Departure port · Manhattan & Brooklyn cruise terminals · New York
Cruises from New York City
Cruises from New York City leave the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on the Hudson and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook, sailing year-round to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean and, from spring to fall, to Canada and New England. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 crosses to Southampton from Brooklyn. Every departure passes the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and no flight is needed for millions of people in the Northeast.
- Bermuda
- Canada & New England
- Bahamas
- Caribbean
- Eastern Caribbean
Photo: Roger Rowlett, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Manhattan & Brooklyn cruise terminals
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Main destinations
- Bermuda, Canada & New England, Bahamas
- Cruise lines
- 15 lines sail from here
Sailing from New York City
New York has two cruise terminals of its own, plus a third across the harbor at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal stretches along the Hudson River in Hell’s Kitchen, a short walk from Times Square, and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal sits on the Red Hook waterfront facing the Statue of Liberty. Few sail-aways compare: down the harbor past Lower Manhattan and Lady Liberty, then under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the open Atlantic.
Bermuda is the classic: five- to seven-night round trips with a day and a half at sea each way and two or three days docked at King’s Wharf. Canada and New England cruises of seven to 12 nights visit Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Saint John and Halifax, with some going one-way to Quebec City or Montreal. In winter, ships head south on seven- to 12-night trips to Port Canaveral, the Bahamas and private islands, or to San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Cunard’s transatlantic crossing takes about a week.
New York is ideal for anyone within driving or train distance in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and for fly-in cruisers who want a city break first. Be aware that winter cruises south start and end with cold, sometimes rough days at sea, and that hotels and parking near the piers are among the most expensive anywhere.
Where cruises from New York City go
Bermuda cruises
Mainly April to early November; best May and June, with warm seas into October. Few or no sailings December to February.
Canada & New England cruises
May to October; fall foliage late September to mid-October, warmest July and August.
Bahamas cruises
Year-round; warmest dry weather March to May. Cooler water December to February; hurricane season June 1 to November 30.
Caribbean cruises
Year-round; driest and busiest December to April. Hurricane season June 1 to November 30, most active August to October.
Eastern Caribbean cruises
Year-round; best December to April. This route is the most exposed to Atlantic hurricanes, especially August to October.
Transatlantic cruises
Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.
Cruise lines sailing from New York City
Manhattan & Brooklyn cruise terminals cruise terminals
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal occupies several piers between West 46th and West 54th Streets along 12th Avenue, with drop-off on an elevated level and parking on the pier roofs; it can handle several ships at once. Norwegian and Carnival are its most frequent users, and many seasonal lines use it too. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at Pier 12 in Red Hook is a single, more spacious terminal used by MSC, Princess, Cunard and others. Check your boarding pass for which one you need. Arrive in your assigned window; traffic on 12th Avenue and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is the biggest variable, so build in a buffer.
Getting to the port
Flying in
LaGuardia (LGA) is closest to the Manhattan terminal, typically 25 to 45 minutes by taxi. Newark (EWR) is about 30 to 60 minutes via the Lincoln Tunnel, and JFK is 45 to 75 minutes or more. For Brooklyn, JFK and LaGuardia are each roughly 35 to 60 minutes away. Taxis, car services and rideshare serve all three; cruise line transfers are available on many sailings. Allow extra time for weekday rush hours.
Driving
For Manhattan, use the West Side Highway (12th Avenue) and follow signs to the cruise terminal ramps; from New Jersey, the Lincoln Tunnel exits a few blocks away. For Brooklyn, take the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) to the Hamilton Avenue or Atlantic Avenue exits, or the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel from Lower Manhattan, then follow signs into Red Hook.
Parking
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal has paid rooftop parking on the piers, reached by ramp from the drop-off level, and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal has a paid lot beside the building. Both charge per day and can fill on peak summer weekends, so arrive in good time. Off-site garages in Midtown and New Jersey are rarely cheaper once you add a taxi, so most drivers park at the terminal.
Where to stay before a cruise from New York City
For the Manhattan terminal, Midtown West, Hell’s Kitchen and the Times Square area are a 10- to 20-minute walk or a short cab ride away, with Broadway theaters and restaurants on your doorstep. For Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn are 10 to 15 minutes by car, and Lower Manhattan hotels near the Battery work for either terminal. Hotels near LaGuardia or Newark are cheaper but add a traffic-dependent transfer on sailing day.
Things to do in New York City before or after your cruise
- 1
Intrepid Museum
history
Docked at Pier 86, right beside the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, the aircraft carrier Intrepid holds a flight deck of military jets, the Space Shuttle Enterprise in its own pavilion, a British Airways Concorde and the submarine Growler. It’s an easy two to three hours before boarding or after you disembark.
- 2
The High Line and Hudson Yards
scenery
An old elevated freight railway turned into a planted park, the High Line runs for about 1.5 miles above the Chelsea and Meatpacking streets, with art installations and river views. Its northern end at Hudson Yards is about 15 minutes’ walk from the cruise piers, and the Edge observation deck there juts out from the 100th floor.
- 3
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
history
Official ferries leave from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan for Liberty Island and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, where you can search the records of arrivals. Allow most of a day, and reserve tickets well ahead, particularly if you want pedestal or crown access.
- 4
A Broadway show
culture
The Theater District around Times Square is a 15-minute walk from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, which makes a show on the night before you sail an easy win. Same-day discount tickets are sold at the TKTS booth in Duffy Square, or book popular shows in advance.
- 5
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
scenery
Walk across the 1883 Brooklyn Bridge from Lower Manhattan for classic skyline views, then explore DUMBO’s cobbled streets, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s waterfront lawns and Jane’s Carousel. It’s about 10 minutes by car from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and a natural pre-cruise outing for Red Hook sailings.
- 6
9/11 Memorial and Museum
history
Two reflecting pools fill the footprints of the Twin Towers, ringed by the names of those who died in 2001 and 1993. The underground museum tells the story of the attacks and their aftermath with powerful artifacts. The memorial plaza is free; book museum tickets ahead and allow two to three hours.
When cruises sail from New York City
Ships sail from New York every month. Bermuda cruises run mainly from April or May to October, and Canada and New England from May to October, with fall foliage sailings in late September and October the most popular. Norwegian and Carnival keep ships here through the winter, switching to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean from about November to April, and MSC sails from Brooklyn for much of the year. Queen Mary 2 crosses the Atlantic regularly from spring through early winter. Summer and fall weekends are the busiest days at both terminals.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 383 | 405 | 479 | 5915 | 6921 | 7826 | 8630 | 8529 | 7926 | 6720 | 5412 | 436 |
| Low °F (°C) | 24-4 | 24-4 | 31-1 | 405 | 5111 | 6116 | 6820 | 6720 | 6016 | 4910 | 373 | 30-1 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1104 | 3.487 | 4.2107 | 4.3108 | 3.9100 | 3.385 | 5.3134 | 4.3109 | 4.4111 | 4.4112 | 3.793 | 5.0126 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Embarkation day tips
- Be on an open deck as the ship leaves. You pass the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then sail under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge about an hour after departure.
- Pack for cold weather on winter sailings south. The first and last days are usually chilly and can be rough as you cross the Gulf Stream and pass Cape Hatteras.
- For the Manhattan terminal, the subway to 50th Street and a 10-minute walk west works well if you travel light. For Brooklyn, NYC Ferry stops at Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin, right beside the terminal.
- Check which terminal you need. Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty in New Jersey are all listed as ‘New York’ by some cruise lines, and they’re 30 minutes to an hour apart in traffic.
- Bermuda itineraries usually include two or three days docked at King’s Wharf. Book ferries and excursions on the island early, because they fill when several ships are in.
Cruises from New York City: FAQs
Where do cruise ships dock in New York City?
At the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on the Hudson River between West 46th and 54th Streets, or the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at Pier 12 in Red Hook. Some ‘New York’ cruises actually leave from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, so check your documents.
Which airport is best for the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
LaGuardia is usually closest, about 25 to 45 minutes by taxi. Newark is a good alternative, 30 to 60 minutes via the Lincoln Tunnel, while JFK is the farthest at 45 to 75 minutes or more in traffic.
Is there parking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Yes. Paid parking is on the roof of the piers, reached by ramp from the terminal’s drop-off level, and charged per day. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal has a paid lot next to the building.
Which cruise lines sail from New York?
Norwegian and Carnival sail from Manhattan year-round. MSC sails from Brooklyn for much of the year, and Princess and Cunard use Brooklyn too. Holland America, Viking, Oceania, Regent and other premium lines run seasonal Canada and New England voyages from the city.
How long does it take to cruise from New York to Bermuda?
About a day and a half to two days each way. Ships typically leave New York in the afternoon, spend a full day at sea and arrive at King’s Wharf on the morning of the third day.
Do cruises leave New York in the winter?
Yes. Norwegian and Carnival keep ships in New York through the winter, heading to Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean from about November to April. Expect a couple of cold, possibly rough sea days at the start and end of each trip.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.