Love is alive and well on the Hudson River. In fact, it sails out of Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City, and West New York daily.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the commuter ferry company NY Waterway has announced they are bringing back their popular contest dedicated to love stories, “Ferry Tales.”
“People have met on the ferries,” said Pat Smith, a spokesperson for NY Waterway, last week. “If you’re commuting back and forth to work every day, you start to run into the same people and, on occasion, love has bloomed.”
“It’s very romantic, very enjoyable.” – Pat Smith
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Customers are invited to send in their true love stories that have taken place on one of the NY Waterway ferries for a chance to win a romantic evening for two. The evening includes dinner at Robongi On The Water, located at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal, and tickets for the NY Waterway 90-Minute Skyline Cruise.
“Ferry Tales” has been organized by NY Waterway on and off for about 15 years in celebration of Valentine’s Day. There has been an immense response to the contest in past years, with entries pouring in from ferry riders eager to share their stories.
“If you’ve been on the ferry, then you know,” said Smith. “It’s very romantic, very enjoyable.”
Entries in the past have ranged from a special ride or moment shared on the ferry, to marriage proposals. Proving to be more than just a commuter boat, the ferries have also become a popular site for weddings as well.
While the parameters of the contest have varied from year to year, this year it will focus once again on real life “ferry” tales.
In 2004, the winners were Jeff and Lisa Taylor of Guttenberg, who began their romance after a chance meeting on a ferry one day.
“It was meant to be,” Lisa said at the time. “I waited all of my life and found the man of my dreams on the ferry.”
A romantic night
This year’s winners will get a romantic night that’s on the high seas. The 90-minute Skyline Cruise provides a tour of New York City from the comfort of a toasty indoor cabin. Sights include the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as a more recent view, the area of the miracle plane landing on the Hudson. Ironically, the contest was not held last year because of that incident.
Entries of up to 200 words may be submitted by emailing jody@nywaterway.com. Entries must be received by Monday, Feb. 8, and the winner will be announced on NY Waterway’s Facebook Fan page on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Feb. 14.
Stories should include the contestant’s name, address, email, phone number, and ferry route. NY Waterway reserves the right to post stories on www.facebook.com/nywaterway. For information and schedules, call 1-800-53-FERRY or click on www.nywaterway.com.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.