Where to Stay for Cape Liberty Port

[Langley Cruisers]

Just a quick note here to say that this hotel (Country Inns and Suites, Elizabeth, New Jersey - by Newark Airport) does not run a "shuttle" to Cape Liberty, per sé. Oh, they do have a shuttle bus that runs between the hotel and the airport every half hour, but the ride provided or arranged for is a private car service, built into the cost of a package, or paid for the customer privately (as we did). It is not a shuttle bus, just for clarification. :)

[Packing Light]

I agree with 138East in that the Country Inn builds the price of the shuttle in their rate. Cost is very similar to just use a taxi unless you plan on returning to the Country Inn again from port. Also there are higher rated hotels on Trip Advisor for the same or less cost.

[138east]

There are so many variables - driving, flying, # of people, NY sightseeing, budget, etc. If you're driving and going on a 5 or 7 day cruise, the economics tend to be in favor of parking at the pier. If you're driving and aren't planning on going into NY, then there are much nicer places than Newark Airport to stay and still be close to the port.

[Packing Light]

Just booked Residence Inn - Newark Airport, rated #1 hotel in Elizabeth on Trip Advisor for $97 per night. They have free breakfast and airport shuttle. Seems as good as most hotels near the airport and the reviews were very good. Now my only task is to get to the port, which I realize will likely be by taxi.

[138east]

That sounds fine. It's one of the hotels by Jersey Gardens. We haven't heard a lot about this hotel - I think Meg is familiar with it. Please report back your experience so we can share it with others. Book a car service to port and take one of the shuttles back to the airport - probably $50 + $30 for 2 people.

[megr1125]

it was just renovated...very nice.

 

If you'll be there Mon-Thur there should also be an evening social hour with food...i liked this hotel. One caveat, the stuff in the little market is stooopid expensive...i swear, a bag of chips and a candy bar would be less at the airport!

 

and the adjacent iHop should be open if you need food...the ruby tuesday is pretty bad....

 

taxi or car service will be the same....try one in my blog, or you can call the Newark Airport Marriott and ask for signature transportation....they are reasonable and helpful...(i had 2 occasions to have them quote prices and/or assist me...as it worked out i couldn't use them due to accessibilty issues for a WC, but they're very nice....)

[subtchr]

Hi, all,

 

We are cruising from Bayonne in June and for that visit are staying at the Hilton Newark Penn Station (at the suggestion of Carol and/or Meg - you guys are wonderful!), because we plan to spend the day before the cruise touring around NYC and want the easy access to the train into the city and back. We will be using a car service to the port and to the airport on our return.

 

The reason I am posting is that one of the jobs I "dabble" in (that term is thanks to my DH, but it fits, so I can't complain!) is a group tour escort for a travel company that arranges trips for school groups, mostly bands and choirs. Last weekend I was in Disney World with a marching band, and next weekend I am escorting a choir to NYC.

 

It turns out that the group is staying at the Country Inn & Suites in Elizabeth! Although our wonderful NJ posters have shared plenty of information about the hotel, if there is anything anyone would like me to check on or ask when I am there, I will be happy to do so. Also, I take loads of photos wherever I go, so I will take some at the hotel and post when I return.

 

Sue

[megr1125]

sue..that's great.....i don't always have time to bounce around and take pix when i am up there.....

[jandsatsea]

Sailing to Bermuda 5/23, but flying in on the 22nd.

 

Has anyone stayed here and how to get there from EWR?

[megr1125]

Cab and no, but I am sure someone has......

Cab will be 40-50 bucks or so...there are cheaper ways involving public transportation and walking..but a cab is easiest...

[138east]

I haven't stayed there, but the Hyatt is one of two 4* hotels (the Westin is the other) in Jersey City that consistently show up on Hotwire at a terrific price. I hope you bid on this hotel - either it or the Westin is currently showing on Hotwire at $129 for May 22. Unfortunately, you need to take a cab or car service.

[greatam]

Sailing to Bermuda 5/23, but flying in on the 22nd.

 

Has anyone stayed here and how to get there from EWR?

 

I have stayed there quite a few times (business travel). Love the place, especially sitting in the bar/restaurant watching the river and the City. The prix fixe menu is a darn good meal for the price.

 

You will have to take a cab from the airport. $45-50+ tip.

[cuddlebear]

Any help for someone staying in Manhattan and needing to get to the ship? We're coming in early to stay in NY and now don't know how to get to the ship.HELP!!

[138east]

Basically your choices are car service ($80-$100) or public transit and cab (must be able to manage luggage to some extent).

[drpooh]

Hi everyone!

 

Haven't sailed out of Bayonne yet but have lived here my whole life. I can tell you the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island is lovely. I've been there to the ballroom for some events, and it has always been clean and comfortable. There is also a Hampton Inn right there, but I don't know about their shuttle set-up, if there is any. The Hilton is really a pretty short ride over the Bayonne Bridge.

 

I don't know if anyone is interested in staying at a slightly more upscale location with abundant choices in restaurants and a beautiful view of Manhattan, but there is a growing number of hotels in the Newport section of Jersey City on the waterfront. In terms of location, it is probably the same distance away from the cruise port as the Newark Airport hotels in the opposite direction and I don't know if they offer any cruise port shuttle services, but the difference in comfort, amenities, and neighborhood are way better. But, if you're just looking for a bed to sleep in, then the Sheraton at the airport is fine.

 

Like I said, I'm a local, so if anyone has any specific questions about the area, feel free to post or email me privately at amylesniak23@gmail.com. Again, I've only driven out to the port for a look around and have not sailed from there, but I can surely guide you in other areas :)

 

Amy

[could travel all the time]

Hi drpooh,

Great to hear you liked the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island - I know that hotel has a shuttle to the port, free parking - and is quite reasonable. We have been considering it so good to hear you like it:). Thanks

[trvllover]

Are all the hotels within the vicinity of the Cape Liberty cruise port about a $50.00 cab ride to the port? For example, Country Inn & Suites, Marriott Elizabeth, etc? Just curious - would like to find a complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel and a complimentary/or reasonable transfer from the hotel to the cruise port. Is there a hotel right on Cape Liberty where you could take some sort of a boat tour of the city the day before?

[138east]

I'm quite sure that all of what are considered Newark Airport hotels have a free shuttle between the hotel and the airport. From any of these hotels it would be about $50 to the port for a car service. However, if you are coming back to the airport, it is possible to get a shuttle from the port back to the airport for $15/pp. The only airport hotel that we recommend that has a package including a cruise shuttle is Country Inns. However, if you price it all out, there is frequently no $$$ advantage to staying at Country Inns with a "free" cruise shuttle over staying at another hotel and arranging your own transportation. The big disadvantage of a cruise shuttle is that you give up control over when you arrive at the port.

 

Give us more details about when you would arrive at Newark, what date, # of people, # of beds, and your sightseeing plans. The only boat tour that leaves from NJ (other than ferries) would be the boat that goes to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from Liberty State Park. Otherwise you would have to go into NY to ride the free Staten Island Ferry or one of the sightseeing boats.

 

As I've said before, Newark is a highly urban area and we don't recommend just picking a random hotel to stay in. The hotels tend to be isolated without much around them (including restaurants) and some areas are definitely better than others.

[megr1125]

Yes all the EWR area hotels will have shuttles, but stay away from the lower end ones...personally i would skip even the Wyndham garden and best western...

 

Yes cab/car service to the pier is around $50 give or take $5. That's just the going rate here....cabs all over NJ are expensive....

 

There is NOTHING at Cape Liberty except some under-construction apartments..it is an industrial, working pier....NOT originally designed as a cruise pier..so if you expect something nice like in Florida...I suggest you lower those expectations! (sorry!)

 

Check my blog for hotel suggestions, then come back with any other questions....some of the Marriott-branded hotels have park n cruise packages without shuttles to the pier...(but it seems that you are flying in.)

 

The link to my blog is below...

[trvllover]

Thank you both! :) I checked the Country Inn & Suites, but they want $189, that includes 1 night and 2 transfers to the cruise port. I am traveling solo, so the 2nd transfer is worthless. If there is a nicer/better hotel for the price, I would rather do that and just catch a cab to the cruise port.

 

I wouldn't mind finding a hotel that has a few things around it. Did someone say the Residence Inn Newark/Elizabeth is near and IHOP and some shopping? Not renting a car, so would like just to have a few things to do while I am there for part of the day.

 

I wasn't really expecting a cruise port like Florida, maybe a little like the one in New York. That's OK though.

[138east]

Marriott Courtyard Elizabeth is showing on Kayak at $101 including taxes for 9/10/10. This hotel is near Country Inns and Ruby Tuesday's and the Jersey Gardens Mall.

[trvllover]

Marriott Courtyard Elizabeth is showing on Kayak at $101 including taxes for 9/10/10. This hotel is near Country Inns and Ruby Tuesday's and the Jersey Gardens Mall.

 

Thanks, but I am not sure that is when I am going. I am checking out different options, but looking at hotels and things to do near by where I don't have to rent a car. I haven't made any official plans yet.

[138east]

There really isn't much to do nearby. Folks seem to either hang out at the mall or make the effort and go into NY. If you go into NY, the hotels at Glimcher Realty Way may not your best choice.

[megr1125]

...and for those Elziabeth/EWR hotels, the iHOP should be open.....which IMO, unless you want a cocktail, is a better choice than the Ruby Tuesday...

 

And those hotels will drive you across the street to the outlet mall......

 

The Residence Inn and Courtyard EWR/Elizabeth (on Glimcher Realty Way..adjacent to the Country Inn) are both nice hotels...renovated last year. The CY no longer has an actual 'restaurant' rather a panera bread/starbucks morph where you go to a counter and order...(actually neither CY up there has an actual restaurant anymore..NOT a smart move IMO-but i digress)

 

The 3 hotels above (there is also an extended stay america by the other 3, we skip that as it is really low end....no shuttle, no shampoo, no tissues...) are all decent places...by IHop, Ruby Tuesday (ick) and an outlet mall that is quite large and there are some great bargains is you have time to hunt!!

 

I've stayed in all 3--i was in the RI and CY within the last month--it's been a little longer since the country inn. Both the Marriott brands were redone in 2009 and are really quite nice, fairly quiet (lots of flight crews) and safe. They do have a local cop patrolling the lot on weekends.....

[trvllover]

There really isn't much to do nearby. Folks seem to either hang out at the mall or make the effort and go into NY. If you go into NY, the hotels at Glimcher Realty Way may not your best choice.

 

If there is a mall or someplace to eat near by, that is really all I would need I guess. Just something to do for a few hours.....Thanks for responding so quickly!