Fleet Week 2019 In NYC: What You Need To Know

NEW YORK — The sailors are here. Members of the United States maritime services swarmed New York City starting Wednesday for the 31st annual Fleet Week.

About 2,600 sailors, Marines and Coast Guard members and more than a dozen ships are participating in the yearly celebration of the nation's sea forces. This year's events run from May 22 to 28.

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The festivities kicked off May 22 with the Parade of Ships, which gives New Yorkers a chance to see several vessels along the Hudson River as they head from Battery Park to the area near the George Washington Bridge.

Fleet Week will host a total of 15 ships docked in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Long Island, most of which will be open for tours. This year's fleet includes five U.S. Navy ships, four U.S. Naval Academy patrol boats, three Coast Guard cutters, a pair of Royal Canadian Navy vessls and a Military Sealift Command ship.

Don't jump ship if you miss the parade — there are dozens of other events throughout the week, giving New Yorkers plenty of chances to enjoy the tradition.

Here's what you need to know for Fleet Week 2019.

Schedule

A packed schedule of events will follow Wednesday's Parade of Ships, which runs from 8 a.m. to about noon. Concerts, demonstrations, Memorial Day observances and other programs will take place around the city throughout the week.

Some events will be held in Westchester County, Long Island and New Jersey for anyone who can't make it into the Big Apple.

The official Fleet Week website, hosted by Military News, has the full schedule of events here.

Ship Tours

Ships participating in Fleet Week will be open for tours in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum will also be open for daily ship tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Be aware that tours at Pier 88 in Manhattan will be closed on Sunday, and tours in Brooklyn will only run on Sunday and Monday. Be sure to get out this week if you want to see the U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats, as they'll be leaving on Saturday.

Here are all the participating ships and where to find them, according to Military News.

Manhattan, Pier 88:

• San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21)
• Kingston-class coastal defence vessel HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701), from Canadian Forces Base Halifax
• Sail training vessel HMCS Oriole (KC 480), from Canadian ForcesBase Halifax

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86:

• Four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats
• Sentinel-class cutter USCGC Lawrence O. Lawson (WPC 1120)

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal:

• Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Hué City (CG 66), set to arrive Saturday

Homeport Pier, Staten Island:

• Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109)
• Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5)
• Keeper-class cutter USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM 552)
• Medium endurance cutter USCGC Campbell (WMEC 909), set to leave Saturday

Kings Point, Long Island (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy): (Not open for general public tours)

• Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Tornado (PC 14)

Bronx/SUNY Maritime College: (Not open for general public tours)

• Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF-10)

Fleet Week Deals

Local merchants are offering discounts to military service members to mark Fleet Week. Here are some special offers that the guests of honor can find.

• Active military service members and veterans can get a 50 percent discount on Circle Line boat tours and $10 off New York Water Taxi cruises with a military ID.
• The North River Lobster Company, a floating eatery at Manhattan's Pier 81, will have a special "Sailor's Punch" cocktail on offer for Fleet Week.
• The Gotham West Market in Hell's Kitchen is offering a 10 percent discount to all active and former military members during Fleet Week. The market at 600 11th Ave. features vendors such as Seamore's and Ample Hills Creamery.
• The West Village's CAULIPOWER House pop-up is offering free pizzas to service members in uniform. The giveaway at 257 Bleecker St. comes in the form of a coupon and a tote full of free stuff.
• On Sunday, National Sawdust in Williamsburg will host Fleet Week Follies, a one-day festival for service members and their families. The free event will feature family activities and a concert featuring the comedian Mike Birbiglia, the American Military Spouses Choir and others. More info is available here.