For the fifth consecutive year, Statue Cruises– said to be the official and only authorized concessioner for ferry service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island- has announced its extended operating hours for the peak summer season.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 26^th, service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the last boat departing Battery Park and Liberty State Park at 5 p.m. (instead of 3:30 p.m.) daily through Labor Day.

With ridership to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on board Statue Cruises at an all-time high the last two years with nearly nine million passengers and another strong summer expected, Statue Cruises is recommending the following ten tips for traveling to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island this summer:

1. Statue Cruises is said to be the only authorized provider of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.statuecruises.com or at the Statue Cruises ticket office inside Castle Clinton at Battery Park and in Liberty State Park.
2. Buy your tickets online and print at home. If you purchase an eTicket you can bypass the ticket booth and go directly into the screening facility.
3. The early bird catches the early boat—departures before 10:00 a.m. and after 2:00 pm are less crowded.
4. With convenient highway access and ample parking, the New Jersey departure point at Liberty State Park is the optimum choice for the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island via auto, bus or light rail.
5. Book your tickets mid-week to avoid the busiest days of summer.
6. Although the last departure to both islands is 5:00 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the park remains open until 7:00 p.m.
7. There are actually two departure points to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Battery Park and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. The New Jersey departure point typically sees lower volumes of visitors than Battery Park, which means a more efficient security screening process and the best kept secret for visiting.
8. Bringing a backpack on your visit?  If so and you’re heading into the Pedestal or Crown of the Statue of Liberty, you’ll have to secure your bag in a nearby locker ($2 fee) before proceeding into Lady Liberty. Travel light to maximize the trip.
9. Audio tours for both islands come in 12 languages, plus an ASL Tour is included with every ticket purchased.
10. Did we mention New Jersey? You can experience the best views of the Manhattan skyline and breeze through Security and onto Ellis and Liberty Islands.

“Every visitor deserves an amazing experience, and we hope these tips will make your visit even more memorable,” said Mike Burke, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Statue Cruises.  “We are grateful for our close partnership with the National Park Service in ensuring that millions of visitors have ample time to enjoy the variety of programs and exhibits available in the park while enjoying world class views of New York Harbor.”

“Armed with a few key pieces of information, visitors to the islands can most fully enjoy their time here,” said Superintendent John Piltzecker.  “As we ramp up to our busiest part of the season, these simple tips can help ensure a smooth and memorable experience.”

Visitors can reserve Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tickets for Battery Park and Liberty State Park departures now through Labor Day.  Online reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for the Crown of Lady Liberty.  For more information, please visit www.StatueCruises.com, facebook.com/statuecruises or twitter.com/statuecruises.