The ultimate port call: cruise into Manhattan with the Statue of Liberty on your left and the skyline straight ahead. New York rewards every style of shore day, from world-class art to legendary pizza.
New York has two cruise terminals — both are straightforward with taxis, rideshares, and subway access close by.
💡 Pro move: Traffic in Midtown can be severe — budget extra time if returning by taxi or rideshare. The subway is often faster.
New York uses two separate cruise terminals depending on your ship and itinerary.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, others | Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Piers 88–92, West Side Highway, Midtown📍 | Docked |
| Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, others (varies by sailing) | Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, 72 Bowne St, Red Hook, Brooklyn📍 | Docked |
New York is an all-day city — structured tours help you cover more ground, but independent exploration is equally rewarding.
The quintessential New York experience. Ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island — book tickets well in advance, especially for crown access. Allow 3–4 hours for both islands.
Find Statue of Liberty tours →One of the world's greatest art collections, spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. The suggested admission covers the entire museum including special exhibitions. Located on the edge of Central Park on the Upper East Side.
Find museum tours →843 acres of urban parkland with Bethesda Fountain, the Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and Strawberry Fields. Walk in independently or join a guided tour for insider stories.
Find Central Park tours →A moving tribute at the site of the World Trade Center. The two reflecting pools occupy the original tower footprints. The underground museum tells the story of the attacks and their aftermath in unflinching detail.
Find 9/11 memorial tours →A 1.45-mile elevated park built on a disused rail line above the streets of West Chelsea. Walk the park, then descend into Chelsea Market for food vendors, artisan shops, and New York's best lobster rolls.
Find High Line tours →360-degree views of Manhattan from either 30 Rockefeller Plaza (Top of the Rock) or the Empire State Building observation decks. Top of the Rock offers the better view of the Empire State itself; the ESB has the iconic silhouette. Book timed tickets online.
Find observation deck tours →Manhattan is supremely walkable — these routes cover the greatest hits without a single subway swipe.
From the cruise terminal, walk east to Times Square, south on 7th Ave to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, then east to Grand Central Terminal for its stunning main concourse. Head back west on 42nd St.
Take the subway from the pier down to Fulton Street. Walk through the Financial District past Wall Street and the Charging Bull to the 9/11 Memorial pools. Continue north to Brooklyn Bridge Park for the best views of the bridge, then walk across the bridge itself for iconic Manhattan skyline photos.
Climate normals for New York, New York, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F / 4°C | 25°F / -4°C | 10 | 7:18 AM | 4:53 PM |
| Feb | 41°F / 5°C | 25°F / -4°C | 10 | 6:49 AM | 5:31 PM |
| Mar | 48°F / 9°C | 31°F / -1°C | 10 | 7:07 AM | 7:02 PM |
| Apr | 59°F / 15°C | 42°F / 6°C | 12 | 6:17 AM | 7:35 PM |
| May | 70°F / 21°C | 53°F / 12°C | 11 | 5:38 AM | 8:06 PM |
| Jun | 78°F / 26°C | 62°F / 17°C | 11 | 5:24 AM | 8:28 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 13 | 5:38 AM | 8:25 PM |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 12 | 6:06 AM | 7:53 PM |
| Sep | 76°F / 24°C | 62°F / 17°C | 10 | 6:37 AM | 7:04 PM |
| Oct | 65°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 10 | 7:07 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Nov | 53°F / 12°C | 38°F / 3°C | 9 | 6:43 AM | 4:37 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 32°F / 0°C | 11 | 7:13 AM | 4:29 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
48-hour passes with downtown/uptown loops. Combo tickets with Statue of Liberty cruise available.
Yellow cabs available at all terminals. Prices vary greatly by terminal — Manhattan terminal passengers are a short ride from Midtown, while Cape Liberty passengers face a cross-state trip with tolls.
Both Uber and Lyft operate throughout NYC and at all cruise terminals. Surge pricing possible during peak arrival times.
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is a short walk or cab ride from the A/C/E subway lines at 42nd St. The most affordable way to explore the city independently.
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is steps from the Hudson River Greenway and a 10–15 minute walk to Times Square, making it ideal for self-guided exploration.
Upcoming cruises that call at New York, New York, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.