Cruise Talk: Bayonne Cruise Terminal

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Topic: Bayonne Cruise Terminal

BMWM5
First Class Passenger
Member # 60947

posted 06-29-2011 06:54 PM

I had the opportunity to drive some friends to the Bayonne facility and was not impressed. I think RCL/Celebrity could do much better. Yes it is easier to get to from the New Jersey Turnpike and Liberty Airport. It's much easier than the Red Hook Terminal.
I saw the Summit docked at the end of the pier with no check in building next to it. I was directed to the opposite end of the dock and told to unload the luggage. The parking space was next to a long tent. The tent was not air conditioned. I did not see any chairs or facilities. I was told that after check in passengers were instructed to board a bus for transportation to the ship. The parking lot a distance away from the check in facilities. I thought this was a very poor way of boarding passengers for a cruise. I can't imagine what it like after the cruise is over. If I were the President of RCL I would look elsewhere to do my business.

Red Hook is quite the opposite. Yes it is more difficult to get to from Manhattan or Long Island, but once on site, the facility is nice. The borough of Brooklyn went to great lengths to accommodate Carnival/Princess & Cunard. Passengers are treated very well at the dock. The building is completely air-conditioned, has plenty of seats and restroom facilities. The decor is pure Brooklyn. The walls are decorated with pictures of iconic Brooklyn landmarks like Nathans, Coney Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. It even has a large sign in the Dodgers logo which states "Welcome to Brooklyn". The parking lot for local cruisers is directly across the street and within walking distance.

I still prefer sailing out of New York from the West Side Piers. The view of Manhattan from the Hudson is worth the price of the ticket. Passengers sailing out of Bayonne or Red Hook are never afforded that delight. Any thoughts? I'm sailing from Bayonne on September 4th and am not looking forward to the embarkation experience.

RCL/Celebrity spend a tremendous amount of money on new tonnage ever year. I think they can set some money aside to build a first class facility in Bayonne or leave.

Posts: 50 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2011 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 06-30-2011 12:44 PM

Although Red Hook does have a proper terminal, the area immediately outside the facility is seedy, conjested and, well, just not very nice. Plus it's a pain in the backside to get to. I'm sure there are some very nice sections of Brooklyn...but Red Hook is not one of them.

I'll take Bayonne over Brooklyn any day. True, as a facility, it's pretty much a wasteland; but it's 15 minutes from the Newark airport, Liberty Park is nearby (and is a wonderful family-oriented place) and it's a breeze to get to.

It really comes down to what you want: a modern terminal in a crappy area that's difficult to get to, or a make-shift check in facility that's less conjested and easy to find (and with options for other things to do).....

-Russ

[ 06-30-2011: Message edited by: linerguy ]

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 06-30-2011 01:34 PM

Lets face it transportation facilities in NYC are not the nicest looking! I have been a lifelong New Yorker (sort of....living in the burbs) and everything here is on the "old" side. With that said I prefer the Manhattan Terminal. It is centrally located in midtown and the area around it has improved over the last 10 years.

Second for me would be Carnival's Red Hook facility. Yes, the area around it is seedy, that is putting it nicely. My father used to work in this area 15 years ago and back then it was a rough part of town. But I will say the views are not that bad from this terminal. You have a nice view of lower Manhattan.

Bayonne is my least favorite and Royal really should make an entirely new terminal, one that is near the ship. They made such noise about going there but IMO they could do a lot more. The area does look like a wasteland and besides I was reading on one board how paint from the nearby drydock is getting on passenger's parked cars! Unfortunately, this is not a one or two time occurance. It depends how the wind blows, literally! In addition the views from Cape Liberty are so so.

I really, really wish NYC refurbished and expanded all the West side terminals in Manhattan. NCL just refurbished one pier and enlarged the dock area but they could not make the slips longer. Too bad.

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 06-30-2011 03:54 PM

I have to agree with you about Manhattan: given the choice, I'd sail from the mid-town piers over Red Hook or Bayonne any day.

Don't get me wrong about Red Hook: the terminal is very nice....I just don't like where it is. There really isn't a terminal in Bayonne, which is the problem...but it's actually in a pretty good location.

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

BMWM5
First Class Passenger
Member # 60947

posted 07-01-2011 11:19 PM

I did write a personal letter to the CEO of RCL outlining my concerns with the Bayonne Facility. I believe RCL moved from Midtown Manhattan to Bayonne in 2004. I would think by this time RCL would have done something to upgrade their facilities. It seems they invest a tremendous amount of money on new tonnage. You'd think they could spend a fraction of that on a decent facility. The embarkation facility is the first place a customer comes in contact with the company. That's were first impressions are made. We all know about making good first impressions.

[ 07-01-2011: Message edited by: BMWM5 ]

Posts: 50 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2011 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 07-02-2011 07:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by BMWM5:
I did write a personal letter to the CEO of RCL outlining my concerns with the Bayonne Facility. I believe RCL moved from Midtown Manhattan to Bayonne in 2004. I would think by this time RCL would have done something to upgrade their facilities. It seems they invest a tremendous amount of money on new tonnage. You'd think they could spend a fraction of that on a decent facility.

I think you're absolutely right. It is possible, however; that plans had been made to built a facility but permits, money etc....got in the way. It's also possible that it was seen as a temporary solution and time has just slipped by.

By the way, I like your handle - BMWM5 - awesome vehicle! Very potent driving experience! also, welcome to Cruise Talk.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

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