Staten Island Ferry vs. Circle Line
 

Any significant advantage to taking the Circle Line "Harbor Lights" cruise vs. the Staten Island ferry at night, or will I be pretty much wasting $20 and an extra hour of my time.

IMHO, you'll see all the lights you need from the Staten Island ferry.

Save the $20. Take the Staten Islanf ferry.

Definitely agree with the two posters above.

Well, the Staten Island Ferry goes from the very southern tip of Manhattan slighly southwest to Staten Island and back, with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as you go by, whereas the Circle Line "Harbor Lights" Cruise starts at the western end of 42nd street and goes around the lower half of Manhattan and up past the Chrysler building, then turns around and goes very close by the SOL on the way back. It's timed so that you leave in daylight and enjoy the scenery during sunset, dusk, twilight, then dark when the lights are turned on all over. The significant advantage of the Circle Line cruise is the scenery.