Located in Bayonne, New Jersey, the Cape Liberty Cruise Port is one of the three terminals for trans-Atlantic travel. Many cruise ships set off from this port, making it a hub of activity.
Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Before you travel, you must check how to get to the port and what you can expect. This free complete guide to Cape Liberty Cruise Port gives you everything you might want to know about the port, its history, and current operations.
What Is Cape Liberty Cruise Port?
Owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Cape Liberty Cruise Port is a passenger terminal for various cruise ships. The cruise port maintains a busy schedule throughout the year. Cruise ships depart from Bayonne, NJ. The main one is the Royal Caribbean International, and the other two cruise lines are Celebrity Cruises and TUI Cruises.
Royal Caribbean International
This cruise line is the main operator at the Cruise Port Cape Liberty terminal. Some of the ships in this cruise line departing from the terminal Bayonne, New Jersey, include Adventure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. All the cruise ships follow a busy schedule. Some of the cruises in this Cape Liberty cruise line include:
- 6 Night Canada and New England
- 7 Night Perfect Day Bahamas
- 10 Night Bermuda & Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
This Cape Liberty cruise line operates one main cruise ship from this New Jersey cruise terminal, the Celebrity Summit ship. One of the popular cruises from this line is the 10 Nights in Bermuda cruise, with stops at Newport and Charleston. Another Cape Liberty cruise is the 9 Nights Maine and Canada cruise.
TUI Cruises
This Cape Liberty cruise line operates the Mein Schiff 1 ship from Cape Liberty, New Jersey’s busiest port. The cruises offered to include the 10 Night Florida and Bahamas cruise and the 14 Night Canada and New England cruise.
The History of Cape Liberty Cruise Port
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port has an interesting history. The site was developed and intended for industrial use in the 1930s. It was to be a man-made peninsula on the eastern end of Bayonne, NJ.
During the Second World War, the site was taken over by the U.S. government to give support to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Construction began in 1941, but the schedule was expedited after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was commissioned in 1942 as the United States Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne.
The Bayonne Naval Base was consolidated with the Brooklyn Army Terminal in 1965, and they became known as the Military Ocean Terminal – Bayonne (MOTBY). MOTBY played important roles in the military until September 23, 1999, when it was officially closed to cut costs. In 2002, it was renamed the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The vast outdoor space and warehouses were repurposed for the entertainment industry.
In 2003, the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA), together with the Royal Caribbean International, formed an agreement to convert the facility into a cruise port, and the Cape Liberty Cruise Port was born.
What Can You Expect When You Visit?
If your cruise departs from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, this complete guide covers important aspects of planning your trip, such as how to get to Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
Before getting into those details, here are a few facts about traveling via or to Cape Liberty:
- Cape Liberty is a bustling port with over 500,000 passengers passing through it every year.
- Entry is free, but you have to pay for parking.
- Despite Cape Liberty’s rich Military Ocean Terminal history, the facility is not a tourist site. Most people who visit this part of Bayonne are on their way to a Cape Liberty cruise via the Atlantic.
- There are, however, several great restaurants and shops nearby should you have some waiting time before your Cape Liberty cruise ship departs.
Planning Your Trip
Now it is time to look at how to navigate your way around the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. If you are traveling from home directly to the Cape Liberty cruise terminal, you only have to take into consideration ground transportation options. If you are flying into Newark Airport, for example, then you might need to book a room or two at a nearby hotel.
It’s always best to check your Cape Liberty Cruise Port ticket information for the finer service details and follow these. You should also call your travel agent or Cape Liberty cruise line for current information about time changes, allowed luggage, and any other service you need. They are the best sources of accurate information, so follow the guidelines given on what is allowed.
What Time Does Cape Liberty Cruise Port Open?
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal opens at 10.30 am. Each Cape Liberty cruise line operates differently, so passengers should follow arrival time instructions from the Cape Liberty cruise ship they are using. You can always call Cape Liberty Cruise Port with any questions.
Getting to Cape Liberty
There are various routes to follow to Cape Liberty Cruise Port, including coach transfers, hotel shuttles, taxis, private cars, trains, and buses. While these are not free, there are ways to save. Planning avoids hassles on the departure day. Many passengers fly to Newark Airport (Newark International Airport) or other airports that are near the New Jersey cruise terminal. From Newark Airport, they travel to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port to begin their New Jersey cruise.
Here is information on ground transportation methods to Cape Liberty, whether you are local or have flown into the area from Newark Airport in Newark or another airport.
- Coach transfers: Buy transfer tickets from your travel agent, the Cape Liberty Cruise Port line, or onboard. The coach pick-up area is right across from the Cape Liberty Cruise terminal exit. More free information can be obtained from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port line.
- Hotel and off-site parking shuttle: A hotel shuttle is a great option if you depart from Cape Liberty as a group. Hiring a shuttle for a large group is cheaper than cabs. There are designated pick-up areas for your shuttle near the Cape Liberty cruise terminal. Your hotel may offer a free shuttle as a service.
- Taxi: These can be found in the taxi lot across from the parking garage at Cape Liberty. Rates per mile can be obtained from the dispatcher at the taxi stand near the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal
- Ride-sharing apps: You can also take options such as Uber and Lyft for additional pricing and vehicle options. If you are with one or two other people, this is a great way to get to Cape Liberty Cruise Port. To go across the interstate lines, there is an additional charge.
- Private Cars: Many people choose to take their own cars to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port or have someone drop them off. There are clearly marked pick-up areas at Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- Train: Another transportation option to Cape Liberty is to take the train or light rail. If you are coming from Manhattan, you can use the PATH train to Jersey City or Hoboken. You can then take the light rail train for NJ Hudson-Bergen. This heads to 8th street in Bayonne. You can disembark at the Bayonne station at 34th Street. This takes you directly across Route 440, where you can call a cab to get you to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. This is a short trip of about 2 miles.
- Bus: If you are starting at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) in Manhattan, you should take the 119 bus to Bayonne, Cape Liberty. This bus moves along Kennedy Boulevard into Bayonne. Once you are at 33rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne, NJ, you can disembark from the bus because it is near the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal. You can then call a cab to take you 3 miles east of Kennedy Boulevard, which gets you to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal.
Directions to Cape Liberty for Private Cars
The Cruise Port Cape Liberty terminal is located at 4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002. You are free to use numerous ways to get there based on what is easiest. Here are the directions to follow based on the Cape Liberty Cruise Port travel information.
- If you are coming from Exit 14A, you can head towards Route 440 South. Proceed just under 2 miles, then turn left into it when you see Bayonne Ocean Terminal. Continue straight, and you are going to be at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal in 2 miles.
- If you are coming from the North or the South, you need to find the New Jersey Turnpike, which is going to be I-95 South or I-95 North, respectively. Both of these take you to Exit 14A, and from there, you can proceed as above to reach the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are coming from the West, via I-80, take I-80 East to I-95 South all the way to the New Jersey Turnpike. Use the turnpike south to your Bayonne exit 14A. Proceed from Exit 14A as above to reach the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are coming from the West, via I-78, you can go along I-78 East directly to Exit 14A. Continue from Exit 14A as above to reach the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are going to Cape Liberty from the East, coming from either Long Island or Staten Island, you want to use the Verrazano Narrows Bridge that goes to Staten Island. Take I-278 West to Route 440 North over the Bayonne Bridge, and be sure to check for bridge closures. Proceed on Route 440 North for about 3 miles. At Bayonne Ocean Terminal, take a right turn, and find the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal 2 miles ahead.
- If you are coming to Cape Liberty from NYC and using The Lincoln Tunnel, take the tunnel to New Jersey. You need to follow I-495 West to I-95 South, which is also the New Jersey Turnpike. Select the turnpike south to the Bayonne exit. Continue from Exit 14A a few miles ahead as above to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are starting in NYC, coming to Cape Liberty through The Holland Tunnel, follow the tunnel, and use the New Jersey Turnpike west to the Bayonne exit. Continue from Exit 14A as above to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are heading to Cape Liberty and starting in New England, Connecticut, or The Bronx, you can cross the George Washington Bridge. You are going to see signs for the New Jersey Turnpike, which is also I-95 South, which you need to follow. Use the turnpike south to the Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey exit. Continue from Exit 14A as above to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are coming from Westchester County, you can take I-684 South to I-287 West and then to I-87 South. Cross over the George Washington Bridge, and follow the New Jersey Turnpike signs, which is the same as I-95 South. Use the turnpike south to Exit 14A for Bayonne, NJ. Continue from Exit 14A as above to reach the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- If you are heading towards Cape Liberty from Rockland County, use the Palisades Parkway South to take you to I-80 West. Follow signs for the New Jersey Turnpike or the I-95 South. You can use the turnpike south to get to the Cape Liberty Bayonne exit. Continue from Exit 14A as above to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal.
Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking Information
If you drive to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, you want the best place to park your car. Fortunately for private car drivers, there is a safe and secure place to park your vehicle next to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal. It is not free. The cost to park at Bayonne Cruise Port is $25 per day, and this includes tax. Parking fees can be paid by cash or any major credit card. The parking garage is 750 feet from the Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey terminal entrance.
There is no need to reserve a spot to park in the Cape Liberty facility. There is guaranteed parking. If a vehicle takes up more than one space, you are charged double the normal parking fee. The parking garage has a height limit of 7′ 4″. If your vehicle exceeds, you are allowed to park in the open parking lot next to the garage. Off-site parking facilities are not affiliated with Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
Where Do You Fly into for Cape Liberty, NJ?
There are several airport options you are free to take in the New York and New Jersey areas. Based on where you are coming from and what works best for you, you may consider three options to get to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
- Newark Airport (Newark International Airport) in Newark, New Jersey. Newark Airport is the most commonly used.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens
- LaGuardia Airport in Queens
The last two are in New York. There are several smaller airports in both states. Once you have arrived, you may immediately choose to make your way to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. You could also opt to check in to a hotel room for one or more nights in either state before proceeding to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. There are so many great tourist options, whether you are into live entertainment, history, museums, art, or want to take advantage of free activities.
Local Accommodation Recommendations
If you decide to spend some time in the New Jersey/ New York City area before you proceed to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, there are lots of good hotels. Alternatively, you may choose to stay with family or friends or to use an Airbnb room. If you don’t have a preference, it might be a good idea to spend the night on the Jersey side so that you don’t have to cross the interstate line on the day you board your Cape Liberty cruise ship.
Here are some of the best recommendations for local hotels near the Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal. The rate per night for these hotels varies.
Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown
This 3-star hotel is located at 6 Platt St, New York, NY 10038. It is about 11 miles from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port Terminal Blvd. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, has a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a free 24-hour fitness room. Rates per room vary, but you are free to call the hotel to check for up-to-date information.
Hyatt House Jersey City
This 3-star hotel is located at 1 Exchange Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Some of its key service features include free breakfast, river views, a rooftop cocktail bar, and a free gym. Hyatt House Jersey City is about 10 miles from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port Terminal Blvd. Current rates per room per day are available from the hotel. For more information or to book a room Click Here.
Victorian Bed and Breakfast of Staten Island
You can find this elegant 3-star hotel at 92 Taylor St, Staten Island, NY 10310, roughly 7.9 miles from Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey. The hotel has a great 19th-century Italian feel to it. You are free to contact the hotel to check on the current room rates per day. For more information or to book a room visit http://www.victorianbedandbreakfast.net
Conclusion
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is a hub of activity as thousands of passengers board their cruise ships to some of the best holiday destinations. This free guide provided all the information you may need to check on to plan your arrival at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port and begin your best voyage. For additional information you can also visit http://www.cruiseliberty.com
