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–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/.