New York - Manhattan

The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is New York City's main cruise terminal on Manhattan's west side, overlooking the Hudson River in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. It is primarily a turnaround port, with many cruises beginning and ending here, although some itineraries also include the terminal as a port of call. The terminal serves several major cruise lines and provides a convenient starting point for passengers arriving in one of the world's best known cities.

The site has welcomed ocean liners for generations. It was developed during the early twentieth century to replace the ageing Chelsea Piers and has been modernized several times to meet the needs of larger cruise ships. Extensive upgrades in the early 2000s improved the facilities while preserving its role as New York's principal cruise terminal. Although the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal later expanded the region's cruise capacity, Manhattan remains one of the city's busiest and most recognisable embarkation points.

One of the terminal's biggest advantages is its location. From the pier, visitors are only a short distance from many of New York City's most famous sights. Central Park, Times Square and Fifth Avenue are all easy to reach by taxi, subway or on foot, while Broadway's theatres, renowned museums and countless neighbourhoods offer more than enough to fill a day before or after a cruise. As ships sail in or out of New York Harbor, passengers are also treated to memorable views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the city's famous skyline.

New York is just as rewarding for its food as its landmarks. Visitors can choose everything from classic pizza slices, bagels and delicatessens to fine dining from some of the world's leading chefs. Every neighborhood has its own character, making it easy to discover something different whether you are looking for history, shopping, culture or waterfront walks.

The Manhattan Cruise Terminal remains one of the best known cruise gateways in North America, combining modern facilities with an unbeatable city center location. It offers an unforgettable arrival or departure, with the skyline providing one of cruising's most iconic views. On The Cruise Globe, you can see exactly where your ship was docked during your visit.

New York sits on the Atlantic coast where the Hudson River meets New York Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. It serves primarily as a turnaround port, with ships departing for the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, and it is also home to the transatlantic crossings of RMS Queen Mary 2. The Port of New York and New Jersey ranks among the busiest in the country for passenger travel.

Two terminals handle the city's cruise traffic. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal sits in Hell's Kitchen on the Hudson River's western shore, spanning Piers 84 through 94 between West 44th and 54th streets. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal lies in the Red Hook neighborhood on Buttermilk Channel and serves as home port for several major cruise lines.

The port carries real history. The Manhattan terminals were built in the 1920s and 1930s to replace the older Chelsea Piers, during the golden age of the North Atlantic ocean liner. That era faded after the Second World War, and by the 1970s many berths along the Hudson had fallen out of use. A new Manhattan terminal opened in 1974, and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal followed in 2006, arriving alongside Queen Mary 2 after a 52 million dollar investment.

The setting brings real advantages too. New York Harbor stretches across more than 770 miles of shoreline, and the waterfront puts guests just steps from some of the city's best known sights. From the Manhattan terminal it is an easy walk to Times Square and Broadway, while Red Hook offers sweeping views across to the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Beyond the piers, the city has plenty to fill a pre or post cruise stay: world class museums, dining covering every cuisine imaginable, Broadway theatre, and shopping that ranges from Fifth Avenue flagships to the sprawling Macy's on 34th Street. With a bit more time, guests can wander Central Park, ride the free Staten Island Ferry, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, or take a ferry out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Between its working harbor, city energy and cultural landmarks, New York works just as well as a destination to explore as it does a starting point for a cruise.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is located in the Red Hook neighbourhood of Brooklyn, overlooking Upper New York Bay. It serves as a turnaround port, with many cruises beginning and ending here, although some itineraries also include Brooklyn as a port of call. The terminal occupies Pier 12 beside Buttermilk Channel, the waterway separating Brooklyn from Governors Island, and accommodates one cruise ship at a time. From the waterfront, passengers enjoy open views across the harbour, including the Statue of Liberty.

Red Hook has deep maritime roots and was once one of New York's busiest working waterfronts. During the early twentieth century, the neighbourhood played an important role in the city's shipping industry, with nearby Erie Basin providing extensive dock and repair facilities. The modern Brooklyn Cruise Terminal opened in 2006, giving New York an additional cruise gateway while preserving the area's long connection with the sea.

Although quieter than Midtown Manhattan, Red Hook has developed its own distinctive character. Former warehouses and industrial buildings now sit alongside cafés, restaurants, galleries and small independent businesses, while the waterfront offers excellent views of passing ships and the New York skyline. The neighbourhood rewards visitors who enjoy exploring on foot, with a mix of historic streets and a relaxed atmosphere that feels different from many of the city's busier districts.

The terminal is well connected to the rest of New York. Ferries provide a scenic link to Lower Manhattan, while taxis and rideshare services offer convenient access to the city's airports and major attractions. Public transport is also available, with nearby subway stations connecting Red Hook to the wider network. As with any cruise departure, passengers should always check their boarding documents for the correct terminal and arrival instructions before travelling.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal combines modern cruise facilities with one of New York's historic waterfront neighbourhoods. Whether you arrive early to explore Red Hook or continue into Manhattan before or after your cruise, it provides an appealing introduction to one of the world's great harbour cities. On The Cruise Globe, you can see exactly where your ship was docked during your visit.