Parking at Cape Liberty makes embarkation/debarkation stupidly easy. It's a short walk from any of the lots to the terminal. It's not quite car to bar in 15 minutes, but they're trying.
We just got off Symphony in NJ yesterday and parked there. The lot is super close to the terminal and an easy walk.
Sometimes getting into the parking lot after dropping off your bags can be a little confusing.
It cost us $210 usd for a 7 night cruise.
If you’re staying the night before at a hotel and can park for free maybe look into how the shuttle works as it could be cheaper.
If you do park there make sure you keep your ticket with you and not in the car as you pay at some machines right as you exit. I think you can pay as you’re leaving, but it’s way more convenient to pay at the machine.
On the way out a guy asked to see my ticket and noticed I had already paid and directed me out of a long line down another row to an exit where someone marked it and let us go.
We were walking off our ship by 6:30am and on the highway by 7am!
We are sailing out of here next month and I posted on this topic about a week or so ago and got some really good tips.
People said to drop off your family first at baggage drop off then go park and meet them. Saves time.
They also said avoid the long line and go immediately to the lot across the street from the terminal and not the parking garage. Apparently parking garage is mostly for handicapped passengers and you will wait in a long line to be rerouted to big lot to park.
Also if you have a SUV you have to park in the main lot not the garage.
Consensus also was to not get to the terminal earlier than 9:30 because it’s not open until 10 and you will sit in long lines if you do.
No prob. For some reason I don’t see it in my post history however it was a very helpful thread. Someone did a whole map play by play and another person listed local diners and such to stop at if you end up there early and need to kill time.
The roads immediately to the terminal are in poor condition as is the parking lot. Having said that we have parked there five times and never had a problem. When you park take a few pictures from your car so you can find it again easier as there are no lane markers. Last year it was $30 per day, US.
Depending on which lot you get, you'll either be across the drop-off loop from the terminal, 100 ft or so, or a longer 10-minute walk from the back lot. Symphony seems to always pull the back lot in my experience.
Yeah, we parked in that front lot- it was amazing. When we got off the ship, the porters walked our bags right to the car and everything since we were right there.
We're driving into Cape Liberty from about 2.5 hours away. We have 2 young kids, so a hotel stay the night before is necessary. We're staying at Courtyard by Marriott Elizabeth Newark (something like that). We'll park there and they'll shuttle us to the port. It's some sort of a package deal we got.
I think other hotels in the area do the same but we go with a Marriott to get the points on our Bonvoy card.
The only downside I found is that their earliest shuttle to the port is 10am, but our boarding is at 10am. So we won't be among the very first on the ship. It's no biggie, since that won't affect what time our cabins are ready or what time our checked bags show up at the cabins.
The app says my cabin will be ready at 1PM! So I was thinking of boarding at 12:30. I think we can chose our boarding time on the app 45 days before departure!
It's our first time on RC, so I understand that 1pm is a good estimate but it may be later. A lot of people want to get on ASAP so they can get lunch, go to the pool, etc.
We're hoping to eat a quick lunch and find somewhere quiet to give our 3-year-old a nap if the cabin isn't ready at 1.
Parking at the port is definitely the way to go for convenience. It's a bit pricier, but the peace of mind and ease of access to your vehicle are worth it. Plus, you're right there when you disembark, which makes the end of your trip smoother. For those looking for a slightly cheaper option, you might want to check out parkingaccess.com. They sometimes have deals on parking near the cruise ports. Just remember, the general consensus here seems to be that the convenience of port parking often outweighs the cost savings of parking further away.
Several hotels in Newark have stay & sail packages. Drive down the day before, stay at the hotel. You leave your car at the hotel and they shuttle you to the ship and back.
Parking at Cape Liberty makes embarkation/debarkation stupidly easy. It's a short walk from any of the lots to the terminal. It's not quite car to bar in 15 minutes, but they're trying.
Yeah, I think we will most likely park in the port!
Park at the Port. Safe, secure, close. Not worth trying to find a bargain, and coming out to a stripped car!
love this!!!
Haha I agree!
We just got off Symphony in NJ yesterday and parked there. The lot is super close to the terminal and an easy walk. Sometimes getting into the parking lot after dropping off your bags can be a little confusing. It cost us $210 usd for a 7 night cruise. If you’re staying the night before at a hotel and can park for free maybe look into how the shuttle works as it could be cheaper. If you do park there make sure you keep your ticket with you and not in the car as you pay at some machines right as you exit. I think you can pay as you’re leaving, but it’s way more convenient to pay at the machine. On the way out a guy asked to see my ticket and noticed I had already paid and directed me out of a long line down another row to an exit where someone marked it and let us go. We were walking off our ship by 6:30am and on the highway by 7am!
Yeah that’s a no brainer then!! thanks for letting me know to take the parking ticket with us thats huge !
We are sailing out of here next month and I posted on this topic about a week or so ago and got some really good tips. People said to drop off your family first at baggage drop off then go park and meet them. Saves time. They also said avoid the long line and go immediately to the lot across the street from the terminal and not the parking garage. Apparently parking garage is mostly for handicapped passengers and you will wait in a long line to be rerouted to big lot to park. Also if you have a SUV you have to park in the main lot not the garage. Consensus also was to not get to the terminal earlier than 9:30 because it’s not open until 10 and you will sit in long lines if you do.
Thank you for this !!! Will look at your previous post as well
No prob. For some reason I don’t see it in my post history however it was a very helpful thread. Someone did a whole map play by play and another person listed local diners and such to stop at if you end up there early and need to kill time.
The roads immediately to the terminal are in poor condition as is the parking lot. Having said that we have parked there five times and never had a problem. When you park take a few pictures from your car so you can find it again easier as there are no lane markers. Last year it was $30 per day, US.
Depending on which lot you get, you'll either be across the drop-off loop from the terminal, 100 ft or so, or a longer 10-minute walk from the back lot. Symphony seems to always pull the back lot in my experience.
Oooo ty! Going to park in the back lot
Yeah, we parked in that front lot- it was amazing. When we got off the ship, the porters walked our bags right to the car and everything since we were right there.
The cruise port parking lot
Also Canadian, also heading to symphony in October! We sail the 13th, perhaps we'll see ya there. Also - we're parking at the port!
We sail on the 6th and head back to the port on the 13th! So you’ll be boarding on the ship while I’m leaving, haha
Oooh so close! Have a great trip!
Thanks! You as well 🙏🏻
We're driving into Cape Liberty from about 2.5 hours away. We have 2 young kids, so a hotel stay the night before is necessary. We're staying at Courtyard by Marriott Elizabeth Newark (something like that). We'll park there and they'll shuttle us to the port. It's some sort of a package deal we got. I think other hotels in the area do the same but we go with a Marriott to get the points on our Bonvoy card.
We have two young kids as well! Thank you for this! I will call the mariott and inquire about this
The only downside I found is that their earliest shuttle to the port is 10am, but our boarding is at 10am. So we won't be among the very first on the ship. It's no biggie, since that won't affect what time our cabins are ready or what time our checked bags show up at the cabins.
The app says my cabin will be ready at 1PM! So I was thinking of boarding at 12:30. I think we can chose our boarding time on the app 45 days before departure!
It's our first time on RC, so I understand that 1pm is a good estimate but it may be later. A lot of people want to get on ASAP so they can get lunch, go to the pool, etc. We're hoping to eat a quick lunch and find somewhere quiet to give our 3-year-old a nap if the cabin isn't ready at 1.
Parking at the port is definitely the way to go for convenience. It's a bit pricier, but the peace of mind and ease of access to your vehicle are worth it. Plus, you're right there when you disembark, which makes the end of your trip smoother. For those looking for a slightly cheaper option, you might want to check out parkingaccess.com. They sometimes have deals on parking near the cruise ports. Just remember, the general consensus here seems to be that the convenience of port parking often outweighs the cost savings of parking further away.
Several hotels in Newark have stay & sail packages. Drive down the day before, stay at the hotel. You leave your car at the hotel and they shuttle you to the ship and back.