Cruise Port Guide · Departure port
New York City & New Jersey
Cruising from New York is a great option for Canadians: no flight needed for many, and you sail right past the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Most cruise lines sail from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, and a few lines use Brooklyn. Amy has sailed 3 Norwegian cruises from Manhattan, and DeeAnn has sailed a couple too. Add a night or two in the city before or after your cruise!
New York & New Jersey at a glance
Our consultants who’ve been here
Amy & DeeAnn
“I’ve done 3 cruises with Norwegian out of New York City!” – Amy
Our top picks in New York & New Jersey
Our recommendations on what to see and do, based on our own experience in port.
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Ferries leave from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where you can see the Statue of Liberty up close and explore the immigration museum. It’s a half-day outing and one of New York’s most iconic experiences.
- Leaves from
- Battery Park, Lower Manhattan
- Tickets
- Ferry tickets required
- Time needed
- About half a day
- Book
- Ahead, especially in summer
Times Square and a Broadway show
Times Square is dazzling day or night, and it’s steps from the Broadway theatres. DeeAnn spent a day and night in the city before her Norwegian Joy cruise and saw Wicked on Broadway: “It was excellent!” She also loved the giant candy stores around Times Square, and says the lights are everywhere, it never really gets dark.
- Best time
- Evening, when it’s all lit up
- DeeAnn saw
- Wicked on Broadway
- Getting back
- Transit runs 24 hours
- Tickets
- Book shows ahead
Grab a slice of New York pizza
You HAVE to have New York pizza! With so many places to choose from, Amy picked 2 Bros Pizza because of the name, and it was the best decision. In her words, “Best pizza ever!!! It was just pizza perfection.” Grab a classic slice, fold it in half and eat it on the go like a real New Yorker.
- Amy’s pick
- 2 Bros Pizza
- Locations
- Several around Manhattan
- Order
- A classic slice
- Good for
- A quick, cheap bite
Central Park
Central Park is 843 acres of green in the middle of Manhattan, with walking paths, bridges, lakes and landmarks like Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields. Walk, bike or take a carriage ride through it.
- Cost
- Free
- Getting around
- Walk, bike or carriage
- Don’t miss
- Bethesda Fountain
- Good for
- A relaxed morning
The 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan honours the lives lost, with two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers. The museum next door tells the story of that day.
- Where
- Lower Manhattan
- Memorial
- Free to visit
- Museum
- Tickets required
- Pair with
- The Statue of Liberty ferry
Our consultants have sailed from New York and can help you pick the right terminal, ship and pre-cruise hotel.
More ideas before or after your cruise
Popular things to do that we book for clients.
Hop-on hop-off busA hop-on hop-off bus is an easy way to see a lot of New York in a day, with stops near Times Square, Central Park, Lower Manhattan and more. Ride the whole loop or hop off where you like.
A city food tourNew York is one of the world’s great food cities. A guided food tour is a fun way to try classic New York pizza, bagels, deli sandwiches and treats in neighbourhoods like Greenwich Village or Chinatown.
Visit Wall StreetWalk through the Financial District to see Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull. It pairs perfectly with the 9/11 Memorial and the Statue of Liberty ferry.
Driving from Canada?
New York is one of the easiest cruise ports for Canadians to get to, by car or by train. Here’s what to know before you go.
- How long is the drive?From southern Ontario, plan on about 7 to 9 hours, depending on where you start, your border crossing and traffic.
- Crossing the borderHave your passport handy and allow extra time on busy weekends and holidays. NEXUS cardholders can use the faster lanes.
- Stay in Secaucus, NJSecaucus is close to the cruise terminals and cheaper than staying in New York City, and many hotels there offer park-and-cruise packages.
- Parking at the portBoth the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and Cape Liberty have parking for cruise guests. Ask us about booking it ahead.
- Prefer the train?Amtrak runs from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY, right into New York City, so you can skip the drive and the parking.
- Tolls, traffic and Cape LibertyExpect tolls and heavy traffic around Manhattan. Sailing Royal Caribbean or Celebrity? Cape Liberty in Bayonne avoids driving into the city.
Know before you go
- Check your terminal: Most lines sail from Manhattan (Amy and DeeAnn’s Norwegian cruises did), Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use Cape Liberty in New Jersey, and a few lines use Brooklyn.
- Cape Liberty: is only used by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Amy has been there for an Adventure of the Seas ship tour.
- Arrive a day early: so traffic or delays don’t cost you the ship.
- Bring your passport: Passport valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
New York & New Jersey FAQs
Quick answers for your day in port
Which cruise lines sail from Cape Liberty in New Jersey?
Only Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Where do cruises leave from in New York?
Most cruise lines sail from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, including Norwegian. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, and a few lines use the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
How many cruise terminals are in New York?
Three: Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City, and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Do I need a passport for a cruise from New York?
Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
Does it cost more to book a cruise with a travel agent?
No, there’s no fee to book a cruise with Travitude Travel Group. You get a consultant who has been to these ports and can help with tours, pre-cruise hotels and transfers.
Start planning
Ready to cruise from New York?
Tell us how you like to travel, and we’ll help you pick the right terminal, ship and pre-cruise hotel.