New Yorkers can get on a cruise from three ports – Brooklyn, Cape Liberty, and Manhattan. But most people board their cruise from the Port Liberty cruise terminal. The reasons are very simple – the port won’t be too busy, and the convenience to reach the port. Also, if you want to board one of the cruise ships of Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Cape Liberty Cruise Port is the best choice.
Located at 4 Port Terminal Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ 07002, the port has a yearly passenger traffic close to 1.3 million, making it the first busiest in the country. Though Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line that sails around, the Port Liberty cruise terminal has a busy schedule throughout the year. So, you may feel slightly anxious if you’re traveling for the first time from the port. Don’t worry; we will give you the info on how to get there, the hotels close to Cape Liberty Cruise terminal, nearby attractions, and whatnot!
The port comprises just a single terminal operated by Royal Caribbean International. The terminal has an area of around 125,000 sq ft, which can handle some of the largest ships from this cruise line. On arrival, you can locate the Port Liberty cruise terminal at the end of a mile-long pier near the Tear Drop Memorial, a memorial to the September 11th attacks. Celebrity Cruises and TUI Cruises are the other cruise lines operating from the terminal.
Adventure of the Seas,Jewel of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Anthem of the Seas are some RCI ships operating from the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal. The Mein Schiff 1 and Celebrity Summit are the ships of TUI and Celebrity Cruise Lines.
The port comprises a secure parking garage which is near the terminal. Additional overflow parking lots open at the port during peak seasons. Since you can’t book a parking spot in advance at the parking garage, there won’t be a guarantee that you’ll get a parking spot on arrival. Also, the onsite parking rates are on the higher side. So, for a guaranteed parking spot at a cheaper rate, it is best to book a parking spot at one of the nearby offsite parking lots.
Port Liberty Cruise Port Parking | Duration | Parking Rate |
---|---|---|
Official Port Liberty Cruise Port Parking | Daily | $30 for standard cars and SUVs $60 for minibus and RVs $90 for buses |
Cruiseparking.com | Daily | $10.50 |
The following are some hotels you can find near Port Liberty.
Hotel | Distance from Port Liberty (in miles) |
---|---|
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport | 7.8 |
Hyatt Regency Jersey City On the Hudson | 7.8 |
Courtyard by Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport | 7.8 |
Victorian Bed & Breakfast of Staten Island | 7.9 |
Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City | 8 |
The Westin Jersey City Newport | 8.4 |
Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island | 9.2 |
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island | 9.9 |
Embassy Suites by Hilton Newark Airport | 11.1 |
Residence Inn by Marriott Newark Elizabeth/Liberty International Airport | 11.2 |
Here are some restaurants you can find near the port.
Restaurant | Distance from Port Liberty (in miles) |
---|---|
Dominican Power Restaurant | 2.5 |
El Aguila Dorada | 2.5 |
Tortilla Bite and Grill | 2.6 |
Buon Appetito 2.0 | 2.6 |
Lighthouse Family Restaurant and Diner | 2.6 |
Cibao Invita | 2.8 |
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar | 2.9 |
Cafe Bello | 3 |
Steak & Bake | 3.3 |
Teddy’s Place | 3.6 |
All passengers and vehicles that enter the port must undergo screening. You cannot travel with these items in your baggage – ammunition, firearms, knives, fireworks or pyrotechnics, replica weapons, handcuffs, aerial drones, explosives, or explosive parts like detonators, tasers, pepper or mace sprays, hoverboards, explosive liquids, telescopic or regular batons, undocumented service animals, extension cords, Samsung Galaxy Note7, and clothing irons.
Also, the cruise lines may prohibit bringing some items into the ship. The security will seize every item the cruise line considers “banned.” Also, you must be ready with all the travel documents during the security process. Once you clear the security, you’re ready for the check-in process. Most cruise lines now let you check in online, but it isn’t mandatory. If you opt to do it at the terminal, you can wait in the queue, and some officials will assist you.
If you’re a first-time traveler, you may think about how to reach the Port Liberty cruise terminal. If you’re residing near the port, you can opt to drive or have your friend/relative drop you off. Or, if you’re planning to reach by other means, there are some options to reach Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal, like the following.
It is an ideal option if you’re living near the port. But you must plan on a parking spot if you wish to drive to the port. You must follow the following directions to drive to the port.
New York doesn’t have a shortage of taxis. And the cruise port is well serviced by the taxis. A ride from Queens to the port will cost between $110-$140. At the same time, a taxi from Brooklyn and Times Square will cost you between $65-$85 and $70-$90, respectively.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft will also take you to the port. Uber and Lyft charge a fee of $20 for trips starting from New York and New Jersey. A rideshare service to the port from Queens, Brooklyn, and Times Square will roughly cost you between $100-$110, $90-$105, and $77-$84, respectively. The rate can vary based on your pickup point, the rideshare service, car type, and trip time.
Take the PATH Rapid Transit System from Manhattan to Hoboken or Jersey City, then transfer to the Light Rail train to reach Bayonne. Ensure you get off at Bayonne’s 34th Street Station. Then, hire a cab to take you to the cruise terminal.
If you start from Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT), board the 119 bus to Bayonne, Cape Liberty. This bus makes its way down Kennedy Boulevard into Bayonne. You can get off the bus at 33rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne, NJ, near the Cape Liberty Cruise Port port. Then, hire a cab to reach the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal.
Some hotels near the port offer a shuttle service to the port on the day of the cruise. Most hotels charge a fee for this service, but some offer it free. If you’re booking a stay at a nearby hotel, enquire about the shuttle service. If they don’t have, you’ll have to hire a cab to reach the port.
The airport is around 10 miles away from the port. You can reach the port from EWR via these ways.
From EWR, you must take a short AirTrain ride to NJ Transit’s airport station, then board a train to Newark Penn Station. From there, take a taxi from Newark Penn Station to the port.
The estimated taxi rate is around $44-$60.
The estimated rate is between $20-$40. However, this can vary based on the rideshare service, the car type, and trip time.
The airport is around 27 miles away from the port. You can reach the port from JFK via these ways.
Reaching the port will take at least two hours if you use a public transit service. And it includes trains/buses and hiring a taxi to reach the port.
The estimated taxi rate is around $140-$170.
The estimated rate is between $120-$140. However, this can vary based on the rideshare service, the car type, and trip time.
The airport is around 22 miles away from the port. You can reach the port from LGA via these ways.
Reaching the port will take at least two hours if you use a public transit service. It includes trains/buses and hiring a cab to reach the port.
The estimated taxi rate is around $110-$130.
The estimated rate is between $120-$150. However, this can vary based on the rideshare service, the car type, and trip time.
For more information on Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking