Starting a Cruise Vacation from New York
Although popular cruise ports like Miami tend to be located in the southern portion of the United States, New York, as a departure point, is growing. The three cruise terminals around the Big Apple are a convenient location to start such a cruise vacation, eliminating the expense of traveling to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Galveston, or New Orleans.
New York's three ports are the gateway to a Caribbean, Bermuda, or Canadian vacation, and for added convenience, all are accessible by public transportation. If you are considering such a cruise vacation, what should you keep in mind about the three ports?
Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Called the Best U.S. Homeport by Travelage West magazine, the Manhattan cruise terminal has the longest operation. A $200 million capital investment upgraded the terminal, allowing it to serve larger ships. Now as one of the more modern cruise facilities, this terminal located not too far from Times Square features adjustable gangways and expanded pier aprons for loading and unloading and, to prevent congestion, handles departing and arriving passengers on two different levels.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
As the result of a $52 million investment in the city's growing cruise industry, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal began operating in 2006. Since then, the terminal, located in the Red Hook section of the borough, won Cruise Terminal of the Year by Princess Cruise Lines and Best New Homeport by Porthole magazine.
Like the Manhattan terminal, Brooklyn is another newer facility, equipped with flexible space, gangways, separate bus stalls, ample parking, and separate departure and arrival areas.
Together, the Brooklyn and Manhattan terminals serve many major and luxury cruise lines, including Norwegian, Princess, Cunard, Oceania, Carnival, and Silversea. Trips depart throughout the year to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.
Cape Liberty Port
While not located in New York City, Cape Liberty Port in nearby Bayonne, NJ, is a quick drive on the New Jersey Turnpike or transit ride away via the Bergen Light Rail. A departure point for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships, the port is directly across from Manhattan and is the starting point for Bermuda, Canada, and Caribbean cruises all through the year.
The port began operation in 2004 on the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor in the former Navy Base/MOTBY facility and is part of a multi-billion dollar redevelopment project that, over time, will bring in new residences, businesses, and a marina park. Currently, Cape Liberty handles the second-largest passenger volume among the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ports.
New York's three ports are the gateway to a Caribbean, Bermuda, or Canadian vacation, and for added convenience, all are accessible by public transportation. If you are considering such a cruise vacation, what should you keep in mind about the three ports?
Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Called the Best U.S. Homeport by Travelage West magazine, the Manhattan cruise terminal has the longest operation. A $200 million capital investment upgraded the terminal, allowing it to serve larger ships. Now as one of the more modern cruise facilities, this terminal located not too far from Times Square features adjustable gangways and expanded pier aprons for loading and unloading and, to prevent congestion, handles departing and arriving passengers on two different levels.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
As the result of a $52 million investment in the city's growing cruise industry, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal began operating in 2006. Since then, the terminal, located in the Red Hook section of the borough, won Cruise Terminal of the Year by Princess Cruise Lines and Best New Homeport by Porthole magazine.
Like the Manhattan terminal, Brooklyn is another newer facility, equipped with flexible space, gangways, separate bus stalls, ample parking, and separate departure and arrival areas.
Together, the Brooklyn and Manhattan terminals serve many major and luxury cruise lines, including Norwegian, Princess, Cunard, Oceania, Carnival, and Silversea. Trips depart throughout the year to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.
Cape Liberty Port
While not located in New York City, Cape Liberty Port in nearby Bayonne, NJ, is a quick drive on the New Jersey Turnpike or transit ride away via the Bergen Light Rail. A departure point for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships, the port is directly across from Manhattan and is the starting point for Bermuda, Canada, and Caribbean cruises all through the year.
The port began operation in 2004 on the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor in the former Navy Base/MOTBY facility and is part of a multi-billion dollar redevelopment project that, over time, will bring in new residences, businesses, and a marina park. Currently, Cape Liberty handles the second-largest passenger volume among the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ports.
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