Royal Caribbean’s cruise port in Cape Liberty, New Jersey offers cruises year round, sailing to destinations in the Caribbean, Canada, and Bermuda. If you’re flying to New York City before a cruise from Cape Liberty, you’ll want to arrive the night before your cruise begins and book a pre-cruise hotel.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest city in the United States has an overwhelming amount of hotel options. Some cruisers prefer to stay near the cruise port in New Jersey whereas others enjoy spending the night across the river in Manhattan.
To make your cruise planning process easier, we’re sharing our list of some of the most recommended hotels to book before your cruise.
Where to stay in New York/New Jersey before your cruise
Near Newark Liberty International Airport
If you are flying into Newark and do not have plans to sightsee in New York, your best bet is to spend the night near the airport. As a major airport, there are countless hotels located just a few minutes drive away from the arrivals area.
We especially recommend staying near the airport if your flight arrives in the afternoon or evening. It can be tempting to book a luxury hotel in Manhattan the night before your cruise, but after a long day of flying, your future self will be grateful your hotel is just a 5 minute drive away from the airport!
Related: Guide to cruises from New York
Staying near the airport does not typically lead to the most exciting evening before your cruise begins. Most of these hotels are not located near the most exciting restaurants and attractions, although the convenience makes staying near the airport a great choice for many cruisers.
Manhattan
New York City is one of the most fascinating, bustling cities in the world. It’s understandable that many cruise passengers enjoy sightseeing in the city before their cruise begins. If you plan to explore New York before your cruise, we recommend staying in Manhattan.
Spending the night in Manhattan means you can easily enjoy the city’s atmosphere, whether attending a Broadway show, visiting museums, or strolling through Central Park. Plus, you will be within walking distance to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shopping while in the city.
Of course, staying in Manhattan makes it more difficult to reach the Cape Liberty cruise terminal on embarkation day. Therefore, we only recommend staying in Manhattan if you arrive early the day before your cruise or spend a few days in the city before the start of the sailing.
If your flight doesn’t get into Newark until 10PM the night before your cruise, for example, you won’t reap any of the benefits of staying in Manhattan. In this case, it’s more convenient (and more cost effective) to stay near the airport instead.
Downtown Jersey City
If you’re looking for a more interesting place to stay near Cape Liberty but would rather not travel into New York City, consider spending the night in Jersey City. Not only is Jersey City closer to the cruise port than Manhattan, but it still offers a wide array of restaurants and things to do the night before your cruise.
If you’re traveling to Cape Liberty from the west—whether Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Upstate New York—Jersey City is a convenient place to stay en route to the cruise terminal.
Near LGA/JFK
Although New York City has three major airports, we always recommend flying into Newark before a Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty. Newark Liberty International Airport is located just a 15-20 minute drive from Cape Liberty.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), on the contrary, are around an hour’s drive away and require crossing bridges into and out of Manhattan. Nonetheless, many cruisers fly into JFK and LGA before a cruise from Cape Liberty, whether due to flight prices or having more direct route options.
If you fly into LGA or JFK, you have a wide selection of hotels to book for the night before your cruise. If you arrive late, you might prefer staying near the airport and making the trek to New Jersey on embarkation morning.
If you arrive early, however, you could stay in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, or travel closer to Cape Liberty to avoid the hour’s drive on embarkation day.
Here are our top ten recommended hotels:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City
- Average nightly price: $200 to $475
- Address: 455 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310
- Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City is located in downtown New Jersey and has a beautiful view of the New York City skyline. It’s only a 20 minute drive from Cape Liberty, making transportation to the cruise terminal convenient on embarkation day.
Hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant and fitness center. The hotel has both junior and standard suite rooms available with one or two beds—some rooms have a sofa bed as well.
For those interested in visiting Manhattan, the DoubleTree is located a five minute walk from the Newport Station in Jersey City, from where you can take the PATH train to Manhattan.
Hyatt House Jersey City
- Average nightly price: $260 to $425
- Address: 1 Exchange Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302
- Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Another hotel option in Jersey City is the Hyatt House Jersey City. Staying across the Hudson River from Manhattan offers a great value in a pre-cruise stay, and the hotel is located a one minute walk away from the Exchange Place station, which takes you to Manhattan on the PATH train in under ten minutes.
In addition, staying at the Hyatt House makes transportation to the cruise port easier on embarkation day—it takes just 25 minutes and doesn’t require crossing any of the city’s bridges.
Amenities at the Hyatt House Jersey City include free breakfast, free wifi, digital check-in, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center. RoofTop at Exchange Place, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, offers stunning news of New York City’s skyline from across the Hudson River.
Both standard rooms and suites are available to book. Studio and one bedroom suites include a sofa bed, separate living and sleeping area, and a kitchen.
Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City
- Average nightly price: $230 to $420
- Address: 21 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
- Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
The Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City is located along the Hudson River Waterfront
Hotel amenities include a 24 hour complimentary coffee station, fitness center, and free wifi.
The Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City offers both studio and one Bedroom Suites, some of which have a view of New York City’s skyline. Studio suites fit up to two guests whereas one bedroom suites can fit up to four guests. All rooms feature a full kitchen, television, desk, and premium movie channels.
Home2Suites by Hilton Newark Airport
- Average nightly price: $150 to $230
- Address: 620 Rte 1 and 9 S, Newark, NJ 07114
- Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport
If you want to stay near the Newark airport, the Home2Suites by Hilton Newark Airport hotel is a great option. Located just five minutes from the airport, it offers a convenient place to spend the night after a long day traveling.
Amenities at the Home2Suites include free breakfast, free wifi, a fitness center, and airport shuttle. Both king and queen bed suites are available along with connecting rooms for use when traveling with a larger group.
Having complimentary breakfast available at the hotel is a plus for many cruisers, as they can enjoy breakfast before heading to the cruise port. The Cape Liberty port is located just eight miles from the hotel.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Newark Airport
- Average nightly price: $220 to $300
- Address: 95 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
- Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport
The Embassy Suites, like the Home2Suites, is located just a few minutes away from Newark Liberty International Airport. This hotel is an excellent choice for those arriving in New Jersey earlier in the afternoon. In addition to a place to rest after a flight, the Embassy Suites offers several additional amenities for a more enjoyable stay.
Amenities at the Embassy Suites include free made-to-order breakfast, free wifi, an airport shuttle, indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary evening reception, and an on-site restaurant. The restaurant, The Local Kitchen, serves American fare and is perfect for guests in search of a nice sit-down dinner without needing to leave their hotel.
Rooms at the Embassy Suites have a separate living room area along with a sofa bed, microwave, refrigerator, and work space.
Residence Inn by Marriott Newark Elizabeth/Liberty International Airport
- Average nightly price: $200 to $325
- Address: 83 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
- Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport
If you’d prefer to stay at a Marriott property near the Newark airport, look no further than the Residence Inn by Marriott Newark Elizabeth/Liberty International Airport. The property is located just ten minutes from the airport and twenty minutes from the cruise port.
Hotel amenities include a free airport shuttle, complimentary American and hot breakfast, fitness center, convenience store, and free wifi.
All rooms at the Residence Inn are suites; studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom suites are available with queen bed(s) and a sofa bed. Rooms feature a dining table, couch, desk, full kitchen, and television.
InterContinental New York Times Square
- Average nightly price: $430 to $570
- Address: 300 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
- Location: Times Square, Manhattan, New York
Arriving in New York with plenty of time to spare before your cruise begins? If so, consider staying near Times Square for easy access to the city’s top attractions during your stay.
The InterContinental New York Times Square may not be the most budget-friendly hotel on this list, but it’s hard to beat the location for a pre or post-cruise stay in Manhattan. It’s located just a four minute walk away from Times Square, and a forty minute drive from the Cape Liberty cruise port.
A wide selection of rooms are available, which feature views of midtown Manhattan. Most rooms accommodate two guests, although junior suites are also available which can accommodate four guests.
The hotel features a fitness center and on-site restaurant, although most guests staying at the hotel will spend the majority of their time exploring the city.
Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square
- Average nightly price: $300 to $500
- Address: 312 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
- Location: Midtown Manhattan
Another excellent hotel option in Times Square is the Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square. Like the InterContinental, this hotel is in the hustle and bustle of New York City’s Theater District, and is a forty minute drive from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
Hotel amenities include free breakfast, free wifi, a fitness center, and connecting rooms. While the hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, it’s within walking distance to hundreds of restaurants in the city.
Conrad New York Downtown
- Average nightly price: $400 to $570
- Address: 102 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282
- Location: Battery Park, Manhattan, New York
If you want to stay in Manhattan but would prefer to avoid the chaos in Times Square, consider a stay at the Conrad New York Downtown in Lower Manhattan.
The Conrad is within walking distance to attractions like Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Rockefeller Park. It’s located a thirty minute drive away from the cruise port, which can, of course, vary based on city traffic.
Amenities at the Conrad New York Downtown include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and room service.
Hyatt House New York/Chelsea
- Average nightly price: $300 to $500
- Address: 815 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001
- Location: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York
The Hyatt House New York/Chelsea is located in the heart of Manhattan, just a short walk from tourist destinations like the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park. Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood is famous for its art galleries, but it’s also where you’ll find popular attractions such as The High Line park and Chelsea Market.
Because of this, staying at the Hyatt House makes for an exciting pre-cruise stay, whether you arrive the day before your cruise or spend several days in the city before setting sail.
The hotel’s amenities include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, free wifi, rooftop terrace, and digital check-in. Both suites and standard guest rooms are available, all of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows looking out towards the city.
