Statue Cruises is literally the only way to get yo...

Statue Cruises is literally the only way to get yourself onto the Statue of Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It's a good idea to purchase your tickets online well in advance. Otherwise, if you are a City Pass holder, you MUST show up early in the day because the afternoon cruises are guaranteed to be sold out. The line is ridiculously long most of the time, and the actual listed cruise time is irrelevant as nobody actually catch the boat at the time it says on the ticket. The cruise process works as such: 1) Pick up tickets at Clinton Castle, 2) get in line in Battery Park, 3) go through an airport-style security check point, 4) get on a boat to take you to Statue of Liberty Island, 5) get back in line for a boat to take you to Ellis Island, and 6) get back in line for a boat to take you back to Battery Park. In all, easily half of your touring day will be gone if you decide to do this cruise. If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty, consider the free option of riding the Staten Island Ferry...