FAQs

Sailing is an all-weather activity, and Manhattan by Sail’s boats leave the dock rain or shine. The only exception being if the captain deems the weather conditions unsafe. Summer thundershowers are part of life in New York and you’ll soon see that braving the elements with our safe and reliable crew is all part of the fun! If you are a fair-weather sailor, no worries, just be sure to give our reservation and cancellation policies a read.
Sorry, but we don’t offer refunds. Please see our terms and conditions linked here.
New York Harbor is one of the most protected waterways in the world, so generally speaking, seasickness isn’t much of a concern. Some people are more susceptible to it than others, however. If you think you might be one of them, we recommend taking Dramamine (or any similar over-the-counter motion sickness drug-containing dimenhydrinate). Keep in mind that Dramamine takes about two hours to take full effect so if you’re taking them on board, it’s too late. Ginger capsules have also been found to be helpful. If you do get seasick, our crew will do everything they can to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.
We’re sailors! Of course we serve drinks – it comes with the territory. The Clipper City boasts a full, new GLORIOUS bar (courtesy of @ParadiseLoungeNY) on board and the Shearwater offers drink service featuring a selection of beer, wine, simple mixed drinks as well as a delightful new line of NYC produced canned cocktails. Also available on both boats is an array of non-alcoholic choices such as water, soda, and juice.
Yes! We accept all major U.S. credit cards onboard both boats.
If the mood strikes and you want to pack the old picnic basket, go right ahead. However, excepting sails that include food in the program, we will have a limited selection of food available for purchase onboard.
Crew are trained and fully licensed/ Vessels are inspected by USCG and equipped with First Aid, Firefighting, Lifesaving, & Personal Flotation Devices. There is a safety speech given prior to departure and Captain and Crew will give instruction as needed. If you’ve never been on a sailboat before, don’t worry about a thing. These are not small boats and they are very stable. Once you have been on one of our boats you will see how comfortable you’ll feel. While waterborne activities are inherently higher-risk, at Manhattan by Sail, passenger safety is our primary concern. As soon as you climb aboard, our crew will tell you everything you need to know about the particulars of our sailing vessels.
We strongly believe sailing should be accessible to all, regardless of mobility challenges. The Clipper City Tall Ship, although built prior to the A.D.A., is wheelchair accessible to 80% of the public deck space. Boarding the vessel usually requires an assist from one of our friendly crew as wakes from ferry boats and tidal change can create challenging conditions. Clipper City has a large main deck with restrooms on the same level. Bathrooms on Clipper City cannot be entered whilst in a wheelchair, but you may transfer from chair to bathroom as we have a grab bars inside. Please reach out to us so we can clarify and make arrangements to ensure the most comfortable possible experience aboard our vessels. We apologize but are unable to accommodate larger electric scooters and wheelchairs. Sadly, the Shearwater Schooner built in 1929 is not wheelchair friendly/accessible. That said, if you have “the will” to join us, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve, and will do everything in our power to figure out “the way” to allow you to sail on our ships in a manner that respects your needs.
There are places to sit on both boats, though your ticket does not guarantee it. We operate historic boats with authentic on-deck fixtures. There is limited proper seating as well as deck boxes and the like. On the Clipper City, people tend to wander around different sections of the ship and flock to the railings to take in the gorgeous views. On the Shearwater, we think some of the best seats are directly on the gorgeous original teak deck.
Dress comfortably and prepare appropriately. We sail rain or shine, and keep in mind that it is usually cooler out on the water than onshore, especially in the evening and night. We do ask that passengers wear soft-soled shoes aboard the Shearwater as heels and boots can scuff the deck. Bare feet are also fine. There are no special requirements on the Clipper City.
Our crew, from servers to deckhands, work for tips. If you enjoyed your sail, please tip accordingly!
Any child 12 years of age and below qualifies for our child rates. Including the littlest babe!! We don’t charge for children under 2 years but every soul on board needs to be accounted for (per USCG), so please reserve tickets accordingly. If you have a child under 2 years in tow, please reach out via email to [email protected] or chat with us so we can adjust your reservation to include them. If we do not have them included on our manifest, your full group will not be able to sail.
Yes, there are restrooms available on both the Clipper City and the Shearwater. You might hear them referred to as “the head,” which is what they’re called on a boat!
Clipper City: There is not really a great public restroom option near the Clipper City’s departure dock. Your best bet is to plan on not being able to use a restroom until you get on board the boat.

Shearwater: There are restrooms available on the first floor within Brookfield Place. Entering from the west/marina, keep to the right and follow the signs to the restroom.
Our routes are ever-changing and depend on certain factors such as who the Captain is that day and the changing tides and winds.
Our boats get as close to the Statue of Liberty as allowed by the U.S. Coast Guard, however, we do not disembark at the Statue.
Due to low water depths, we do not sail behind the Statue of Liberty, however, we do spend a decent amount of time in front of the Statue providing a nice photo opportunity.
Of course! We couldn’t call ourselves sailors if we didn’t! Depending on the wind, we’ll utilize the sails for the majority of our power. If the wind is not so strong, we’ll turn on the motor to get around for portions of the trip.
Nope, except for passengers who are 12 years & under and sailing on the Shearwater. No one else is required to wear a life jacket but you’re welcome to one if you’d like.
Due to our liquor license we are not able to have customers bring their own alcoholic beverages onboard the Shearwater or the Clipper City.
Depending on the season we do serve hot beverages on the Clipper City, however, we do not serve them on the Shearwater.
Yes! We gladly welcome our passengers to get in on the action and help us raise the sails.
Yes, you can select your country/region at checkout.
Yes, you can bring strollers aboard the boats, however, we do not allow bikes on any of our boats.
Small dogs who are happy to sit on leash & on laps are welcome on board, with advance notice.