Quick Pick
Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
Want more options? Browse all restaurants and activities below.
1Where to Stay
Hotels near Cape Liberty Cruise Port for the night before
Hyatt House Jersey City
All-suite hotel with full kitchens — perfect for families who need space and snack prep
$$-$$$
Embassy Suites by Hilton Newark Airport
All-suite hotel with free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception — Park & Cruise packages available
$$
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Newark Airport
Spacious suites near the airport with free breakfast — great value for cruise families
$$
Hampton Inn & Suites Newark-Harrison-Riverwalk
Budget-friendly suites with free breakfast and a riverside location — solid family value
$$
The Westin Jersey City Newport
Upscale waterfront hotel with pool and direct mall access — convenience meets comfort for families
$$$
DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Airport
Airport hotel with Park & Cruise packages, free shuttle, and the warm cookie kids love at check-in
$$
Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson
Waterfront luxury with floor-to-ceiling Manhattan skyline views — the best pre-cruise splurge
$$$
Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District
Boutique-style hotel in a trendy neighborhood — artsy vibes with a rooftop bar
$$-$$$
Courtyard by Marriott Jersey City Newport
Reliable mid-range hotel in the Newport area — clean, modern, and well-located
$$
Hilton Newark Airport
Full-service airport hotel with free shuttle — ideal for fly-in cruisers arriving the night before
$$2Where to Eat
Every restaurant worth eating at near Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Hudson Hall
Huge smokehouse and biergarten in Jersey City — long tables, smoked meats, and a kids menu that actually delivers
BBQ
Rumba Cubana
Festive Cuban spot in Jersey City where kids eat free on weekdays and meals come in paper cars
Cuban
Left Bank Burger Bar
Hip Jersey City burger joint with crayons, coloring books, and burgers that satisfy every age group
Burgers
Broadway Diner
Classic Jersey diner right near the port — pancakes, omelets, and bottomless coffee at family-friendly prices
American Diner
Ani Ramen House
Jersey City's favorite ramen spot — kids go wild for slurping noodles from big steaming bowls
Japanese
White Star Bar
Casual Jersey City gastropub with massive burgers, wings, and a relaxed vibe kids fit right into
Gastropub
Kuhl's Tavern
Family-owned Bayonne tavern with great bar pies, sandwiches, and prices that won't break the bank
American
IHOP — Jersey City
The reliable pancake house everyone knows — hot breakfast fast with a kids menu that covers all the bases
Breakfast
Maritime Parc
Upscale waterfront dining at Liberty State Park with Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline views
New American
Battello
Romantic Italian-inspired waterfront spot in Jersey City with one of the best skyline views anywhere
Italian
Felina Steak
Italian-inspired steakhouse on the waterfront at Port Liberte — aged steaks with Manhattan skyline as your backdrop
Steakhouse
Halifax
Sleek waterfront restaurant at the W Hotel in Hoboken — brunch with skyline views
Seafood
Buon Appetito 2.0
Revamped Italian restaurant right in Bayonne — hearty red sauce classics done right
Italian
The Lola
Chic cocktail lounge and restaurant on the Hoboken waterfront with creative brunch menus
New American
Del Frisco's Grille
Upscale bar and grill on the Hoboken waterfront — voted best waterfront restaurant in town
American
Little Food Cafe
Family-owned Bayonne gem with homemade breakfast and lunch — local favorite for decades
American Diner
Taverna on the Hudson
Mediterranean seafood with panoramic Hudson River views on the Bayonne waterfront
Mediterranean3Things to Do
Things to do near Cape Liberty Cruise Port before you board
Liberty Science Center
Hands-on science museum with four floors of interactive exhibits, live animals, and a giant planetarium
Curious kids who love touching, building, and exploring
Liberty State Park Playground
Large modern playground with climbing structures, swings, and views of the Statue of Liberty
Kids who need to burn off energy before a long day of boarding
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry
A boat ride to see Lady Liberty up close — kids love the ferry and the crown is magical
Families who want a memorable experience before the cruise
Van Vorst Park
Charming neighborhood park in downtown Jersey City with a playground, fountains, and green space
Families with toddlers who need a quick outdoor stop
Newport Green Park
Waterfront park in Jersey City with splash pad, playground, and wide open space for running
Families with toddlers and young kids needing outdoor play time
Rutkowski Park
Local Bayonne park with playground, sports fields, and a splash pad — close to the port
Families who want a quick outdoor stop without driving far
Newport Centre Mall Play Area
Indoor mall with a kids play area and movie theater — perfect rainy-day backup plan
Families needing an indoor option on bad weather days
RPM Raceway
Indoor electric go-kart racing in Jersey City — speeds up to 45 mph on a real track
Thrill seekers, competitive groups, anyone needing an adrenaline fix
Newport Centre Mall
Indoor mall with all the usual stores plus a movie theater — solid rainy day backup plan
Shoppers, anyone needing last-minute cruise items, bad weather days
Liberty State Park — Kayaking & Biking
Paddle on the Hudson with the Manhattan skyline as your backdrop, or bike the waterfront trails
Active teens, outdoor enthusiasts, anyone wanting something more than walking around
Liberty State Park
1,200-acre waterfront park with the best Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline views in New Jersey
Anyone wanting scenic views, fresh air, and photo ops without a big commitment
Jersey City Waterfront & Exchange Place
Sleek boardwalk with skyline views, public art, and easy access to waterfront restaurants and bars
Couples, urban explorers, foodies who want to combine a walk with a meal4Getting to Your Ship
Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal (Royal Caribbean / Celebrity)
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.
ShopRite — Bayonne
Full grocery store for snacks, water, sunscreen, and any last-minute supplies
583 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002
DirectionsCVS Pharmacy — Bayonne
Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries, and travel essentials
560 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002
DirectionsWalmart Supercenter — Kearny
Everything last-minute — clothes, electronics, toiletries, groceries, luggage
150 Harrison Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032
DirectionsUSPS — Bayonne Main Office
Post office to drop mail before you sail
570 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Directions5Getting There & Parking
How to get to Cape Liberty Cruise Port — from the airport and beyond
From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Most cruisers flying in
From JFK International Airport (JFK)
Cruisers with better flight deals into JFK
From Penn Station / Manhattan
Cruisers spending a night in NYC before sailing
Driving & Port Parking
Cruisers driving from NJ, PA, CT, or NY
Hotel Shuttle Services
Cruisers who want to bundle hotel + parking + transport
Uber/Lyft
Flexibility and door-to-door service
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.