Each year thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple alike climb aboard one of many sightseeing vessels that cruise the mighty Hudson River. Why? There’s no better way to experience the beauty of the Hudson and its valleys than on a Hudson River Cruise.
For spring, summer and fall, sightseers will find a wide variety of cruise lines, offering opportunities to tour the Hudson, originating from towns and cities along its banks. From Manhattan to Albany, visitors to this historic river, offering some of the most unique and dramatic landscapes in America, may choose from cruises lasting a few hours up to a week or more.
One of the more upscale cruise lines offering extended Hudson River cruises is American Cruise Lines.
American Cruise Lines offers 8-day cruises up the Hudson River, embarking from Haddam, CT. Aboard the vessel, passengers can expect fine dining, 31 spacious staterooms and plenty of pampering and attention as one of only 49 passengers aboard the American Eagle. American cruises travel the Hudson for 8-days and 7-nights beginning on the Connecticut River, continuing up the historic Hudson. Ports of call include: West Point, Kingston and New York City where passengers may opt for one of several specially planned shore tours or create their own schedule. For more information about American Cruise Lines Hudson River cruises, call 1-800-814-6880 or visit www.americancruiselines.com.
If you’re interested in cruising the Hudson for a day, try Hudson River Cruises. A day long trip aboard the Van Winkle takes passengers on a trip through history to the world of Sleepy Hollow and Revolutionary War heroes and stately turn-of-the-century mansions.
Hudson River cruises offer daily two-hour sightseeing trips, sunset sip n’ sails cruises and even dance cruises. Hudson River cruises’ vessel, Van Winkle, accommodates 300 passengers and has a fully stocked bar, a cool shaded deck and terrific views of the many sights of the Hudson River Valley. Various departures leave from Rondout Landing at the foot of Broadway in Kingston, May through October. Ticket prices are $8 for children (4-11), $14 for seniors and $15 for adults. For more information, call the cruise information line at 845 340-4700 for or visit www.hudsonrivercruises.com.
Want to enjoy a luxury cruise where the only other passengers are five of your closets friends? Then Abenaki is the cruise ship for you.
The motor vessel Abenaki (the name comes from Native Americans whose name means “the dawn land people”), features an air-conditioned main cabin with large windows, a large dining table and comfy seating as well as a spacious canopied semicircle with upholstered perimeter seating.
During a private cruise around the Hudson River, guests will be served lunch or dinner from a menu (discussed prior to the cruise) consisting of healthy American cuisine. Menus are discussed prior to the trip. The Abenaki departs May through October from Upper Nyack. Departures and arrivals may be made from a variety of ports on the lower Hudson River by special request. For more information about Abenaki private cruises, call 201-337-3937.
One of the most popular Hudson River cruises doesn’t sail during the spring or summer—it runs straight through the colorful months of fall. Fall foliage cruises on an authentic paddle wheeler called the River Rose, travel through the Breakneck and Storm King Mountains touring magnificent structures built on the Hudson over the past century.
The River Rose features air conditioned upper and lower decks a full service bar and room for up to 150 passengers. For information on how to book a Hudson Valley tour aboard the River Rose call 845-562-1067.
Happy Cruising!