who appreciates the city’s layered history told through sound and sight. Bookings start at $98 per person and include one complimentary drink; reserve early during International Jazz Month for peak nights. Presented by Classic Harbor Line in collaboration with The Jazz Gallery, this limited series highlights emerging musicians while framing Manhattan’s waterfront as an open-air concert hall—an accessible, memorable way to hear the city.

About Classic Harbor Line - New York, NY

Classic Harbor Line is a New York-based boat cruise company that operates elegant, historically styled yachts and schooners providing sightseeing, specialty and educational cruises in New York Harbor and around Manhattan. The fleet includes named vessels such as Manhattan, Manhattan II, Kingston, America 2.0, Adirondack and Full Moon, and sails to iconic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

Tours range from 1.5-hour Statue & Skyline sightseeing cruises and mimosa or cocktail cruises to longer specialty experiences like AIANY architecture tours, Urban Naturalist wildlife trips, fall foliage sails, holiday cocoa or wine pairing cruises, and live jazz sunset sails.

AIANY architecture cruises are led with narration from AIA members and explore resilient design and climate adaptation around Manhattan. Naturalist-guided tours highlight island wildlife and ecology on routes to North and South Brother Islands and regional palisades. Live-music cruises feature jazz and vocal performances aboard period-style yachts, while seasonal offerings include brunch, lunch and holiday-themed events.

Private charters are available on multiple vessels for corporate events, weddings and group outings, and many public cruises include complimentary specialty drinks, snacks or narrated commentary. Classic Harbor Line emphasizes comfortable seating, panoramic windows, and climate-controlled interiors for year-round sailing.

Featured on The Adventure Collective, Classic Harbor Line provides third-party visibility and consistent scheduling across diverse experiences, making it a reliable choice for visitors seeking scenic, narrated and curated maritime experiences in New York City. Tickets are available online, schedules vary seasonally, and select departures include accessibility accommodations.

Harbor Jazz Cruise: Live Music Aboard a Classic Manhattan Yacht

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