Quick Pick
Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
Want more options? Browse all restaurants and activities below.
1Where to Stay
Hotels near Manhattan Cruise Terminal for the night before
Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square
All-suite hotel with full kitchens and free breakfast — room to spread out with the kids
$$-$$$
Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West
Free breakfast in Hell's Kitchen — dependable, affordable, and steps from the terminal
$$
Margaritaville Resort Times Square
Rooftop pool, tropical vibes, and kid-friendly dining — the cruise vacation starts here
$$$
YOTEL New York
High-tech rooms with motorized furniture and a robot luggage handler — kids think it's a spaceship
$$
Element New York Times Square West
Kitchenette suites near the terminal — microwave the kids' mac & cheese at midnight
$$
Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street
Reliable Hilton with an on-site restaurant and microwave/fridge in every room
$$
Ink 48 Hotel
Boutique Kimpton hotel steps from the terminal — rooftop bar with Hudson River views
$$$
The Pearl Hotel
Modern boutique hotel in the heart of the Theater District — Broadway and restaurants at your door
$$-$$$2Where to Eat
Every restaurant worth eating at near Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Carmine's — Times Square
Giant family-style Italian platters that feed the whole table — a NYC institution since 1990
Italian
Tony's Di Napoli
Family-style Italian on Restaurant Row — big portions, classic dishes, zero pretension
Italian
Shake Shack — Times Square
NYC's beloved burger chain — fast, reliable, and a guaranteed hit with kids
Burgers
The Barking Dog — Hell's Kitchen
Cozy neighborhood spot with outdoor seating and a fun dog theme that kids love
American
Schnipper's Quality Kitchen
All-American comfort food done right — burgers, chicken tenders, and mac & cheese that kids devour
American
Amy's Bread
Beloved Hell's Kitchen bakery — pastries, sandwiches, and the best grilled cheese in Midtown
Bakery
John's of Times Square
Classic NYC coal-fired pizza in a stunning converted church — whole pies only, no slices
Pizza
Becco
Lidia Bastianich's Restaurant Row classic — unlimited pasta tasting for $32 is a pre-cruise steal
Italian
Kochi
Michelin-starred Korean skewers and banchan — tiny room, huge flavors
Korean
LumLum
Bangkok-style seafood bar with cocktails — one of NYC's best Thai restaurants
Thai
Guantanamera
Cuban institution with live salsa, hand-rolled cigars, and the best pressed Cubano in Midtown
Cuban
Mercado Little Spain
Jose Andres' massive Spanish food hall at Hudson Yards — tapas, paella, and churros under one roof
Spanish
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Tiny, cash-only Thai spot that locals swear by — real-deal Bangkok street food on 9th Avenue
Thai
Nizza
French-Italian bistro with a gluten-free menu and wood-fired pizza — something for everyone
French-Italian
Empanada Mama
24-hour Latin spot with 40+ empanada varieties — the real deal on 9th Avenue since 2008
Latin American
The Marshal
Farm-to-table American with wood-fired everything — a Hell's Kitchen local favorite since 2012
American3Things to Do
Things to do near Manhattan Cruise Terminal before you board
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Real aircraft carrier with planes, a submarine, and the Space Shuttle — way better than a playground
Families with kids who love planes, boats, or space
Hudson River Park Playground (Pier 51)
Water-themed playground right on the Hudson — kids can splash, climb, and burn off energy
Toddlers and young kids who need to run
Central Park Carousel
Classic carousel ride in Central Park — a magical NYC tradition since 1871
Little kids, families wanting a quick Central Park experience
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
Boat ride around Manhattan — see the Statue of Liberty without leaving the harbor
Families who want to see NYC from the water
Bella Abzug Park Playground
Modern playground in Hudson Yards with climbing structures, swings, and Empire State Building views
Toddlers and elementary-age kids
Times Square Character Spotting
Elmo, Spider-Man, and the Statue of Liberty all want a photo — kids go wild
Young kids who love characters, first-time NYC visitors
Ride the NYC Subway
The train IS the activity — kids love watching the subway map come to life
Train-obsessed kids, budget-friendly entertainment
Edge at Hudson Yards
Step onto a glass floor 100 stories up — highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere
Thrill-seekers, Instagram content, anyone who likes heights
The High Line
Elevated park built on old train tracks — cool street art, views, and vibes
Anyone who appreciates urban design, photo walks
Times Square
Sensory overload in the best way — giant screens, street performers, and the energy of NYC
First-time NYC visitors, selfie opportunities
Hudson Yards & The Vessel
NYC's newest neighborhood with a climbable sculpture and high-end shopping
Architecture fans, shoppers, anyone wanting modern NYC
9th Avenue Food Crawl
Walk Hell's Kitchen's restaurant row and eat your way through 20 cuisines in 10 blocks
Foodies, adventurous eaters, anyone who can't pick one restaurant
Madame Tussauds New York
Wax museum in Times Square — pose with celebrities, athletes, and world leaders
Fun photo ops, rainy day option, pop culture fans
Central Park South Stroll
Walk the southern edge of Central Park — horse carriages, street performers, and iconic views
First-time NYC visitors, couples, anyone wanting fresh air
Hudson River Greenway Walk
Waterfront path right outside the terminal — stretch your legs with river views
Anyone wanting a relaxed pre-boarding walk
Hudson Yards Shopping
NYC's newest mixed-use development — flagship stores, restaurants, and The Vessel
Shoppers, architecture fans, anyone wanting a modern NYC experience
Hell's Kitchen Food Walk
Self-guided food crawl down 9th Avenue — the best restaurant strip in Manhattan
Foodies, adventurous eaters, couples4Getting to Your Ship
Pier 88 (Norwegian, Cunard)
Pier 90 (Seasonal/Overflow)
Passport & Documents
Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.
Last-Minute Stops
Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.
CVS Pharmacy — 10th Avenue
Pharmacy, Dramamine, sunscreen, phone chargers, and last-minute toiletries
800 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
DirectionsWhole Foods Daily Shop — Hell's Kitchen
Compact grocery with prepared foods, coffee, snacks, and travel essentials
301 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
DirectionsDuane Reade — 9th Avenue
Walgreens-owned pharmacy with snacks, meds, and travel essentials
721 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
DirectionsUSPS — Midtown West
Post office for dropping mail or shipping items home before you sail
340 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
Directions5Getting There & Parking
How to get to Manhattan Cruise Terminal — from the airport and beyond
From John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)
Most cruisers flying in from outside the Northeast
From LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Cruisers on domestic flights, especially from the Southeast and Midwest
From Newark Liberty Airport (EWR)
Cruisers who found better flight deals to EWR
Driving & Parking at the Terminal
Cruisers driving from the tri-state area
NYC Subway
Cruisers already in Manhattan, budget-conscious travelers
Uber/Lyft from Anywhere in NYC
Convenience and door-to-door service from hotels
6What to Pack
The essentials you'll actually need — plus a few things most people forget
Carry-On Day Bag
Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm
- Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
- Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
- Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
- Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
- Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
- Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready
Cruise Essentials
Things that make the whole trip better
- Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
- Power strip (non-surge, cruise-approved) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. A cruise-approved strip lets you charge everything overnightAmazon
- Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
- Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
Easy to Forget
The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop
- Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
- Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
- Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
7Boarding Tips
1. Download the Royal Caribbean app and complete online check-in
You'll get your boarding group assignment and can set up your on-board spending account ahead of time. This alone can save you 30+ minutes at the terminal. Upload your photo for facial recognition boarding — it makes the security line faster.
2. Arrive at your assigned boarding time — not earlier
They've gotten strict about this. Showing up early means waiting in the terminal with no access to the ship. Your assigned time gets you on the ship fastest. If you have Crown & Anchor status, you may have priority boarding — check the app.
3. Pack a carry-on bag with swimsuits, meds, and essentials
Your checked luggage won't reach your cabin until 3-4pm. Pack a day bag with swimsuits, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and your phone charger so you can start enjoying the ship immediately.
4. Head straight to the pool deck or Windjammer for lunch
The main dining room is packed right after boarding. The Windjammer buffet and the pool deck grill have shorter lines, and you'll snag a good lounge chair while everyone else is still exploring.
5. Book specialty dining and shows on Day 1
Popular restaurants and shows fill up fast. Open the app as soon as you board and reserve your top picks. The chef's table and specialty dinner shows sell out first.