New York Cruise Lines, Operator of Iconic Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and New York Water Taxi, Appoints Craig Kanarick Chief Executive Officer

Following a year of expansion, acquisition and innovation, hospitality company will continue to deliver world-class experiences on the New York Harbor under new leadership

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New York Cruise Lines, Inc., operator of the world-famous Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, transportation and sightseeing company New York Water Taxi, charter vessel World Yacht, and the innovative maritime restaurants North River Lobster Company and Hudson’s at Pier 81, today announces the appointment of Craig Kanarick as Chief Executive Officer. Kanarick succeeds Samuel Cooperman, who has held the role of interim CEO since January 2017. Cooperman will continue to serve as Chairman, a role he has held since 2007.

In his new role, Kanarick is responsible for managing the overall business of New York Cruise Lines, which employs more than 750 individuals in the metro-area and operates over nine landings in New York City, including Manhattan’s Pier 83, Pier 81, Pier 79, Pier 16 at South Street Seaport and Battery Park, as well as Brooklyn’s Red Hook Dock and Pier 1 – Brooklyn Bridge Park. He is also overseeing the strategy and continued growth of the 70-year-old company, which has transported more than 84 million passengers and experienced a record year of ridership.

“Craig will be taking the helm at New York Cruise Lines after a major expansion in the Company’s business with the acquisition, earlier this year, of the iconic New York Water Taxi and Circle Line Downtown operations, the latter leading to the consolidation of the Circle Line brand under single ownership. This year we also took delivery of our latest series of new vessels, the Circle Line Bronx and Circle Line Staten Island, culminating a several-year process of replacing our sightseeing fleet with the latest and best ships in the business,” said Samuel Cooperman. “Craig’s entrepreneurial mindset, service orientation and success in developing brands will strengthen our many iconic brands, as well as upgrade and expand our offerings across all of our businesses and geographies.”

Kanarick brings to New York Cruise Lines extensive experience as an executive, entrepreneur, digital technology pioneer and builder of world-class brands. He is the co-founder and former Chief Strategic Officer of industry-defining digital services agency Razorfish and most recently, the co-founder and former CEO of Brooklyn-based Mouth Foods (mouth.com), the leading online specialty foods gift destination.

“As a long-time New Yorker, I am honored to have been tapped to innovate and grow this iconic New York institution,” said Kanarick. “It is a privilege to be working with such a strong team, incredible fleet and world-renowned brands. I look forward to strengthening our position as the leader in marine-based tourism, entertainment and transportation, especially as the New York City waterfront is experiencing such a renaissance.”

ABOUT NEW YORK CRUISE LINES
New York Cruise Lines (NYCL) is the parent company of industry-leading travel, tourism, entertainment, and restaurant businesses that emphasize the ultimate in hospitality set to the beauty of the NYC skyline. NYCL owns and operates 24 ships, including the most extensive and modern fleet in the sightseeing industry. NYCL’s most iconic brand, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, is a fixture in global tourism, hosting more than 72 million passengers since 1945. Recognized as “America’s Favorite Boat Ride,” Circle Line is world-famous for sightseeing and special events including concerts and entertainment. Operating from Pier 83 at 42^nd Street and the Hudson River (convenient to Times Square, The High Line and Hudson Yards) and Pier 16 near the South Street Seaport and the World Trade Center, the Circle Line is the oldest and largest provider of sightseeing cruises using the most modern vessels. NYCL also operates the iconic New York Water Taxi sightseeing and transportation fleet, New York’s only maritime thrill-ride, The Beast, New York’s premier luxury charter vessel, World Yacht, and innovative maritime restaurants North River Lobster Company and Hudson’s at Pier 81.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (circleline.com)
New York Water Taxi (newyorkwatertaxi.com)
World Yacht Dining Cruises (worldyacht.com)
North River Lobster Company (northriverlobsterco.com)
The Beast (ridethebeast.com)
Hudson’s at Pier 81 (hudsonsnyc.com)
New York Cruise Lines (nycl.com)