New York City Passenger Ship Terminal

As far as boarding a cruise ship that holds 4,000 goes I think they do a real nice job here. To me the most important parts is that it’s clean, easy to navigate through and find a bathroom.
There are plenty of people directing you to your spot and they are all courteous and smiling. The check point (as soon as you walk in were plentiful and manned by courteous individuals.)
Norwegian does a real nice job moving everyone along and make boarding a «not so painful» process. Face it, there are 4,000 people getting on to this ship (we were on the Breakaway) and I think it moved faster that an airport line with 200 people. This place was just a means to the end, both boarding an debarking, which I also think is orchestrated well. (Plenty of custom’s booths.”)
When your finally on the ship you will have the most spectacular views anywhere, especially sitting right next to the Intrepid Museum. Bottom line, if you’re from the New York metro area, the money you save not flying or taking a train should make you consider a cruise out of NYC.

Crowds and disorganization are two things I cannot deal with, but which characterize the pre-​boarding experience for cruises leaving from this terminal. The pick up and drop off area is chaotic and the lobby area feels like a cattle call. Crowds aside, it’s a pretty nice facility with nice views of the Hudson River.

Das Terminal am Pier 88 ist ein älteres Gebäude mit 2 Etagen. Die Einschiffung hier bei NCL verläuft im allgemeinen sehr unproblematisch und schnell, aber trotzdem sind einige NCL Employee‘s genervt und deswegen auch
nicht gerade freundlich, das muss man irgendwie ignorieren. Auch das alte Gebäude ist nicht unbedingt etwas erfreuliches. Vom Service bez. Getränke und Snacks könnte man sich sehr viel vom Cruise Port in Venedig abschauen.
Außer Mineralwasser war in NYC nicht viel zu finden, dazu kommt noch das die Sitzgelegenheiten nicht unbedingt bequem sind. Naja nach einem längerem Aufenthalt in dieser alten Halle kommt man ja zum Glück bald auf‘s Schiff.
Nach der Cruise muss man dann noch einmal durch diese alte Fabrikhalle zur Immigration. Diese Halle hat so gut wie kein Airconditioning es war dann auch sehr schwül. Das führte dazu das einige der Gäste Probleme bekamen. Einige so schlimm das sie einfach Umkippten, bis dann die entsprechende Hilfe kam dauerte es sehr lang. Das war kein Ruhmesblatt für die Organisation. Es ging auch bei Immigration sehr langsam voran, woran das lag kann sich ja denken.
Alles in allem ist dieses Terminal nicht gerade ein Vorzeige objekt für NCL, es im Gegenteil eine Zumutung für die Cruise Gäste.

The cruise ship terminal loses favor because the city did not adequately design pickup and drop off well. Drive the highway past here at that critical two hour point in a day to experience it in full.
Hundreds of upward gazing Bermuda short clad travelers toting massive pieces of luggage across eight lanes of highway with hopes of gaining access to one of the taxis that double-​park in two right lanes of traffic. A bit farther north the left lanes are blocked by vehicles attempting to make the left turn into the undersized loading zone (due to its undersize status aforementioned taxis double park on the northbound lanes of the highway.
A conundrum by design.

Not bad overall. parking, checking in & out. Lines of course but it was spring break & nothing too overwhelming. Workers seemed helpful. I’d cruise from here again. Just NOT on the Breakaway!

This place is wrong on many ways. For the cabs to drop me at the right place, is always a series of begging, as they don’t want to take the ramp up.
Once in the terminal, it is a long walk to the entrance of the ship. The lines at check-​in are always long and they often have computer issues.
I’ve used this terminal many times over the past few years and each time is a nightmare, and I can’t wait to get out of there.

It was my first of many visits to this beautiful terminal. The company I work for operates it in conjunction with the City of New York. I look forward to working on some projects to improve this already stunning location! Stay tuned…

I’m a fan of this particular terminal.
It is well organized, has two distinct floors, making it easy to handle the huge flow of same-​day arrival and departure traffic, which is really key given the number of people that flow in and out of a cruise ship at any given time.
Generally I find the staff here (when taking NCL/​Norwegian Cruises) to be helpful, friendly and relatively quick. Yes the lines can get long, but it can also be alleviated by arriving early, which makes a huge difference. If you get here late in the day, expect to be stuck on line waiting for your bags to be checked — not to mention security and of course the actual counter where you get your cruise keys, etc.
As for arrivals, the same theory goes. If you get off the ship first with your bags in hand, expect a huge line and lots of grumpy fellow passengers muscling their way through the lines with you. If you have your luggage in place the night before and pick up your bags in the terminal, it’s a lot easier and spares you plenty of aggravation. Customs here are also relatively quick.
There’s a taxi stand across the street, making it generally easy to get to your next destination. but again it’s better to wait and let the big crowd disperse before you choose to disembark from the ship (unless you have no choice).

Definitely a good experience. I arrived early for my (Norwegian Gem) cruise. Staff was helpful, security was a breeze, waiting area still had available seats when we started boarding.
The bathrooms inside security seem undersized.

Boarded here for the NCL Breakaway cruise about three weeks ago and possibly one of the worst days to board because there was a bike tour happening along the west side. I was also a guest of a wedding happening on the cruise before it sailed so timing was everything! Compare to airports in general, the security check-​in at this cruise terminal was quite smooth sailing (pun intended), which made me appreciate cruises even more. No restrictions on fluid sizes you’re allowed to carry-​on so yes, you can bring full bottles of shampoo and body wash on board and I highly recommend it. The cruise’s soap and shampoo do not quite sud up. The waiting area is always the exciting part because you can see the ginormous ship in front of you and you start imagining all the things you can possibly do once you’re on-​board. The waiting game can be a pain too as there is really nothing you can do around there except people watch your fellow passengers coming in. The one thing that aggravated me was their coffee stand which they charged me $ 2 bucks for a dinky cup of coffee. Mind you, this ain’t Starbucks. It’s bodega-​style coffee you find on your street corner. But once you pass security and see those cruise photographers snapping photos of you in front of a cheesy background, you know your vacation is finally starting.

We visited this place twice last week (once for embarking and once for disembarking). The lines were expected but fortunately, the process was efficient so we didn’t not have to wait long. The appearance of the place seemed old but that could have been due to the dreary wet weather on both days. We came from Brooklyn and actually reached the terminal at 12:15PM but still managed to board within half an hour.

I’ve never actually gone on a cruise; from this or any other port. But having worked at this terminal for close to seven years now, I’m doing this to give everybody some big tips that none of the other reviewers seem to have mentioned.
Here goes:
1. If you’re sailing on one of our regular ships (Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Gem, Carnival Splendor) get to the terminal by 11 am. All these ships follow pretty much the same schedule. They arrive by 7 or 8 am and depart by 4 or 5 pm. The pier workers all know our busy time is always from 12 pm to 1 pm. This time is when lines are at their longest, both for security and check-​in. If you show up at 11 am you can check your bags in, get through security, and get your ship card all without standing in any lines. They usually start letting you on the ship by 11:30. Disregard what anyone else may have told you and GET THERE EARLY. It’s infinitely better.
2. SECURITY: Here’s how to get through quickly and efficiently. Leave everything you have in your carry on bags. Including laptops and any electronics. Anything you have in your pockets, take it out and put it in your purse or carry on and send that through the machine. It’s much quicker than using the baskets they provide. Do not bring appliances with you (irons, electric kettles, things like that) because they will be stopped and it will slow you down. The ship will most likely provide you with those things anyway. Oh, and you can keep your shoes on. Ladies: to make things move much quicker when walking through the metal detector, do not come in wearing metal bracelets from wrist to elbow, or a ginormous Amazon Warrior type belt. Save the outfits for when you’re on the ship. The name of the game going through security is SPEED. This is not the place to linger. Make it quick.
3. This is mostly common sense. Have all your documents on you at all times. MAKE SURE you don’t leave it in your checked luggage. Have your passport open to your picture when approaching any staff who need to check it.
4. Another word about time. Do not show up a half hour before the ship is due to pull out. You are in danger of missing your cruise if you do that. And it always seems to be the people who live closest (brooklyn, queens) that show up with no time left to spare. Yet passengers who come from Pennsylvania or even further out are usually the first to arrive. Does not make sense.
I hope this has helped. While some of the staff may occasionally display an unflattering attitude, remember that what they want more than anything is for all of you to GET OFF THE TERMINAL and ON THE SHIP as quickly as possible. And isn’t that what you’d like, too? Follow the tips above and it will happen. I Promise.

Boarded here for the Norwegian Breakaway in December 2014.
This is a very busy cruise terminal. Drop off your luggage with the men in the front. They are very nice and help you print luggage tags if you forgot them. Make sure you tip!
The lines inside are long regardless if you checked in online. Make sure you arrive 2 hours before boarding.
The staff at the counters are friendly, and there is also a small coffee shop in the middle.
Enjoy your cruise!

Just boarded the Carnival Splendor. Check-​in is a breeze. Our luggages delivered to our room. No hassle through security checkpoints.

I have a reason for 4 stars and not 5 stars. We’re New York City!
We should be friggin’ fabulous when we go on a magnificent ship and sail away. Did you see Titanic? Did you see the beautiful boat and all its passengers getting ready to cross the Atlantic? When I cruise out of Port Canaveral going on Disney cruises, its so open and new!
This terminal? When we pull up with our limo, its like entering Penn Station. Its not fancy. Its not Disney magical. its old, gray and what’s that, the smell of urine?
What. The. Eff. Noooooo!
When you walk in, there is a long azz line. There is a special line for repeat customers (Like me). It’s nice but I want to feel like I’m walking into Le Cirque.
Donald Trump, can you take over this place please? Put your damn name on it, I don’t care, just give it some style.
All kidding aside. Here is what everyone is missing. I don’t have to fly to Tampa, Miami or Orlando. I get up in my Long Island home at 7:30am. Board my doggie in the doggie hotel and wait for the limo. He takes me to NYC, that’s it. No airline security, taking off my shoes and zapping me with harmful X-​rays.
The money savings alone should make you consider a cruise out of NYC.
New York City Passenger Ship Terminal, its convenient and when your ship pulls way your passing the Statue of Liberty.

This is my first time at this terminal and I look forward to using this terminal more often. I was going on the Norwegian Breakaway Inauguration sailing. There isn’t much to say about it. If you here you are about to board a ship. I would just say that the process to check in was easy. The staff was helpful and friendly. The location is big and clean. Security checkpoint is quick and easy.
If you do get stuck in a line that moves slow just think about the vacation you are about to have as soon as you board that ship.

This terminal’s okay. The views of the Hudson River that you can see from here are nice to view as you watch to get on board the ship.
At times when it’s really crowded, there are moments when there’s not enough seating for those waiting to get on board. Also, the parking rates here are horrendous.
But we have to do what we have to do in order to board the cruise ship!

Joy,
Tears,
and
History
I had to plagiarize my friend Brian’s approach on this one. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I know he’ll understand.
This is not one building or structure, but an amalgamation of them. Most of this complex is a series of piers jutting out into the Hudson River and which can handle 2 ships, with one on each side. Some have been modernized, at least inside, while on the outside they look much the same.
I say joy, tears, and history because, for some, they mark the beginning or the ending of a cruise or transatlantic crossing, for others they represent immigration and leaving behind the known for the unknown, and because the whole place is steeped in history — from having to sail past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, to having docked the first Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, the protected yet decaying SS United States (now in Philadelphia), the short-​lived Normandie, the France, the ill-​fated Andrea Doria, the QE2, and even Cunard’s current flagship, the Queen Mary 2, which now uses the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
I’ve been in here as a passenger as a child. I’ve been in here as a passenger as an adult. I don’t care how old they are or how nasty the water in the Hudson is. The emotions are overwhelming. They are part and parcel of New York City. They are part and parcel of some of the more unforgettable moments in peoples’ lives.
I also remember the mnemonic device. Pier 88 is at West 48^th Street. Just deduct 40 from the pier number.
To relive the history and the grandeur, watch this embedded video. The NYC passenger ship piers will be seen at the end of it.
So long, QE2.

This is a pretty neat terminal. Easy access, escalators and elevators, a snack bar… nice & clean bathrooms.
Why not 5-stars…for the most part there is no seating… and parking is a wopping $ 30!!!

The New York City Passenger Ship Terminal is conveniently located close to downtown Manhattan. Carnival Cruise Lines provides a beautiful VIP check in area for those traveling in Suites and Carnival Platinum members, those who have sailed 10 times or more with Carnival. There is a comfortable waiting area and great service. See my pictures!

Despite the nasty waters filled with bodies below. this ship terminal is pretty nice, fast and efficient. Very helpful staff.
Definitely not a bad port to travel from on a cruise ship for your vacation, especially the amazing view of the NYC skyline upon your exit and entrance back to the city.