Big Apple Charters is located at 59 Chelsea Piers, Manhattan, easy to get to. The entrance to the pier is outside on the south side of the golf range.  Boarding is at the end of the boardwalk pier by the dockmaster house. Chelsea Piers spans 7 blocks, when meeting your group, make sure they are by the West 17th Street and West Side highway crossing.

We strive to be as accommodating as possible. As a small business with a short season, once we take your booking we pass on all others for that slot- we cannot recapture that business.  We do understand things do change; therefore, we have policies that are fair. We try to accommodate requests that do not negatively impact business operations, however that is not always possible.

SKYLINE: July 4th bookings are final. Charterer may cancel or reschedule to another date, if done so more than 60 days in advance.  A refund, less 20% plus any fees incurred will apply.  We do not cancel charters under 60 days for any reason. Rescheduling between 30-60 days in advance has a 50% rescheduling fee. Rescheduling and cancellation less than 30 days in advance will forfeit the charter fee. Any balance due will be charged to the charterer. All requests for cancellation and rescheduling must be submitted via email and are not considered received until we respond. You may transfer the booking to an eligible charterer if we are notified at least 72 hours ahead of time in writing to ensure our paperwork is in order.

Hudson Star and Manhattan Mermaid: July 4th bookings are final. Charterer may cancel or reschedule to another date, if done so more than 30 days in advance.  A refund, less 10% plus any fees incurred will apply. We do not cancel charters under 30 days for any reason. Rescheduling between 15-30 days in advance has a 25% rescheduling fee. Rescheduling and cancellation less than 15 days in advance will forfeit the charter fee. Any balance due will be charged to the charterer. All requests for cancellation and rescheduling must be submitted via email and are not considered received until we respond. You may transfer the booking to an eligible charterer if we are notified at least 72 hours ahead of time in writing to ensure our paperwork is in order.

Cancellations only occur if the USCG issues a small craft advisory or the captain deems it unsafe (usually decided just hours before departure). Rain is a land-weather concern; Wind and Sea State are marine-weather concerns. We follow the Coast Guard's lead to ensure your safety.

Custom orders and add on items such as banners, catering, etc., cannot be cancelled for any reason.

We recognize the anticipation and effort involved in planning a day on the water. As seasoned professionals, your safety and enjoyment are our utmost priorities. Weather can be unpredictable, but rest assured, we're equipped to adapt. While forecasts may change hourly, we often find that predicted rain doesn't materialize during our cruises. Our vessels all have custom enclosures in the event of a passing shower. Rain or shine, the party continues; cancellations occur only if the USCG issues a small marine craft advisory or if unsafety concerns arise, which is extremely rare. We ask you keep some flexibility on days you are booking as a slight adjustment in time may be needed.

Yes, as a female owned business, we insist on this. The yachts have CLEAN, modern and well-maintained bathrooms. The Hudson Star and Skyline have full luxury walk-in bathrooms while the Manhattan Mermaid has a smaller step-down bathroom best for emergencies. We strongly recommend using the restrooms at the marina prior to boarding.

Please let us know if you plan to bring anything so we can plan properly. Yes, you may bring your own snacks and drinks, including alcohol. We do have some guidelines to enhance your experience and avoid unnecessary issues. Good rule of thumb- if you need a utensil or it will stain your white shirt, it should be avoided. We have completed thousands of charters and can guide you. Food is not recommended for charters under 3 hours to maximize sightseeing time. Groups with food will return to the marina slightly sooner to ensure appropriate time wrapping up and cleaning.

Manhattan Mermaid: Best for simple drinks or handheld snacks only; no galley/dining area.

Hudson Star: Better for groups with food; charcuterie and cheese boards are highly recommended and are most popular.

Food is not recommended for charters under 3 hours to maximize sightseeing time. Groups with food will return to the marina slightly sooner to ensure appropriate time wrapping up and cleaning.

Groups with excessive food and drink will have a 20% service charge.

We love cake but moving boats don’t feel the same about them.  We do not recommend cakes as they tend to not hold up as well on boats and shifting can cause a cake to wind up on your lap instead of your mouth.  We do not light candles, sparklers etc.  If this is critical to your celebration, please do not choose dark pigmented colors- they will stain. Melissas Cupcakes, cake pops and non-frosted items work best.  We love cookie baskets for celebrations

We want you to have a special voyage with us, however a lot of our favorite things do not work on a boat. Planning ahead will ensure the best experience. Foods and drinks with colors like red, blue etc. should be enjoyed off the boat. Glitter, confetti, sparklers and feathers create a cleaning nightmare you don’t want to worry about. You are responsible for any damage or stains that cannot be remedied with routine cleaning. Balloons are not recommended as they tend to fly away and can impede the view of the captains. We can provide a nice guide to help you- just ask- we want to see your vision come to life and know the best way to do this.

Booking directly with us will avoid third-party broker fees. Weekday rates are lower than weekend and holiday/event days. Ask us for payment options to remove processing fees and available promotions. Call us directly.

We strive to deliver a highly detailed experience for guests who value the quality of their memories.  General pricing is below; holidays and special events may have a slight increase. Call us for a consultation to make sure you have the best available rate as occasionally have promotions.

Skyline: Up to 30 passengers: $1250-$1500/hr.

Hudson Star: Up to 12 passengers: $500–$700/hr.

Manhattan Mermaid: Up to 8 passengers: $300–$400/hr.

Skyline: Up to 30 passengers

Hudson Star: Up to 12 passengers.

Manhattan Mermaid: Up to 8 guests.

Skyline includes your crew with your booking. For groups OVER 6 on the Hudson Star and Manhattan Mermaid, the USCG requires a "bareboat agreement". You will hire the captain/crew separately (usually $60–$100/hr). This is a very easy process and we will assist you. Most of our charters are done this way and ensures federal compliance.

It is customary in the yacht charter industry to tip 20% of the charter total. The crew works hard on your behalf before and after you arrive to ensure everything is perfect for you. 100% of gratuities go to your professionally licensed crew and is a substantial part of their income.  We will provide an envelope for your convenience.

Skyline has a mandatory 20% service fee added to all bookings. Charters that are post-sunset, holiday/event or for groups with excessive food and drink, a 20% service charge will be added.

We are 100% smoke-free and drug-free. We follow Federal (USCG) law, which prohibits marijuana even if legal in NY State. Illegal substances will result in immediate termination of the charter and full forfeiture.

Depending on the vessel you choose and the amount of time you have reserved, this will determine your options.  Mot guests decide when they arrive at the marina. If there is specific request- let us know. You can view specific options on our booking page based on the vessel and time slot you choose. You can always call us. Common routes include the West Side (GW Bridge) or South toward Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. Full-day trips can go to Sandy Hook or up the Hudson for fall foliage.

Of course! We want to enhance your voyage with tunes that make you sing.  We have State-of-the-art Bluetooth-connected sound systems are on our boats. You will not believe how the sound is. Bring your best playlist!

We cruise at a comfortable "Island Time" pace to prevent spills and allow for conversation. Most guests want to savor the sights and slow down. Should you want to go at faster speeds, please contact us ahead of time so we are prepared. Higher speeds carry a fuel surcharge payable at the marina.

Applying sunscreen, before your charter begins, is best for skin protection. Sunblock is great for you, but no so great for the fabrics aboard our yachts. Please apply sunscreen before you board. We do not allow spray sunblocks to be applied on the vessels, as they damage the fabrics.

"Casual Nautical" is the vibe. It is usually 7 degrees cooler on the water. Blankets are provided in cooler temperatures. We know you will want to look your best for those amazing photos.

We are shoeless vessels just like most private yachts. Bare feet are recommended for giving you a better grip as you move about. It’s part of the yacht vibe and respectful to all guests. We keep very clean boats.  During cooler months we sometimes keep shoes on, white clean soles are appreciated and slippers may be provided. No high heels, leather soles, or black-soled shoes allowed.

5G reception is excellent throughout New York Harbor for tagging your photos on Instagram or streaming your playlist. Guests have no problems using it. The Skyline is equipped with Starlink for certain events. Please inquire about usage.

Yes- we love kids! We are one of the few who welcome children of all ages and carry the appropriate USCG required Life jackets. NYS required children under 12 to wear them on the boat- no exception. We must be notified of children prior to the charter date so we can have the appropriate life jackets available. Failure to inform us ahead of time may impact their ability to participate. We usually have surprises for them as well- so let us know.  

We encourage it! We are aware of the shady practices where people use old, altered or deceptive photos in their listings. We have nothing to hide and the reaction from our guests is “wow- these are nicer and bigger than the photos”. Give us a call and set up a visit.  

We are aware of the scrupulous practices of many owners- prioritizing their pockets over your safety and federal law. We are happy to talk to you about what you need to know. We only do 100% legal charters with the appropriate USCG documentation, licensing, insurance, Licensed Crew and safety equipment. We do not cut corners anywhere.

Our yachts are stable; however, some guests are just prone to motion sickness. Medications (such as Dramamine) should be taken before departure not at the marina. Follow the advice of a physician or pharmacist if doing so. Sea bands and ginger candies can help. Sitting in the breeze or "driving" the boat often helps. We recommend the North route as the waters tend to be calmer. You should avoid alcohol, heavy greasy foods and stay well hydrated.

We do not do any swimming charters in the NY Harbor. It is dangerous and NO insurance company will cover charter boats for this. Be wary of anyone willing to do this and insist on seeing their policy showing coverage. We do full day beach trips for up to 8 passengers on the Hudson Star which include paddle boards, mats, and so much more. Let’s talk.  

We have planned over 100 proposals, and all said yes! We specialize in perfect proposals and can help with flowers, photographers, and keepsake banners. Call us for a consultation as we want to make it magical.

Please apply sunblock 15-30 minutes prior to boarding so it dries and offers you maximum protection. Sunblock is one of the biggest culprits in damaging marine fabrics. No spray sunblock is allowed to be used onboard as these marks are permanent and cannot be fixed.