There are a handful of perks that come with being a Yankee fans: Having Jay-Z and Alicia Keys sing before the World Series, the finest (er, priciest) hot chocolate money can buy and even being able to catch the series while at sea.

The USS New York's 360-member crew, many of which are die-hard Yankees fans, has been sitting back, relaxing in the vessel’s mess decks with eyes glued on TVs running the World Series, according to the Daily News. Master at Arms 2nd Class Angel Candelaria, of the Bronx, said, "It's nice that the ship has the game on for us. Being on the ship is hard, but having the game on takes away from the pressure."

Among those on board the warship made with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center is a police officer from Westchester County who spent the days after the Sept. 11 attacks combing through the debris looking for survivors. And, riding on a ship for the first time, is a 20-year-old who learned about the attacks while in class at his Bronx middle school.

There may be something more exciting than watching a possible 27th World Series win for the Bronx Bombers. Crew members are excited about the ship's arrival to NYC for its commissioning (more details after the jump). Specialist Frank Lewis told the NY Times, "That is going to be, hands down, the most amazing feeling to know I’m coming home on the U.S.S. New York. I think that’ll even top the Yankees’ making the World Series, but we’ll see.”

The future USS NEW YORK (LPD 21), built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow, will be commissioned in New York City on November 7, 2009. The ship will actually arrive on November 2, when the public can welcome her as she renders honors at the World Trade Center site, and by visiting the ship before she leaves on November 12, 2009.

At approximately 8:00 a.m., on November 2, the future USS NEW YORK will come to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dip her flag, and deliver a 21-gun salute. Members of the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police, members of the families of 9/11 victims and veteran’s will gather on the shore at the North Cove in the World Financial Center to return the salute. Members of the general public are encouraged to attend

There will also be several opportunities for the general public to tour the ship when she is docked at Pier 88 at 12th Avenue and West 48 Street. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 4 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 5 - 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 9 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Members of the general public wishing to tour the ship should:
- arrive early as lines my be long, especially on the Sunday, Nov. 8.
- enter at West 46th Street and 12th Avenue (by the Intrepid).
- bring a photo ID (adults).
- wear comfortable shoes.

No large packages or backpacks will be permitted.

“It is an honor to be associated with the ship. We are all looking forward to sailing her to New York City for Commissioning,” Commanding Officer F. Curt Jones said. “I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct result of 9/11. I have crew members that have lost family members on 9/11. I have met numerous people as a result of being associated with the ship that lost family, friends…so we know that the steel that is part of the ship represents in some fashion those people. It represents loss but for us it also represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us,” he added.