Slightly better option ... instead of Penn --> NJ Transit --> Shuttle (Newark) --> Uber (Cruise Terminal) .... Try walking one block east from Penn to PATH train --> PATH (exchange place) --> Hudson/Bergen Light Rail (34th) --> Uber (Cruise Terminal). The Uber from the light rail is closer, and less confusing (as it is straight 2 mile ride).
BTW, I generally like taking the PATH to Exchange Place, because I used to work in that area. Unfortunately, this does require a change of trains. If you think that it is a hassle to ride more than one PATH train, you can also switch to the Hudson/Bergen Light Rail at either Newport or Hoboken. My second choice would be Newport, as you can always hang out at Newport mall, if you are bit too early for your scheduled check in time.
Having done a few more commutes to the cruise port since my original post, I can confirm that I think Newport is the best transition from PATH to the light rail. The light rail is a bit hidden though. The best route is to cross the street (Washington Blvd), turn left, walk about 30 feet, and the light rail is through the tunnel. Also, the Newport Mall food court (on the other side of the light rail) has just opened a NY Fries. This is a great way for Cruisers going to Canada to get their fix of Poutine prior to the cruise... 🙂
A couple of additional notes that may be helpful. First, do *not* walk from 34st station to the Cruise terminal. Even though, the two mile route looks incredibly nice (since a housing complex and water front park was recently built), it is not really walkable. There is a small section without pathways, requiring you to walk with cars. Also, as you approach the ship, it becomes dirt walkways, which will put lots of stress on your luggage. Second, consider arriving much earlier. The traffic seems to become horrible in the afternoon, as long lines form to drop off passengers. The two mile Uber ride, can sometimes take more than 30 to 40 minutes. The only solace seems to be that the long line may make it safer for people who attempt the walk to be able to move among the cars.
We've sailed from Bayonne twice in the last year - once on the Anthem and then on the Celebrity Summit. Because we live in the DC area and drive to the port, it is a hassle-free experience for us. 🤣 We can drive up in less than 4 hours the morning of the cruise, park in the garage next door, and board quickly. We met a lot of people from PA, NJ, NY, and Toronto. So I think a good amount of people taking these cruises live within driving distance and choose the port for the convenience. I know I loved not having to fly my whole family down to FL to get on the ship. It saved us tons of $$! Just a different perspective for you...
We only sail from Cape Liberty/Bayonne NJ because we live 35 minutes south of there and we love RCI and Anthem. It's a very simple and efficient terminal. It has a very large parking garage and an overflow parking lot. We were booked in and sitting waiting to board within 15 minutes. On the ship within 45 minutes and that's only cause we got there very early before boarding started. It's actually a great place to sail from but I think it's more for people who live close by or within an easy drive. It's great for people in the North East. We are sailing Oasis in May from NJ.
We get from Roosvelt Island New York to Bayonne New Jersey. By public Transport. Following an instruction from a Travel blog. Such a misstake. Using the Path and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, After that we were lost at cosco in the middle of no where. The blog told something about a shuttle for 5 Dollars. But nothing was there. So we had to Walk this Long way. I was soo f*** up. But then the kindest guy hold next to und and gave us a ride to the ship. I will never take a cruise our of Bayonne.
Morgan, thanks for sharing your story about the inconvenience of cruising out of Bayonne. As the cruising industry grows, it's nice to see more ports open up, but it doesn't help that much if it's such a hassle to get to said cruise terminal. My parents had a similar story when they cruised out of Copenhagen for their Baltic Sea cruise that had them walking for miles along a street with no sidewalk. Thanks for this "unofficial" advice! It certainly helps!
The trains in NYC are a huge hassle with check-in luggage. No elevators and tons of stairs. At least that's what I saw in Penn station getting to Jamaica station.
Hey Morgan! At around 8:13 you said that: "There is no public transportation to get you to the Bayonne cruise port". Although that is technically correct, my family took the PATH train from 33rd Street (a block away from Penn Station) and took that to Hoboken. Then, we took the Light Train to 34th street and then, as you said, took a taxi to the port. This is supplemented by information given on Royal Caribbean's website.
Second time when getting back to Bayonne we tried to find a Cab. None available. But got some one to find a transport from Bayonne cruise port to Newark airport. The thing that goes it is Lyft or Uber I guess. Or some other arrangement. So cruising out of Bayonne has become more difficult due to Uber and Lyft. And as an European, data on the mobile is not cheap in the states.
I have sailed out of Bayonne and it was not bad at all..I have seen buses drop off and pick up at the terminal to the airports check with your TA or call RCCL
I had this whole long reply written but I’ve decided to only say, fly into NYC, explore for a few days. Take the PATH train into Jersey City for $2.75 and a $20 Uber ride from there to Cape Liberty the day of your cruise and fly back home out of Newark when you return for a $30 Uber ride. If your Uber driver gets lost going to Newark airport it will be due to their individual errors as it is NOT a difficult drive. Neither Bayonne nor NYC have pretty cruise ports but Bayonne is definitely less convenient for those wanting to explore NYC first. People must not find it too big of a problem though because Royal and Celebrity are pretty overpriced out of Bayonne.
I know it is 4 years too late, but if you were at Penn station I would have taken the train to Hoboken (1 stop on NJ transit) Then catch an Uber to the cruise port. Hoboken, Jersey City, and Bayone are all next to each other.
When we sailed out of Bayonne on the Anthem the captain had the chance to take us up past the Statue of Liberty before turning around and headed out to sea! I wonder how often they have they chance to do that?
Great video as usual Morgan...thanks! Mental note made about the hassle of getting to the port in Bayonne. I always just assume that the transportation links to the cruise ports will (1) exist and (2) be inexpensive, so I am very grateful for the heads-up, should the opportunity arise, in the furure, to cruise out of Bayonne. Thanks again x
I was given the following directions: Take Path at NYC’s 34th Street station to Hoboken Station- take Hudson Bergen Light Rail to 34th Street Bayonne.- call Cab or Uber. Hope this helps🚢
We took my mom on her first cruise last month. She was so exhausted in the Miami airport but refused a wheelchair because she thought it would be a hassle. We got to Toronto and she could barely walk off the plane so we found one. Suddenly the airport was not a hassle! Special lines!
Hi Morgan, if you're staying in Manhattan before the cruise, there is another way to get to Bayonne - not sure if people would agree with this one. You can take the PATH train to Hoboken, NJ, then from there take the light rail into Bayonne. From 34th street light rail station in Bayonne, it's a stones throw to the port. Very short taxi ride. Local taxis would not have a problem from that location. Just a thought....
We went out of Bayonne twice, and I hear ya, I do. We planned this all ahead and used hotel shuttles, the train and one Uber the hotel set us up with. Thankfully, he knew the way to the cruise port! Everything went smooth and we got around NJ/NY perfectly. Personally, I dislike Fort Lauderdale. It's not convenient or nice either and we end up spending a lot more time/money travelling between MIA and FLL.
I'm led to believe jetBlue has stopped service from Boston to Newark, which was a convenient 50 min trip, gate to gate, so to avoid the hassle of the nightmare of flying into NY...I'll make the 4 hour drive. You should have seen the port back in the day, it was a US Naval Base and in later years after the war, the buildings left standing could have been used as a set for just about any WWII era movie. What's out there now is a mini city compared to what I remember it being. Clearly the need a hotel out there.
Morgan, was interesting to hear your comments about sailing out of Bayonne! Talk about a different experience from mine. My husband and I love our short, hassle free drive from the Philadelphia suburbs to Bayonne! We also loved the Anthem!
I've sailed out of NJ before without any hassle. We live in New England so we drove the 3 hrs to NJ and used a cruise park and shuttle service. It was super simple for us. I can imagine though when you're not parking your car it can challenging like your experience.
I enjoy your videos each Sunday. Definitely inspired some future trips. I feel like in general NYC can be a HASSEL to get around d/t traffic. Enjoy your videos!
We stayed near Times Square as well. We took NJ Transit from Penn Station to Newark Penn Station (stop before EWR Airport) and then lyfted from there to the port. Lyft from that station was cheaper and train ticket was quite a bit cheaper as well. I wholly agree with you though, Bayonne is not convenient to sail out of.
For some reason I thought Lyft and uber and co weren't allowed to pick up at Newark Penn Station. I think that's why I went all the way to the airport. Good to know!
Leaving from Bayonne in April. I live in Maryland. Gonna take the train up and stay in Newark. Been to Manhattan enough that I don't feel the need to go. The hotel has a cruise package that will shuttle us to the port. Hopefully this won't be too bad.
I 100% agree that Bayonne is not very convenient and a hassle to get there but we did really enjoy our visit to NYC which would not have happened otherwise.
I live in NJ but I avoid the hassle by staying the night before at a hotel that has a shuttle to the terminal. Then I take the shuttle back to the hotel after the cruise and have my ride pick me up there. Easy peasy.
BTW - just wondering if Royal Caribbean had transportation options from Newark, LaGuardia or JFK to the cruise terminal?? I’ve flown into LaGuardia & taken a Princess transport bus to the terminal in Brooklyn!
Orlando / Port Canaveral was a great experience for me. If you stay at one of the airport area hotels, there is no hassle getting to the port . Most of the airport hotels have free shuttle service from/to airport. Go Port operates a shuttle from the airport to Port Canaveral. Go Port was VERY inexpensive, clean busses and courteous staff. I highly recommend them when sailing from Port Canaveral. Much easier and more economical than your experience in NJ, Morgan.
I do like going under the bridge leaving that port, but yeah we would stay in Jersey city then drive in. Parking is pretty hight but then again so is everywhere
The path train goes from ny penn station to jersey city for cheap and only a few stops. You can Uber easily from jersey city to Bayonne. It’s just one town over. Anyone reading the comments, take the path! It’s the easiest way to get from New Jersey to lower Manhattan
Wow it sounds like a huge hassle to get in and out of that port. Feeling very lucky that I only sail out of Vancouver port witch is a breeze to get too. Have an amazing week 😉👍
Love Sunday sofa time. It sounds like that Uber driver needs re-education. Having never driven to New York, I was able to find the Cape Liberty cruise port quite easily. I will have to disagree about money. Hotels, port fees and parking fees higher in Manhattan than in Bayonne. It's a trade-off less convenience means less money to get on board. Having a port accessable to modern ships (as opposed to Baltimore) without an airline flight is priceless. Flying into Newark day before cruise is easy enough, but if you want to add a side trip to NYC, there will be a cost to it.
The EWR airport is great, but the roads around that area are a hassle to navigate. Was looking at going on a cruise from that area but decided to pick a more southern port.
Wee tip for anyone that may not be aware if you are having hassle with your Uber driver who seems to be lost all the time and tells you the price will be a bit more than quoted … all will be OK just dispute the fare with Uber them selves on the app as soon as the you have got to your destination they will ck the price as to what it should have been and will refund you instantly ! Excellent as always :)
I'm from Jersey and while I've never been to the cruise port in Bayonne, it sounds like one heck of a hassle to me. I'm considering a cruise out of there for 2021 and appreciate knowing I should expect some difficulty getting to the port. Your viewer may know some better ways to get to/from the port, and I wish instead of complaining to you about your opinion of the port, he had instead shared some tips to make accessing it easier.
I'm from Long Island so I've cruised from all 3 New York/Jersey area ports. Manhattan is definitely the most convenient. Brooklyn is a little hard to get to as the terminal is in Red Hook which is kind of away from everything, but they did introduce a new ferry service that will take you to Manhattan. Bayonne is definitely a HASSLE to get to, especially with public transportation. I only sailed out of there once, way before they opened the new terminal, when you had to take a shuttle bus to the ship (anyone remember those?). If I was coming from out of town and sailing from Bayonne, I would try staying in Jersey City instead of in Manhattan. This way on the day of your cruise, you're already in New Jersey. Also, take the Jersey City light rail to the 34th street Bayonne station which is right outside the entrance of the long peninsula you have to go down to get to the ship. If you're coming from Manhattan, take the PATH train from World Trade Center one stop to Exchange Place and the light rail is right there. You do have to call a taxi to continue the way but it's probably a lot cheaper to do that than a taxi from a further location. Also remember that anyone who wants to sail Royal Caribbean or Celebrity from the New York area, they only sail out of Bayonne. Carnival, Holland America, and Norwegian typically sail from Manhattan, and Princess and Cunard sail from Brooklyn.
Hassel. I'm cruising from Bayonne this May. First time. The parking garage is convenient ans charge $30/day. As of 3/30/24. Everything is distanced from NYC but too late. MSC Meriviglia Cruise
Cruised on the Anthem 2 yrs ago and did a pre cruise stay in N.Y. before had. Flew into JFK car service to hotel (across from Conegie Hall) and car service to port the morning of. Lucky enough had no hassles with traffic or embarkation so we on ship in No time :)
Good morning Morgan When we cruised out of Bayonne a year ago we went the day before because smart people do that. The night before we drove to the port and it was very interesting to see the ship had come early because of a medical emergency. It was dark at the side of the porch and it’s all lit up and very nice. It was a hassle to drive down that very long long road just to get to the ship. But it gave us an idea of what the area would look like in the morning. The next day we did a parked our car at the Hotel and took an Uber to the terminal. OMG it took us about 90 minutes for a 20 minute ride. The line down there very long road was insane. They had line jumpers who would drive past everyone in line but thankfully the police were there and were giving people tickets and stuff which is cool. But the anthem was a great ship and we had a lot of fun. But I do think I could convince my wife to leave out of Bayonne again for another trip. Question is that table new on the deck behind you?
Just in time!! I'm going on Anthem this weekend. I was wondering since Southwest cancelled flights next month to Newark, and rebooked my parents on a flight out of LaGuardia.
Ok be nice. I believe you can get a DIRECT bus that is three mile from Cruise ship port. The bus number is 119 which starts from JFK BLVD @ 3RD Street (69 Boulevard bayonne) to Port Authority bus station (625 8th Avenue Manhattan). Which runs Between 1AM to 11.45PM. Please add information such as where to get tickets. Costs of tickets. Luggage facilities on the bus. Also let me know if I will see you on Anthem dates 1 November 2020 from Southampton to NYC.
I live in the Bronx without a car - I have easier time flying to Miami or FLL from JFK / Newark / LaGuardia on Mass Transit than getting to Bayonne by any means...
You should have taken the nj transit to Newark penn station and taken an Uber from there. Avoided the high fare in the train, monorail, and probably a cheaper Uber also. Always more from the airport.
I'm so glad you made this video. I would like to cruise out of NJ on Anthem or another in the future. You've confirmed my thoughts and given me much to consider. I still want to go but it will require lots of planning and more $$ than other cruise ports do.
We just returned from a cruise on the Anthem of the Seas. Love the ship but the Bayonne cruise terminal has got to the be worst terminal we have cruised from. And, that trip from the airport to the terminal and back to the airport after the cruise was a nightmare. We did not drive ourselves thank goodness. I doubt we will ever cruise from Bayonne again. Definitely, not worth the hassle.
It was a hassle many years ago when I flew into Newark & had to go to Edison NJ for a reunion. I didn’t want to rent a car & drive in New Jersey (this was before GPS) - so I had to take a taxi from the airport - very expensive & the whole trip was a hassle - but still nice to see old friends from Brooklyn again! I know the George Washington Bridge connects NYC to New Jersey - so there is probably some bus lines (port authority from Grand Central Station - maybe) to New Jersey, but not sure about the Bayonne part! Still, I want to try the Anthem of the Seas & have a solo balcony cabin like you had - and go to Bermuda!! So many cruises - so many decisions (and some hassles too)!
I grew up in New England, and we had a saying: "you can't get theyah from heeyah." LOL Completely applies in this situation! It is so frustrating when places are geographically close, but somehow so far. What a hassle!😁
I have lived in Northeastern NJ for over 30 years, and am NOT looking forward to cruising out of Bayonne next year - long story why I am. My last cruise (only 1 of 2) 10 years ago WAS out of NYC, and right past the Statue of Liberty (my avatar here is actually a photo I took from that trip, I LOVED going past her SO much!) like you mentioned. When you go under that bridge, you also pass Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn, which is where I was sworn into the US Navy MANY years ago. :) Yeah - Bayonne DON'T got me excited, and NOT a pretty area - at ALL!
Hey Morgan! Sorry that you're experience to the Cape Liberty was so stressful. I have to agree that the area at the port isn't the best to look at. However, I had a hassle free time sailing from there in August on Anthem. I live about an hour away from the port. I drove to my cruise companion's home (who lives 20 mins away) & from there had a friend drive us in. The drive in can be a bit tricky, but overall it (for me) is WAY more convenient than leaving from NYC. Which I've also done on NCL Gem. But like you said any cruise is better than no cruise. 😊
I’m a Brooklynite that lives in NJ and I agree💯💯. Cape Liberty is convenient for me, but the traffic is nuts and not much to see!! I enjoy Florida cruise ports more.
I appreciate you making this video I had inquired when you were posting your Anthem OTS videos. I live in Brooklyn NYC and it is a ‘HASSLE’ getting to Bayonne without asking someone to drive me. I will be doing Bermuda on Adventure OTS next year and I am going to try your method with a few changes. Take A Train to Penn Station/34th St Take NJ transit to Newark Airport Take Lyft/Uber to Cape Liberty #Fingerscrossed
This makes me thankful for the port of Vancouver. So many easy ways to get there as it is right in downtown Vancouver. I am lucky because I love near a station so it is easy for me to hop on right to the port. The only hassle is bringing your luggage along. Los Angeles is in an industrial area as well. Our Uber got lost once going there.
@@Boffin55 Getting the luggage on the SkyTrain isn't too bad. It is dragging it from the SkyTrain to my apartment that can sometimes be a pain. But we do it for the convenience.
Hey Morgan, I really appreciate your honest reviews/opinions! If it’s not too much hassle, do you think you could make a video about the pros and cons of visiting Disney at different times of the year? (If there are any)
This was a really funny video! And everything you said is SO TRUE! However, one thing to keep in mind is that most cruises that leave from Manhattan or Brooklyn, NY, charge much more for the cruise than the ships that leave from Bayonne. At least that has been my experience. So it's pay more for the cruise or it's pay for transportation to get to the port. I loved your video! Anyone living outside the USA should probably cruise from Manhattan or Brooklyn because it's just more fun to hang out in the city a day or two and not have to worry about getting over to New Jersey. That would be my advice. By the way, we have cruised out of Hamburg, Germany, and we LOVE HAMBURG!
One corollary here is.. if a person is coming in for a cruise, try looking at the difference in Bayonne and NYC proper. Add up the flight in , the room and the transportation to the port. A major reason that Bayonne exists is that there was no more room at the NYC ports for more ships and getting in and out of the port area can be a nightmare, let alone a hotel room anywhere near the ports in NYC. SO while Bayonne is a bit of a poop-hole, it is considered better than the NYC ports because as bad as the access to Bayonne is, try it the same way to the NYC ports. This "issue" with the Bayonne port has been ongoing for .. well since cruise lines started using Bayonne... it is visually displeasing, and often a fluster cluck of traffic getting in and out. If you look at the st map of the area, in order to get on the man made peninsula that is the Bayonne terminal, you have to go all the way around the river/bay in that area. While you *can* walk from the Hotel in Manhattan to the cruise port, that room cost you upwards of $400 for one night, versus the room at the Newark Airport hotel for $150 plus parking for the car for a week. Bayonne was built as a Navy port in WWII, They are trying but you are right that is a very not-glamorous port.
You would be great as a travel guide on the Travel Channel. I would definitely tune in, as your UA-cam videos and vlogs are "hassle" free and fun to watch😊.
Would you believe that I live less than a 10 minute walk from the Manhattan cruise terminal and still haven't taken a cruise out of there!? Definitely not a HASSLE!
Why not? That seems so easy! Although, i’m a 20 minute walk to one of the Hamburg terminals and we have only cruised from there twice because of the selection of cruises that leave from there! It’s mostly Costa, MSC, and AIDA.
I don’t care for hassle when traveling...my next cruise is an Alaskan starts from Canada Place in Vancouver BC to Alaska. From the Vancouver airport I can take a Train to my Hotel which is at the Port. Easy!!
Noticed that others have already commented about the way to get to Cape Liberty by mass transit from Manhattan (PATH train to Hoboken or Newport Stations and then switch to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (tram) to 34th Street station in Bayonne). Yes, the big hassle is getting from the Light Rail station to the port (it's a little over a mile). If the weather is nice, you could walk it (depending on how much luggage you are toting) or take a cab which are usually waiting at the 34th St. station. I have not lived in NJ for quite some time, but a few years ago while visiting up there my partner and I decided to drive over to the Cape Liberty port just so in the future we would know how to get there. Your Uber driver was an idiot for not knowing how to get to a major attraction without the use of a GPS. Without GPS we had to drive thorough major reconstruction at Interchange 14A on the Turnpike extension (the Bayonne exit). Yet, we easily reached the port with no hassle. This is why I never use Uber. If a driver can't find his way to a major well known attraction in the area in which they reside, they should not be hiring themselves out as a taxi service. As always, enjoyed the video very much (even though my late mother was born and raised in Bayonne). Have a great week!
I am from Philadelphia, I drive to Bayonne and park my car in a lot for the trip. Doesn't cost much and I find it a great option compared to flying to Florida. Sorry you had a bad experience!
NJ traffic is horrible and the roads aren't any different. Cape Liberty is in an inconvenient location. It's near two light rail stations but it would be too far of a walk so you would still need to pay for a taxi or Uber to go the rest of the way. Royal Caribbean should move to either Brooklyn or Manhattan
Thank you for saving me the hassle of transporting my husband and myself from Manhattan to Bayonne! I will be choosing a cruise that leaves out of New York when we plan our next one. I want a stress-free vacation (always!), and if I can make even one small adjustment to make things easier, I will. Thanks again for another great Sunday Sofa Time, Morgan!
Morgan many of your patrons have now commented about Bayonne and will not go on a cruise through THAT city! That is a disservice to your followers, because Anthem may very well be the best cruise ship afloat. I’m sure the cruise line has a shuttle service from Newark Penn or Hoboken. PATH trains from Manhattan run to both locations. Nobody said Bayonne compares to New York City (where I actually from) but how many places do. That remark about Bayonne I felt was unnecessary and felt was uncharacteristic of you. If I offended you and your city I APOLOGIZE to you, carry on with your videos and thank you for your past videos.
Hi Morgan, I live in NJ and avoid cruising out of Bayonne because it’s such a hassle to get there by public transportation. Plus, of the major cruise lines, Royal and Celebrity are the two you’ll find sailing from there. So for me, sailing out of NYC is more convenient and has more options.
Slightly better option ... instead of Penn --> NJ Transit --> Shuttle (Newark) --> Uber (Cruise Terminal) .... Try walking one block east from Penn to PATH train --> PATH (exchange place) --> Hudson/Bergen Light Rail (34th) --> Uber (Cruise Terminal). The Uber from the light rail is closer, and less confusing (as it is straight 2 mile ride).
Thanks!
BTW, I generally like taking the PATH to Exchange Place, because I used to work in that area. Unfortunately, this does require a change of trains. If you think that it is a hassle to ride more than one PATH train, you can also switch to the Hudson/Bergen Light Rail at either Newport or Hoboken. My second choice would be Newport, as you can always hang out at Newport mall, if you are bit too early for your scheduled check in time.
Thanks for this. Looks like the plan
Having done a few more commutes to the cruise port since my original post, I can confirm that I think Newport is the best transition from PATH to the light rail. The light rail is a bit hidden though. The best route is to cross the street (Washington Blvd), turn left, walk about 30 feet, and the light rail is through the tunnel. Also, the Newport Mall food court (on the other side of the light rail) has just opened a NY Fries. This is a great way for Cruisers going to Canada to get their fix of Poutine prior to the cruise... 🙂
A couple of additional notes that may be helpful. First, do *not* walk from 34st station to the Cruise terminal. Even though, the two mile route looks incredibly nice (since a housing complex and water front park was recently built), it is not really walkable. There is a small section without pathways, requiring you to walk with cars. Also, as you approach the ship, it becomes dirt walkways, which will put lots of stress on your luggage. Second, consider arriving much earlier. The traffic seems to become horrible in the afternoon, as long lines form to drop off passengers. The two mile Uber ride, can sometimes take more than 30 to 40 minutes. The only solace seems to be that the long line may make it safer for people who attempt the walk to be able to move among the cars.
We've sailed from Bayonne twice in the last year - once on the Anthem and then on the Celebrity Summit. Because we live in the DC area and drive to the port, it is a hassle-free experience for us. 🤣 We can drive up in less than 4 hours the morning of the cruise, park in the garage next door, and board quickly. We met a lot of people from PA, NJ, NY, and Toronto. So I think a good amount of people taking these cruises live within driving distance and choose the port for the convenience. I know I loved not having to fly my whole family down to FL to get on the ship. It saved us tons of $$! Just a different perspective for you...
We only sail from Cape Liberty/Bayonne NJ because we live 35 minutes south of there and we love RCI and Anthem. It's a very simple and efficient terminal. It has a very large parking garage and an overflow parking lot. We were booked in and sitting waiting to board within 15 minutes. On the ship within 45 minutes and that's only cause we got there very early before boarding started. It's actually a great place to sail from but I think it's more for people who live close by or within an easy drive. It's great for people in the North East. We are sailing Oasis in May from NJ.
U don’t have to fly to jfk. You can fly to Newark which is like a 15 minute drive from the cruise port
We get from Roosvelt Island New York to Bayonne New Jersey. By public Transport. Following an instruction from a Travel blog. Such a misstake. Using the Path and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, After that we were lost at cosco in the middle of no where. The blog told something about a shuttle for 5 Dollars. But nothing was there. So we had to Walk this Long way. I was soo f*** up. But then the kindest guy hold next to und and gave us a ride to the ship. I will never take a cruise our of Bayonne.
Morgan, thanks for sharing your story about the inconvenience of cruising out of Bayonne. As the cruising industry grows, it's nice to see more ports open up, but it doesn't help that much if it's such a hassle to get to said cruise terminal. My parents had a similar story when they cruised out of Copenhagen for their Baltic Sea cruise that had them walking for miles along a street with no sidewalk. Thanks for this "unofficial" advice! It certainly helps!
The trains in NYC are a huge hassle with check-in luggage. No elevators and tons of stairs. At least that's what I saw in Penn station getting to Jamaica station.
Hey Morgan! At around 8:13 you said that: "There is no public transportation to get you to the Bayonne cruise port". Although that is technically correct, my family took the PATH train from 33rd Street (a block away from Penn Station) and took that to Hoboken. Then, we took the Light Train to 34th street and then, as you said, took a taxi to the port. This is supplemented by information given on Royal Caribbean's website.
Second time when getting back to Bayonne we tried to find a Cab. None available. But got some one to find a transport from Bayonne cruise port to Newark airport. The thing that goes it is Lyft or Uber I guess. Or some other arrangement. So cruising out of Bayonne has become more difficult due to Uber and Lyft. And as an European, data on the mobile is not cheap in the states.
Not crazy about any kind of hassle but l do want to sail on the Anthem!
I have sailed out of Bayonne and it was not bad at all..I have seen buses drop off and pick up at the terminal to the airports check with your TA or call RCCL
I had this whole long reply written but I’ve decided to only say, fly into NYC, explore for a few days. Take the PATH train into Jersey City for $2.75 and a $20 Uber ride from there to Cape Liberty the day of your cruise and fly back home out of Newark when you return for a $30 Uber ride. If your Uber driver gets lost going to Newark airport it will be due to their individual errors as it is NOT a difficult drive.
Neither Bayonne nor NYC have pretty cruise ports but Bayonne is definitely less convenient for those wanting to explore NYC first. People must not find it too big of a problem though because Royal and Celebrity are pretty overpriced out of Bayonne.
I hope it won't be too much of a hassle to travel from Newark airport to Bayonne. I am thinking of taking the Royal Caribbean shuttle thing.
I know it is 4 years too late, but if you were at Penn station I would have taken the train to Hoboken (1 stop on NJ transit)
Then catch an Uber to the cruise port. Hoboken, Jersey City, and Bayone are all next to each other.
When we sailed out of Bayonne on the Anthem the captain had the chance to take us up past the Statue of Liberty before turning around and headed out to sea! I wonder how often they have they chance to do that?
Great video as usual Morgan...thanks! Mental note made about the hassle of getting to the port in Bayonne. I always just assume that the transportation links to the cruise ports will (1) exist and (2) be inexpensive, so I am very grateful for the heads-up, should the opportunity arise, in the furure, to cruise out of Bayonne. Thanks again x
I was given the following directions: Take Path at NYC’s 34th Street station to Hoboken Station- take Hudson Bergen Light Rail to 34th Street Bayonne.- call Cab or Uber. Hope this helps🚢
We took my mom on her first cruise last month. She was so exhausted in the Miami airport but refused a wheelchair because she thought it would be a hassle. We got to Toronto and she could barely walk off the plane so we found one. Suddenly the airport was not a hassle! Special lines!
Hi Morgan, if you're staying in Manhattan before the cruise, there is another way to get to Bayonne - not sure if people would agree with this one. You can take the PATH train to Hoboken, NJ, then from there take the light rail into Bayonne. From 34th street light rail station in Bayonne, it's a stones throw to the port. Very short taxi ride. Local taxis would not have a problem from that location. Just a thought....
We went out of Bayonne twice, and I hear ya, I do. We planned this all ahead and used hotel shuttles, the train and one Uber the hotel set us up with. Thankfully, he knew the way to the cruise port! Everything went smooth and we got around NJ/NY perfectly. Personally, I dislike Fort Lauderdale. It's not convenient or nice either and we end up spending a lot more time/money travelling between MIA and FLL.
Leaving from Bayonne nov 16th. I live in NJ so convenient. Catching Uber or Lyft. Hope to have no issues. 😕
Have a wonderful trip! 😊
I'm led to believe jetBlue has stopped service from Boston to Newark, which was a convenient 50 min trip, gate to gate, so to avoid the hassle of the nightmare of flying into NY...I'll make the 4 hour drive. You should have seen the port back in the day, it was a US Naval Base and in later years after the war, the buildings left standing could have been used as a set for just about any WWII era movie. What's out there now is a mini city compared to what I remember it being. Clearly the need a hotel out there.
Morgan, was interesting to hear your comments about sailing out of Bayonne! Talk about a different experience from mine. My husband and I love our short, hassle free drive from the Philadelphia suburbs to Bayonne! We also loved the Anthem!
I've sailed out of NJ before without any hassle. We live in New England so we drove the 3 hrs to NJ and used a cruise park and shuttle service. It was super simple for us. I can imagine though when you're not parking your car it can challenging like your experience.
I enjoy your videos each Sunday. Definitely inspired some future trips. I feel like in general NYC can be a HASSEL to get around d/t traffic. Enjoy your videos!
We stayed near Times Square as well. We took NJ Transit from Penn Station to Newark Penn Station (stop before EWR Airport) and then lyfted from there to the port. Lyft from that station was cheaper and train ticket was quite a bit cheaper as well. I wholly agree with you though, Bayonne is not convenient to sail out of.
For some reason I thought Lyft and uber and co weren't allowed to pick up at Newark Penn Station. I think that's why I went all the way to the airport. Good to know!
Leaving from Bayonne in April. I live in Maryland. Gonna take the train up and stay in Newark. Been to Manhattan enough that I don't feel the need to go. The hotel has a cruise package that will shuttle us to the port. Hopefully this won't be too bad.
Can I ask what hotel you are staying at? My family is taking a cruise in July out of Cape Liberty.
I 100% agree that Bayonne is not very convenient and a hassle to get there but we did really enjoy our visit to NYC which would not have happened otherwise.
Hassle. Travel in and out of Manhattan to the near Manhattan NJ area is a HASSLE.
Ad for Men's Wearhouse midway through. It sounds like quite a hassle to cruise out of Bayonne, so I guess I will never be doing that!! ;)
I live in NJ but I avoid the hassle by staying the night before at a hotel that has a shuttle to the terminal. Then I take the shuttle back to the hotel after the cruise and have my ride pick me up there. Easy peasy.
BTW - just wondering if Royal Caribbean had transportation options from Newark, LaGuardia or JFK to the cruise terminal?? I’ve flown into LaGuardia & taken a Princess transport bus to the terminal in Brooklyn!
Watching your video is no hassle whatsoever. Informative, yes.
Orlando / Port Canaveral was a great experience for me. If you stay at one of the airport area hotels, there is no hassle getting to the port . Most of the airport hotels have free shuttle service from/to airport. Go Port operates a shuttle from the airport to Port Canaveral. Go Port was VERY inexpensive, clean busses and courteous staff. I highly recommend them when sailing from Port Canaveral. Much easier and more economical than your experience in NJ, Morgan.
I do like going under the bridge leaving that port, but yeah we would stay in Jersey city then drive in. Parking is pretty hight but then again so is everywhere
The path train goes from ny penn station to jersey city for cheap and only a few stops. You can Uber easily from jersey city to Bayonne. It’s just one town over. Anyone reading the comments, take the path! It’s the easiest way to get from New Jersey to lower Manhattan
Wow it sounds like a huge hassle to get in and out of that port. Feeling very lucky that I only sail out of Vancouver port witch is a breeze to get too. Have an amazing week 😉👍
There’s a good train service from Rome to Chervicalachula, if you are ever going there again
That is a hilarious way to spell Civichewbacca! Please tell me you also did it wrong in purpose???
@@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides of course!
I love it!
Love Sunday sofa time. It sounds like that Uber driver needs re-education. Having never driven to New York, I was able to find the Cape Liberty cruise port quite easily. I will have to disagree about money. Hotels, port fees and parking fees higher in Manhattan than in Bayonne. It's a trade-off less convenience means less money to get on board. Having a port accessable to modern ships (as opposed to Baltimore) without an airline flight is priceless. Flying into Newark day before cruise is easy enough, but if you want to add a side trip to NYC, there will be a cost to it.
The EWR airport is great, but the roads around that area are a hassle to navigate. Was looking at going on a cruise from that area but decided to pick a more southern port.
Wee tip for anyone that may not be aware if you are having hassle
with your Uber driver who seems to be lost all the time and tells you the price
will be a bit more than quoted … all will be OK just dispute the fare with Uber
them selves on the app as soon as the you have got to your destination they will
ck the price as to what it should have been and will refund you instantly !
Excellent as always :)
I'm from Jersey and while I've never been to the cruise port in Bayonne, it sounds like one heck of a hassle to me. I'm considering a cruise out of there for 2021 and appreciate knowing I should expect some difficulty getting to the port.
Your viewer may know some better ways to get to/from the port, and I wish instead of complaining to you about your opinion of the port, he had instead shared some tips to make accessing it easier.
I'm from Long Island so I've cruised from all 3 New York/Jersey area ports. Manhattan is definitely the most convenient. Brooklyn is a little hard to get to as the terminal is in Red Hook which is kind of away from everything, but they did introduce a new ferry service that will take you to Manhattan. Bayonne is definitely a HASSLE to get to, especially with public transportation. I only sailed out of there once, way before they opened the new terminal, when you had to take a shuttle bus to the ship (anyone remember those?). If I was coming from out of town and sailing from Bayonne, I would try staying in Jersey City instead of in Manhattan. This way on the day of your cruise, you're already in New Jersey. Also, take the Jersey City light rail to the 34th street Bayonne station which is right outside the entrance of the long peninsula you have to go down to get to the ship. If you're coming from Manhattan, take the PATH train from World Trade Center one stop to Exchange Place and the light rail is right there. You do have to call a taxi to continue the way but it's probably a lot cheaper to do that than a taxi from a further location. Also remember that anyone who wants to sail Royal Caribbean or Celebrity from the New York area, they only sail out of Bayonne. Carnival, Holland America, and Norwegian typically sail from Manhattan, and Princess and Cunard sail from Brooklyn.
Hassel.
I'm cruising from Bayonne this May.
First time.
The parking garage is convenient ans charge $30/day. As of 3/30/24.
Everything is distanced from NYC but too late.
MSC Meriviglia Cruise
The Meriviglia is a flashy ship!
Cruised on the Anthem 2 yrs ago and did a pre cruise stay in N.Y. before had. Flew into JFK car service to hotel (across from Conegie Hall) and car service to port the morning of. Lucky enough had no hassles with traffic or embarkation so we on ship in No time :)
Good morning Morgan
When we cruised out of Bayonne a year ago we went the day before because smart people do that. The night before we drove to the port and it was very interesting to see the ship had come early because of a medical emergency. It was dark at the side of the porch and it’s all lit up and very nice. It was a hassle to drive down that very long long road just to get to the ship. But it gave us an idea of what the area would look like in the morning. The next day we did a parked our car at the Hotel and took an Uber to the terminal. OMG it took us about 90 minutes for a 20 minute ride. The line down there very long road was insane. They had line jumpers who would drive past everyone in line but thankfully the police were there and were giving people tickets and stuff which is cool. But the anthem was a great ship and we had a lot of fun. But I do think I could convince my wife to leave out of Bayonne again for another trip. Question is that table new on the deck behind you?
Just in time!! I'm going on Anthem this weekend. I was wondering since Southwest cancelled flights next month to Newark, and rebooked my parents on a flight out of LaGuardia.
Ok be nice. I believe you can get a DIRECT bus that is three mile from Cruise ship port. The bus number is 119 which starts from JFK BLVD @ 3RD Street (69 Boulevard bayonne) to Port Authority bus station (625 8th Avenue Manhattan). Which runs Between 1AM to 11.45PM. Please add information such as where to get tickets. Costs of tickets. Luggage facilities on the bus. Also let me know if I will see you on Anthem dates 1 November 2020 from Southampton to NYC.
I live in Queens near JFK. I can completely understand the inconvenience of going to Bayonne, especially as a tourist.
I live in the Bronx without a car - I have easier time flying to Miami or FLL from JFK / Newark / LaGuardia on Mass Transit than getting to Bayonne by any means...
You should have taken the nj transit to Newark penn station and taken an Uber from there. Avoided the high fare in the train, monorail, and probably a cheaper Uber also. Always more from the airport.
I'm so glad you made this video. I would like to cruise out of NJ on Anthem or another in the future. You've confirmed my thoughts and given me much to consider. I still want to go but it will require lots of planning and more $$ than other cruise ports do.
We just returned from a cruise on the Anthem of the Seas. Love the ship but the Bayonne cruise terminal has got to the be worst terminal we have cruised from. And, that trip from the airport to the terminal and back to the airport after the cruise was a nightmare. We did not drive ourselves thank goodness. I doubt we will ever cruise from Bayonne again. Definitely, not worth the hassle.
It was a hassle many years ago when I flew into Newark & had to go to Edison NJ for a reunion. I didn’t want to rent a car & drive in New Jersey (this was before GPS) - so I had to take a taxi from the airport - very expensive & the whole trip was a hassle - but still nice to see old friends from Brooklyn again!
I know the George Washington Bridge connects NYC to New Jersey - so there is probably some bus lines (port authority from Grand Central Station - maybe) to New Jersey, but not sure about the Bayonne part!
Still, I want to try the Anthem of the Seas & have a solo balcony cabin like you had - and go to Bermuda!!
So many cruises - so many decisions (and some hassles too)!
I grew up in New England, and we had a saying: "you can't get theyah from heeyah." LOL Completely applies in this situation! It is so frustrating when places are geographically close, but somehow so far. What a hassle!😁
I have lived in Northeastern NJ for over 30 years, and am NOT looking forward to cruising out of Bayonne next year - long story why I am. My last cruise (only 1 of 2) 10 years ago WAS out of NYC, and right past the Statue of Liberty (my avatar here is actually a photo I took from that trip, I LOVED going past her SO much!) like you mentioned. When you go under that bridge, you also pass Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn, which is where I was sworn into the US Navy MANY years ago. :) Yeah - Bayonne DON'T got me excited, and NOT a pretty area - at ALL!
Funny - Just finished watching this, and saw you read my previous comment from another video on air! :)
Hey Morgan! Sorry that you're experience to the Cape Liberty was so stressful. I have to agree that the area at the port isn't the best to look at. However, I had a hassle free time sailing from there in August on Anthem. I live about an hour away from the port. I drove to my cruise companion's home (who lives 20 mins away) & from there had a friend drive us in. The drive in can be a bit tricky, but overall it (for me) is WAY more convenient than leaving from NYC. Which I've also done on NCL Gem. But like you said any cruise is better than no cruise. 😊
I’m a Brooklynite that lives in NJ and I agree💯💯. Cape Liberty is convenient for me, but the traffic is nuts and not much to see!! I enjoy Florida cruise ports more.
Cruising from the Bayonne port in May. I hope it isn't going to be a big HASSLE!
Carolyn Lewis it’s not we love Bayonne. It’s easy
This is so helpful, thank you!
Will be going there soon.
I appreciate you making this video I had inquired when you were posting your Anthem OTS videos. I live in Brooklyn NYC and it is a ‘HASSLE’ getting to Bayonne without asking someone to drive me. I will be doing Bermuda on Adventure OTS next year and I am going to try your method with a few changes.
Take A Train to Penn Station/34th St
Take NJ transit to Newark Airport
Take Lyft/Uber to Cape Liberty
#Fingerscrossed
Go for it!
Literally just what I had to finalize this weekend. Are you a mind reader.? Spooooky. Making notes on this one Thx! Help me avoid hassles
This makes me thankful for the port of Vancouver. So many easy ways to get there as it is right in downtown Vancouver. I am lucky because I love near a station so it is easy for me to hop on right to the port. The only hassle is bringing your luggage along. Los Angeles is in an industrial area as well. Our Uber got lost once going there.
Skytrain isn't a hassel with luggage, it's the only way to go.
@@Boffin55 Getting the luggage on the SkyTrain isn't too bad. It is dragging it from the SkyTrain to my apartment that can sometimes be a pain. But we do it for the convenience.
You have convinced me that Bayonne isn't worth the hassle!!
Hey Morgan,
I really appreciate your honest reviews/opinions!
If it’s not too much hassle, do you think you could make a video about the pros and cons of visiting Disney at different times of the year? (If there are any)
It’s never a Hassle watching your videos to the end! I’m new to your channel and I absolutely Love your content♥️ You’re very talented ♥️
Excellent review. I don't think I would enjoy the hassle of leaving from Bayonne.
This was a really funny video! And everything you said is SO TRUE! However, one thing to keep in mind is that most cruises that leave from Manhattan or Brooklyn, NY, charge much more for the cruise than the ships that leave from Bayonne. At least that has been my experience. So it's pay more for the cruise or it's pay for transportation to get to the port. I loved your video! Anyone living outside the USA should probably cruise from Manhattan or Brooklyn because it's just more fun to hang out in the city a day or two and not have to worry about getting over to New Jersey. That would be my advice. By the way, we have cruised out of Hamburg, Germany, and we LOVE HAMBURG!
I'm glad you love my hometown! What kind of things do you like to do when you're here?
Haha - how can you even compare Bayonne to Hamburg???? Both the city and cruise port...
One corollary here is.. if a person is coming in for a cruise, try looking at the difference in Bayonne and NYC proper. Add up the flight in , the room and the transportation to the port. A major reason that Bayonne exists is that there was no more room at the NYC ports for more ships and getting in and out of the port area can be a nightmare, let alone a hotel room anywhere near the ports in NYC. SO while Bayonne is a bit of a poop-hole, it is considered better than the NYC ports because as bad as the access to Bayonne is, try it the same way to the NYC ports. This "issue" with the Bayonne port has been ongoing for .. well since cruise lines started using Bayonne... it is visually displeasing, and often a fluster cluck of traffic getting in and out. If you look at the st map of the area, in order to get on the man made peninsula that is the Bayonne terminal, you have to go all the way around the river/bay in that area.
While you *can* walk from the Hotel in Manhattan to the cruise port, that room cost you upwards of $400 for one night, versus the room at the Newark Airport hotel for $150 plus parking for the car for a week.
Bayonne was built as a Navy port in WWII, They are trying but you are right that is a very not-glamorous port.
You described that very well!
@@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides Thank you. I've been accused of having writing skills... ;) I should do something with them... :D
Why not to take Ferry to Staten Island and then take taxi ?? you still paying and it is closer and faster ... or PATH Train to NJ and taxi ??
and there in no hassle to comment :)
YOu gave me the exact info I'm looking for. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! What ship will you be on?
You would be great as a travel guide on the Travel Channel. I would definitely tune in, as your UA-cam videos and vlogs are "hassle" free and fun to watch😊.
Would you believe that I live less than a 10 minute walk from the Manhattan cruise terminal and still haven't taken a cruise out of there!? Definitely not a HASSLE!
Why not? That seems so easy! Although, i’m a 20 minute walk to one of the Hamburg terminals and we have only cruised from there twice because of the selection of cruises that leave from there! It’s mostly Costa, MSC, and AIDA.
I don’t care for hassle when traveling...my next cruise is an Alaskan starts from Canada Place in Vancouver BC to Alaska. From the Vancouver airport I can take a Train to my Hotel which is at the Port. Easy!!
Noticed that others have already commented about the way to get to Cape Liberty by mass transit from Manhattan (PATH train to Hoboken or Newport Stations and then switch to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (tram) to 34th Street station in Bayonne). Yes, the big hassle is getting from the Light Rail station to the port (it's a little over a mile). If the weather is nice, you could walk it (depending on how much luggage you are toting) or take a cab which are usually waiting at the 34th St. station. I have not lived in NJ for quite some time, but a few years ago while visiting up there my partner and I decided to drive over to the Cape Liberty port just so in the future we would know how to get there. Your Uber driver was an idiot for not knowing how to get to a major attraction without the use of a GPS. Without GPS we had to drive thorough major reconstruction at Interchange 14A on the Turnpike extension (the Bayonne exit). Yet, we easily reached the port with no hassle. This is why I never use Uber. If a driver can't find his way to a major well known attraction in the area in which they reside, they should not be hiring themselves out as a taxi service.
As always, enjoyed the video very much (even though my late mother was born and raised in Bayonne). Have a great week!
Sounds like one big ka-ching after another. I cruise to relax and that sounds too much like STRESS
Hassle! bummer......we have already made plans to cruise from Southhampton to NJ. Still WINNNING...It is Southhampton England first!
I am from Philadelphia, I drive to Bayonne and park my car in a lot for the trip. Doesn't cost much and I find it a great option compared to flying to Florida. Sorry you had a bad experience!
Very informative, and it seems the easiest thing to do is never cruise out of Bayonne unless you live right there by the port.
Wow, what elements of hassle!
Love your U-tube veido !!!! Hassle Happy Halloween 😈🤡🤖👾👽👻🎃🎃🎃!!! Rita
You would have been better off taking the PATH train from 33rd St and 6th Avenue to Journal Square in Jersey City, and then take a taxi.
Some people these days get offended super easy and always want to argue... that port sounds like a HASSLE 😉😂
Going out of Bayonne next Sept. will be a "hassle"
What a hassle, waiting a whole week for more Sunday Sofatime. ;)
NJ traffic is horrible and the roads aren't any different. Cape Liberty is in an inconvenient location. It's near two light rail stations but it would be too far of a walk so you would still need to pay for a taxi or Uber to go the rest of the way. Royal Caribbean should move to either Brooklyn or Manhattan
And raise the cruise fare accordingly?
Thank you for saving me the hassle of transporting my husband and myself from Manhattan to Bayonne! I will be choosing a cruise that leaves out of New York when we plan our next one. I want a stress-free vacation (always!), and if I can make even one small adjustment to make things easier, I will. Thanks again for another great Sunday Sofa Time, Morgan!
Watch your videos is always a hassle! Jk I love them...
Sounds like a very stressful start to a vacation. No thank you what a big hassle 😡
I like when all aspects of a cruise are hassle free. Sounds like this one for you was not.😵
Thanks for the info and hassle lol 😁
whiny are we?
Thank you Morgan for another hassle free video. Your videos always make my day brighter.
Stay at Newark for embarkation and coming back book times jfk. Problem solved
Morgan many of your patrons have now commented about Bayonne and will not go on a cruise through THAT city! That is a disservice to your followers, because Anthem may very well be the best cruise ship afloat. I’m sure the cruise line has a shuttle service from Newark Penn or Hoboken. PATH trains from Manhattan run to both locations. Nobody said Bayonne compares to New York City (where I actually from) but how many places do. That remark about Bayonne I felt was unnecessary and felt was uncharacteristic of you. If I offended you and your city I APOLOGIZE to you, carry on with your videos and thank you for your past videos.
It's all good, Thomas! It inspired this informative video using footage I forgot I had, so something really positive came out of it.
You would never get a thumbs down from me. You are just hassle free.
Ignore the sour grapes....sounds like that person has a chip on their shoulder. Perhaps he just lived to hassle people🤷🏻♀️ Love your vlogs😊
Hi Morgan, I live in NJ and avoid cruising out of Bayonne because it’s such a hassle to get there by public transportation. Plus, of the major cruise lines, Royal and Celebrity are the two you’ll find sailing from there. So for me, sailing out of NYC is more convenient and has more options.
Poor thing....I hope seeing a “war ships” didn’t trigger you too much, but the look on your face.... No better place to be then NYC during fleet week.
I think I would rather go to Port Miami. Less hassle and headaches.