With tourism comeback underway along with region’s reopening, visitors can enjoy increased capacity on board vessels, iconic museums, spectacular views and more this summer.

 

New York, NY (June 1, 2021) – Statue City Cruises, the official and only authorized concessioner for ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island on behalf of the National Park Service, announced today additional service and increased capacity to kick off the unofficial start of summer along with the reopening of the Liberty State Park departure point.

 

Beginning Saturday morning, May 29, Statue City Cruises is increasing departures by over 60 percent and expanding vessel capacity over the next few weeks, reinstating 100 percent capacity well before the 4th of July. Boats depart from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM daily. Face masks remain required throughout the entire experience, and crews will continue to conduct daily deep cleanings of vessels to ensure the highest levels of safety for everyone.

 

Statue City Cruises also announced the reopening of the Liberty State Park departure point, beginning May 29th, along with the resumption of Ellis Island’s Hard Hat Tours of the historic hospital complex. The increased capacity comes as Statue City Cruises is seeing higher levels of ridership since the pandemic began.

 

“This is the moment we have all been waiting for, the light at the end of the tunnel, as we prepare to welcome back more locals and visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” said Mike Burke, COO of Concessions and Park Services for City Experiences by Hornblower. “We are continuing to take all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for families, creating amazing, unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

 

Among the variety of activities awaiting guests this summer season include:

• • Enjoying acres of wide-open space on both Islands.
  • Learning the history of the Statue of Liberty through the new Statue of Liberty Museum.
  • Tracing family histories at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
  • Soaking in the breathtaking views of New York Harbor.
  • Exploring the vacant buildings of Ellis Island’s Hospital Complex with an Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour. The hospital complex, which has been vacant for more than 65 years, is where immigrants were treated after arriving from overseas at the turn of the 20th century. Space is limited with tours Friday through Monday.

   

  Tickets are priced at $23.50/adult, $18/seniors, $12/child and free for children three years and under. Tickets include self-guided audio tours on Liberty and Ellis Island. Guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance from the Statue City Cruises website. Tickets are also available at the Battery Park and Liberty State Park box offices.

   

  For more information about Statue City Cruises and City Experiences, please visit https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue.

   

  About City Experiences

  City Experiences represents Hornblower Group’s expansive portfolio of water- and land-based experience companies and includes two sub-brands: City Cruises and City Ferry. City Cruises companies operate dining, sightseeing and private events across 22 destinations in the U.S., Canada and the UK. City Cruises companies also operate cruises on behalf of the National Park Service and the Niagara Parks Commission and currently hold service contracts to provide ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Alcatraz Island and Niagara Falls. City Ferry companies offer specialized knowledge and expertise required to transport passengers, vehicles and other cargo safely across inland and coastal waterways, serving as operator of NYC Ferry and Puerto Rico ferry system, among others. City Experiences’ portfolio companies also offer a range of water- and land-based experiences including shore excursions, partner-offered experiences, multi-port packages, with companies including Cruising Excursions, ShoreTrips, Niagara Jet Adventures and Walks products. For more information visit cityexperiences.com.

   

  About Hornblower Group

  Hornblower Group is a global leader in world-class experiences. The corporate entity of Hornblower Group is comprised of American Queen™ Steamboat Company and City Experiences. Seaward Services, Inc., a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels, is also a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, operating and maintaining U.S. Navy Ranges and port facilities, including local oil spill response (tbd incl.). Today, Hornblower’s footprint spans 111 countries and territories, and 125 U.S. cities, with offerings including water-based experiences, land-based experiences, overnight cruise experiences, and ferry and transportation services. Hornblower Group is headquartered in in San Francisco, California, with additional corporate offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New Albany, Indiana; New York, New York; and across Ontario, Canada.

   

  Media Contacts:

  Josh Knoller, [email protected], 201-294-9586

  Shin-Jung Hong, [email protected], 617-413-7880

   

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