The 11 Best Luxury Cruises in the USA

1.Miami Skyline Boat Cruise Past Millionaire’s Homes Optional Stop

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2,718 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $12Our pick

Board near Hard Rock Cafe at Bayside Marketplace for a 75-minute Miami boat cruise past Hibiscus, Venetian, Sunset, Star, and Fisher islands. You will see millionaire homes, the port, and downtown skyline from the water. A cash bar is available, and the smaller boat holds up to 45 people. Arrive early for the best seats.

“The people are nice they try to make it fun with music and things, but the way the boat is set up that unless you get the chairs that are without anyone in front you can’t really see well. They make you sit down so a lot of the homes I couldn’t see because of the seat I sat on. And we picked seat by the side and people kept getting up and blocking our view. The drinks were 25 dollars and popcorn was 13 so things on the boat are highly overpriced. You should not go on any tour after 3pm because the homes they showed more than half…”

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2.NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112

Board at Pier 61 for a 2 to 3 hour New York harbor meal cruise aboard an enclosed glass vessel. You’ll enjoy a three-course menu, live music, narration, and views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and more. Brunch includes unlimited mimosas when that option is selected.

“It was on time and all involved were pleasant and helpful.”

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3.VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 838 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $190

Board near the French Quarter for a three-hour VIP evening aboard the Steamboat Natchez, or its sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans. You’ll receive champagne, reserved front-row seating for the Dukes of Dixieland, a Louisiana buffet, a private vessel tour, keepsake gifts, and an optional open bar. Hosts such as Marlon and Brittany are known for attentive service.

“Buffet dinner, but very good! Marlon was very attentive and kind. Tour w the captain was enjoyable. Band was good, drummer is great!”

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4.Charleston: Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 786 reviews · 2h 30m · from $111

Cruise Charleston Harbor aboard the Spirit of Carolina for a made-to-order three-course dinner, live music, and views of Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge. You will dine indoors with climate control, then step onto the open-air deck. Tables usually seat four to six, so couples may share with others.

“great time just be aware you will sit next to other couples”

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5.Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 682 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Sail from Kewalo Basin aboard Makani Catamaran for about two hours along Oahu’s coast. Choose an afternoon or sunset departure, watch for dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales, and enjoy Waikiki views from the water. Sunset trips include an island-style buffet and one complimentary drink, with hotel pickup available for a fee.

“We enjoyed the cruise very much. We were lucky enough to be entertained by whales jumping out of the water near by. That was exciting. The captain and crew were very personable. Met nice people aboard from Canada. Food and drinks were very good. Fireworks were good. A very pleasant evening on the ocean.”

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6.Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 607 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Board the vintage Spirit of Carolina at Patriots Point for a 2.5-hour evening cruise past Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Ravenel Bridge. You’ll share a table for four to six, enjoy a made-to-order three-course dinner, and listen to live entertainment. Drinks and dessert cost extra, and summer departures may include sunset views.

“I would not recommend this activity. The service was great, our attendant was great! The views were great! The drinks were good! However the meal, was not good at all. My family liked the soup, and we all liked the salad, but the main entree was not good at all. It was slightly disappointing. I did read about it with other reviews, and I was hopeful. But sadly, it was not good.”

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7.Manhattan: Statue and Skyline Cruise Aboard a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 540 reviews · 1h 30m · from $60

Board Classic Harbor Line’s 1920s-style yacht at Chelsea Piers for a 90-minute cruise past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, Governor’s Island, and Manhattan’s waterfront. You’ll have an assigned table, a complimentary drink, an air-conditioned or heated observatory, and open-deck photo views. Captains and hosts, including Levi, Sean, Conor, and Sarah, add relaxed commentary.

“A wonderful boat ride, I really liked that it was a smaller boat so the group wasn't as large as on some of the cruise companies. Captain and crew were welcoming and friendly and it was a gorgeous afternoon touring NYC's skyline.”

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8.Fully Private Speed Boat Tours, VIP-style Miami Speedboat Tour of Star Island!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 401 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Set out from Watson Island on a private two-hour speedboat tour for up to six people. Your guide, often Mike or Ashton, covers Miami’s islands, celebrity homes, South Beach, and local history, then opens the throttle across Biscayne Bay. Bottled water, coolers, and a warm ocean breeze are included, but expect to get wet.

“We had a great tour of Miami and Mike was very informative about the area .”

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9.Miami Sightseeing Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 333 reviews · from $18

Cruise Biscayne Bay from Bayfront Park on a two-level sightseeing boat with English and Spanish narration. You will pass Miami’s famous island homes, South Beach, Fisher Island, the Port of Miami, and the downtown skyline. Choose shaded outdoor seating or the air-conditioned cabin, with drinks and snacks sold onboard.

“The trip was supposed to leave at 10:30am. We were asked to be here early and when we got here, they said departure at 11:30. When we came back they changed it again to 12:00pm. The boat didn't leave the dock until 12:30pm. A guest we met on the boat got a drink and it cost $35. I'm so disappointed 😞 Do not waste your time. It seems their time is more precious than their guests!”

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10.Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 194 reviews · 2h 30m · from $58

Join Newport Landing Cruises for a 150-minute whale watching trip from Balboa Pavilion. You will ride a 50-foot catamaran with a full walk-around deck, listen to English-speaking naturalist guides, and watch for blue, humpback, fin, and minke whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Captains such as Kayla, Larry, Dani, and Chris have helped make sightings especially memorable.

“Saw more dolphins than I could ever imagine. They came right up to the boat and swam near us the whole time. Amazing experience”

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11.Best Private Luxury Daytime Boat Tour in New York City – 2 Hour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Board a private boat at North Cove Marina beside the Freedom Tower. Your captain, often Will, Mike, John, or Kris, guides you along the Hudson, pauses for photos, passes under the Brooklyn Bridge, and circles the Statue of Liberty. Bring food or drinks, play music, and enjoy a calm alternative to crowded sightseeing boats.

“My fiancé and I took a private tour with Mike as our captain. Mike was amazing and very knowledgeable about monuments and the architecture of the buildings. He also took amazing photos of my fiancé and I even as the boat swayed from the small waves. Mike made the experience very memorable and fun. I would definitely go back again with friends and family.”

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