Cruising From Nyc: What You Need To Know
Cruise lines hoping to restart from NYC will need to enter into an agreement with both New York City and the state of New York that they will comply with all CDC guidelines for cruise ships. City officials also outlined enhanced cleaning protocols for the terminals which include more air filtration, regular sanitization throughout the day and the usual mask-wearing and social distancing for all passengers. All passengers and crew on ships departing from NYC will also need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Pre-pandemic, New York City was one of the most popular cruise ports in the world, seeing well over 1.5 million passengers each year pass through its three terminals.
Have you cruised from New York City? Let us know in the comments!
Port Of New York And New Jersey
| Port of New York and New Jersey |
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| 228 feet , restricted by Verrazzano Bridge215 feet , restricted by Bayonne Bridge |
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the port district of the New York-Newark metropolitan area, encompassing the region within approximately a 25-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. It includes the system of navigable waterways in the New YorkNew Jersey Harbor Estuary, which runs along over 770 miles of shoreline in the vicinity of New York City and northeastern New Jersey, as well as the region’s airports and supporting rail and roadway distribution networks. Considered one of the largest natural harbors in the world, the port has become the second busiest port by tonnage in the United States as of 2019, and the busiest on the East Coast.
The port is the nation’s top gateway for international flights and its busiest center for overall passenger and air freight flights. There are two foreign-trade zones within the port.
Land Reclamation And Ocean Dumping
Channelization and landfilling began in the colonial era and continued well into the 20th century.
Early materials were shellfish and other refuse, and later construction debris from projects such as the New York City Subway and Pennsylvania Station. Rubble from the bombing of London was transported for ballast during World War II. New land has been created throughout the port, including large swaths that are now Battery Park City, Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, Flushing MeadowsCorona Park, and the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
From 1924 until 1986, sewerage sludge was hauled by tugboat and barge to a point 12 miles offshore in the Atlantic. From 1986 to 1992 it was dumped at a site 106 nautical miles from Atlantic City, after which ocean dumping was banned.
Barges were also used to transport waste to Fresh Kills Landfill, the world’s largest, which operated from 1948 to 1991. Both operations were known to be detrimental to Long Island and Jersey Shore beaches, notably the 1987 Syringe Tide.
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Top Sights & Attractions To See Before Cruises From Nyc
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building has been memorialized in movies and TV for decades, and a trip to the top is something you should experience for yourself at least once. Made up of 102 floors and coming in at over 1,200 feet tall, the observation deck offers an unbeatable view of the Manhattan skyline.
Ellis Island
Take a day trip to Ellis Island to discover the history of immigration in America during pivotal points in U.S. history. Spend the afternoon looking at historic immigration materials in the museum and learning about how the United States opened its doors to the world.
Brooklyn Bridge
Built in the late 1800s to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is a marvel of human achievement and an architectural delight. A walk or ride over the Brooklyn Bridge, whether youre in a taxi or on your own two feet, is pretty spectacular.
Times Square
It wouldnt be a trip to NYC without a stop at the overwhelming, world-famous Times Square, a stretch of several blocks of bright, flashing billboards and crowds clamoring for neon photos.
Cape Liberty Bayonne New Jersey
The Cape Liberty cruise port is located in Bayonne, New Jersey, on the New York Harbor. It’s only seven miles from New York City and offers easy access to popular shopping and dining areas.
Cruise lines departing from Cape Liberty include:
- Royal Caribbean – Destinations include exotic ports of call in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. An example itinerary is the 7-night Bahamas Cruise that stops in Florida, and then CocoCay and Nassau in the Bahamas. Prices start at $544 per person.
- Celebrity Cruises – New England, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean are among the options here. Choose a 14-night Canada and New England cruise that starts at $1,699 per person with stops in Boston, Maine, Quebec, Saguenay Fjord, and Halifax.
Parking
There’s plenty of parking at the port terminal, so you don’t need to worry about your vehicle while sailing. Rates run $20 a day. Oversized vehicles and RVs that take up more than one spot will be charged double and there is a height restriction of 7’4″. There is an adjacent lot that is open for those vehicles with height restrictions.
Embarking and Disembarking
Luggage
Passengers can carry their luggage directly on board, with elevators available for passengers with excess luggage. There are no carts in the terminal and luggage that doesn’t fit through the screening machine must be checked with the porter delivery service. Maximum dimensions are 23″ x 16″.
Sightseeing
While in port, consider visiting the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island.
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Getting There By Public Transit
The Manhattan cruise terminal is not located particularly close to any subway stations, though it is fairly close to the M57 and M32 bus routes. The subway station closest to the port is Columbus Circle, which is serviced by the A, C, B, D and 1 trains. From the station, walk south on 8th Avenue, and turn right on 52nd Street. Continue down 52nd to 12th Avenue, where you’ll see the terminal. A little farther afield is Port Authority/42nd Street, which is serviced by the A, C and E trains. From Port Authority, walk west on 42nd Street until you reach 12th Avenue, turn right, and head north until you see the terminal on the other side of the highway.
Norwegian Cruises From New York
Norwegian Cruise Line dominates the cruise schedule in New York. Two of their ships leave from Manhattan year-round. See the full list of departures below.
The Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Gem, new Norwegian Prima and other ships sail from NYC to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda and New England & Canada.
On a Norwegian cruise you can do everything, or nothing at all. For those who prefer to be active there are adventurous shore excursions, art auctions, health programs, cooking demonstrations – all kinds of activities to challenge your mind and your body. Or you can just relax and enjoy not having a schedule to follow. You can wear what you want. “Resort casual” attire is as dressy as you’ll ever have to get for dinner. But if it’s elegance you’re looking for, you can indulge. Many of the restaurants offer formal options. If you prefer to be more casual, that’s fine, too. It’s all up to you on Norwegian Cruises.
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View All Cruises From Cape Liberty Nj
Where can I eat near the Cape Liberty Cruise Port?
Although there are no restaurants near the port, the nearby city of Newark has every restaurant and type of food imaginable. Additionally, there is a food truck with coffee, bagels, and other delicious bites outside the entrance of the cruise terminal, which is convenient for those departing on cruises from New Jersey.
Whats the culture & history of the Cape Liberty cruise port?
Conveniently located in Lower New York Harbor, the Cape Liberty Cruise Port was originally created by private developers in 1930 who intended it for industrial use. However, the ideal location and sheer size of the port made it an ideal candidate for use by the U.S. Navy in WWII. The peninsula upon which the port sits off the eastern end of Bayonne Bay is man-made. In 2003, the BLRA and Royal Caribbean International announced their agreement to turn the 430-acre port into a cruise terminal, and in 2013 Royal Caribbean International built a brand new, sleek, and innovative cruise terminal featuring LED lighting and modern design.
Where can I go shopping near the port?
Since the cruise port sits on a peninsula off the mainland, there are no shopping options in proximity to the port, besides a kiosk with basic essentials in the cruise terminal. About a 20-minute drive from the port, guests can find TJ Maxx and Walmart for last-minute cruise essentials.
How can I get around New Jersey?
Top Things To Do In New York
Walk in Central Park
Central Park is one of the largest parks in a metropolitan area. Comprised of over a mile of green space and walking trails, it offers a killer view of lower Manhattan from certain vistas. When youre craving some time in nature in the middle of this loud, humming city, head to Central Park for a walk, a picnic, or just to people-watch.
Go to a Broadway Show
Theater lovers will plan an entire trip to New York around a single Broadway musical or play. If you can snag tickets, youll be front and center to some of the biggest performers and talents in the world, whether youre seeing an established, multi-run show or something artsy off-Broadway.
Pay Respects at the 9/11 Memorial
Built to honor the lives lost as a result of the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Memorial is a harrowing must-see experience during a trip to New York. It relays the significance of the terrorist attacks not only on the New York community, but the United States as a whole.
Where should I eat in New York?
New York offers nearly every type of cuisine in the world, whether youre craving an authentic New York slice of pizza or prefer to stop at one of the halal food trucks scattered throughout Manhattan. There are dozens of restaurants along every block. Famous spots include Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Katz Delicatessen, Gramercy Tavern, and Grand Central Oyster Bar.
Whats the culture and history of New York?
Where can I go shopping near the cruise port?
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Port Of Departure New York City New York
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Take Your Vacation From The New York City Area To The Tropics
If youre a local and chilly winter weather or the steady bustle of city life has left you craving warm sunshine, blue skies and secluded sandy beaches, consider hopping on a cruise from the New York area to the Caribbean. Dont worry if you dont have a lot of time to spare you can easily find amazing cruises to the Caribbean under a week long, so you can get your tropical glow on without sacrificing all your vacation days. Already daydreaming of rainforest safaris, crystal-clear waters and sipping daiquiris poolside? These are just some of the beautiful island destinations you can visit on a cruise from the New York Area.
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Cruise Lines Leaving From New York
It is estimated that in 2006 alone, more than 1 million cruise passengers made their way through New Yorks cruise terminals, and believe it or not, cruises depart from New York year-round even during the cold winter season. According to USA Todays On the Road with Luisa Frey Gaynor, due to the popularity of year-round cruising from Manhattan, New York Citys west side terminal could no longer can accommodate all the ships and passengers. So in 2006, NYC opened the $56 million cruise facility in Brooklyn. Carnival Corporation entered into an agreement with the city of New York and made Brooklyn its New York berth of choice for its Princess Cruises and Cunard Lines.
Manhattans cruise terminal is constantly being upgraded to better accommodate large ships, so Five berths will be made into three so that mega ships can dock more easily terminals are being reconfigured so that passengers do not disembark and embark on the same level and a pedestrian bridge will be built across the West Side Highway to provide better access to taxis and Manhattans attractions. Plus tri-state-area passengers can sail from Bayonne, N.J., where Royal Caribbean built its own port facility in 2004.
New Yorks two cruise terminals Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Manhattan Cruise Terminal have won many prestigious awards such as:
Perfect Day At Cococay
Nestled in The Bahamas, the private destination formerly known as CocoCay is got a major face lift. You can find all new attractions like a helium-balloon ride that takes you up to 450 feet above the island, a freshwater pool so big, its the largest in all of the Caribbean, a lightning-fast zip line experience, luxurious overwater cabanas, and a water park with the tallest waterslide in North America Daredevils Peak and the largest wave pool in the Caribbean. All the cruises sailing from the New York area to The Bahamas include a stop there, so choosing a getaway that works with your schedule is easy.
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Home Port: New York City
Seven cruise lines currently call New York City their home port: Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Cape Liberty is the base of New York City operations for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. An additional 14 cruise lines use the Manhattan and Brooklyn terminals as a departure port for certain warm-weather destinations on cruises throughout the milder months of the year.
About Cruising From New York
When you choose to cruise from NYC, you can enjoy the same amenities of a typical Florida cruise, but departing from the convenience of New York terminals. If youre traveling from other cities in the US, you can enjoy attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square or Carnegie Hall in addition to your cruise vacation.
Cruises that depart from New York are popular among native New Yorkers and tourists from around the world. Natives enjoy taking a cruise that doesnt involve the hassle of flying, and tourists love adding New Yorks best attractions to a cruise vacation.
Used as a ship departure location since the 1930s, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal went through significant modernization improvements over the past decade. Starting in 2004, $200 million went into the terminals, allowing Pier 88 and Pier 90 to accommodate larger cruise ships. An additional $4 million in Passenger Boarding Bridges went toward accommodations for newer and larger ships. The result is one of the more modern cruise facilities in the U.S., with adjustable gangways, expanded pier aprons, and separate arrival and departure points for decreasing congestion and improving efficiency.
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Bulk Cargo And Marine Transfer
At the Greenville end, CSX Transportation operates through Conrail’s North Jersey Shared Assets Area along the National Docks Secondary. At Brooklyn, end connections are made to the New York and Atlantic Railway‘s Bay Ridge Branch and the South Brooklyn Railway. The 2.5-mile crossing takes approximately 45 minutes. The equivalent truck trip would be 35 to 50 miles long.
Freight rail has never used the New York Tunnel Extension under the Hudson Palisades, Hudson River, Manhattan, and East River due to electrified lines and lack of ventilation. Overland travel crosses the Hudson River 140 miles to the north using a right of way known as the Selkirk hurdle. The Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel is a proposed rail tunnel under the Upper Bay. The western portal would be located at Greenville Yard, while the eastern portal is undetermined and a source of controversy.
In May 2010, the Port Authority announced that it would purchase the Greenville Yard and build a new barge-to-rail facility there, as well as improve the existing railcar float system. The barge-to-rail facility is expected to handle an estimated 60,000 to 90,000 containers of solid waste per year from New York City, eliminating up to 360,000 trash truck trips a year. The authority’s board authorized $118.1 million for the project. The National Docks Secondary rail line is being upgraded in anticipation of expanded volumes.
New York City Views On Departure
A sail-away from Manhattan Cruise Terminal provides great views of the skyline and close-up views of the Statue of Liberty. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal has some of the best views of the skyline, although Statue of Liberty views are from afar. From Cape Liberty, passengers turn around for an impressive skyline sail-away view from the rear of the ship. Leaving New York Harbor, all three departure routes pass under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, an exciting moment for a tight squeeze under one of the world’s longest suspension span bridges.
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