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Statue City Cruises Welcomes French Statue of Liberty Replica to Ellis Island as Extended Operating Hours Begin and as Pedestal of Statue of Liberty Reopens July 1st

Events and Experiences | Statue City Cruises | June 30, 2021 | New York, NY

With weekend visitation hovering above 50 percent pre-pandemic levels, visitors can enjoy increased capacity on board vessels, iconic museums, spectacular views and come ‘face to face’ with ‘Ladies of Liberty’

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 extended operating hours to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ as the interior of the Statue of Liberty up to the pedestal reopens on July 1st (Both Islands have been open since Summer 2020 with access inside the Statue restricted). Tickets inside the pedestal are available for purchase beginning today.

Beginning Thursday morning, July 1, Statue City Cruises will offer departures from both Battery Park, NY and Liberty State Park, NJ from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, providing visitors an extra 90 minutes to explore both islands, including the mini-Statue of Liberty that will be on Ellis Island facing the iconic Statue on Liberty Island from July 1 to July 5 before heading to its long-term home in Washington D.C. The last departures of the day from Liberty and Ellis Island will now be 6:15 PM.

Although 1/16th the size of the original Statue of Liberty, the Statue’s “little sister” is based on the same plaster cast. The 1,000-pound replica is another gift from France to celebrate friendship between France and the United States. Prior to Ellis Island, the replica Statue had been on display at the Paris-based museum, Musée des Arts et Métiers.

Face masks remain required throughout the entire experience, and crews will continue increased cleaning protocols to ensure the highest levels of onboard safety for everyone.

“In another sign of normalcy, we are excited to once again offer extended operating hours this summer to all visitors who are eager to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” said Mike Burke, COO of Concessions and Park Services for City Experiences by Hornblower. “Every Statue City Cruises ticket includes access to both ‘Statues of Liberty’ and to both Islands, as we welcome back guests to these gems of New York Harbor.”

Among the top five activities awaiting guests this summer season include:

  • Double the Statue, double the fun with a Statue of Liberty on both Liberty and Ellis Island and the reopening of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
  • A breath of fresh air – Enjoying acres of wide-open space on both Islands. • Learn the history of the Statue of Liberty through the new Statue of Liberty Museum.
  • Where you came from? Trace family histories at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
  • Enjoy an Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour of the vacant buildings of Ellis Island’s Hospital Complex. Reservations are required for Hard Hat Tours.

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/.

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experiences and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group's portfolio of international offerings includes water-based experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises), land-based experiences (walking and food tours) and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group's premier experience division, offers land- and water-based experiences as well as ferry and transportation services. Hornblower Marine, a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a subsidiary of Hornblower Group and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing, and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group's global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group's additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.        
City Cruises offers unforgettable dining, events, sightseeing, and live entertainment cruises across 21 iconic destinations in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. In partnership with the National Park Service and the Niagara Parks Commission, City Cruises is also the only authorized official provider with exclusive ferry services to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Alcatraz Island, and Niagara Falls Canada. City Cruises’ diverse offerings also include private charters, corporate events, weddings, whale watching and sea life tours, water taxis, speedboat rides, and destination ferries. As part of the Hornblower Group’s extensive portfolio of water- and land-based experience and transportation companies, City Cruises has a rich heritage dating back to 1926 with the founding of Boston Harbor Cruises. With a legacy of innovation and expertise, City Cruises sets the standard for excellence in maritime hospitality. For more information, visit citycruises.com.
For general press and media inquiries, please reach out to the Hornblower Group communications team.

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