Statue of Liberty Boat Tours: Legit or Scams? Depends Whom You Ask.

New York City lawmakers are pushing to rein in vendors near the Battery who sell boat tickets for Statue of Liberty cruises, arguing many mislead tourists about access to Liberty Island. At the waterfront, dozens of sellers approach visitors with offers, but buyers often can’t step onto Liberty Island. Only one operator—Statue City Cruises—is authorized by the National Park Service to dock at the monument. The sellers first encountered outside the park can only book cruises that pass the Statue of Liberty by boat. A new City Council bill would create revocable licenses for operators and allow hefty fines for misleading sales. Some vendors dispute the claims, saying they communicate clearly, while officials cite warning signs and enforcement challenges.