Port of New York cruise question

RNLurker

Got a few questions about cruising out of NYC. We are looking to do a Canada cruise leaving in June 2011. We are from PA so a drive to NYC is about 5 hrs or so....we live in a rural area and aren't real comfortable driving in major city traffic. How bad is the traffic to the cruise ship port? (I believe it is in Manhattan rather than Brooklyn) Thanks for any advice!

Rachiemoo

Manhattan traffic can be bad and unpredictable, plus then you'd have to pay for parking which I am guessing could be just as expensive or more expensive than taking a bus/train.  If I were you I'd probably take a bus or train into the city and then transfer to a cab if needed.

musiscout

I've been looking at cruises too from nyc- no air fare saves a lot. I hate driving in Manhattan, so when I drive through it, I take The George Washington Bridge to the FDR or I skip totally and take the Verrazzano through Staten Island. Now, the area around the port is very busy and to park your car? Street parking switches 1-2 times a week, if you actually found something, which would be a miracle. A lot down there for you car would probably cost a lot. I wonder if you could park at the airport, and get transportation to the cruise. Wouldn't they have that for those that fly here for the cruise? I would probably take a train or bus. Can you drive upstate NY and park your car for free and take in Metronorth and then get a cab to take you to the cruise?

 Good Luck.

RNLurker

musiscout:

I've been looking at cruises too from nyc- no air fare saves a lot. I hate driving in Manhattan, so when I drive through it, I take The George Washington Bridge to the FDR or I skip totally and take the Verrazzano through Staten Island. Now, the area around the port is very busy and to park your car? Street parking switches 1-2 times a week, if you actually found something, which would be a miracle. A lot down there for you car would probably cost a lot. I wonder if you could park at the airport, and get transportation to the cruise. Wouldn't they have that for those that fly here for the cruise? I would probably take a train or bus. Can you drive upstate NY and park your car for free and take in Metronorth and then get a cab to take you to the cruise?

 Good Luck.

We thought about parking at the airport (Newark? JFK?) because the long term rates are much better but I'm not sure if the traffic to the airport is the same as the port. Any input?

Lisichka

I'm thinking the traffic at the airport is probably going to be pretty crazy too. I'd do what pp suggested and take a bus or a train to NYC, then cab it to the port. I think it'll save you a lot of hassle and may just be easier. That being said, I would also suggest getting there super early - the traffic and the lines at the port are likely to be much smaller (we did this in October, the check-in started at 12 I think, we got to the port a little bit before that, we barely waited in line and the traffic wasn't horrible)