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Frequently Asked Questions

Aerial of Cruise ship and Staten Island Ferry

What is the best time to arrive at the terminal with a busload of cruise passengers?

Due to vessel operations, we recommend not arriving before 11 am. If you have any further questions, please call 212.641.4440.

Where do I park?

At the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, parking is located on-site above each pier.
At the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, parking is located on-site adjacent to the terminal.

Is there a guaranteed parking spot for every cruise passenger at the terminal?

Parking is not guaranteed for all passengers as availability is dependent on the number of ships at the terminal and the number of passengers who decide to use our parking. However, there is ample parking at both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Cruise Terminals.

What time do the parking garages open?

The parking garages at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal open based on each ship’s estimated time at port, but typically the garage is accessible from 8 am to 7 pm.

When is the best time to park?

Arriving between 10 am and 2 pm will ensure more availability when trying to park.

What is the cost of parking at the cruise terminals?

The cost of parking varies by terminal and by duration of parking.

● Manhattan Cruise Terminal Parking is located by the West Side Highway, entrance at 55th Street and 12th Avenue.
● Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Parking is located at Brooklyn Pier 12, 72 Imlay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

Is handicap parking available at the terminals? What are the costs?

Handicap parking is available at both the Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals. Handicap parking rates are the same as standard parking rates, which vary by terminal and parking duration.

Are car rental services available at the cruise terminals?

There are currently no car rental services at the cruise terminals. Offices for many of the national car rental chains are located throughout midtown Manhattan. Contact the rental company of your choice to provide transportation to and from the terminal if you are unable to walk.

● Manhattan: To find a rental car facility closest to Times Square, use 10019 as the search ZIP code.
● Brooklyn: to find a rental car facility closest to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, use 11231 as the search ZIP code.

Is tour bus information available at the cruise terminals?

For information about tour bus transportation at each terminal, please contact your individual cruise line.

I lost a personal item aboard a ship. Who do I contact?

Each cruise line has a lost and found department responsible for working with passengers who have lost personal items while aboard the ship. Please contact your cruise line for help relocating lost items.

I lost my bag at the terminal. Who do I contact?

● Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers: First Class Cargo - 516.568.5729
● Carnival Cruise Lines & All Other Cruise Lines: Intercruises - 212.459.9263

Do you have a place to store luggage after I return from my cruise?

We cannot store luggage at our terminals but there are several luggage companies that will do so for a fee while you explore the city.

Where to stay and what to do

● Manhattan: To find a hotel closest to Times Square, use 10019 as the search ZIP code.
● Brooklyn: to find a hotel closest to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, use 11231 as the search ZIP code.

For attractions in the NYC area, please visit nyctourism.com

What times does boarding start?

Boarding times vary based on vessel arrival time and operations, but boarding generally begins between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.

What kind of identification do I need to have to board the ship?

Please refer to your cruise line for guidance on the appropriate travel documents.

What time can I arrive?

Check-in times are dependent on the vessel's arrival but baggage processing begins no earlier than 9:30 am.

How late can I arrive?

Please refer to your travel documents for the latest arrival time.

Security Screening Process

● A ship-boarding pass and government-issued photo ID for all adult travelers must be available until they exit the security checkpoint.
● Place the following items in your carry-on baggage prior to entering the screening checkpoint:

  • Mobile phones
  • Keys
  • Loose change
  • Money clips and wallets
  • PDA’s and other mobile computing devices
  • Lighters
  • Large amounts of jewelry
  • Metal hair decorations
  • Large belt buckles

● Take laptops and video cameras with cassettes out of their cases.
● Take off your outer coat, jacket, or blazer.
● The following items are prohibited:

  • Firearms and/or ammunition are prohibited within the restricted area. Only official law enforcement agents acting in an official capacity are permitted to carry firearms within the restricted areas of the facility.
  • Explosives
  • Incendiaries
  • Items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons — the so-called “dual use” items. These items may include multi-purpose tools, Swiss Army type knives and small folding knives. The Terminal also prohibits passengers from carrying or possessing a knife or dangerous instrument, regardless of the length of the blade, within the restricted areas.

● Bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint — even accidentally — is illegal. You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without authorization.
● If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or law enforcement officer will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances.
● Your prohibited item may be detained for use in an investigation and, if necessary, as evidence in criminal and/or civil prosecution.
● If permitted by the screener or law enforcement officer, you may be allowed to:

  • Request assistance in placing the prohibited item in checked baggage;
  • Withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at that time;
  • Make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car; or
  • Voluntarily abandon the item.

● Items that are voluntarily abandoned may be returned to the passengers at the completion of their cruise. Contact a cruise representative for assistance.

Medical Oxygen and Respiratory-Related Equipment

Supplemental personal medical oxygen and other respiratory-related equipment and devices (e.g. nebulizer, respirator) are permitted through the screening checkpoint once they have undergone screening.

For oxygen users connected to oxygen:

  • Oxygen equipment will either undergo x-ray screening or physical inspection.
  • The screener will determine whether or not the respiratory-related equipment can be safely disconnected.
  • Only passengers can disconnect oxygen equipment to allow for their oxygen canister/system to be x-rayed.
  • If the passenger’s doctor has indicated that he or she cannot be disconnected from oxygen equipment or if the passenger is concerned, the screener will provide for an alternate inspection process while the passenger remains connected to the oxygen source.
  • Oxygen supplier or personal assistants carrying an oxygen supply may accompany passengers to the gate or meet them at the gate once they have obtained a valid visitor pass from the appropriate ship security officer. Persons carrying their own supply must have a valid boarding pass to proceed through the security checkpoint.

Wheelchairs, Walkers, Crutches, and Canes

● Walkers, crutches, canes, and other devices that can fit through the x-ray machine must undergo x-ray screening, with the exception of white collapsible canes. The screener will provide assistance if needed when placing items on the x-ray belt.
● Screeners may provide assistance in the form of an arm, hand, or shoulder to lean on until passengers are reunited with their device.
● Hand inspections will be performed if the passenger’s equipment does not fit through the x-ray machine.
● Walkers will be visually inspected. Any attached basket, pockets or compartment(s) will be physically inspected. All items hanging from a cane or walker must be submitted for x-ray inspection.
● Please collapse canes, whenever possible, before putting them on the x-ray belt.
● Once devices have been screened, they will be handed back to you in such a manner that will allow you to proceed without difficulty.
● Wheelchairs should be requested via your cruise line agent, not the terminal.

Persons With Diabetes

● The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:

  • Insulin and insulin-loaded dispensing products such as vials or boxes of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers and preloaded syringes;
  • An unlimited supply of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication and transported in a sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container;
  • Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, and meter-testing solutions;
  • Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies such as cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle;
  • Glucagons emergency kit; and
  • Urine ketone test strips.

● Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified.
● If the passenger is wearing an insulin pump and explains that they cannot go through the metal detector or be hand-wanded, an alternate inspection process will be utilized.
● Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin with professionally printed labels identifying the medication, the manufacturer’s name or a pharmacy label.
● Passengers have the option of requesting a visual inspection of their insulin and diabetes associated supplies.

Medications and Medical Facilities

Medications

● All medications in any form or type (e.g., pills, injectables or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.
● Medications should be labeled so they are identifiable as such.
● Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.
● Medication and related supplies are normally x-rayed. However, the passenger has the option of requesting a visual inspection of the medication and associated supplies.

  • Passengers must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise, the medications and supplies will undergo x-ray inspection.
  • Please have the medication and associated supplies separated from other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the screener at the walk-through metal detector.
  • In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication, associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, passengers will be asked to display, handle, and repack their own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection process.

● Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for x-ray screening. If passengers refuse, they will not be permitted to carry their medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

Medical Facilities

● Medical facilities closest to the Brooklyn Terminal are the Long Island College Hospital at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Hicks Street and the Lutheran Medical Center of 51st Street and 1st Avenue in Brooklyn.
● Medical facilities closest to the Manhattan Terminal are the St. Luke’s Roosevelt Emergency Room on the intersection of 58th St and Ninth Ave.

Dress Guidelines

● Any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified. If passengers set off an alarm, they will be required to undergo additional screening, including a hand-wanding and a pat-down inspection that includes the torso.
● Passengers may remove metal items at the security checkpoint and place them in the bins provided. The bins will be sent through the X-ray machine. Passengers can save more time, however, by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in carry-on baggage before getting in line.
● Accessories that contain metal may set off an alarm:

  • Jewelry—pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercing, cuff links, lanyard or bolo tie
  • Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
  • Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
  • Belt buckles
  • Underwire brassieres

● Hidden items such as body piercings may result in a pat-down inspection. Passengers may remove this jewelry in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
● Place jewelry and other metal items in carry-on baggage until you clear security.
● All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sportcoats, and blazers.

Shoe Screening Policy

● Passengers are not required to remove their shoes before they enter the walk-through metal detector. However, passengers are encouraged to remove their shoes before entering the metal detector, as many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm.

● Footwear that is encouraged for removal because of likely additional screening:

  • Boots
  • Platform shoes, including platform flip-flops
  • Footwear with a thick sole or heel, including athletic shoes
  • Footwear containing metal, including many dress shoes

● Footwear that is less likely to be removed:

  • “Beach” flip-flops
  • Thin-soled sandals containing no metal

Transporting Film

● Passengers are advised, when possible, not to place undeveloped film in their checked baggage. Film should be placed in carry-on baggage or be inspected by hand.
● None of the screening equipment—neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage—will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, videos, photo compact discs or picture discs.
● General use film (under ASA/ISO 800):

  • Passengers should remove all such film from their checked baggage and place it in their carry-on baggage.
  • If the same roll of film is exposed to x-ray inspections more than five times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Passengers may request a hand inspection for their film if it has already passed through the carry-on x-ray baggage screening equipment more than five times.

● At the security checkpoint, passengers should remove the following types of film from their carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:

  • Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
  • Highly sensitive x-ray or scientific films
  • Film that is or will be underexposed
  • Film that they intend to ‘push process’
  • Sheet film
  • Large format film
  • Medical film
  • Scientific film
  • Motion picture film
  • Professional grade film

● If passengers plan to request hand inspection, they should carry their film in clear canisters or take the film out of opaque canisters and put it into clear plastic bags to expedite the screening process.
● If passengers will be traveling through multiple x-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, they may want to request hand inspection of their film. However, non-U.S. ports may not honor this request.
● We recommend that passengers not place their film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand inspected. If passengers have concerns about the impact of the x-ray machine on their undeveloped film, they can request a hand inspection.