🗽 New York Cruise Port Guide

Few cruise departures are as cinematic as sailing from New York.

The skyline rises behind you. The Statue of Liberty waits ahead. Tugboats edge past as Manhattan slowly fades into the distance. It’s a moment you don’t forget.

Your departure point affects which airport makes sense, where you should stay the night before, how easy embarkation feels — and even what your sail-away looks like.

We’ve sailed from Manhattan and arrived into Cape Liberty ourselves, so we’ve seen first-hand how different the experience can be.

This guide breaks down exactly what to expect from each terminal — and how to plan it properly so your cruise starts smoothly long before you step onboard.

🧭 Which New York Cruise Terminal Are You Using?

New York cruise ships depart from three different terminals — and one of them isn’t even in New York State.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

*Cruise lines can change seasonally — always confirm your sailing details.

🚨 Why This Matters

If your booking just says “New York”, double-check the actual terminal.

Manhattan and Brooklyn are in different boroughs. Cape Liberty is in a different state.

Choosing the wrong hotel or airport because you assumed they were all the same is an easy (and expensive) mistake.

🗽 Manhattan Cruise Terminal

What’s it like?

If you picture sailing past the Statue of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline behind you, this is the terminal you’re imagining.

Located on the Hudson River at 711 12th Avenue in Midtown West, Manhattan Cruise Terminal puts you right in the city. Unlike many cruise ports that sit miles outside urban centres, this one genuinely feels like part of New York.

We’ve sailed from Manhattan on a Canada & New England roundtrip and also stayed overnight here during a transatlantic stop — and the location completely changes the experience.

Using the Ship as Your Midtown Base

Because the terminal sits in Midtown, you can explore on foot.

During our overnight stay, we:

• Walked to Hell’s Kitchen for dinner

• Wandered through Times Square

• Continued on to the Empire State Building

• Did the essential Macy’s stop

• Then walked back to the ship

Watching the skyline light up from deck before stepping back into the city is something you simply don’t get at many embarkation ports.

🚢 Embarkation and Disembarkation

 What to Expect on Embarkation Day

Passengers arrive at street level of the pier, where ships are clearly signposted near each berth.

From there:

• Porters collect large luggage at the entrance and transfer it directly to the ship

• You head up to the Customs Hall via passenger elevators or escalator

• Check-in proceeds according to your cruise line’s boarding process

There are no luggage storage lockers at the terminal, so if you arrive early and plan to explore before boarding, you’ll need to arrange off-site storage.

Traffic can be heavy on embarkation mornings — this is Midtown Manhattan — so allow extra time if arriving by taxi or car.

Disembarkation: What Happens on Return

On return from your cruise:

• Passengers are directed to the baggage hall

• Luggage is positioned there by porters

• After collecting bags, you proceed through customs declaration

From there, passengers are directed to taxis, pre-arranged transfers, coaches and parking areas.

When we returned from our Canada sailing, being deposited straight into Midtown made onward plans very straightforward — whether heading to a hotel, the airport or straight into sightseeing.

🚇 Getting to Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Public transportation is often the easiest option.

🚇 Subway

The closest subway lines are:

• A, C, B, D or 1 trains to Columbus Circle

From there, it’s roughly a 15–20 minute walk south and west to the terminal.

🚌 Bus

Closest MTA buses:

• M57 (57th Street Crosstown)

• M31 (57th Street / York Avenue)

🚆 Train

If arriving by rail:

• Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal are the closest major stations

• Taxis are readily available from both

✈️ Airports & Taxi Costs

Closest airports:

• LaGuardia (LGA) – often the simplest for Midtown

• JFK – strong international connections

• Newark (EWR) – workable but usually better suited to Cape Liberty

Estimated yellow taxi fares (excluding tolls and tips):

• JFK → Manhattan Cruise Terminal: $52 flat rate

• LaGuardia → Manhattan Cruise Terminal: approximately $25–$35

• Newark → Manhattan Cruise Terminal: approximately $80–$100 (agree price in advance)

Only use licensed NYC taxis and ensure the meter is running. Avoid accepting rides from unofficial drivers outside the terminal.

🚗 Driving & Parking

All vehicles enter the terminal from 55th Street and 12th Avenue.

On-Site Cruise Parking

• $45 per night (tax included) – “Rates subject to change — always confirm with the terminal before travel.”

• Credit card payment only

• Height restriction: 8 feet for rooftop parking

• Parking opens at 8am

Parking operates on a revolving system, with disembarking passengers typically clearing spaces mid-morning.

If parking at the terminal, you must park first before dropping luggage. You cannot drop bags and then leave to park without exiting the facility.

🏨 Where to stay

If sailing from Manhattan and wanting a stress-free embarkation morning, staying nearby makes a real difference.

Ink 48 Hotel

Why it works for cruisers:

• Walkable to Manhattan Cruise Terminal

• Located in Hell’s Kitchen (excellent dining nearby)

• Close to Times Square without peak tourist chaos

• Straightforward airport taxi access

Being able to roll your suitcase a few blocks rather than navigate Midtown traffic is genuinely underrated.

💷 Also Within Walking Distance (Longer Walk)

Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West by IHG

The Holiday Inn Express Midtown West is slightly further from the terminal than Ink 48 but still manageable on foot for able travellers with lighter luggage. Otherwise, it’s a quick and inexpensive taxi ride.

🌆 Central Midtown Option (Short Taxi Ride)

Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square

If you’d prefer to stay closer to Times Square and the main Midtown attractions, this option keeps you central — with a short taxi ride to the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

Who Manhattan Cruise Terminal Suits Best

• First-time NYC cruisers wanting the iconic sail-away

• Anyone planning a pre- or post-cruise city stay

• Travellers who enjoy exploring on foot

• Those who want maximum Manhattan access

If you want skyline views and city energy from the moment you board, Manhattan delivers.

🚢 Cape Liberty Cruise Port (Bayonne, New Jersey)

What it’s like

Cape Liberty Cruise Port may be marketed as “New York,” but it’s actually located across the Hudson River in Bayonne, New Jersey.

And that’s important.

This is not a walk-off-the-ship-into-Manhattan kind of port. It’s purpose-built, practical and far less chaotic than Midtown.

What you can expect:

• Wide open harbour views

• A smooth, vehicle-friendly drop-off area

• One main terminal building

• Efficient embarkation and disembarkation flow

You’ll still get those iconic skyline views as you sail past Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty — but on embarkation day, this port is all about simplicity and logistics rather than sightseeing.

If Manhattan feels cinematic, Cape Liberty feels efficient.

🚗 Getting to Cape Liberty Cruise Port

Cape Liberty Cruise Port is in Bayonne, New Jersey — not Manhattan. That single detail changes how you plan your arrival.

This is a logistics-first port. Simple once you understand it.

✈️ Best Airport for Cape Liberty

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the clear winner.

• Around 10 miles away

• Typically 20–25 minutes by car

• Most straightforward route

• No need to cross Manhattan

You can use JFK or LaGuardia, but that usually means:

• 60–120 minutes travel time

• Bridge/tunnel traffic

• Higher transfer costs

If you’re flying in specifically for Cape Liberty, Newark keeps life simple.

🚖 Taxi & Ride Share

From Newark:

• Taxi is straightforward from the rank outside baggage claim

• Expect roughly $35–$50 depending on traffic

• Uber/Lyft often similar or slightly cheaper

From JFK or LaGuardia:

• Significantly more expensive

• Can exceed $100+ depending on traffic

• Time highly variable

This is why Newark wins.

🚆 Public Transport (Technically Possible… Not Ideal)

You can reach Bayonne using:

• PATH train

• Hudson-Bergen Light Rail

• NJ Transit bus

But none drop you at the terminal itself.

You’ll still need:

• A taxi or Uber for the final 2–3 miles

If you have luggage (which, let’s be honest, you do), this becomes awkward quickly.

For most cruisers, taxi or rideshare is the sensible option.

🚗 Driving to Cape Liberty

This is where Cape Liberty shines.

Unlike Manhattan:

• Easy vehicle access

• Straightforward highway approach

• Designed for car traffic

Most routes funnel via:

New Jersey Turnpike → Exit 14A → Route 440 → Bayonne Ocean Terminal

Clear signage once you’re close.

For US-based cruisers driving in, this is arguably easier than Manhattan.

🅿️ Parking at Cape Liberty

On-Site Parking

There is a secured parking facility directly adjacent to the terminal.

• No reservation required

• Guaranteed parking

• Daily rate typically around $30 per day – “Rates subject to change — always confirm with the terminal before travel.”

You park, walk across, and you’re done.

Very simple.

Off-Site “Park & Cruise” Options

There are independent parking providers nearby offering:

• Slightly lower daily rates

• Shuttle transfers to the terminal

• Indoor or outdoor options

Good for longer sailings if you’re price sensitive.

🧭 What Cape Liberty Feels Like on Embarkation Day

Compared to Manhattan:

• Less chaotic

• Less traffic congestion

• More space

• Clear vehicle flow

You’re not wheeling cases through Times Square — you’re in a purpose-built cruise zone.

It’s efficient rather than glamorous.

🏨 Practical Stays for Cape Liberty (Near Newark Airport)

If you’re sailing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, staying near Newark Liberty International Airport keeps things simple.

Most cruisers flying in choose this strategy:

• Fly into Newark

• Stay overnight near the airport

• Take a hotel shuttle to the port the next morning

Here are two reliable options.