Looking to sail out of NY? This local travel agent recommends these 5 cruise lines

By Ana Borruto 

One of the main reasons people love cruising out of New York is because they don’t have to fly anywhere, said travel agent Keith Voets of Magical Dad Vacations. 

Sailing millions of passengers year-round, New York is becoming a major cruise hub with two major terminals — Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and Cape Liberty Cruise Port — which are both located within the Port of New York and New Jersey. 

“Cruising out of New York until very recently was limited,” Voets said. “But all these cruise lines are really focusing in on the Northeast. You don’t have to get on a plane to Orlando or Miami — these stand cruise ports.” 

Voets said he planned a cruise to Bermuda for one couple and they were able to park in Manhattan where the husband works. They didn’t have to pay for parking or deal with the stress of getting to the airport, all they had to do was get onto the cruise ship in New York and their vacation began. 

There are several cruise lines that sail out of New York year-round — some new ships have made or are just making their debut this year out of the Big Apple. Here are Voets’ favorites and his tips on how to make the best of your next cruise out of New York. 

MSC Cruises 

• Set sail on one of MSC Cruises’ newer ships — the MSC Meraviglia — out of Brooklyn. 
• Voets says MSC is one of the more affordable cruise lines and they always have flash sales when sailing out of New York. 
• Offers seven-day to 21-day long cruises to the Bahamas, Florida, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and New England. 
• Includes basic entertainment such as Broadway-quality shows, shopping, dining, a Horizon pool, and more. 

“I think they're really still trying to build the US audience because it's been a European cruise line forever,” Voets said. “But, it's a good thing for people who are looking for budget options.” 

Carnival

• The popular cruise line just launched its newest ship — the Venezia — in June 2023. 
• Leaving from Manhattan, guests can choose to sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada/New England, or the Panama Canal. 
• The theme of this cruise is a “fun Italian style” with plenty of family-friendly activities and high-quality dining options, such as Bonsai Teppanyaki and elevated Italian food at Il Viaggio. 
• It’s another budget-friendly vacation with prices as low as $1,000 per person for an interior room for a 15-day cruise.  
• There’s also an on-board waterpark for kids.
  
  Norwegian 

• Norwegian Cruise Line is one of Keith’s personal favorites because of its inclusive packages. 
• They offer a “Free at Sea” program which are free perks vacationers receive when they book a cruise. For example, this includes special dining meals and Internet packages. 
• They offer excellent deals, such as a 10-day cruise to the Caribbean in February for around $750 per person.
• Those looking to depart from New York can travel to the Bahamas and Florida, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Panama Canal. 

“There are a lot of the extras you have to pay for with other cruise lines, but they are included in Norwegian and that's why I like them,” Voets said. 

Royal Caribbean 

• Voets says Royal Caribbean is one of the more expensive cruise lines, but in his opinion, it is the best quality cruise line. 
• It is extremely kid-friendly and children under 12 years old can sail free. 
• This cruise line sails frequently out of New York in the spring and summer months. 
• There are plenty of activities, such as ice skating, surfing, laser tag, water parks, mini golf, and much more. 
• This cruise line sails out of Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, and the destinations include the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. 
• Some of the longer cruise vacations after Christmas include an 11-day trip to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. 

“You never have to be bored when sailing on Royal Caribbean,” Voets said. “It is a floating amusement park at sea.” 

Cunard 

• Leaving out of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, this luxury cruise line is definitely a bucket list vacation, Voets said. 
• Cunard is a formal British cruise line that sails from New York to London. 
• It is known for its elegance, and although kids are allowed to sail on the Cunard, it’s not catered to children like Royal Caribbean, for example. 
• They offer a “white glove” style dining service and it’s perfect for people celebrating a special occasion such as an anniversary, honeymoon, or even retirement. 
• Although it’s not the cheapest of cruises, Voets said they still offer decent deals. Also, when working with a travel agent like him, everything can be tailored to your budget.

“Cunard is kind of the epitome of cruising,” Voets said. “Like the Queen Mary, it’s linked to royalty.” 

Ready to book your own cruise? Contact Magical Dad Vacations online at magicaldadvacations.com, on Facebook, or by calling or texting 516–350–0853.