For Immediate Release MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Rogers Hawkins International PR (212) 255-6541 [email protected] NEW YORK CRUISE LINES, INC. AND THE DURST ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCE ACQUISITION OF NEW YORK WATER TAXI BY NEW YORK CRUISE LINES, OWNER OF CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING YACHTS NEW YORK, NY – January 12, 2017 – New York Cruise Lines, Inc. (NYCL) and The Durst Organization today announced that they have closed a transaction for the sale of New York Water Taxi (NYWT) and Circle Line Downtown to New York Cruise Lines, owner of Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts, located on 42nd Street and the Hudson River. The combination of the iconic Circle Line and New York Water Taxi brands will broaden and strengthen the transportation and sightseeing waterway services for both local residents and tourists alike. “New York Water Taxi has established a great sightseeing and transportation business with its New York Water Taxi brand, including a hop on hop off service which connects Manhattan’s West Side, East Side and Brooklyn. We wish to preserve and grow this business. The transaction also unites the midtown and downtown Circle Line brands, which operated out of 42nd Street and the Hudson River and South Street Seaport on the East River, respectively. The addition of NYWT and Circle Line Downtown fleet and staff within the NYCL family gives us the geographic scope and capacity to expand the world famous Circle Line sightseeing business," said Samuel Cooperman, Chairman and CEO of New York Cruise Lines. “With the acquisition, NYCL will own and operate 25 ships, including transportation ferries, high speed thrill rides and sightseeing, dinner, entertainment and charter yachts, with capacity ranging from 74 to 600 passengers. We will offer a service for every customer need.” "We are happy to partner with New York Cruise Lines to continue our legacy,” said David Neil, Co-President of New York Water Taxi. “NYCL and its Circle Line brand is a respected industry leader with a long and rich history on New York City's waterways. Circle Line 42 is the best possible option for continuing the work of NYWT— for the customers who rely on New York Water Taxi's service, for its employees to continue working in the industry they love, and for the entire extended maritime family.” “As New York City continues to grow, its residents and visitors will need an even more robust and diverse transit network to get where they want, when they want. By joining NYCL, New York Water Taxi can continue playing a role in providing every resident and visitor high-quality ferry service in an unforgettable city,” said Helena Durst, New York Water Taxi Co-President. ### ABOUT NEW YORK CRUISE LINES New York Cruise Lines is the parent company of the iconic Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts, and other industry leading travel, hospitality and restaurant businesses. Circle Line, a fixture in global tourism, has hosted more than 60 million passengers since 1945 and is recognized as “America’s Favorite Boat Ride”, world- famous for sightseeing and special events including concerts and entertainment. New York Cruise Lines also owns and operates unique floating restaurants at Pier 81’s North River Landing, including North River Lobster Company, an award winning casual lobster shack, as well as the brand new Fish Bar at North River Landing, a waterfront seafood lounge and restaurant with an expansive outdoor top deck and lively bar scene. New York Cruise Lines also operates World Yacht, a luxury special events and private charter business, as well as The BEAST Speedboat summer time thrill ride. The company is located in Hudson River Park on 42nd Street and the Hudson River, convenient to Times Square, the High Line and Hudson Yards. Circle Line: Winner of Concierge Choice Award (CCA) for “Best Sightseeing Tours” in NYC (2015) North River Lobster Company: Winner of North American Journeys’ “Coolest New Product of 2015” North River Lobster Company (www.northriverlobsterco.com) Fish Bar at North River Landing (www.northriverfishbar.com) North River Landing (www.northriverlanding.nyc) Circle Live Concert Series (www.circlelivenyc.com) Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (www.circleline42.com) World Yacht Special Event Cruises (www.worldyacht.com) .