Cruises to Bayonne (Cape Liberty)

824 Reviews
Bayonne (Cape Liberty) (Photo:mandritoiu/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Bayonne (Cape Liberty)

In 2004, Royal Caribbean, looking for an alternative to New York's overcrowded and under-efficient cruise terminal, moved its ships across the Hudson River to New Jersey. The cruise line set up shop at the former Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal (which has now been renamed the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor) on a 430-acre manmade point of land. And so Cape Liberty Cruise Port got its start.

In preparation for the arrival of RCI's Quantum-class vessels, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, Bayonne's Cape Liberty cruise facility underwent renovations to both accommodate the larger ships and to make passenger traffic flow more smoothly.

The port offers outstanding views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. But Bayonne itself is primarily a residential community, rather than a hot spot for tourism. Truth be told, the port is rather drab and industrial looking. Indeed, Bayonne's best asset is its proximity to bustling communities like Hoboken, Jersey City and, of course, the Big Apple, only seven miles (or a 10-minute drive) away. For most folks, the port is close enough to Manhattan to take advantage of all that the city has to offer.

Want to stay close to port? There are still some tourist-worthy diversions, like the city of Hoboken, birthplace of Frank Sinatra and baseball -- at least, that's what the sign says when you enter the city limits. The latter claim has been hotly contested through the years. Hoboken is also known as the "square mile city" because it's only one square mile. It's a pedestrian's dream, with shops and restaurants located within walking distance of the city's train station and ferry terminal. (Thank goodness for that, because parking in Hoboken is no picnic.)

While Hoboken has become an "in" place for young urban professionals to settle (or at least rent overpriced apartments in aging brownstones), droves of other Jerseyans -- and New Yorkers! -- come in the evenings and on the weekends to eat, drink and enjoy the postcard-perfect view of the Manhattan skyline from the waterfront. Another waterfront garnering major attention is that of Jersey City, the gateway (on the New Jersey side, anyway) to two of New York's most important sites: Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Liberty Island is, of course, home to Lady Liberty herself, and the main building on Ellis Island is a museum dedicated to the history of immigration.

  • More about Bayonne (Cape Liberty)

  • Why Cruise to Bayonne (Cape Liberty)?

  • Bayonne (Cape Liberty) Cruise Port Facilities?

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More about Bayonne (Cape Liberty)

Why Cruise to Bayonne (Cape Liberty)?

Pros:

With the New York City skyline in your rear view, Bayonne offers spectacular sail-aways

Cons:

After following a long, isolated road to the port, you'll notice that nothing else is around

Bottom Line:

Cape Liberty is a great drive-to embarkation option, but don't plan to spend the night

Bayonne (Cape Liberty) Cruise Port Facilities?

The Cape Liberty terminal is in a remote location, and it's not possible to walk anywhere. The terminal has restrooms and free Wi-Fi but not much else. We've heard whispers about possible vending machines and food trucks, but nothing is set in stone just yet.

Good to Know?

You can't walk to the cruise terminal from public transportation; you'll have to drive in, take a cab or shuttle bus.

Getting Around?

Cape Liberty Cruise Port is accessible from Newark Liberty International Airport, via the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95). Guest parking is available adjacent to the cruise terminal. Check their Web site for parking information and pricing. Direct buses, arranged by the cruise line, operate between northeastern cities and the pier on cruise days.

Once at Cape Liberty, cruisers can take the NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail via the Bayonne station, which connects to Amtrak, PATH trains and ferry service to/from New York City via Hoboken Station. The rail station is about three miles from the port, but RCI provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the station on cruise days. The light rail connects Bayonne to Hoboken and Jersey City. Taxis are also readily available on embarkation and debarkation days.

There are no rental car companies set up at the port, but there is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Bayonne (1347 Kennedy Blvd.; 201-436-9814). Enterprise centers are generally willing to provide pick-up and drop-off service, but be sure to call for more information in advance.

Go Airlink NYC provides transportation to the cruise terminal at Cape Liberty for local travelers and passengers from Maryland, Delaware, Pennyslvania and New Jersey. Cost varies depending on pick-up location. They also offer private tours of NYC. (1430 Broadway, Ste. 507, NYC; 212-812-9000 or 877-599-8200)

The port is accessible from three New York City-area airports -- Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Taxis are readily available at all airports, and fares are either fixed or metered, not including tolls.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The currency is the U.S. dollar. International visitors will find it easy to access cash at numerous ATMs. Exchange bureaus so common in Europe are not in the U.S., but major banks do provide exchange services.

Language?

English is the language spoken.

Where You're Docked?

Cape Liberty Cruise Port Terminal:
14 Port Terminal Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Your ship will be docked at the Cape Liberty cruise terminal, located in Bayonne, New Jersey, just seven miles outside of New York City. Although the old terminal building still stands, a new one has been constructed next door, offering less space but a more efficient experience. (In theory, passengers go from curb to cruise in 10 minutes with expedited check-in via a cell phone app.)

Parking is available at the port for $20 per day ($7 for a pre-approved day pass only) and $40 for oversized vehicles like campers or RVs.


Bayonne (Cape Liberty) Cruise Reviews
Interesting to drive to Bayonne Cape Liberty port. Very industrial and without WAZE APP I doubt I'd have found my way into the proper area to board. Good port staff running a well-oiled machine.Read More
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NH Senior
Bayonne port was easy to use and it was way faster than NYC.Read More
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mkbalu
Cape Liberty is great to leave on a cruise. The pick up from Newark airport was easy, terminal clean and staff very friendly. Read More
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Kidsgoneletscruise
The directions on the Cape Liberty website listed the incorrect name of the road that we were to make our turn on from 440 North. We lost 25 minutes finding our way to the terminal. Other than that, I do love the cRead More
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rlconti2

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