I think that they entice pax to use the for fee restaurants to enhance revenue obviously, and then they save money by not using table cloths (see Carnival) and they reduce food costs in the included restaurants. Very clever but I don’t fall for it! I want table cloths!
Can’t imagine you wouldn’t do better price wise booking your own hotel and getting a taxi to Red Hook. I personally love the Jane in the West Village, Captain’s. Quarters room overlooking the Hudson for about $250 a night.
On the other hand the mid day Amtrak bus was fine, just that stop at the border where everyone had to leave the bus to pass through entry to the US. Then you can get a taxi from King St Station to your hotel.
Like I said it’s been a bit of a pickle in the past. If you fly make sure you have plenty of time for all connections SeaTac is quite spread out. A HAL shuttle might be better.
Amtrak trains run only very early or late, otherwise it is buses with a stop at the border crossing, slow! Same with the shuttle buses No matter how you dice it, it’s not quite easy. It’s good you have an overnight!
The Maritime Museum great, has a really well done Titanic exhibition. It’s walkable from the ship but I’d probably take a taxi there and walk back down High St. There’s a really pretty little park near the museum with a memorial to the Titanic engineers. You can get up to walk on the wall at the bottom or so of High Street. I’ve really enjoyed Southhampton!