Introduction
New York was first inhabited by Europeans in the early 17th century, when a Dutch outpost called New Amsterdam was set up to collect beaver furs. Friction with the indigenous Lenape Native Americans was unavoidable, and to oppose the threat, the settlers built Fort Amsterdam. Disputes multiplied, eventually turning into full-scale fighting. The Dutch sent out more soldiers to the colony, and succeeded in defeating the Native Americans, resulting in a fragile ceasefire.
In 1664 English forces took control of the colony and gave it the new name of New York. Over the following century the colony grew quickly, as a center for shipping between England and the New World. Disputes between the colonies and the English government led to the American War of Independence of 1775-1783. For much of the rebellion New York was under the control of the English, who used the city as a military base and control center. At the end of the war George Washington triumphantly returned to the city on the withdrawal of the English. New York served as the US’s first capital city until superseded by Philadelphia in 1790.
The city expanded in population and as an economic center throughout the nineteenth century. In 1825 the new Erie Canal, which connected New York to the farming area of Eastern Canada and the US Mid West provided a great stimulus to commercial activiy. The number of immigrants from Europe increased significantly in the mid 19th century, as a result of the Great Irish Famine.
New York carried on growing all through the 20th century to become a world center for industry, commerce and trade. A highlight of this century was the construction plan which saw the emergence of Manhattan’s amazing skyscraper filled skyline.
All through the history of New York its shipping docks situated on the Upper Bay have been key to the city’s success. A big reason for the ports’ importance lies in the big numbers of passengers that have come to New York by ship. The first immigration center was Castle Garden, superseded in 1892 by Ellis Island. At the beginning of the 20th century, migrants did not arrive at Ellis Island but at Chelsea Piers on Manhattan Island, from where steerage passengers were transferred back to the immigration center. But Chelsea Piers was incapable of hosting larger cruiseliners, and longer piers were built between West 44th and 52nd streets in the 1930s, making the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal, or ‘Luxury Liner Row’.
Passenger volumes fell rapidly after the introduction of commercial air flights. But the cruise industry came back to life when the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal relaunched itself in the 1970s as the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Demand for cruises rose and two further cruise terminals opened in the Hudson Bay. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook opened 2004 and Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal in Bayonnne, opened in 2005.
You Choose The Cruise
Popular all-year cruises include the Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport), and the Caribbean (Antigua, St Kitts, Dominican Republic and St Maarten). This far south you’ll escape the chilly Maryland winter, as you voyage into warmer weather. During the summer, cruises to Bermuda generally stay two days, so passengers can savor the buzzing nightlife.
Also available in summer are northward-bound cruises along the eastern coastline of New England and Nova Scotia, with charming and historic ports-of-call. Another idea during summer and fall is the classic transatlantic cruise to Europe.
Cruises from New York shows all cruise ship departures from New York.
Cruise Terminals
New York City has 2 cruise ports, the Mathattan Cruise Terminal beside the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan Island, and 6 miles to the south Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on the eastern side of Hudson Upper Bay on the Red Hook coastline of Brooklyn. Also nearby is Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal, on the west coastline of the Bay, at Bayonnein New Jersey.
Manhattan Cruise Terminal
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is situated between West 44th and West 52nd streets West 44th through West 52nd on the west Hudson River shoreline of Manhattan Island. The cruise terminal covers three docks, 88, 90 and 92. A terminal building sits atop each pier. The facilities at the terminal include customs and immigration, seating areas, check-in areas, VIP areas, rest rooms, snackbars and newsstands. All three of the cruise terminals have a car parking lot on the top of the building. There are 5 quays at piers 88, 90 and 92, lengths 1040’, depth 36’.
Manhattan Cruise Terminal is mainly used by Holland America, Carnival and NCL cruise ships.
For the Port Authority Website see New York City Economic Development Corporation
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
The Brooklyn cruise terminal on the Red Hook shoreline opposite Governor Island was opened in 2006. The terminal contains immigration, check-in, vending machines, restrooms and customs. There is an adjacent parking area able of holding 520 cars. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal has 1 berth, pier 12, length 880’, depth 34’.
Cunard Cruise Line and Princess Cruises ships dock at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
Bayonne Cruise Terminal
Cape Liberty cruise terminal is located at the Peninsula in the Upper Bay of New York Harbor. Inaugurated in 2004, the port was formerly the Bayonne Navy base facility. The terminal offers customs, a snackbar, immigration, check-in desks and restrooms. Passengers need to be shuttled by bus from the terminal to the ship dock, as the two are half-a-mile apart. Convenient passenger car parking is sited nearby to the cruise terminal.
The terminal access to a single cruise ship berth, 900ft in length.
Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal is home to Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean ships.
Sightseeing in Manhattan
Empire State Building
New York’s famed Empire State Building rises over a quarter of a mile above the center of the city. The pavilion and promenade at 1050feet high, is a vertigo causing, but very exciting trip. It is a half-hour walk from the cruise ship terminal.
Central Park
In the center of Manhattan island sits iconic Central Park, a huge landscaped park conceived and built in 1857. Well worth visitingare the Obelisk, Sheep Meadow, the Botanical Gardens, the Zoo and Strawberry Fields.
Sightseeing in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge
Finished in 1883 Brooklyn Bridge which spans the East River is Brooklyn’s most famous landmark. There is a walkway the length of the bridge, which can be reached at Tillary/Adams streets or by a staircase on Prospect St between Cadman Plaza East and West. As you walk across Brooklyn bridge you will see marvellous vistas of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Upper Bay .
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden was started in 1910, on the site of a rubbish dump. Wander around the Children’s Garden, the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Herb Garden and the Fragrance Garden. Also in the garden are a garden store, a café and a gift shop.
Sightseeing in in Bayonne
Liberty State Park
This waterfront area that is now enjoyable Liberty State Park used to be a busy transportation center. The old Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ), important in New Jersey's history, is situated at the north end of the park. A two-mile waterfront path offers visitors a panoramic view of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.A all year round ferry service is available from Liberty State Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Statue of Liberty
For the immigrants that flocked from Western Europe to the US, the Statue of Liberty was the first glimpse they had of the United States. Made in Paris by the sculptor Bartholdi, with help from Gustave Eiffel, this towering monument to freedom was a gift from France to celebrate the centennial of American Independence. Tickets to the base area may be booked or bought at the site. Entry to the spiral staircase and crown is limited to just 30 people per hour, so crown tickets must be reserved in advance.
Getting to the Cruise Ports
Manhattan
By Air
Newark International, La Guardia and John F. Kennedy. airports are the closest airports to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Taxicabs are available from each airport. Some cruise lines organize a bus transfer.
By Car
Cars access the terminal from the north at the junction of 12th Avenue and 55th Street. Parking is available at each of the three cruise terminals.
From North/Yonkers
Travel south on the Highway 9A, exit to the right at 55th Street.
From East/Jersey City
Travel through the Holland Tunnel, follow the directions for Route 9A. On reaching the waterfront turn right onto 9A. Carry on for 1 mile then follow the sign for the Ship Terminal.
From West/Long Island
On exiting the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, drive west by 34th Street to reach 12th Avenue. Head right and continue north to the ship port.
By Train
Penn Station and Grand Central Station are the nearest stations to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Cabs are on hand at both. An alternative is to take the subway to Columbus Circle, and walk from there to the cruise terminal.
Brooklyn
By Air
LaGuardia is the nearest airport to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, John F K and Newark Liberty are only slightly further away. Taxis are readily available at each airport. Some cruise lines lay on a shuttle coach.
By Car
Vehicles access the cruise ship terminal at the junction of Imlay Street and Bowne Street.
From the North/Manhattan
Drive through the Battery Tunnel, I478 into Brooklyn. Leave at Exit 26 into Hamilton Avenue. Make a U-turn at the junction of Hamilton Avenue and Clinton Street, then return along westbound Hamilton Avenue. Turn leftwards at Van Brunt Street, and after 2 blocks, make a right onto Bowne Street to reach the terminal.
From the South/Elizabeth
Drive across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Keep on Interstate 278 in the direction of Brooklyn. Exit at Exit 26, Hamilton Avenue. Continue along Hamilton Ave to the end, make a left turn onto Van Brunt and travel 200 yards to make a right onto Bowne Street to enter the cruise terminal.
By Train
Grand Central Station and Penn Station are the nearest stations from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Taxis are available at both.
Bayonne
By Air
Newark Liberty Airport is the best airport to reach Bayonne cruise terminal at a distance of about 5 miles. John F. Kennedy and La Guardia are both about 25 miles away. Cabs are readily available at each airport. Often cruise lines arrange a shuttle bus transfer.
By Car
From NJ Turnpike (North/East)
Leave the NJ Turnpike, Interstate 78, at Exit 14A. Head onto 440 South. Continue for a mile, then make a left into Cape Liberty Terminal Blvd
From Staten Island Expressway (South/West)
Turn onto 440 heading north. Drive across Bayonne Bridge and continue on 440. Make a right into into Cape Liberty Terminal Boulevard
By Train
The best-located train station is the HBLR station at 34th street. Catch a taxi onward to the cruise terminal. Be warned that no public transport goes to the cruise terminal itself, and pedestrians are banned from the cruise terminal.
