You check in for a Manhattan cruise at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Twelfth Avenue, on the far west edge of Hell’s Kitchen. Ships dock at Pier 88, 90 or 92, each with its own terminal building, and bags start going through at 9:30am. Times Square is a twenty-minute walk away, right in the middle of Manhattan.
Where Manhattan cruise ships dock
The three wharves that make up the Manhattan Cruise Terminal sit along the Hell’s Kitchen waterfront, so check your booking confirmation for the right one before you head over.
- Pier 88: Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line dock here, including Carnival Venezia.
- Pier 90: mostly Norwegian Cruise Line, with MSC Cruises using it too.
- Pier 92: Cunard sails from here, along with MSC Cruises overflow sailings and occasionally Disney Cruise Line.
New York (Manhattan) cruise port map
Ships dock at Manhattan Cruise Terminal. From the terminal, Times Square is about a 28-minute walk. Tap a pin for directions.
- Pier 88Where ships dock
- Pier 92Where ships dock
- Manhattan Cruise TerminalWhere ships dock
- Times SquareAbout 28 min walk from the terminal
- Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Central Park
- Top of the Rock
- Empire State Building
- Broadway Theater District
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- The High Line
- Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- One World Observatory
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York cruise port options: Manhattan vs Brooklyn
New York’s cruise ships leave from one of two terminals: the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on the west side, or the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal over the harbour. Manhattan’s the more central of the two, an easy walk from Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown hotels.
| Terminal | Location | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Cruise Terminal | Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan’s west side | On-site, above each pier |
| Brooklyn Cruise Terminal | Brooklyn, across the harbour | On-site, adjacent to the terminal |
If you want to see how the other terminal compares, here’s the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal port guide.
Getting to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal from the airport
Getting to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal from the airport can take anywhere from twenty-five minutes to an hour, depending on which airport you’re flying into and how traffic’s behaving that day. LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK all serve the city, and which one ends up closer depends on whether you’re measuring in miles or minutes stuck on the expressway.
- LaGuardia (LGA): the closest by distance, somewhere between seven and eighteen miles out depending on the route you take.
- Newark Liberty (EWR): about fifteen miles away, usually the steadiest for traffic, and you can get a direct NJ Transit train to Penn Station from there.
- JFK: the furthest out at around twenty miles, though it sometimes has the better flight options if you’re picky about airlines.
When several ships dock on the same day
When several ships dock on the same day, things get busy fast. The terminal can handle up to five ships across its three piers at once, so the taxi ranks, drop-off lanes and car parks fill up a lot quicker than on a quiet sailing day.
Book the on-site car park ahead of time rather than turning up and hoping for the best, especially around holidays when five ships at once isn’t unusual.
Manhattan Cruise Terminal parking: hours and the rooftop height limit
Manhattan Cruise Terminal parking sits right above each pier, charged at a flat daily rate, card only, no cash. There’s no extra charge for driving something bigger like an SUV. Gates open at 8am and they want you checked out by 3pm.
A space isn’t guaranteed just because you’ve got a ticket to board. It depends on how many ships and cars are using the terminal that day, so reserve ahead on the terminal’s website, especially if your sailing date looks busy.
The real catch is headroom. The rooftop clearance is eight feet, so anything taller than that, or anything you’re towing, simply won’t fit. If that’s your situation, sort out a Midtown garage in advance instead, somewhere like MTP Manhattan or the iPark garage on West 43rd Street.
You get in for parking and drop-off via the Viaduct Ramp at 55th Street, which takes you down to the receiving area right beside your ship’s berth. There’s a bit of street parking on West 54th Street, but only on one side of the road.
Free spaces turn up more often between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, south of 54th Street. Traffic around 57th to 59th Streets gets heavy, so build in some time.
Where to stay near Manhattan cruise port
Staying near Manhattan cruise port means booking a hotel in Hell’s Kitchen or Midtown West, the only neighbourhood within a few minutes of the terminal. That’s worth it for a short walk on the morning you sail, or a quick trip back after a late finish. The same area works just as well for a night afterwards too.
- Ink48 Hotel (Kimpton): about a three-minute drive from the terminal, with a rooftop bar over the Hudson River that’s good for a last photo before you board.
- Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West: on West 48th Street, about 0.7 miles away, roughly a five-minute drive or a fifteen-minute walk. Breakfast’s included, so you can eat and walk straight to the terminal.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park: about five minutes from the terminal, a solid base if you want a day in the city before you sail.
Luggage storage at Manhattan cruise port
Luggage storage at Manhattan cruise port isn’t something the terminal officially offers. There’s no left-luggage desk for early arrivals or late departures. If you’re disembarking instead, this complete guide to cruise disembarkation day covers what happens to your bags on the way off.
A handful of businesses a short walk south of the terminal will hold your bags for a fee. If you’d rather have this sorted before you leave home, you can book luggage storage near the terminal instead of relying on an unconfirmed local offer.
Where to eat near Manhattan cruise port
The best place to eat near Manhattan cruise port is Hell’s Kitchen itself, the neighbourhood wrapped around the terminal, packed with restaurants from every corner of the world, plus delis and bars, all within a few short blocks.
- Ninth Avenue: one stretch of road with something like 160 restaurants on it, covering cuisines from everywhere, handy for a quick meal before or after you sail.
- Restaurant Row (46th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues): the classic strip for dinner before catching a Broadway show from the cruise port.
- Ninth Avenue International Food Festival: an annual event that shuts Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets for two days of street food from round the world. Worth checking the dates if your sailing lines up with it.
How to spend a port day in Manhattan
A port day in Manhattan is best spent exploring Hell’s Kitchen before boarding, with Times Square a short walk from the terminal.
Before you sail
- Book on-site parking online ahead, especially for holiday sailings.
- Check your pier number (88, 90 or 92) before you travel.
- For tall vehicles, book a Midtown garage, rooftop clearance is 8ft.
Short port day: under 4 hours
- On dockingArrive at Manhattan Cruise TerminalBags from 9:30amBag drop starts at 9:30am; check in for your pier (88, 90 or 92) on your booking confirmation.
- +20 minWalk into Hell's KitchenA short walk from the terminal into the neighbourhood wrapped around it.
- +45 minNinth AvenueAround 160 restaurants line this strip, handy for a pre-cruise coffee or snack.
- +1 hr 15 minLunch on Restaurant RowTry global street foodThe classic dinner strip before catching a Broadway show from the cruise port, with cuisines from round the world.
- +2 hrsTimes SquareAbout a 20 minute walk from the terminal, with lots of shops and lights to see.
- All-aboard minus 90 minBack at Manhattan Cruise TerminalAllow time to clear security and check-in before your sail time.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If Ninth Avenue is busy, Restaurant Row nearby has plenty of other lunch options.
Manhattan cruise port FAQs
What is the address of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal’s address is 711 Twelfth Avenue, between West 46th and West 54th Streets, New York.
Which piers make up the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal is made up of Piers 88, 90 and 92, each with its own terminal building.
Which cruise lines use the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Cruise lines using the Manhattan Cruise Terminal include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Cunard, and occasionally Disney Cruise Line.
Is parking available at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Parking at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is available on-site above each pier, though space isn’t guaranteed on every sailing date, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Which airport is closest to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
The closest airport to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is usually LaGuardia by distance, though Newark often wins on traffic, so either one can end up being the quicker trip depending on the day.
Can I store luggage at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
You can’t store luggage at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal itself. If you’re arriving early, look at options nearby or book storage in advance.
What time does baggage processing start at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Baggage processing at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal starts at 9:30am on the day you sail.
Can I park a tall vehicle at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Tall vehicles can’t use the Manhattan Cruise Terminal’s own car park, because the rooftop clearance is only eight feet. Anything taller, or anything being towed, needs a Midtown garage booked in advance.
How far is it to walk into the city from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Hell’s Kitchen wraps right around the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and is easy to walk, with Times Square about twenty minutes away on foot.
Last Updated: 29 October 2026