For those looking to set sail and enjoy the Manhattan skyline in style, Bateaux New York is the city’s premier dining cruise. Bateaux is a European-inspired, all-glass vessel, offering unparalleled splendor and breathtaking views. Guests have a variety of cruises to choose from: a brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktail, moonlight or charter cruise runs every day, year-round. The dinner cruise is perhaps the most elegant option, not to mention a great reason to get dressed to the nines. Cocktail attire is recommended for women and jackets for men.
Passengers on a Bateaux dinner cruise enjoy cocktails, dancing, sophisticated live jazz, and a gourmet four-course meal. This evening cruise is so romantic that it might as well be called "The Love Boat." Low lighting, fine wines, smooth jazz standards, and the Manhattan skyline all work together to get passengers in the mood. As the ship sails on, the velvety jazz is replaced by live covers of artists like Luther Vandross, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Wonder and the Temptations. As adventurous souls take to the dance floor, don’t be surprised if you see someone drop to one knee. Marriage proposals, and other public declarations of love and affection, are common.
The dinner cruise offers a sumptuous four-course meal that should please even the most discerning foodies. All of the food is prepared fresh daily on board, and the menu includes vegetarian and fish options. To begin, there’s a choice of creative starters, such as coriander and cinnamon seared rare tuna, followed by an organic salad with vinaigrette.
For the main entrée, there’s a selection of elegant yet satisfying fare, like the free-range Tuscan chicken breast, served with a creamy vegetable rice, white truffles and cremini mushroom sauce. Dessert options range from the sinfully decadent -- a warm Valrhona chocolate torte -- to freshly sweet sorbet and seasonal berries. The ticket price includes coffee, tea and ice tea; alcohol is available for purchase on board.
During its ‘three-hour tour’, the Bateaux dinner cruise travels the Hudson River and East River, sailing under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges and then around the Statue of Liberty. Along the way, passengers enjoy the spectacular vista of the Manhattan skyline. The views are virtually unobstructed from inside the boat, but guests can also step outside onto the deck and feel the wind off the water.
During a recent dinner cruise, a light fog rolled onto the river. Bateaux’s captain circled the Statue of Liberty several times, moving at a leisurely pace. He got as close as he could, making sure every passenger had the view of a lifetime. Everyone on board fell silent, watching Lady Liberty emerge from the mist, and the band played God Bless America.
Bateaux departs from Pier 61, off the west side highway at Chelsea Piers. For more information, call 866-817-3463 or visit www.bateauxnewyork.com.
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