MANHATTAN CRUISE TERMINAL
Terminal Location: 55th Street & 12th Avenue at the Hudson River The Manhattan cruise terminal consists of three 1,000-foot piers (88, 90, and 92), located on the Hudson River between West 48th and West 52nd streets with the vehicle entrance at West 55th Street. First built in the mid-1930s to handle the then largest liners of the day, including the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Normandie the terminal was modernized in the early 1970s and is presently undergoing a major rebuilding, pier by pier. At present, three berths are available for docking ships. The cruise terminal’s proximity to midtown Manhattan is unparalleled: just one mile from Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Central Park, and two miles from Penn Station and Grand Central. Cruises from Manhattan attract vacationers from all over the east coast and even Canada. CRUISE LINES: At present, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Holland America and Crystal Cruises sail from Manhattan MANHATTAN CRUISE TERMINAL PARKING: Secure parking is available on the third (roof) level. Multi-day rates are $30 per day; $300 for 10 days; $25 for 24 hours and $22 for 10 hours.
Taxi availability at the piers varies from one arrival to the next and is often dependent on how many other cruise ships are disembarking from Manhattan at the same time. Weekend disembarkations generally offer more availability. If there is a long line waiting for taxis and you can wheel your baggage a few blocks. Take the elevator down to the street level and walk through the gate and across 12th Avenue. Then choose the closest westbound street, 55th, 51st or 49th and it is likely that taxis will be coming towards you as you walk towards 11th Avenue. MANHATTAN TRAFFIC TIP: On weekends, when several ships are departing at the same time, traffic onto the pier sometimes backs up for miles. I ask the taxi driver to take me a back way: crossing west on West 58th Street straight to the river, then turning left until you arrive at the ramp, can save a lot of time and aggrivation. Manhattan cruise terminal facilities include two seating areas, good rest rooms and a snack bar with café seating. Passengers may walk along the street level sidewalk in front of the ships but they may not go to the rooftop parking level unless they are retrieving a car. The immediate neighborhood opposite the piers does not have much to offer the visitor, but a few blocks inland, the Clinton (formerly Hells Kitchen) residential neighborhood begins. It’s four (long) blocks and 15 minutes on foot to the theater district starting at 8th Avenue and two more blocks to Rockefeller at 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). The Circle Line piers for the sightseeing boats around Manhattan are a ten-minute walk south along the Hudson River walkway and the New York Waterway Ferry Terminal for boats across the Hudson to Weehawken, New Jersey is another five minutes on. *** One restaurant we recommend is the Landmark Tavern, the oldest restaurant in New York. It opened in 1868 and was, at that time, on the banks of the Hudson River. Located at the corner of 11th Avenue and 46th Street, you can walk it from the pier if you're in good shape. I love the food, especially spicy shrimp.
DIRECTIONS TO THE MANHATTAN CRUISE TERMINAL BY TAXI OR CAR
From LaGuardia Airport by taxi or car (11 miles)
Fare: ~ $35+Toll+Tip
Depending on traffic conditions or preferences, there are several routes with the average driving time about 30-45 minutes. 1) Triboro Bridge into Manhattan and across Manhattan via various cross-town streets and south on the Henry Hudson Parkway to the cruise terminal at 55th Street and the Hudson River. 2) I-287 West (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) to I-495 West (Long Island Expressway) to the Midtown Tunnel ($4.50) and across Manhattan to West Street/Route 9A and turn right (north) along the Hudson River to the terminal entrance at W. 55th Street.
From John F. Kennedy Airport by taxi or car (20 miles)
Fare: $45+Toll+Tip (Flate Rate)
The usual route, taking about one hour, is via I-678 North (Van Wyk Expressway) then west on I-495 (Long Island Expressway) to the Midtown Tunnel and across Manhattan to 12th Avenue/Route 9-A and turn right (north) along the Hudson River to the cruise terminal at West 55th Street. Some taxi drivers may take alternate routes depending on their knowledge and traffic conditions, but the flat fare (up to four passengers) remains the same.
From Newark Liberty International Airport via Holland or Lincoln Tunnels by taxi or car (15 miles)
Fare: ~ $45+Tolls+Tip
For Holland Tunnel route, take I-78 east in the direction of New York City via New Jesery Turnpike Extension (toll) and Holland Tunnel into Manhattan. Toll for entering Manhattan is $6 (inbound only) by cash. Then turn west to the West Street (Route 9A) and north to the cruise terminal at West 55th Street. For the Lincoln Tunnel route, take I-78 East to I-95 North (New Jersey Turnpike) to I-495 East to Lincoln Tunnel ($6). Keep left and then turn west on 42nd Street to the river at Route 9A/12th Avenue and turn north along the Hudson River to the terminal at West 55th Street. Both routes will take about 45 minutes. From Penn Station, Manhattan (7th & 8th Avenues & 31st to 33rd Street (2 miles)
Fare: ~ $8+Tip
Porters on the platform meet most Amtrak trains. Look for one when the crowd dissipates. They will guide you to the taxi dispatchers on 7th or 8th Avenues. From 7th Avenue, turn right and head west on 31st Street toward the Hudson River. From 8th Avenue turn left and west on 33rd Street toward the Hudson River. Both streets lead to 12th Avenue/Route 9A. Turn right and north along the Hudson River to the cruise terminal at West 55th Street. From Port Authority Bus Terminal, (8th Avenue & 41st Street) by taxi or car (1.5 miles)
Fare: ~ $7+Tip
Turn left and go west on 42nd Street toward the Hudson River to Route 9A/12th Avenue. Turn right and head north along the Hudson River to the cruise terminal at West 55th Street.
DIRECTIONS BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Recommended only for those traveling with light luggage because of stairs in subway stations. Transit Authority subway and connecting bus fare is $2 one-way or $4 round trip. Buy a Metrocard in any subway station. The M50 bus goes west on West 49th Street to 12th Avenue. Walk across the street and enter gate closest to your ship. The bus returns to midtown on West 50th Street with the closest stop just east of 12th Avenue. North-South subway connections to the M50 are C & E* on 8th Avenue; 1 on Broadway; N, R & W on 7th Avenue; B, D, F & V on 6th Avenue; 6 on Lexington Avenue. *The E train makes a direction connection at Jamaica with the AirTrain to and from JFK Airport. Metrocard fare is $5 for AirTrain and $2 for E subway & connecting M50 bus. Travel time to Manhattan cruise terminal is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
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