Brooklyn, New York - Cruise Port
Embarkation Guide
We recently embarked on our first East Coast cruise from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, serving Princess and Cunard lines, and it was an exciting experience! For anyone new to this cruise terminal, here’s a breakdown of the basics – from getting there to navigating the port and exploring the surrounding area.
New York Cruise Ports Overview
New York City has three main cruise terminals:
Manhattan Cruise Terminal – in Midtown Manhattan.
Cape Liberty Cruise Port – in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal – in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where our Princess cruise departed.
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is situated in the working-class neighborhood of Red Hook, with views of Governors Island and Manhattan’s financial district. And the sail-away? Iconic! The journey out includes grand views of the Statue of Liberty, making this a top-notch departure point.
Getting to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
There are two main ways to get to the terminal: public transport and private car. However, public transport can be tricky here, so let’s break down each option.
Public Transportation
Bus B61: While there’s no direct subway line to the terminal, the B61 bus runs from Downtown Brooklyn, which does connect to subway lines from Manhattan. From the bus stop, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk to the terminal.
Ferry Service: Another option is the ferry, which drops you off right by the port. This works well if you’re staying overnight in Manhattan near the Wall Street district. Head to Pier 11 (Gouverneur Lane and FDR Drive) and take the South Brooklyn route to Red Hook.
Flying In
If you’re flying into New York, you have three main airport options:
John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty International (NJ) – nearly equidistant from Brooklyn.
La Guardia (LGA) – technically the closest but often delayed by heavy traffic.
We flew into Newark for the more affordable hotels and similar travel time. Newark Airport was straightforward, with helpful signage, a compact layout, and an AirTrain system that made transferring between terminals, train stations, and car rentals easy. After an overnight stay at a nearby hotel, we took an Uber to the terminal the next day, which took around 45 minutes with light traffic.
Note: Public transportation is available from all airports, but you’ll still need to take the B61 bus or ferry for the last leg to the terminal.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: What to Expect
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is compact, with only one berth. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find:
Arrival Area: On entry, you’ll see the passenger pick-up area to the right, complete with benches and luggage racks. The middle area is designated for taxis, with a taxi stand outside. Nearby, there’s a bus loading area that also works as an Uber drop-off.
Porters: The port is well-staffed with porters ready to assist with your tagged luggage right at the drop-off point.
Parking: There’s a small parking lot charging $45 per day. Despite some websites listing the rate as $25, it’s $45, and you can pay at the machine with a credit card.
Entering the Terminal: Once inside, you’ll be directed through a roped crowd-control line. If you haven’t checked in large bags, port staff will remind you here.
Terminal Facilities: Inside, there’s a small waiting area with chairs, a service desk for wheelchair assistance, and bathrooms with a unique pixelated design (think a mix of Matrix and Minecraft!). Security can be slow, so patience helps – there were only three passport stations during disembarkation, leading to a 45-minute wait. After security, the terminal opens up into a large waiting area with enough chairs for a small convention. You’ll also find lounges for elite passengers and more bathrooms in the same unusual design.
The terminal itself is clean, the staff is friendly, and the exit sign adds a touch of humor!
Exploring Red Hook: The Neighborhood Around the Port
Red Hook is a neighborhood that’s worth exploring if you have a bit of time before or after your cruise. Although our time was limited, we spent an hour or so checking out the local area – here’s what we found:
Quiet Vibe: Red Hook is a working-class neighborhood with a mix of recent updates. We visited on a Sunday, so it was quieter, with some places closed.
Interesting Finds:
Pioneer Street and Van Brunt Street: A nice walk with coffee houses, art galleries, a bagel shop with an extensive menu, and a classic New York pizza place where we couldn’t resist grabbing a slice.
Hip Shopping Square: Features a key lime pie shop, a small park, and more unique spots.
Street Art: Red Hook has a bit of an artsy vibe, with cool street art and gentrified pockets.
Bike Rentals: Bikes are readily available if you want to explore the neighborhood on wheels.
Safety: The area didn’t feel sketchy – it’s relaxed, with a few artsy, gentrified spots that make it interesting to stroll around.
If you’re thinking of staying nearby, the closest hotels are the Brooklyn Motor Inn on Hamilton Ave and The Lodge Red Hook on Seabring Street, both about a 10-minute walk from the terminal. Plus, there’s a chocolate factory nearby, along with plenty of restaurants on Van Brunt Street!
Final Thoughts
Taking a cruise from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was an exciting experience, with its easy access to iconic New York views and a friendly, compact terminal. Although we didn’t have time for a full NYC exploration, we’d love to return and spend a few more days soaking in all the city has to offer. Until then, this one-day adventure was a fantastic taste of what makes cruising from New York so special.
Have you sailed out of Brooklyn before? Let us know your tips for a smooth start to an NYC cruise!