Manhattan Cruise Terminal Car Service
Pier 88/90 (Hell's Kitchen) • From JFK: 45-60 min • Norwegian, Cunard, MSC ready
Manhattan Cruise Terminal: Pier 88 & Pier 90 Transfers
Manhattan Cruise Terminal is the premier cruise port in Midtown Manhattan, located along the Hudson River between 46th and 54th Streets in Hell's Kitchen. The terminal operates three piers—Pier 86 (Intrepid Museum, occasional use), Pier 88 (Norwegian Cruise Line's primary dock), and Pier 90 (Cunard, MSC, and visiting ships).
Unlike Cape Liberty or Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, Manhattan's location makes it easily accessible from all three NYC airports: JFK (45-60 min via Midtown Tunnel), LaGuardia (20-30 min via Queensboro Bridge), and Newark (35-50 min via Lincoln Tunnel). The terminal's Midtown address also makes it convenient for pre- or post-cruise hotel stays in Times Square, Bryant Park, or Hudson Yards.
Cruise lines at Manhattan Cruise Terminal: Norwegian Cruise Line (Epic, Gem, Breakaway), Cunard (Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings), MSC Cruises (seasonal), Princess (occasional), and other visiting ships. Check your cruise documents for your assigned pier number—Pier 88 vs. Pier 90 are 4 blocks apart, so knowing your exact pier saves time on embarkation day.
Airport Pickup Timing for Cruise Embarkation
Timing is critical for same-day cruise departures. Here's how much buffer time to allow between your flight arrival and pickup time for stress-free transfers:
| From Airport | Drive Time | Recommended Buffer | Total Arrival → Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK Airport | 45-60 min | Baggage claim (20 min) + buffer (10 min) | 75-90 minutes |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 20-30 min | Baggage claim (15 min) + buffer (10 min) | 45-55 minutes |
| Newark (EWR) | 35-50 min | Baggage claim (20 min) + buffer (10 min) | 65-80 minutes |
International flights: Add 30 minutes for customs/immigration (total 105-120 min from JFK, 95-110 min from EWR).
From NYC Airports to Manhattan Cruise Terminal
From JFK Airport
- Route: Belt Parkway → BQE → Midtown Tunnel (or FDR Drive → West Side Highway)
- Drive time: 45-60 minutes (normal traffic), 75 minutes (rush hour)
- Best for: International flights, Caribbean/Europe arrivals
From LaGuardia Airport (Closest!)
- Route: Grand Central Parkway → Queensboro Bridge → West Side Highway
- Drive time: 20-30 minutes (normal traffic), 40 minutes (rush hour)
- Best for: Domestic flights, tight cruise departure timings
From Newark Airport (EWR)
- Route: NJ Turnpike → Lincoln Tunnel (or Holland Tunnel) → West Side Highway
- Drive time: 35-50 minutes (normal traffic), 65 minutes (rush hour)
- Best for: International flights, United hub connections
Luggage Fit Guide: Norwegian, Cunard, MSC
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 Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Embarkation (Boarding Day)
- We drop you at your pier's main entrance (Pier 88 or Pier 90 address on 12th Avenue)
- Chauffeur helps unload luggage onto porter carts (porters handle bags from curb to ship)
- Pier 88 (Norwegian): 711 12th Avenue at 48th Street
- Pier 90 (Cunard/MSC): 711 12th Avenue at 50th Street
Disembarkation (End of Cruise)
- Chauffeur meets you at the terminal exit (12th Avenue side) with a name sign
- Text confirmation sent 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup with chauffeur's cell number
- Chauffeur helps load bags into vehicle (no waiting for porters—you load directly)
- Most clients are wheels-up within 10 minutes of exiting the terminal
What Cruisers Say About Our Manhattan Cruise Terminal Service
"Picked us up from JFK for our Norwegian Epic cruise. Driver was waiting at baggage claim with our name sign, helped load 6 bags into the SUV, and got us to Pier 88 in under an hour. Stress-free start to our Caribbean cruise!"
Sarah & Tom M.
Norwegian Epic, November 2024
"We used True North VIP for our Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing. The chauffeur met us at Pier 90 after disembarkation and had us at Newark Airport in 40 minutes. Professional, punctual, and worth every penny."
Richard K.
Queen Mary 2, October 2024
"Family of 5 with 10 bags heading to Pier 88. They sent a Sprinter van—plenty of room for everyone and all our luggage. Driver knew exactly where to drop us (Norwegian check-in entrance). Highly recommend!"
Jessica L.
Norwegian Encore, September 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly do you meet us at Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
For arrivals (disembarkation): Your chauffeur meets you at the Pier 88 or Pier 90 exit (12th Avenue entrance) with a name sign after you clear customs. For departures (embarkation): We drop you at your pier's main entrance (Pier 88 for Norwegian, Pier 90 for Cunard/MSC). Your chauffeur will help unload luggage and direct you to the check-in area.
How long does it take from JFK Airport to Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
45-60 minutes via Belt Parkway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and Midtown Tunnel (or FDR Drive). Morning rush hour (7-9 AM) can extend this to 75 minutes. We recommend booking your pickup at least 75 minutes after your flight's arrival for cruise embarkation transfers.
What if my flight into JFK or EWR 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 Norwegian Epic or Cunard Queen Mary 2?
Yes. Norwegian and Cunard 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.
Do you serve all three Manhattan piers (86, 88, 90)?
Yes. Manhattan Cruise Terminal has three piers along the Hudson River between 46th and 54th Streets. Pier 86 (Intrepid Museum) is occasionally used for smaller ships. Pier 88 is Norwegian's primary dock. Pier 90 hosts Cunard and MSC. Your booking confirmation will specify your exact pier, and we'll drop you at the correct entrance.
What's the difference between Midtown Tunnel and FDR Drive routes?
From JFK/LGA: We use Midtown Tunnel (34th Street exit) if you're carrying heavy luggage—it's a shorter walk to the terminal from the tunnel exit. FDR Drive (West Side Highway) is faster during off-peak hours but requires navigating Midtown traffic. From EWR: We use Lincoln Tunnel (faster) or Holland Tunnel (backup if Lincoln is backed up). Your chauffeur monitors live traffic and chooses the fastest route.
How early should we arrive for cruise embarkation?
Norwegian and Cunard typically start boarding 2 hours before departure (check-in opens 4 hours early). For a 4:00 PM departure, plan to arrive at the terminal by 2:00-2:30 PM. This gives you time to check in, drop bags with porters, and clear security without rushing.
Do you handle post-cruise transfers to LaGuardia or Newark?
Yes. For disembarkation transfers (terminal → airport), we meet you at your pier's exit with a name sign. Most ships release passengers between 7:30-9:30 AM. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 12:00 PM (JFK/EWR) or 11:30 AM (LGA) to account for customs, baggage retrieval, and the drive.
Is parking available if we're dropping off our own car?
There is NO long-term parking at Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The closest parking garages (Icon Parking on 11th Avenue) charge $60-80/day and fill up fast during cruise season. Private car service is almost always cheaper and more convenient than parking fees for 7+ day cruises.
What happens if there's traffic on the West Side Highway?
Our chauffeurs monitor live traffic via Waze and Google Maps. If the West Side Highway is backed up (common during rush hour or events at Javits Center), we use alternate routes through Midtown surface streets or approach from the north via Riverside Drive. We've never missed a cruise departure in 3+ years of operation.
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