On the Water with the Seaport Museum FAQ

Before the Adventure

Do I need to print my tickets?
No, you do not need to print your tickets. At check in, Museum staff will ask for the last name or order number used for your online purchase, quickly locate the tickets in our system, and check in your group.

Can I bring my kids?
All passengers, including infants and children, must have tickets to enjoy the voyage. Ticketed infants and children of all ages are welcome to enjoy Pioneer sails. W.O. Decker can accommodate children ages 10 and up. On both ships, an adult may be accompanied by up to four children over the age of 10. On Pioneer, an adult may be accompanied by up to four children under the age of 16.

It’s important to note that the deck space on a schooner may be more confined than what children are accustomed to, and there is not ample space for running around. Additionally, it’s good to be aware that there isn’t a shaded area for breaks from the sun. If you would like to see if this experience is right for you or your kids, please reach out to the Museum at [email protected] and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Does my ticket include admission?
Yes! Admission to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16 and access to exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row are included with your tickets; you may visit any time from 11am–5pm on the day of your voyage. Timed tickets to view the three-floor exhibition Maritime City in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street, and timed tours of the 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16, are available separately.

While you are planning your visit, make sure that you assemble at the Pioneer and W.O. Decker gangway at the check-in and boarding times outlined below.

Are tickets refundable?
All sailing tickets are non-refundable. Each sail takes place rain-or-shine. Sails can be canceled if the captain determines conditions are unsafe. In such cases, ticket holders will be notified by the Museum and may choose to transfer tickets to another voyage, convert tickets to a tax-deductible donation to support the Seaport Museum, or request a full refund.

Any voyage can be canceled at any time throughout the trip at the discretion of the vessel’s captain or the South Street Seaport Museum. If this happens, ticket holders may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund for tickets.

Can I transfer my ticket to another time?
No, all sailing tickets are non-transferable unless noted otherwise.

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Getting Here and Checking In

Where do I check in?
All guests must check in for the scheduled tour at the red tent located at the far east end of Pier 16 at Fulton and South Streets. You will be handed a boarding pass, which is your ticket to the vessel. In order to receive a boarding pass, you and your entire party must be present. Boarding passes are distributed only to those in your party who are physically present at the time of check-in. Please follow the times outlined below for your check-in and boarding.

Please note that if you do not check in before your “Check In Ends” time, your tickets will be forfeit and available to those on standby.

What is the schedule for my sail?
Pioneer Daytime Sails including Launch and Learn Sails
(Saturday and Sunday)

Pioneer Sunset Sails
(Thursday–Saturday)

What is required to board?
Boarding the vessel requires climbing angled gangways and a step up and over the side of the vessel from a floating dock. There will be Museum Staff and Crew available to assist you in the boarding process.

Where can I use the bathroom before the trip?
We recommend that ticket holders use the nearby public restrooms on the second floor of the Tin Building, fourth floor of Pier 17, or on the esplanade under the FDR, between piers 15 and 16, prior to the start of the trip. Both vessels have marine toilets for emergencies only.

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Onboard Experience

Is the route the same on every sail?
Tour routes are subject to change due to variables such as traffic in the harbor and weather, though captains will do their best to include the sites listed.

What do I wear?
Trips on Pioneer are outdoors only, and there are no indoor areas accessible to visitors. Trips aboard W.O. Decker are mostly standing outside on the main or aft deck, but visitors are welcome to go inside the small cabin, which offers limited seating and space. It is best to dress for an outdoor activity for both experiences. The sun is very bright on the water so sun protection is advisable. To avoid slips and/or falls when entering or exiting and moving around the vessel, you are encouraged to wear slip resistant shoes on the trip. In addition, it is recommended to bring extra layers as it can be much cooler out on the water. We recommend wearing/bringing:

• Sneakers or other secure non-slip shoes
• A hat that won’t blow away
• Multiple layers of clothing for changing wind and temperature conditions
• Sunscreen

Please note that, for safety, umbrellas are not permitted on board either vessel.

What about the weather?
The Museum’s vessels sail rain or shine. We make every effort to run the trips we have scheduled. In the event of inclement weather the captain may cancel a trip for safety reasons. This decision will usually be made close to the boarding time as the weather can be highly variable. We will make every effort to contact ticket holders should a trip be canceled in advance. Be sure to provide day-of contact information when you register in order to receive any timely notifications.

Is there a bathroom on board?
Both vessels have toilets for emergencies only. Ticket holders should use the nearby public restrooms in the Tin Building, Pier 17, or on the esplanade under the FDR between piers 15 and 16 prior to the start of the trip.

Unless specifically noted, food and beverage are not available for purchase on board. All passengers are invited to bring whatever snacks or meals you would like, in addition to alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of your choosing. Distilled spirits are not permitted. It can be windy, so keep that in mind when deciding on your snacks and drinks.

The Seaport Museum works in partnership with concessionaire Cobble Fish, conveniently located right on Pier 16, just a few feet from the check-in area for both Pioneer and W.O. Decker. Cobble Fish offers grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and beverages daily, during all hours that Museum ships are operating.

How long are the voyages?
W.O. Decker’s intended voyage is an approximately 75-minute recreational trip in New York Harbor, the East River, and the lower Hudson River, embarking from and returning to Pier 16 at 89 South Street, New York, New York.

Pioneer’s intended voyage is an approximately 2-hour recreational trip in New York Harbor, embarking from and returning to Pier 16 at 89 South Street, New York, New York.

Can I take photographs and record videos?

Yes! You will have ample opportunity to take as many photos and record as much video as you would like for personal use. If you post on social media, tag the South Street Seaport Museum so we can share in your adventure!

Facebook: @SouthStreetSeaportMuseum
Instagram: @seaportmuseum
Twitter: @seaportmuseum
TikTok: @seaportmuseum

Please be mindful of fellow passengers who may prefer not to be photographed or recorded during the voyage. So that all passengers have a good experience, limit your photography and recording to members of your own group as much as possible.

All photography or recording intended for professional purposes must be arranged in advance with the Museum. If you are interested in using Pioneer or W.O. Decker as a backdrop for photo shoots or recording footage, please contact the Museum at [email protected].

How adventurous are the sails?
Trips on the water are always an adventure. Weather and water conditions are among the variable factors. The captains and crew are constantly working to minimize the impact of such variables and to maintain safety as their top priority. Nonetheless, sailing and water-related activities do pose certain risks including, among other things, exposure to strong winds and high waves, and in such conditions, soaking spray is possible. By signing up for a voyage you agree to follow instructions of all crew members to make sure the experience is as safe as possible. The vessels and captains undergo a rigorous process to be certified by the United States Coast Guard.

Can I bring a stroller/walker/etc on board?
Storage space is not available on board. Strollers can be parked at the base of the gangway when boarding Pioneer; the Museum is not responsible for any property left at the gangway. Please note that boarding the vessel requires climbing angled gangways and a step up and over the side of the vessel from a floating deck. Seaport Museum Staff and Crew will assist with boarding for those with walkers. However, the ride can be rough; those with trouble standing may want to visit the Museum’s stationary vessels that are more stable.

Is there somewhere to sit?
Seating is limited on W.O. Decker. Guests on that vessel should expect to stand for most of the voyage. Casual bench-style seating is available on Pioneer.

How many other people am I sailing with?
Pioneer accommodates 35 guests, while W.O. Decker accommodates 10 guests.