Our Sightseeing Tour Guides

Alexis Moore Eytinge

Alexis discovered her passion for tour guiding in November 2013, when she took her first guided experience, a chocolate tour in New York City. She instantly knew she had found her calling. With a background in theater, sociology, and food culture, Alexis stood out among candidates when she applied to a Portland, Oregon tour company. For six years, she led a wide range of experiences there, from historical and neighborhood walking tours to beer, wine, food, chocolate, and even waterfall adventures.

Eventually, Alexis returned to her roots in New York City (her mother is a native New Yorker) and now calls Astoria, Queens home. Combining her love of boats with her gift for storytelling, she has found her perfect fit as a Circle Line guide. Alexis believes the best tours should be “edu-tainment,” a mix of engaging history, humor, and heart. A performer at her core, she has written and produced several one-woman shows, and it is not unusual for her to treat her Circle Line guests to a song during a tour.

Outside of guiding, Alexis runs a life coaching business that helps young people transition into college and independent living. She is also the author of 21 Strategies for Thriving at College, available on her website www.TheConfidenceSociety.com.

"Alexis was the perfect mix of fun and informative. She had us laughing one minute and amazed the next with her knowledge of the city." — Jordan M., Texas

"Her passion for New York and her ability to connect with the group made the cruise feel so personal. She even sang for us, which was unforgettable!" — Claudia S., Madrid

"Alexis turned the tour into more than sightseeing. It felt like a show, a history lesson, and a comedy act all rolled into one." — Patrick D., Chicago

Andy Sydor

Born in Manhattan, raised in New Jersey, and now a proud Queens resident, Andy holds a BA in anthropology from Rutgers University. With a lifelong connection to the New York metropolitan area, becoming a tour guide was a natural path. He has been guiding for more than 17 years and joined Circle Line in 2015.

When he is not sharing stories from a boat, Andy is sharing songs in Queens. A fixture in the Astoria music scene, he can often be found singing and strumming at local favorites such as Irish Whiskey Bar, Shillelagh, and the Wild Goose in Woodside.

One of Andy’s most memorable moments came during the 2003 Blackout, when he was guiding a double-decker bus. With the city in darkness, he helped a packed bus navigate from Lower Manhattan back to Midtown, keeping spirits high along the way.

Andy loves helping people and especially enjoys using his role as a tour guide to help visitors make sense of the unique, ever-evolving experiment that is New York City.

"Andy’s storytelling was incredible. He explained the city in a way that made us see New York completely differently." — Laura K., Dublin

"Between his knowledge of the city and his stories from years of guiding, Andy kept everyone hooked from start to finish." — Marcus H., Florida

"We loved Andy’s tour — his warmth, humor, and ability to make sense of this crazy city made the whole experience unforgettable." — Renee P., Toronto

Chris Mason

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Chris Mason has Circle Line in his blood. As the son of legendary Circle Line guide John Mason, he had big shoes to fill when he first took the microphone in 1985. From that day forward, he has carried on the family tradition while building a voice and style all his own.

With nearly four decades of experience and thousands of tours behind him, Chris has become a true master of his craft. His tours are equal parts history lesson, comedy show, and game of trivia, keeping audiences engaged from start to finish. Guests never know when they might be quizzed with a surprising statistic or challenged to guess the backstory of a landmark, but they can always count on being entertained.

For Chris, New York City is the greatest city on earth, and every tour is a chance to share that pride. Whether you are visiting for the first time or rediscovering your hometown from the water, Chris brings the skyline to life with knowledge, humor, and heart.

"Chris has a gift for making the city come alive. His energy, humor, and stories made our cruise one of the highlights of our trip to New York." — Emily R., California

"We laughed, we learned, and we left knowing more about New York than we ever expected. Chris made the tour unforgettable." — Daniel K., London

"Chris’s love for New York City is contagious. You can feel it in every story he tells, and it makes the experience truly special." — Samantha L., New Jersey

David Parker

Born and raised near the Pittsburgh Airport in Pennsylvania, David Parker came to New York in 1985 to pursue an M.F.A. in Acting. After graduating, he spent time in summer theater and adjunct college teaching before finding his way to Circle Line through a summer job with the concession contractor on board. His people skills quickly made him their top salesman, and soon after he auditioned to become a tour guide. Starting as a substitute, he later balanced shifts at the Statue of Liberty information booth with Circle Line tours, officially becoming a Circle Line guide in 1994.

In October 2001, David found another reason to love Circle Line when he met his future wife while narrating a tour. He and Leslie married in December 2002 and now live in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Outside of guiding, David is an aviation and auto enthusiast and a dedicated racing fan. As a member of the New Jersey Diecast Car Club, he has built a collection of thousands of diecast toy cars.

"David’s knowledge was endless. He knew the history, the architecture, even fun little details we never would have noticed on our own." — Michelle T., Boston

"He has such a warm and engaging style. It felt like we were exploring New York with a friend who happens to be a walking encyclopedia." — Greg W., Sydney

"David kept us entertained the entire time. Between his humor and his passion for the city, the cruise flew by." — Anika R., Toronto

Debbie Mason

A proud native New Yorker, born and raised in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, Debbie is a photographer, storm chaser, and lifelong explorer of the city. She has a passion for everything New York has to offer. From its history and architecture to its food, neighborhoods, and nonstop energy, she sees the city as a place of endless discovery, and she loves sharing that excitement with others.

After more than 30 years in a customer-focused career in telecommunications, she made the leap into tourism and never looked back. Since then, she has led thousands of tours for visitors from around the world. Whether it is a sightseeing bus ride, a harbor cruise, a student group outing, or a private corporate experience, she brings the same enthusiasm, warmth, and personal touch to every group.

Her deep roots in the city and her friendly, down-to-earth style make her tours feel more like exploring with an old friend than following a script. She delights in showing off the city’s iconic landmarks, but she is just as excited to uncover the hidden gems and little-known stories that make New York truly special.

For Debbie, New York is not just where she is from, it is who she is.

"Debbie made us feel right at home in New York. It was like exploring the city with a friend who knows every story and secret corner." — Hannah G., Seattle

"Her passion for the city shines through in every detail. Debbie’s tour was the highlight of our trip to New York." — Luis M., São Paulo

"We loved how Debbie balanced the big landmarks with the hidden gems. She showed us a side of the city we never would have discovered on our own." — Claire J., Paris

Malachy Murray

A proud Queens native and descendant of 17th-century sailors, Malachy Murray’s name literally means “Sea Warrior,” a fitting title for someone with saltwater in his veins.

After serving in the U.S. Navy’s elite Special Forces, he joined Circle Line in 1996 as a deckhand. Just three weeks into the job, he picked up the microphone when a tour guide fell ill—and delivered such a memorable tour that guests still talk about it today.

With sharp wit, encyclopedic knowledge of New York City, and a natural flair for storytelling, Malachy transforms every cruise into an unforgettable experience. Beyond the water, he has worked as a SAG-AFTRA actor in productions such as The Departed and Law & Order, authored the best-selling book Unique New York, and now hosts the podcast NEW YORK TALK NYC.

Wherever he is telling stories, Malachy makes New York come alive.

"Malachy’s energy is incredible. He had the whole boat laughing, learning, and completely engaged the entire time." — Caroline D., Edinburgh

"Hands down the best tour guide I’ve ever had. Malachy’s stories made the city feel alive, and his passion is contagious." — Mateo V., Buenos Aires

"We came for the skyline views, but Malachy made the cruise unforgettable. His humor, knowledge, and warmth made it the highlight of our trip." — Naoko H., Tokyo

Timothy Ries

Tim Ries brings over two decades of experience in New York City tourism to his role as a tour guide with Circle Line Sightseeing. As the founder of Tourist New York and a licensed NYC tour guide, Tim is known for his engaging storytelling, deep knowledge of the city’s history, and passion for sharing both iconic landmarks and hidden gems with visitors from around the world.

Before launching his own tour company in 2019, Tim served as Director of Visitor Services at the High Line and has presented at major industry events including The New York Times Travel Show. A proud member of the Guides Association of New York City, he has led thousands of tours across the five boroughs and contributed to a New York City food encyclopedia.

Originally from the Midwest and now based in southeast Brooklyn, Tim spends his free time exploring the city with his wife and son. He’s also an avid collector of vintage New York postcards from the 1920s–1940s—a hobby that reflects his love for the city’s rich and layered history.

"Tim has an incredible way of connecting the dots between New York’s past and present. His stories made the city feel alive." — Olivia B., Toronto

"We loved Tim’s tour. He shared not only the big highlights but also small details and hidden gems that we never would have noticed on our own." — Rajesh P., Mumbai

"Tim’s passion for New York is contagious. He’s knowledgeable, funny, and kept us engaged from start to finish." — Helena M., Dublin

Nathan Cox

Nathan Cox is a lifelong New Yorker with a passion for uncovering every corner and story of his hometown. Born and raised in New York City, he has spent over 20 years as a professional tour guide, sharing both well-known landmarks and personal memories—from towering skyscrapers to his own childhood home.

Nathan is known for his engaging, entertaining style that keeps guests laughing while learning. He recently joined the Circle Line family, where he brings his signature mix of history, humor, and heart to the water, offering unforgettable tours around Manhattan.

In addition to guiding, Nathan is a published author (101: Monumental New York City Events), blogger, screenwriter, and musical theatre librettist and lyricist. Whether on land, on stage, or on a boat, he’s always telling stories that bring New York City to life.

"Nathan was absolutely fantastic. He had us laughing the whole time while teaching us things about New York we never knew." — Michael R., San Francisco

"What makes Nathan stand out is how personal his tours feel. He mixes big-city history with his own stories of growing up here, which made it unforgettable." — Sofia L., Madrid

"Nathan’s passion and humor are contagious. You can tell he truly loves New York, and that energy comes through in every story he tells." — Arjun K., New Delhi

Jerry Kaiser

Jerry Kaiser is a seasoned New York City tour guide with over 15 years in the travel and tourism industry. Since 2017, he has been part of the Circle Line team, where he shares his deep knowledge and love of NYC with visitors from around the world.

Jerry’s background includes guiding with Grayline Sightseeing, helping launch the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, and supporting major events at Rockefeller Center. He has also worked internationally, creating tour packages in India and collaborating with the American Consulate in Mumbai.

Known for his friendly personality, clear communication, and engaging storytelling, Jerry brings New York’s history, landmarks, and hidden gems to life on every Circle Line cruise.

"Jerry was fantastic. He made the city feel welcoming and easy to understand, and his stories were both fun and informative." — Allison M., Chicago

"We could tell right away how much Jerry loves New York. His passion and humor made the cruise unforgettable." — Victor R., Mexico City

"Jerry explained the landmarks so clearly and kept us laughing the whole time. He really brought the city to life." — Hiroko T., Osaka

Tim Hollon

A historian, storyteller, and veteran guide, Tim has spent more than five decades leading tours across the United States and Europe. A Heartland native, he began his career as an Army Intelligence Russian specialist during the Cold War and later worked with the CIA before discovering his true passion: bringing history to life for travelers of all ages.

Educated at George Washington University and the University of Wisconsin, he has guided hundreds of groups through iconic sites such as Gettysburg, Boston, and Monticello, as well as across the Atlantic to the British Isles and the European continent. Known for his sharp wit, meticulous research, and ability to spotlight overlooked landmarks, he shares stories that connect the past with the present and often weaves in the voices of those who lived through history.

His expertise has been recognized at the highest levels. Congressman John McCain’s office twice selected him to lead top Arizona students on government tours in Washington, D.C., a testament to his talent as both an educator and a guide.

"Tim’s stories were unforgettable. He has such a gift for connecting history with real people and places that you feel like you’ve stepped back in time." — Karen S., Minneapolis

"A true historian and entertainer. Tim made sites I thought I already knew feel fresh and meaningful." — Leonardo M., Rome

"We were amazed by Tim’s knowledge. He kept our group engaged with fascinating details and a great sense of humor." — Emily W., Vancouver