Lunch just got a serious upgrade. Dream Boat NY’s private lunch cruise trades the crowded restaurant and the street-level view for something far better: an intimate private yacht on the Hudson River, a Mediterranean spread laid out by your crew, and the Manhattan skyline as your backdrop — all exclusively for you and your guests.
This is a private yacht charter, not a public lunch boat. Your group has the entire vessel: the all-teak outdoor deck, the wood-paneled cabin lounge, and the views from every direction.
All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch Package
The signature lunch experience on the water. Everything is prepared, served, and handled by the crew so the only thing on the itinerary is enjoying it.
All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch — $80 per person
A Mediterranean Lunch Board arrives at the table filled with bite-size sandwich wraps, Mediterranean dips, pita bread, fresh vegetables, and cornichons. The open bar flows throughout the cruise with champagne, rosé, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic soda and seltzers.
It’s an afternoon on the water that feels effortless, because it is. The captain and crew take care of everything from the moment guests step aboard.
Build Your Own Lunch Spread
Prefer to customize? Choose from individual catering boards and beverages to create the lunch experience that fits the occasion.
Catered Boards & Trays
Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Artisanal Charcuterie Board
Cheese Board
Mediterranean Board
Farmers Market Crudités
Seasonal Fruit Board
Cakes: Birthday Cake, Chantilly Cake, Strawberry Shortcake
Additional Beverages by the Bottle
Dom Pérignon Champagne
Veuve Clicquot Brut Reserve Cuvée
Moët & Chandon Reserve Imperial Brut
Organic Segura Viudas Cava Brut
Mionetto Sparkling Wine (Non-Alcoholic)
Fleur de Mer Côtes de Provence Rosé
Louis Jadot Chardonnay Steel
Coffee Service
Your Private Yacht on the Hudson
The Dream Boat NY yacht is designed for exactly this kind of afternoon — intimate, unhurried, and genuinely comfortable.
Outdoor Teak Deck Step aboard to an all-wood teak deck with u-shaped seating that flows easily for conversation without the cramped, packaged-tour feeling. A retractable canopy gives guests the choice of full shade or full sun — making this NYC’s only convertible on the water.
Indoor Cabin Lounge At the heart of the vessel, a wood-paneled interior cabin with a half-circle of deep-cushioned white upholstery and additional table seating for six. This fully enclosed lounge is designed for a proper lunch — elegant, nautical, intimate. The wood paneling and white upholstery give it the feel of a private dining room that happens to be gliding past the Manhattan skyline.
Kitchenette A compact, stylish kitchenette — reminiscent of a vintage Manhattan apartment — allows the crew to provide seamless food and beverage service throughout the cruise.
Bathroom A modern bathroom with personal cloth hand towels is available onboard.
Sound System Connect a personal playlist to the Bluetooth sound system. The afternoon soundtrack is entirely in your hands.
What’s Included in Every Charter
Every Dream Boat NY lunch cruise includes the following as standard:
✅ professional USCG-certified captain
✅ private vessel exclusively for your group
✅ outdoor all-teak deck with U-shaped seating and retractable canopy
✅ indoor wood-paneled cabin lounge with table seating for six
✅ modern bathroom with personal cloth hand towels
✅ Bluetooth sound system
✅ bottled water for all guests
✅ all Chelsea Piers docking and boarding fees and fuel
✅ complete route planning and coordination, and photo opportunities at iconic landmarks throughout the cruise.
Catering packages are available to add to any charter — see the menus above or explore all catering options.
Lunch Cruise Routes & Duration
The right duration depends on how much of the city guests want to see. All routes depart from Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River.
2-Hour Highlights Cruise — The most focused lunch cruise. Glide south from Chelsea Piers past the Financial District to New York Harbor, circle the Statue of Liberty, swing past Ellis Island, enter the East River past the Brooklyn Bridge. The captain positions the yacht for the best photos at each landmark.
3-Hour Comprehensive Cruise — The most popular duration for a lunch cruise. The extra hour opens up three route options: north along the Hudson past Midtown to the George Washington Bridge; east along the Brooklyn waterfront past Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg; or deeper into New York Harbor toward the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge with extended time at the Statue of Liberty. Enough time to eat, relax, and genuinely explore.
3.5-Hour Full Manhattan Circumnavigation — The definitive NYC lunch cruise experience: a complete loop around Manhattan Island covering every major waterfront landmark in one continuous voyage. Down the Hudson, through the East River past all major bridges, through the narrow Harlem River Ship Canal, and back down the Hudson. Even longtime New Yorkers find this one revelatory.
4-Hour Extended Cruise — Maximum time on the water for groups who want to combine thorough sightseeing with a leisurely, unhurried lunch. Four hours allows for a full Manhattan loop plus extended time at the Statue of Liberty, or a comprehensive harbor tour combined with a proper sit-down meal in the cabin.
The captain tailors every route to the group’s interests. Want to linger at a specific landmark? Spend more time in the harbor? Head north to watch the Palisades Cliffs and the calmer waters of the Hudson Valley open up? This is a private cruise — the itinerary bends to the guests, not the other way around.
See all route options and itineraries →
Perfect for Any Occasion with a View
A private lunch cruise fits more occasions than one might expect.
Milestone Birthdays — Arrive at the dock to a yacht set up for the occasion, lunch already prepared, champagne chilling. Birthday party packages are available with cake, decorations, and captain hats.
Anniversary Celebrations — Lunch on the water with the Manhattan skyline beats any restaurant in the city. Romantic decoration packages can be added to turn the experience into something truly memorable.
Corporate Lunch & Client Entertainment — The 2–6 guest capacity makes Dream Boat NY ideal for executive-level lunches and client entertainment. Private, impressive, effortless. Learn about corporate yacht charters →
Girls’ Lunches & Friend Celebrations — No dress code, no waiting, no background noise from neighboring tables. Just your group, the food, the water, and the views.
Visitors to NYC — A private cruise on the Hudson gives visitors a perspective on the city that no land-based experience can match. The Statue of Liberty from a private yacht is a different experience entirely from a crowded tour ferry.
Special Occasions of All Kinds — Proposals, engagement celebrations, graduations, farewell lunches — the water makes every occasion feel like more.
What to Expect on a Lunch Cruise
Before Boarding Guests arrive at Chelsea Piers Marina, Pier 59, five minutes before the scheduled charter time. The captain and crew welcome guests aboard. A brief safety orientation follows, and then the yacht departs.
On the Water The crew handles everything — catering service, beverages, navigation. Guests move freely between the outdoor teak deck and the indoor cabin lounge throughout the cruise. The captain provides insight into the landmarks, answers questions, and positions the yacht for the best views and photos.
After the Charter The yacht returns to Chelsea Piers at the end of the scheduled duration. Gratuity is not included in the charter price — 18–22% is customary on private yachts.
Rates & Durations
Charter pricing is per boat, not per person — up to 6 guests for the same rate.
| Duration | Weekdays (2 guests) | Weekdays (3–6 guests) | Weekends & Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | $700 | $800 | $850 |
| 3 hours | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| 3.5 hours | $1,400 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| 4 hours | $1,600 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
Catering packages are priced separately. Gratuity (18–22% customary) is additional.
Booking & Policies
How to Book Reserve online or call the concierge team at 917-399-9084. The booking calendar shows real-time availability. Most lunch cruises are booked 1–3 weeks in advance; same-week availability is sometimes possible.
Reservation Policy Two options are available at booking:
Standard — Reservations are non-refundable. If the captain postpones due to weather, rescheduling to any available charter of equal or lesser value within the same calendar year is complimentary.
Premium — Cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure for a full refund (minus the Premium fee). Reschedule once for any reason up to 48 hours before departure. If the captain postpones due to weather, guests may reschedule or receive a full refund (minus the Premium fee).
Weather If rain weather requires the captain to postpone, rescheduling is complimentary. NYC coastal forecasts often predict rain that doesn’t arrive — the captain monitors the radar in real-time within 2 hours of departure.
Passengers A maximum of 6 passengers are permitted per USCG federal licensing regulations. A valid government-issued photo ID matching the credit card used for booking is required before boarding. Passengers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children 10 and under eat free with the All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in the All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch? The All-Inclusive Champagne Lunch ($80 per person) includes a Mediterranean Lunch Board — bite-size sandwich wraps, Mediterranean dips, pita bread, fresh vegetables, and cornichons — plus an open bar with Chandon Brut Cuvée Champagne, Whispering Angel Rosé, Pinot Gris, beer, and non-alcoholic soda and seltzers.
How many guests can come? 2 to 6 guests. The entire yacht is exclusively reserved for the group — no strangers, no shared space.
How long is a lunch cruise? Charters range from 2 to 4+ hours. For a proper lunch with time to relax, the 3-hour cruise is the most popular. The 2-hour option works well for tighter schedules, and the 3.5-hour full Manhattan circumnavigation is ideal for groups who want to see everything. And 4-hours extends the party and sightseeing in all directions.
Where does the cruise depart? Chelsea Piers Marina, Pier 59, on the Hudson River in Manhattan. Paid parking is available on-site at the Chelsea Piers complex. Taxi and car service drop-off is convenient.
What if it rains? Dream Boat NY does not depart in rain. If weather requires postponement, rescheduling is complimentary.
Can we bring our own food and drinks? Guests may bring their own food and beverages for a flat BYO fee of $100. The catering packages are the most seamless option — everything is prepared and served by the crew with no logistics on the guests’ end.
Is gratuity included? Gratuity is not included. 18–22% is customary for yacht charters.
Can we customize the menu? Yes. Guests can mix and match boards and beverages from the catering menu, or go all-inclusive with the Champagne Lunch package.
View the full catering menu →
The Best Lunch in New York Has No Address
The best lunch in New York City doesn’t happen at a table on the street or in a restaurant with a sidewalk view. It happens on a private yacht on the Hudson, with the skyline filling every window of the cabin and the sound of the city replaced, for a few hours, by open water.
Dream Boat NY’s private lunch cruise is exactly that experience — intimate, effortless, and entirely yours.
Book a Private Lunch Cruise
Check Availability →
View All Pricing →
See All Experiences →