New York tours and MSC Shore Excursions

New York tours, Brooklyn Bridge| MSC Cruises

Manhattan is known as a concrete jungle, the heart of the city where people go to make it, to live like a local and soak up somewhere that has become a symbol for success. They say once you live in New York, USA, you never leave – but leaving feels just as difficult when you're visiting this cosmopolitan hub on a New York city break.
 
On your New York holidays, go beyond seeing the Statue of Liberty or Times Square. With our New York excursions, you can explore so much further – capture artful photos of Central Park during peak fall foliage or zig-zag through the historic streets of the Lower East Side.

Excursions in New York

Our New York tours make it easy to see another side of this immense city.

And because deciding on a sightseeing list can feel overwhelming, we’ve hand-picked the best things to see in New York, so that you’ll know where to go to find the real highlights.

Hop on one of MSC Cruises’ excursions for a glimpse of the many unmissable New York attractions – from a craft coffee in Williamsburg to the street art of Soho and museums in the Upper East Side.
New York tours, Times Square | MSC Cruises
New York tours, St. Patrick's Cathedral | MSC Cruises
New York tours, 9/11 Memorial | MSC Cruises

Manhattan: the reason that New York never sleeps

There’s nowhere else that can match the energy of Manhattan. Witness it first-hand in Times Square before shopping in the beautiful buildings of Soho. For some quiet, step inside neo-Gothic St Patrick’s Cathedral. Conquer any fear of heights at Top of the Rock – an observatory perched up high on the Rockefeller Center – or spot the Rockefeller’s swirling skaters during winter.

 

During your visit, take a moment to visit the 9/11 Memorial, a poignant tribute to those affected by the events of September 11th.
New York tours, Statue of Liberty| MSC Cruises
New York tours, Statue of Liberty| MSC Cruises
New York tours, Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration| MSC Cruises

Admire the Statue of Liberty and all Lady Liberty’s glory

Indulge in a captivating morning beneath the imposing presence of the Statue of Liberty overlooking the harbor. Admire her towering presence, holding the torch aloft and clutching a stone tablet, gazing over New York from a height of over 300 feet.

 

While in the vicinity, factor-in time for exploring nearby Ellis Island and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration – both offer an invaluable insight into the city's history.
New York tours, Central Park | MSC Cruises
New York tours, Central Park | MSC Cruises
New York tours, Central Park | MSC Cruises

Seek out the beauty and picturesque corners of Central Park

Amidst the dizzying skyscrapers sits Central Park, New York City’s fifth-largest park, found between the Upper East and Upper West sides of the city. Leave downtown’s lively scenes and get lost in the green meadows or sail on rickety row boats that float across the park's waters, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 19th century.

 

Take a walk through the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, past Central Park Zoo and over to the famous steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, finishing off with a hot dog from a street cart.

Book your cruise to New York

New York sets the bar for discovering the rest of the United States. Admire the mix of old and new, and the incredible architecture on every corner. It’s not difficult to fall in love with New York – spread your wings and head to Brooklyn and Queens or go further on a cruise to New York: see more of the United States over at Port Canaveral and Orlando, sail to paradisical Caribbean spots like Nassau and Bermuda, or discover South America’s ever-incredible Brazil on a New York cruise.

New York itineraries, USA | MSC Cruises
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Why choose MSC Shore Excursions to New York

Discover New York to the full with our New York tours. Come ashore and see the city through the eyes of local guides and insiders. Complete your trip with MSC shore excursions, an unmissable part of any cruise itinerary.

New York excursions and tours FAQ

In which language are New York excursions conducted?

MSC shore excursions in New York are available in five languages: French, Spanish, English, Italian, and German. However, the availability of specific guides may vary. MSC Cruises will confirm the tour's language onboard your cruise.

Are New York tours always available to be booked?

Please note that certain New York tours may not be available at all times due to high demand and limited availability. To ensure you secure your desired New York excursions, we recommend booking them in advance of your trip.

Can the New York excursions programme be changed?

The tour programme provided by MSC Cruises serves as a reference for available MSC shore excursions. Final details, including price and itinerary, for all New York tours will be confirmed during your cruise. Please note that excursion itineraries may vary based on conditions or events at the tour location, as well as compliance with local regulations.

Does MSC offer a New York boat tour?

MSC Cruises’ ‘New York by Land and Sea’ excursion is a mix of coach tour and boat tour. The excursion begins with a coach into Manhattan, to see the towering Rockefeller Center and gloriously green Central Park. To mix things up, there’s also a harbour cruise on a ferry, which travels along New York’s waterways past the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

The boat tour also passes the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as New Jersey and Ellis Island, and – of course – the Statue of Liberty. The guided tour continues on the coach after disembarking the ferry, on route back to the cruise terminal.

What is involved in the ‘New York, New York’ tour?

The ‘New York, New York’ shore excursion offered by MSC Cruises involves a full day of exploration, covering the city’s most-loved sights and areas, from the hubbub of Wall Street to historic Harlem and the storied Hudson River. The tour begins at the pier for some history of various famous buildings (including the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall and the Empire State Building) to set the scene.

There’s a visit to the Rockefeller Center and its acclaimed Top of the Rock observation deck, offering unrivalled views over the city. You’ll also visit the buzzing Financial District, St. Paul’s Chapel, the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center (New York’s tallest building). The tour also stops at the aptly named Grand Central Terminal: gaze up at the architecture and grab as many photos as you like.

What is involved in the New York ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ tour?

The ‘Hop On, Hop Off: New York City’ tours offered by MSC Cruises provide either a one-day or two-day pass for New York City’s Hop On, Hop Off open-top buses, which stop at over 15 locations across the city and depart every 15 to 30 minutes.  

The tour bus system offers two routes – the Downtown loop and the Uptown loop – both of which can be accessed on this excursion. The Downtown loop stops at locations including the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, SoHo and Chinatown, while stops on the Uptown loop include Central Park, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Grand Central Station. Guests are free to alight from any stop they please and explore, before re-boarding a bus when convenient.