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Planning my first Princess Cruise from New York City turned into a much bigger project than I ever imagined.
What seemed like a simple “book a cruise and show up” situation quickly became a maze of decisions about airports, hotels, terminals, and logistics that nobody really talks about in those glossy cruise brochures.
My mom and I spent weeks trying to figure out basic things like which of NYC’s three airports to fly into, where to stay that wouldn’t break the bank but also wouldn’t require a three-hour commute to the cruise terminal, and honestly, just understanding which cruise terminal Princess actually uses.
Spoiler alert: it’s not always clear until you’re practically packing your bags.
This wasn’t just about booking a vacation. This was about creating a perfect trip for my mom, who had never been on a cruise AND had never been outside the United States.
After experiencing everything firsthand, I figured out what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, what I wish someone had told me before I started this whole planning adventure.
If you’re staring at your computer screen right now, overwhelmed by all the choices and conflicting advice about Princess Cruises from NYC, I hope you will learn from exactly what I needed six months ago.
If You’re Short on Time, Here Are the Essential Points
This blog post about Princess Cruise NYC will walk you through my real experience and covers everything you need to know for a successful trip:
- The planning challenges nobody warns you about, including NYC’s three airport confusion and Princess terminal communication problems
- M Social Hotel review and Financial District location strategy that puts you close to attractions and cruise departure logistics
- Realistic NYC sightseeing approach with Big Bus Tours and must-do attractions that work with your cruise timeline
- Brooklyn Cruise Terminal reality check, including actual transportation costs, embarkation delays, and what to expect
- Honest Enchanted Princess ship experience covering Medallion system benefits, Plus package value, and balcony cabin recommendations
- Real excursion reviews from Boston, Portland, and Halifax with honest assessments of booking through Princess versus going independent
- Specific costs and logistics from Uber rides ($35 to the terminal) to package pricing, so you can budget accurately
- What I’d change for next time, including communication tips and preparation strategies that will save you stress
This isn’t just another generic cruise guide. I want this to be a comprehensive resource I desperately needed when planning our trip, covering every decision point from airport selection to onboard dining confusion.
Also, I’ve written about Planning Your First Cruise, which also has the Packing Checklist I used!
Click the link above for more, and then come back to read this post.
Planning the Trip Was More Complex Than Expected
Here’s what nobody tells you when you start researching Princess Cruises from New York City. The planning phase is where most people get frustrated and start second-guessing their decisions, and I totally understand why.
First, there’s the airport situation.
New York has three major airports, and choosing the wrong one can add hours and significant cost to your travel day. I say that because if we picked LaGuardia, we would have had extended travel time!
But JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark all serve the area, but they’re definitely not created equal when it comes to getting to cruise terminals or finding decent hotels nearby.
I chose JFK specifically because they had direct flights from our home city and because I wanted to check out the new Capital One Venture X lounge.
Plot twist: the lounge was closed due to a kitchen fire when we arrived, and Capital One offered zero accommodation for this inconvenience. Lesson learned about building travel plans around specific amenities that might not be available.
Next comes trying to figure out where to stay. I was shocked that the hotel selection process was equally overwhelming.
Manhattan has thousands of hotels (not sure if that’s accurate, but you get my point), Brooklyn has its own options, and then you start reading about which neighborhoods are “convenient” to cruise terminals. Everyone has opinions, but most advice comes from people who haven’t actually made this specific trip recently.
Then there’s the cruise terminal confusion that nearly gave me a heart attack.
One of the things that was most frustrating to me is that Princess Cruises operates from different terminals in the NYC area, and their communication about which terminal your specific cruise uses is frustratingly vague until very close to departure.
We kept seeing references to “NYC terminal” and “Brooklyn terminal” without clear confirmation of which one applied to our sailing.
The booking process itself seemed straightforward until I started researching excursions, dining packages, and all the add-ons that can quickly double your initial cruise cost. Every blog post and forum thread had different advice about what’s worth buying in advance versus what you can skip or book onboard.
Choosing the Right NYC Hotel Before Your Cruise
Once the cruise is set, you’ll need a hotel. After researching what felt like every hotel in Manhattan, we settled on M Social, and this decision turned out to be absolutely perfect.
When choosing what you want to do, make sure you are picking a hotel near or in the center of your activities.
We decided to find something in the Financial District, to put us within walking distance of multiple subway lines and close to several major attractions we wanted to visit.
After more research, I found M Social.
The customer service honestly exceeded expectations in every way. Check-in was smooth, the staff provided helpful recommendations for restaurants and attractions, and they were genuinely friendly throughout our stay.
But here’s what really made the difference, we ended up on the 33rd floor with incredible views of the city!
Location matters more than you might initially consider. Staying in the Financial District meant we could easily reach the Statue of Liberty ferry, walk to the World Trade Center Memorial, and access multiple subway lines for getting around the city.
Not only that, but when it came time to head to the cruise terminal, the Uber ride was straightforward and reasonably priced.
M Social Hotel in NYC
We took a red-eye flight and arrived in NYC around 8 in the morning, running on no sleep and caffeine fumes. After a ride on the subway, we found ourselves outside M Social (formerly Millennium) Downtown. Even through the exhaustion, this place impressed us right away.
Things we liked
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- The room was comfortable and modern, with awesome views of Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the river
- The staff were friendly and helpful, even when we stumbled in like zombies
- Great spot for walking to a bunch of NYC landmarks and food spots
What didn’t go smoothly
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- The entrance was hard to find. The hotel was under construction, and the road signs were useless
- It would’ve been helpful if they had mentioned the side entrance when I called ahead
Final thoughts
This hotel delivered. Comfy room, great location, helpful staff, and a view that made it all worth it. If you’re heading to downtown NYC and want a solid, stylish stay without the fuss, M Social hits the mark.
As stated above, one thing I didn’t anticipate was the construction situation around the hotel. The entrance wasn’t clearly marked due to ongoing work, and it would have been helpful if someone had mentioned during our confirmation call that there was a side entrance leading directly to the check-in counter.
It’s a small detail, but when you’re carrying luggage and operating on minimal sleep, these things matter.
But did I mention the views from our room? It made the entire NYC portion of the trip memorable. There’s something magical about watching the city wake up from 33 floors above the streets, especially when you’re about to embark on your first cruise adventure.
What to Actually Do in NYC Before Sailing
New York City can be completely overwhelming when you’re trying to fit sightseeing into a short pre-cruise stay.
My mom and I had a specific list of must-see attractions: Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, and the World Trade Center Memorial, plus we wanted to experience some great food and get a feel for the city.
The Big Bus Tours turned out to be a perfect solution for our situation. They offer red and blue lines covering different parts of the city, and we primarily stuck with the red line, which hit most of our target destinations. The blue line covers different attractions, so check their website to see if the stops align with your interests.
What made this option ideal for us was the convenience factor.
Our hotel was close to one of the bus stops, so we didn’t need to figure out subway navigation with all our questions about the city. Big Bus Tour is similar to the hop-on, hop-off tours, which allow you to spend as much or as little time as you want at each attraction without worrying about transportation between locations.
The timing worked perfectly for our cruise departure schedule. We could see major attractions without the stress of navigating public transportation or dealing with taxi availability during busy tourist times.
For dining, we made sure to try several different types of NYC food experiences.
A Few of My Recommendations
We had a few days in NYC and tried different spots, but these are the ones I’d recommend most. You’ll also notice the city is packed with bagel shops and pizza joints, so no matter where you wander, you’ll find something tasty.
Burger Village
This spot stood out big time. Not only do they offer gluten-free options, but they also cater to food allergies. The staff was on point, and everything was clearly labeled. I felt safe eating here, which says a lot. We went twice, yep, that good (I would suggest their Bison Burger). Check them out here
Healthy Green Juice Bar
Wish I had found this place earlier. It’s a small grab-and-go juice bar with no seating, but their acai bowls and smoothies are killer. Super friendly crew, fast service, and a great stop to reset your gut from the tourist food.
Menu and more info
George’s Restaurant
After visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, we were starving. George’s hit the spot. It’s a classic diner just a short walk away, with fast service, great food, and they even let us refill our water bottles. Bonus points for friendly staff! See their menu
The main takeaway is simple planning with a dose of realism.
You can’t see every landmark in just a couple of days, especially when you’re also gearing up for a cruise. I’ve even heard that many of the long lines aren’t worth it anyway. Pick the things that matter most to you, then leave space for surprises along the way.
Getting to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
This is where Princess Cruises’ communication really needs improvement.
Throughout the booking process and even in the weeks leading up to departure, we received conflicting information about which terminal our cruise would actually use. References to both “NYC terminal” and “Brooklyn terminal” appeared in different communications without clear clarification.
We didn’t get definitive confirmation that we were departing from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal until we were practically ready to leave for the terminal. This created unnecessary stress when trying to plan transportation and timing for departure day.
From our Financial District hotel, we decided to take an Uber to avoid dealing with luggage on public transportation. The ride cost approximately $35 and took about 30 minutes, which felt reasonable considering we had multiple bags and wanted to arrive without additional stress.
The subway and bus options would have been significantly cheaper, but after a red-eye flight and several days of NYC exploration, the convenience of door-to-door service was worth the extra cost. If you’re comfortable with public transit and traveling light, those options can definitely save money.
At the terminal itself, I asked staff about departure locations, and they confirmed that Brooklyn is the most common port for Princess Cruises from the NYC area. This information would have been incredibly helpful to know during the planning phase rather than discovering it on departure day.
The Reality of Princess Cruise Embarkation
The embarkation process at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was honestly a bit of a mess, and I want to give you realistic expectations so you’re not caught off guard like we were.
We were given a time to check in (via their app, which only updated the morning of). Then, getting through security and passport check took over an hour, which was much longer than we anticipated. The lines moved slowly, and there wasn’t much communication about expected wait times or what was causing delays.
After clearing security, we spent a significant amount of time waiting in a large room filled with plastic folding chairs. The atmosphere was tense because nobody from Princess was providing updates about why the boarding was delayed or when we might actually get on the ship.
Eventually, we learned from other passengers that the issue was a malfunctioning gangway that needed repairs before anyone could board safely. This information came from fellow travelers who had family members positioned where they could see the maintenance work, not from any official Princess communication.
And this waiting and lack of communication frustrated everyone
This simple explanation that we learned would have completely changed the waiting experience. Instead of wondering if something serious was wrong or if we’d miss our sailing, we would have understood that it was a mechanical issue with a clear solution in progress.
When boarding finally began, the process became chaotic. Princess announced they would call boarding numbers, but many passengers never received these numbers. Everyone tried to board simultaneously, creating crowded conditions and confusion about the actual boarding procedure.
The lesson here is to bring patience and entertainment for potential delays. Download offline games, bring books, or pack activities that don’t require internet access, because terminal wifi can be unreliable during busy boarding periods.
Life Aboard the Enchanted Princess
Once we actually got on board, the Enchanted Princess impressed us immediately. This ship is massive compared to other cruise vessels, and the cabin exceeded our expectations in every way.
We booked a balcony cabin positioned as close to the middle of the ship as possible, which was smart planning since my mom can experience motion sickness. The balcony was absolutely worth the extra cost for several reasons
- Fresh air access
- Private outdoor space
- A retreat from crowds when you need quiet time
The Princess Medallion system turned out to be one of my favorite cruise innovations. You scan your medallion for everything from bar service and restaurant access to room entry and getting on and off the ship. Below is what I got us so that we didn’t have to wear the lame lanyards they provide; trust me, it is worth it.
Click to Get it!
We purchased the Plus package, which includes wifi, drinks, bottled water, specialty restaurant meals, desserts, and coffee.
Considering everything included, this package provided good value, especially since we could order whatever we wanted without calculating individual costs. There’s a more expensive premium package available, but it was about $30 more per day and didn’t seem worth the additional features for our needs.
Here’s yet another thing that Princess needs to improve. It’s their communication about dining options and what’s included versus additional cost locations.
We spent more time than necessary figuring out which restaurants were covered by our package and which required extra payments. This information should be clearly explained during embarkation or provided in easy-to-understand materials.
The onboard activities were honestly pretty basic if you’re not interested in trivia, shopping, gambling, or sales presentations. This seems consistent across cruise lines, so adjust your expectations accordingly and focus on the destinations, dining, and relaxation aspects of cruising.
Booking Excursions Through Princess vs On Your Own
We booked most of our shore excursions through Princess, and I have mixed feelings about this decision. There are definitely pros and cons to consider when making this choice for your own trip.
The major advantage of booking through Princess is convenience and peace of mind. They arrange all transportation, handle timing logistics, and if something goes wrong, you won’t miss the ship. The downside is higher costs and sometimes lower-quality experiences compared to what you might find independently.
In Boston, Massachusetts, we did a Hop On Hop Off tour that was perfectly fine, but didn’t offer anything we couldn’t have arranged independently for less money. The convenience factor was nice because Princess handled transportation to and from the tour, but we could have easily explored Boston on our own.
The lighthouse tour in Portland, Maine, was genuinely excellent and something I’d recommend to anyone visiting that port. The scenery was spectacular, the guide was knowledgeable, and it felt like good value for the experience provided.
Halifax, Canada’s Georges Island tour was disappointing and honestly felt like a waste of money. Instead of the historical exploration we expected, we spent most of our time sitting on top of the island in the sun, listening to basic historical information, and taking a quick walk through some tunnels. The description made it sound much more engaging than the actual experience.
Once back in Brooklyn, we decided to book the Princess transfer service from the Brooklyn terminal to JFK airport. This was actually a good value at less than what an Uber would have cost (around $120), and the logistics were much simpler than trying to coordinate private transportation with hundreds of other passengers doing the same thing.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
After experiencing this entire Princess Cruise NYC journey, there are several things I’d change to make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
For the hotel choice, I’d book M Social again in a heartbeat, but I’d call ahead to ask about any construction or entrance changes that might affect arrival logistics. The location and service were perfect, but better preparation for the entrance situation would have helped.
When booking the cruise, I would try and demand clearer terminal information from Princess much earlier in the booking process. The uncertainty about which terminal we were departing from created unnecessary planning stress that could have been easily avoided with better communication.
I’d also research dining options more thoroughly before departure and specifically ask Princess for clearer explanations of what’s included in various packages. Too much time was wasted on board figuring out basic information that should have been provided upfront.
For excursions, I’d be more selective about which ones to book through Princess versus exploring independently. The lighthouse tour in Portland was worth booking through them, but Boston and Halifax could have been better experiences with independent planning.
Finally, I’d pack more entertainment options for potential embarkation delays and ensure all devices were fully charged before arriving at the terminal. The boarding delays were frustrating, but they would have been much more manageable with proper preparation.
Have you found this Princess Cruise NYC guide helpful?
Please share it with anyone planning their first cruise from New York!
Princess Cruise Starts With Smart Planning
Planning a Princess Cruise from New York City doesn’t have to be the overwhelming experience I initially encountered. The key is understanding what to expect, making informed decisions about logistics, and preparing for the realities of cruise travel rather than just the marketing promises.
Choose your hotel location based on your NYC exploration priorities and cruise terminal access.
The Financial District worked perfectly for us, but your interests might point you toward different neighborhoods. Whatever you choose, confirm transportation options to the cruise terminal before booking.
Budget extra time and patience for embarkation day. Delays happen, communication isn’t always clear, and the process can take longer than expected. Bring entertainment, snacks, and a positive attitude, because the cruise experience itself is worth navigating these logistics challenges.
Be strategic about excursions and onboard packages. Some Princess offerings provide genuine value and convenience, while others might be better handled independently.
Research your ports of call and make decisions based on your travel style and budget priorities.
Most importantly, remember that even with perfect planning, unexpected situations will arise. The Capital One lounge closure, the embarkation delays, and the excursion disappointments were all learning experiences that didn’t ruin the overall trip.
My mom and I created amazing memories exploring New York City and experiencing our first Princess Cruise together.
The planning challenges were temporary, but the experiences and stories will last forever. With the information in this guide, your Princess Cruise NYC adventure can be much smoother than ours was, and that’s exactly what I hope happens for every future cruiser reading this.
Ready to book your Princess Cruise NYC trip?
Use the lessons in this guide to avoid the planning stress I experienced.
And when you get back, I’d love to hear how it went!
