New York Cruise Lines names Craig Kanarick CEO

Craig Kanarick

OCTOBER 16, 2017 — Craig Kanarick has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of New York Cruise Lines, Inc. He succeeds Samuel Cooperman, who has held the role of interim CEO since January 2017 and will continue to serve as Chairman, a role he has held since 2007.

New York Cruise Lines is the operator of Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, New York Water Taxi, World Yacht, and the maritime restaurants North River Lobster Company and Hudson’s at Pier 81.

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 cofounder and former Chief Strategic Officer of digital services agency Razorfish and most recently, the co-founder and former CEO of Brooklyn-based Mouth Foods (mouth.com), an online specialty foods business.

“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.”