Statue Cruises, the official concessioner to the National Park Service to provide ferries to Liberty and Ellis Island, has reinstated its Harbor Tour service as a result of the government shutdown. NOTE: The Statue of Liberty has reopened, and Harbor Cruises are on haitus.
 

The Harbor Tours, which were first introduced after Hurricane Sandy when Liberty Island was closed eight months for repairs, includes a recorded audio narration on the history of New York Harbor along with prime viewing areas both inside and outside along with snacks and souvenirs available for purchase on board all boats.
 
"Although Liberty Island may be closed, Statue Cruises is ready to bring tourists up close with Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and all the iconic sights and sounds of New York Harbor," said Mike Burke, COO of Statue Cruises.  "We are committed to delivering a memorable world-class experience for all of our guests, and we will continue to run Harbor Tours until Liberty Island is re-opened."
 
Statue Cruises are running 60-minute Statue of Liberty tours with departures between 9am and 4:40pm daily every 20 minutes from Battery Park in lower Manhattan (and every 45 minutes from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey).

Tickets for the narrated sightseeing tours are $24 (adults); $17 (seniors) and $12 (children).Tickets already purchased to Liberty Island will be honored for the Harbor Tour at no extra charge. Tickets can be purchased online here, by phone at 201-604-2800, or at the seawall in Battery Park. For more information visit statuecruises.com.