For travelers looking for the perfect departure cruise port near New York City, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey is one of the leading cruise terminals, offering convenience and world-class amenities. Being a vital port for Royal Caribbean International, it has hosted cruise enthusiasts since 2004. It provides access to some of the most exciting destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and New England.
Located approximately 10 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport, Cape Liberty ensures immediate access to all amenities for both domestic and international passengers. With easy access to the major highways and public transport, it makes up an excellent departure point from where your cruise journey will start. Its newest facilities at the port will ensure a quick and smooth embarkation process, while proximity to New York City takes full advantage of an opportunity to join up your cruise vacation with a pre-or post-cruise city stay. Let us take a sneak peek into the amazing Royal Caribbean cruises from Cape Liberty.
Ships Fleet and Destinations
A few of its finest vessels have been placed at Cape Liberty by Royal Caribbean, it is a class part of the cruise experience that Royal Caribbean offers. The Symphony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas all of these cruise ships spend some time at this place at different periods in a calendar year. The character that every ship brings to the cruising experience is impeccable, offering diverse itineraries that cater to a wide range of preferences and vacation styles from a quick getaway to a more extended voyage.
Some Popular Itineraries and Pricing Guide
Below is a detailed pricing guide of popular itineraries from Cape Liberty. Such prices only indicate broad ranges and are subject to variation with seasonality, availability, and other factors.
| Itinerary | Duration | Interior Cabin | Ocean View | Balcony | Suite | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas & Perfect Day | 7 nights | $699-899 | $849-1,049 | $999-1,299 | $1,499-2,499 | June-August |
| Bermuda Getaway | 5 nights | $549-749 | $649-849 | $799-999 | $1,299-1,999 | May-September |
| Bermuda Extended | 7 nights | $799-999 | $899-1,199 | $1,099-1,399 | $1,699-2,699 | May-September |
| New England/Canada | 7 nights | $799-1,099 | $999-1,299 | $1,199-1,599 | $1,899-2,899 | September-October |
| Caribbean Adventure | 9 nights | $899-1,199 | $1,099-1,399 | $1,299-1,699 | $2,099-3,299 | December-April |
| Transatlantic | 14+ nights | $999-1,399 | $1,199-1,699 | $1,499-1,999 | $2,499-4,499 | April/October |
Seasonal Highlights
June through August marks the peak season for cruises to Bermuda and the Bahamas. It is the warmest period of the year for beach-intensive activities and an ideal time for family vacations during school breaks. However, due to the peak seasons and intense rush, the prices are high as well.
Falls provide New England and Canada cruises with an exceptional opportunity, especially in September and October. During this period, visitors can enjoy some fantastic fall foliage in relatively mild conditions. Generally, fall cruises offer better value than summer sailings, except on peak foliage weekends.
Winter cruising options from Cape Liberty include longer Caribbean itineraries, ideal for escaping the northern winter. These months are typically when the pricing for a cruise is at its best value, excluding holiday sailings, and crowds at ports of call are at a minimum. From April to May spring is a shoulder season with good pricing and comfortable weather, so budget-conscious travelers can save even more dollars. The shoulder season also includes special repositioning cruises.
Onboard Experience
Entertainment forms an integral part of the Royal Caribbean cruises from Cape Liberty. The entertainment venues are always engaging and on the go, with the lead theater hosting Broadway-calibre shows, and professional-level ice skating rinks that offer performances in special venues, along with live music venues in several venues onboard the ship. Comedy clubs provide night-time laughs, among its entertainment options are movie screenings and casino gaming.
Active travelers will have opportunities galore for outdoor activity and adventure on board these vessels. Rock climbing walls and FlowRider surf simulators make it an innovative attraction. Sports buffs can indulge in pickup games on basketball courts or even keep fit by running on the running tracks and well-equipped fitness centers on board.
Dining Excellence
Dining aboard Royal Caribbean ships spans an extremely wide range of restaurants to suit the tastes of every guest. The complimentary dining program is centered around the Main Dining Room, which offers guests high-class breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. An informal, buffet-style restaurant, Windjammer Marketplace serves up fabulous fare throughout the day. Café Promenade satisfies those lighter bites and coffee. Casual favorites such as Sorrento’s Pizza and Dog House hit the spot for a quick fix.
If you’re willing to splurge on a good meal, specialty restaurants offer superior cuisine at an extra fee. Chops Grille is the signature steakhouse, serving cuts and seafood for $49-$55 per person. Giovanni’s Table serves up Italian favorites family-style for $35-$40 per person. Izumi brings new Asian cuisine onboard for $25-$35 per person, and Jamie’s Italian brings celebrity-chef dining to the seas for $35-$40 per person. Creative dishes in Wonderland make this restaurant a memorable place for eating. The price per person is around $45-50.
Pre-Cruise Planning
Getting to Cape Liberty is easy with ample variety based on preference and budget. From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), there are ways: taxi, $45-55; ride-sharing with Uber or Lyft, $35-45; or reserve a shuttle service, which is $25-30 per person. For those coming from New York City, private car services, $65-85; the ride-sharing service, $55-75; or public transportation for the more budget-conscious can be used at $10-15 per person.
And for those heading out to drive into the cruise terminal, Cape Liberty offers numerous parking options available. Its short-term lot can hold cars for as long as three days at $25 per day; for four days and above, its long-term parking can be reserved for $20 per day. There is also valet parking service at $15 additional per day if customers require further ease with arrival processes.
Accommodation Options
Travelers can select from a wide range of accommodations when planning a pre-cruise stay either in the immediate surroundings of Cape Liberty or in nearby Manhattan. Within the neighborhood of the port itself, travelers can find quality accommodations for about $130-180 per night at the Hampton Inn Bayonne, while the Hyatt Place Jersey City and Courtyard by Marriott Jersey City offer more upscale options at about $150-220 per night. People who would like to spend some time in Manhattan before the cruise itself can find mid-range hotels at prices between $200-300 per night, while luxury properties will cost $350-800 per night.
Preparation for the Cruise
Proper packing is essential to the full maximization of your experience on a cruise. Your wardrobe should contain proper dressing for the evening of formal nights when the setting becomes elegantly sophisticated. It is advisable to prepare a day bag containing essentials for embarkation day, whereby checked luggage may not arrive in your stateroom until the evening. Do not forget swimwear to quickly enjoy the pool and comfortable walking shoes to stroll around the ports. While packing electronics remember that only non-surge-protected power strips are allowed onboard.
Documentation requirements should be checked prior to departure. All cruises sailing from Cape Liberty are subject to a need for a passport since passengers are traveling out of the country. The cruise documents should also be easily accessible as should the details on the travel insurance. There is also a need for an embarkation credit card that will be used in the paying of the onboard costs. There is also a government photo form of identification to be held in addition.
Port Area Exploration
The pre-cruise exploration offered at Cape Liberty is superb. All of New York City’s iconic attractions are accessible within steps of your cruise ship, making for great accessories to your cruise vacation. Above and beyond these attractions is the Statue of Liberty tour, which provides such panoramic city views that make for memorabilia one’ll not forget. Broadway shows start at $89-299 per ticket, and top-notch world-class entertainment can be a great way to kick off your cruise. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which holds promises for admission at $25, has vast amounts of artistic treasures in human history.
Several other attractions are closer to the port and should not be missed. Liberty State Park is a good place for you to spend some suitable time for relaxation and photography before you set off on your cruise, for free. The Liberty Science Center is family-friendly, providing education for $24.99 for adults. Visiting the Teardrop Memorial is a very touching tribute. You can visit it free of charge, so it is one last moment of reflection before you set off on your vacation.
Destination Highlights and Shore Excursions
Royal Caribbean cruises from Cape Liberty cover some of the most beautiful attractions around the world, including the Caribbean, Bermuda, and New England. Here are some of the highlights that you could experience while on the cruise trip.
Bermuda Destinations
When arriving at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda by ferry, you have reached the very center of island adventure. Horseshoe Bay Beach has, probably, the best beaches anywhere in the world where one can swim or sunbathe on pink sand with crystal-clear waters. Chairs are available for $15/day as well as umbrellas for $20 each.
This UNESCO World Heritage town, St. George’s, exudes the colonial past of Bermuda through its well-preserved architecture and narrow streets. A walking tour of the town runs in the order of $35-45 per person and includes visits to St. Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere.
Crystal Cave is an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. Tours, in conjunction with Fantasy Cave, cost about $35 per adult and provide a great insight into the geological history of Bermuda. A visit to the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse affords panoramic views of the island for just $7.
Caribbean Adventures
Royal Caribbean’s private CocoCay island in the Bahamas is home to Thrill Waterpark, complete with North America’s highest waterslide. But if you want it really exclusive, you can have your share of overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club ($999 per day for up to eight guests) or beach beds at Breezy Bay ($199-299 per day).
In the Bahamas, Atlantis Aquaventure will keep you splashing all day long with passes that run from $120-175 per person. Pirates of Nassau Museum ($13 admission) is a fun spin on the history of piracy in the region. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Shark Adventure at Stuart Cove for $120, with underwater experiences close to Caribbean reef sharks.
New England & Canada Discovery
The eastern Maine town of Bar Harbor is the entry point to Acadia National Park, where guided tours start at $40-60 per person and offer dramatic coastal scenery. A local lobster fishing demo ($35-45) can help visitors understand this foundational industry, while a whale-watching tour ($65-85) offers the potential for encounters with majestic sea mammals.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, puts on its nautical hat at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic ($8.50 admission). The tour of Peggy’s Cove lighthouse has stunning ocean views accompanied by local seafood samplings ($45-55). History buffs will dig the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site ($12 admission), where costumed interpreters reanimate the 19th-century fortress within.
Favorite Shore Excursions by Port
Bermuda Shore Excursions
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $75-89 per person Cave Swimming Tour
- US$125-140 per person Rail Trail Bike and Beach Tour
- US$95-110 per person Glass Bottom Boat Reef Tour
- US$55-65 per person Caribbean Excursions Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park
- US$120-175 per person Swimming with Dolphins
- US$180-210 per person Island Food and Rum Tour
- US$85-99 per person Jeep Safari Adventure:
- US$95-115 per person New England/Canada Excursions
- Acadia National Park Tour: US$55-70 per person
- Halifax Food Walking Tour: $65-$80 per person
- Bay of Fundy Whale Watch: $130-$150 per person
- Quebec City Historical Walk: $45-$60 per person
Making the Most of Your Sailing
The Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty has special features that make the traveling experience impressive. There are many entertainment ideas and dining venues on the Symphony of the Seas. Technologies are plentiful on the Anthem of the Seas, with all their wonders: observation capsule, North Star, and skydiving simulator, RipCord by iFLY. Classic elements, which characterize the Liberty of the Seas, are combined perfectly with modern facilities, making guests of all ages experience a perfect cruise.
Throughout your cruise, you’ll come across dedicated staff working tirelessly to make it an unforgettable experience. The main dining room changes nightly, offering a menu of rotating international cuisine. Professional entertainment teams present world-class shows in a variety of onboard venues. Activity directors coordinate and arrange interactive programs for all ages so that every minute on board will be full of enjoyment or relaxation.
Conclusion
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is a passport to fabulous mariner adventures. Access is provided by a wide variety of cruises. Whether it’s a short trip to Bermuda or a long journey across the Caribbean, modern facilities and an appealing location make this the best port for cruise lovers. What makes the experience for every passenger unforgettable is the combination of choices of itineraries with a commitment to exceptional service at Royal Caribbean.
Understanding the pricing structure and seasonal variations allows for strategic vacation planning that maximizes both experience and value. Early booking promotions and shoulder season sailings often provide excellent opportunities for savings while still enjoying the full range of amenities and excitement that the Royal Caribbean cruises to Cape Liberty have to offer.
Plan to come a day earlier and explore the area the day before embarkation for maximum enjoyment of the trip. Not to mention, with this guide, one can avoid pre-embarkation stress at the last minute through careful planning. The adventure of a Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty promises to be nothing less exceptional and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can literally see the view of the Statue of Liberty with clear views and this fact makes the port perfect for sighting during sail-away departure from the terminal, for its location provides a wonderful view of the New York Harbour with the iconic statue starkly on view.
Royal Caribbean is the primary cruise line sailing from Cape Liberty. Celebrity Cruises also homeports some of its ships here at this port for select seasons.
Yes, you can park your car at Cape Liberty Cruise Port. The port offers parking facilities for travelers, where standard vehicle rates are about $20 per day. There are available options for oversized vehicles as well.
The major cruise lines that sail out of Bayonne, NJ (Cape Liberty) are Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Royal Caribbean has placed several vessels on year-round deployment. Celebrity offers some seasonal cruises.
Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise is the Icon of the Seas measuring as much as 248,663 gross tons.
It sails from Cape Liberty.