Making smoke while backing out into the middle of the Hudson River from Pier 88

Heading downriver with the George Washington Bridge in the background

Passing the Empire State Building. Visible off the bow is fire boat THREE FORTY THREE at the FDNY Marine 1 fire boat station

Artwork on the bow by pop artist Peter Max.

Broadside View

A closeup view of the ship’s funnel sandwiched between the Sports Complex and the Aqua Park water slides.

Receiving a horn salute from a passing pleasure boat

Passing One World Trade Center. The building’s spire had been topped-out two days earlier.

A view of the stern. The neo-Gothic Woolworth Building, at left, celebrated its 100th anniversary in April 2013. For its first 17 years it was the tallest building in the world