A favorite way of tourists and New Yorkers alike to take in the breathtaking sights of New York City is to hop on a boat and view the glittering skyline from the water. Circle Line Downtown (866-9CLINE1, www.circlelinedowntown.com) offers many of the best cruises in the city, and their schedule is in full swing this — and any other — time of the year.

Departing from historic South Street Seaport’s Pier 16, Circle Line’s Zephyr offers a stylish alternative to cruising downtown Manhattan. The three-tiered luxury yacht offers stunning views of Wall Street and the Empire State Building, a sail beneath the belly of the Brooklyn Bridge, and a majestic, up-close view of the Statue of Liberty. Also available for charter events, the speed of Zephyr allows up to 600 guests to see over two hours worth of views and sights in one during a luxurious-yet-affordable cruise through New York Harbor. Zephyr departs five times daily at noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30, and 6 p.m., with additional 7:30 p.m. cruises on Friday and Saturdays. If it’s historic charm you prefer, Circle Line Downtown also offers a narrated harbor cruise from Battery Park aboard a member of its historic fleet, Miss New York.

Summer also means the return of Circle Line’s Happy Hour on the Harbor aboard Zephyr. Celebrate the season’s warm temperatures and big blue skies every Thursday through late September as Zephyr sails the Harbor, offering happy hour from 6 to 9 p.m. (Happy hour boards at 6 p.m. and sails at 6:30 p.m.) Enjoy ice-cold beers, salted margaritas, and an assortment of bar munchies while taking in breathtaking sunsets framed by the Manhattan skyline and listening to DJs spinning the latest tunes. This year, Circle Line has also added the immensely popular Saturday Night Dance Cruise, which makes great use of Zephyr’s outdoor level under the stars. With music provided by Elite Sound Entertainment — featuring New York City dance-radio remix guru and nightclub king DJ Johnny Budz — and two full cash bars pouring margaritas, cosmopolitans, and more. The dance cruise boards at 9 p.m., sails at 9:30, and returns dockside at 11:30 p.m. (where the party continues until midnight). Both cruises depart from South Street Seaport’s Pier 16.

Another sure sign that big blue skies are here is that Circle Line has released The Shark, their fun-for-the-whole-family speedboat thrill ride that uniquely captures the excitement and energy of the city. The Shark screams out of Pier 16 every hour on the hour from noon to 7 p.m. through September 10th (and weekends through October), leaving lower Manhattan in a shower of waves and delivering passengers within feet of Lady Liberty in — literally — a New York minute. This 30-minute thrill ride provides a pulsating view of the skyline and is emceed by Circle Line’s fun and knowledgeable crew — it’s a nautical version of a roller coaster!

And, of course, Circle Line provides year-round passenger transportation by boat for park visitors to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island. The ferry leaves Battery Park every half-hour from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week, and more frequently on the weekends.

For tickets to all of Circle Line Downtown’s offerings, call 866-9CLINE1. For more information, visit www.circlelinedowntown.com.