Thursday, September 5th, 2024. Pier 83. Manhattan, New York — Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, popularly known as “Circle Line”, NYC’s most iconic boat tour who’s been cruising the watery skirts of New York since 1945, offering sightseeing adventures to over 8 Million passengers, set sail on the ultimate 2024 summer send-off with the Usher-inspired dance cruise. The night of Usher’s greatest hits took place on Thursday, September 5, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. All Summer dance cruises departed at 7:30 PM on their designated dates, with tickets starting at $30.
The Usher themed dance Cruise was curated in honor of Usher’s, Past Present Future Tour, that took place in Brooklyn on September 6, 7, 9 & 10 at Barclays. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises’ very own seasoned choreographer Byron Freeman gleefully coached the passengers onboard to master moves from iconic Usher music videos like “Confession Part II,” “OMG,” and “U Got It Bad.”
Passengers onboard danced to a live set performed by DJ Sunny Cheeba and learned routines from Usher’s iconic music videos, sipped on specialty cocktails, and took in remarkable views of New York City.
The energetic and fun-loving Byron Freeman sat with Danielle Niecey of The Knockturnal to recap the close of the 2024 Summer Dance Cruise season with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.
The Knockturnal: So, how do you feel about how the season went; and what was your favorite cruise of the 2024 Summer Season?
Choreographer, B. Freeman, poses onboard Circle Line Sightseeing Dance Cruise. Photo credit: B. Freeman/Circleline Sightseeing Cruises
Byron Freeman: This is the third year of our dance Cruises and I feel we took it to the next level. We did 3 more cruises than we had done, so a total of 4 dance cruises this year! All of the cruises were special for different reasons, but I feel like the Michael and Janet Jackson cruise was something a little more special. That night, the magic was next level.
The Knockturnal: Can the fans of the Circle Line Dance Cruises look forward to dancing with you on the return of the cruises’ next summer?
Freeman: Circle Line is home for me now. I’ve been here for literally 3 years, September makes 3 full years for me. I was on our boat when the crane accident happened and we saw it all, I remember that we had to cut our live segment. So yes, the Circle Line is family and is home for me now. I’ve experienced so much with Circle Line. I will be back as many times as they will have me.
The Knockturnal: How has working with Circle line expanded your work as a choreographer with B Free Dance?
Freeman: Great question, these cruises have opened my mind to so much. We [Circle Line] have been figuring out new ways to bring something in for everybody onboard. I have been doing that for the last five years but doing it with a circle line … a cruise line that has a wider demographic; it’s so rich in its history that everyone knows about this cruise line… and as a cruise line, we ensure that everyone has a good time, while incorporating dance. As a choreographer, it’s allowed me to see that dance is for everybody. Especially with age, adults need something fun to do. They deserve to have fun as well. So for me, I say ‘welcome to free-cess’ for adults. Then we dance the night away!
The Knockturnal: If you had to share anything to encourage our readers about circle line dance cruises, what would you share?
Freeman: I would share that the circle line is about embodying what it means to take tradition to the next level and not be scared to break tradition in order to take things to a next level.
The Knockturnal: And by tradition, what are you referring to?
Freeman: The Dance Cruises. This is the first time that Circle Line cruise has offered dance class on their cruises. It’s still so new, 3 years ago, Circle Line was known for parties but they never thought their clients would ever want to do anything like a dance cruise. Especially since boats rock a lot, so they were skeptical at first, but our phenomenal Marketing director Alexis introduced the theme to Circle Line and they were innovative and inventive enough to give it a go. And here we are today.
Circle Line Summer Dance cruises are such a brilliant idea and a perfect way to find time to spend with friends, family, romantic partners or even as an individual getaway to unwind. What I love most is that you have the opportunity to jump in and out of a routine, with no pressure from the choreographer if you’d like to grab a bite to eat, a cocktail (or two) and just enjoy the waves. My favorite part is the ending when passengers are able to let loose and dance the night away to the spins of a live DJ while enjoying the fresh air over the Hudson. 
If you missed the Summer 2024 Dance cruises, you will still have amazing opportunities to book one of the many Circle Line cruises coming this Fall such as the popular Bear Mountain Cruise, an 8 hour cruise, pulling off from PIER 83, Midtown Manhattan where you’ll get to Cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park for an Oktoberfest cruise that includes scenic views, festive fun, and outdoor exploration.
The Bear Mountain cruise trips will begin as early as September 28th and run until November 10th. Or, if you prefer a shorter cruise, the Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise is a 4 hour cruise also setting sail from PIER 83, Midtown, Manhattan from October 19-20 ONLY on the Hudson River as a part of New York’s floating Oktoberfest. Guests on board will set sail to enjoy live music, fall foliage & brews on a fun-filled 4-hour day trip.
For more information on Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, the Summer Dance Series, the 2024 Fall Cruise season and to purchase tickets, please visit Circle Line.
