Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Car Service
Red Hook, Brooklyn • From JFK: 30-45 min • Cunard, Celebrity, Princess ready
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: Red Hook's Premier Cruise Port
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (also known as Red Hook Cruise Terminal) is located at 72 Bowne Street in the historic waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn. The terminal is a major homeport for Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2), Celebrity Cruises (Summit, Edge), and Princess Cruises (seasonal).
Unlike Manhattan Cruise Terminal (Hell's Kitchen) or Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ), Brooklyn Cruise Terminal benefits from close proximity to JFK Airport—only 12 miles via Belt Parkway (30-45 min drive). This makes it the most convenient cruise port for international travelers arriving at JFK, especially those on transatlantic cruises.
Red Hook neighborhood: The terminal sits in a revitalized industrial waterfront area with views of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. While there are no major hotels within walking distance, the terminal is easily accessible from Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, and Cobble Hill hotels via 10-15 minute car rides.
Airport Pickup Timing for Cruise Embarkation
JFK is the closest major airport to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Here's how much buffer time to allow between your flight arrival and pickup time:
| From Airport | Drive Time | Recommended Buffer | Total Arrival → Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK Airport (Closest!) | 30-45 min | Baggage claim (20 min) + buffer (10 min) | 60-75 minutes |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 25-35 min | Baggage claim (15 min) + buffer (10 min) | 50-60 minutes |
| Newark (EWR) | 50-65 min | Baggage claim (20 min) + buffer (10 min) | 80-95 minutes |
International flights: Add 30 minutes for customs/immigration (total 90-105 min from JFK, 110-125 min from EWR).
From NYC Airports to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
From JFK Airport
- Route: Belt Parkway West → Exit 22 (Hamilton Avenue) → Red Hook
- Drive time: 30-45 minutes (normal traffic), 55 minutes (rush hour)
- Distance: Only 12 miles—shortest airport route to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
- Best for: International flights, transatlantic cruises (Queen Mary 2), Europe arrivals
From LaGuardia Airport
- Route: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) → Exit 26 (Atlantic Avenue) → Red Hook
- Drive time: 25-35 minutes (normal traffic), 45 minutes (rush hour)
- Best for: Domestic flights, tight cruise departure timings
From Newark Airport (EWR)
- Route: NJ Turnpike → Goethals Bridge → Staten Island Expressway → Verrazzano Bridge → Brooklyn
- Drive time: 50-65 minutes (normal traffic), 80 minutes (rush hour)
- Note: Longest route due to tolls ($19 Verrazzano Bridge). Only use if flight times force EWR arrival.
Luggage Fit Guide: Cunard, Celebrity, Princess
Most cruise lines allow 2 checked bags per person (50 lbs each) plus carry-ons. Here's how to match your party size and luggage count to the right vehicle:
Luxury Sedan
- Up to 3 passengers
- 3-4 large bags
- Best for: Solo cruiser or couple
Luxury SUV
- Up to 6 passengers
- 5-6 large bags
- Best for: Families (3-4 people)
Sprinter Van
- Up to 14 passengers
- 10-12 large bags
- Best for: Large groups (5+ people)
Where We Meet You at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Embarkation (Boarding Day)
- We drop you at the main terminal entrance (72 Bowne Street)
- Chauffeur helps unload luggage onto porter carts (porters handle bags from curb to ship)
- Check-in counters are inside the main building (cruise line determines bag drop location)
Disembarkation (End of Cruise)
- Chauffeur meets you at the terminal exit with a name sign
- Text confirmation sent 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup with chauffeur's cell number
- Chauffeur helps load bags into vehicle—wheels-up within 10 minutes of exiting the terminal
Cunard Queen Mary 2: Brooklyn vs. Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 (QM2) uses both Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Manhattan Cruise Terminal depending on the season and itinerary. Here's what you need to know:
- Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (Red Hook): Typically used for fall/winter transatlantic crossings (September-November).
- Manhattan Cruise Terminal (Pier 90): Used for summer/spring crossings and repositioning cruises.
- Check your cruise documents for the exact terminal address. The two terminals are 6 miles apart—going to the wrong terminal could mean missing your cruise.
What Cruisers Say About Our Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Service
"Picked us up from JFK for our Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing. Driver navigated the Belt Parkway construction like a pro and got us to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in 35 minutes. Professional service from start to finish."
Margaret & John S.
Queen Mary 2, October 2024
"We used True North VIP for our Celebrity Summit cruise. The chauffeur met us at the Red Hook terminal exit after disembarkation and had us at LaGuardia in under 30 minutes. Worth every penny for the convenience."
David K.
Celebrity Summit, September 2024
"Family of 4 with 8 bags heading to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. They sent a Sprinter van—plenty of room and the driver helped load everything. Knew exactly where to drop us for Cunard check-in. Highly recommend!"
Lisa M.
Celebrity Edge, August 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly do you meet us at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal?
For arrivals (disembarkation): Your chauffeur meets you at the main terminal exit (72 Bowne Street, Red Hook) with a name sign after you clear customs. For departures (embarkation): We drop you at the terminal's main entrance where Cunard/Celebrity check-in is located. Your chauffeur will help unload luggage and direct you to the check-in counters.
How long does it take from JFK Airport to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal?
30-45 minutes via Belt Parkway and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. JFK is the closest major airport to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (only 12 miles). Morning rush hour (7-9 AM) can extend this to 55 minutes. We recommend booking your pickup at least 60 minutes after your flight's arrival for cruise embarkation transfers.
What if my flight into JFK or LaGuardia is delayed?
We track all flights automatically via live systems. If your flight is delayed, we adjust your pickup time in real-time at no extra charge. Your chauffeur will be waiting when you land, regardless of delays. For same-day cruise departures, we'll communicate directly with you via text to confirm updated timings.
Can you handle luggage for Cunard Queen Mary 2 or Celebrity Summit?
Yes. Cunard and Celebrity allow 2 bags per person (50 lbs each). Our Luxury SUVs fit 5-6 large bags (best for 2-3 cruisers), and Sprinter vans fit 10-12 large bags (best for families with 5+ people). Tell us your bag count when booking and we'll match you to the right vehicle.
Is Brooklyn Cruise Terminal different from Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Yes, completely different locations. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is in Red Hook, Brooklyn (72 Bowne Street)—a waterfront neighborhood south of DUMBO. Manhattan Cruise Terminal is in Hell's Kitchen (12th Avenue, Piers 88/90). Make sure you know which terminal your ship departs from. Cunard Queen Mary 2 sometimes uses both terminals depending on the season.
What's the best route from LaGuardia to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal?
From LGA: Grand Central Parkway → Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE South) → Exit 26 (Atlantic Avenue). Drive time is 25-35 minutes. If the BQE is backed up (common during rush hour), we use surface streets through Long Island City and Williamsburg for faster access.
How early should we arrive for cruise embarkation at Brooklyn?
Cunard and Celebrity typically start boarding 2 hours before departure (check-in opens 3-4 hours early). For a 4:00 PM departure, plan to arrive at the terminal by 1:30-2:00 PM. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is smaller than Manhattan, so security and boarding move faster—but don't cut it too close.
Do you handle post-cruise transfers to JFK or Newark?
Yes. For disembarkation transfers (terminal → airport), we meet you at the terminal exit with a name sign. Most ships release passengers between 7:30-9:30 AM. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 11:30 AM (JFK), 12:00 PM (LGA), or 12:30 PM (EWR) to account for customs, baggage retrieval, and the drive.
Is there parking at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal if we drive ourselves?
Yes, but limited. The terminal has a small paid parking lot ($25-35/day) that fills up fast during cruise season. For 7+ day cruises, parking fees ($175-245 total) often exceed the cost of round-trip car service. Private car service is cheaper, more convenient, and eliminates the risk of returning to a full lot.
What happens if there's traffic on the BQE or Gowanus?
Our chauffeurs monitor live traffic via Waze and Google Maps. If the BQE is backed up (common near the Gowanus Expressway merge), we use alternate routes through Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, or surface streets along Hamilton Avenue. We've never missed a cruise departure in 3+ years of operation.
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