Working around issues at Red Hook Terminal

[steve4031]

In preparation for my transatlantic cruise for July 23 I have been reading reviews for QM2.  A common theme is that it is poorly organized and guests are required to stand in lines that sometimes extend outside.  Last summer, we had an unpleasant experience with embarkation in Vancouver.  I would like to avoid a similar experience in Brooklyn. 

 

We are flying in the day before and staying in Manhattan.  My thinking now is just to get their as early as allowed and hope to get on board quickly.  Even if the cabin is not ready, we can find someplace to sit and wait until it is ready.  

 

Are there any suggested proven strategies for working around these issues that are not disruptive to Cunard and other passengers?

 

Thank you.  

[paulco]

Ya just never know. But it’s been shortish lines the 3 times I’ve been privileged to board 

[gumshoe958]

I’ve never boarded at Red Hook but from my experience at Southampton the best way to avoid long queues is to arrive later, not earlier.

 

Bear in mind Cunard tends to start boarding later than the mainstream American lines so if you turn up before noon (or 1pm if you’re not in a Grills suite or have no status) you’ll just find yourself hanging around in an increasingly crowded terminal.

 

The later you leave it, the better your chances of walking straight on. 
 

The good news, though, is that whatever time you board your stateroom will be ready.

 

Edited January 13, 2023 by gumshoe958

[steve4031]

Thank you to all who have posted.  It's helpful to know that Cunard has a different system than other cruise lines.   Since the ship leaves at 5 I am thinking that arriving later than 2 p.m. is taking risk.  I can control when I leave the hotel, but it is harder to predict what traffic will be like in NYC.  I am staying at the Andaz 5th avenue on points.  

[david,Mississauga]

18 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

...
 

The good news, though, is that whatever time you board your stateroom will be ready.

 

 

That is the normal procedure, but if for some reason embarkation starts earlier than usual there may be a wait for staterooms to be available.

 

We boarded the QE in Vancouver in 2019. I'm not sure when embarkation started. We boarded at 11:20 (in Britannia, but Diamond members) and were not the first. We had been given a card saying early embarkation was being offered but staterooms would not be available until 12:30. 

 

Several times we have boarded the QM2 in Red Hook - and twice in Manhattan - at 12:00 and the staterooms were available whether we were in Britannia or Grills.

[BklynBoy8]

On our trips we have never waited to board and cabin being ready.

 

We would board, drop luggage and off to lunch. This of course was for Club and Grill..

 

 

[netpj]

On the subject of Red Hook - we have never boarded QM2 in New York, but will be next December for Christmas and beyond.   Given weather that time of year, we will fly in a day early.  Does anyone know of or where to find hotels in the Red Hook area if we don't want to stay in Manhatten?  Thanks!

[NE John]

3 hours ago, netpj said:

On the subject of Red Hook - we have never boarded QM2 in New York, but will be next December for Christmas and beyond.   Given weather that time of year, we will fly in a day early.  Does anyone know of or where to find hotels in the Red Hook area if we don't want to stay in Manhatten?  Thanks!

As a former long time Brooklyn resident, check out the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge. Short cab/Uber drive to Red Hook. 
Red Hook itself is an industrial waterfront with no hotels, nor would you want to stay there. Other chain hotels could be in Downtown Brooklyn. No need to stay in Manhattan for one night. 

[BklynBoy8]

3 hours ago, netpj said:

On the subject of Red Hook - we have never boarded QM2 in New York, but will be next December for Christmas and beyond.   Given weather that time of year, we will fly in a day early.  Does anyone know of or where to find hotels in the Red Hook area if we don't want to stay in Manhatten?  Thanks!

 

Living in Brooklyn we know many that sail out of Brooklyn Downtown Area stay at the Marriott on Adams Street near the Brooklyn Bridge - Dumbo area.

 

Along Fulton Street, Court Street and Montague Street near Brooklyn Heights are many restaurants.

 

Also Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo area are up and coming near the Brooklyn Bridge. You can even take a ferry ride to Lower Manhattan.

 

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is not that far away straight run.

[NE John]

9 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Living in Brooklyn we know many that sail out of Brooklyn Downtown Area stay at the Marriott on Adams Street near the Brooklyn Bridge - Dumbo area.

 

Along Fulton Street, Court Street and Montague Street near Brooklyn Heights are many restaurants.

 

Also Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo area are up and coming near the Brooklyn Bridge. You can even take a ferry ride to Lower Manhattan.

 

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is not that far away straight run.

Great Brooklyn minds think alike!

[steve4031]

I’ve stayed at that Marriott in Brooklyn.  Great property.  

[Mercruiser]

This thread was very timely for me. Based on the recommendations here, I just changed my hotel to Marriott in Brooklyn on points. Thanks everyone!

[NE John]

Spend some time walking on the Brooklyn Heights Promonade and do your best Moonstruck impressions…

[BklynBoy8]

35 minutes ago, NE John said:

Spend some time walking on the Brooklyn Heights Promonade and do your best Moonstruck impressions…

 

Not that far away on Cranberry Street to see the house.

 

The bakery is too far away to walk for fresh warm bread. Got the bread for holidays. Ready Good.

 

The Pier at Dumbo is very popular under the Brooklyn Bridge. Beautiful site of Lower Manhattan.

 

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by BklynBoy8

[hmorrow]

19 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Living in Brooklyn we know many that sail out of Brooklyn Downtown Area stay at the Marriott on Adams Street near the Brooklyn Bridge - Dumbo area.

 

Along Fulton Street, Court Street and Montague Street near Brooklyn Heights are many restaurants.

 

Also Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo area are up and coming near the Brooklyn Bridge. You can even take a ferry ride to Lower Manhattan.

 

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is not that far away straight run.

Do you know anything about the Box HOuse, hotel?

[hmorrow]

12 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Not that far away on Cranberry Street to see the house.

 

The bakery is too far away to walk for fresh warm bread. Got the bread for holidays. Ready Good.

 

The Pier at Dumbo is very popular under the Brooklyn Bridge. Beautiful site of Lower Manhattan.

 

 

I should say the Box street hotel, is on Box Street-lol, in Brooklyn

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, hmorrow said:

Do you know anything about the Box HOuse, hotel?

 

? ? ?

 

Never heard of it?

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, hmorrow said:

I should say the Box street hotel, is on Box Street-lol, in Brooklyn

 

Just saw it.... Interesting....

[BklynBoy8]

14 hours ago, NE John said:

Spend some time walking on the Brooklyn Heights Promonade and do your best Moonstruck impressions…

 

Watching the movie now on cable....

[hmorrow]

56 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

? ? ?

 

Never heard of it?

half the price of the Marriott, and it looks nice, and is a good area....

[NE John]

Box Street Hotel is in Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, very far from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Hotel savings eaten up via higher cab or Uber fees and adding much longer drive to get to Terminal. 
Listen to two Brooklyn guys and stick with Marriott Brooklyn Bridge. Plus, Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Marriott is a great place to hang out for the evening. 

[BklynBoy8]

44 minutes ago, NE John said:

Box Street Hotel is in Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, very far from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Hotel savings eaten up via higher cab or Uber fees and adding much longer drive to get to Terminal. 
Listen to two Brooklyn guys and stick with Marriott Brooklyn Bridge. Plus, Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Marriott is a great place to hang out for the evening. 

 

What we call Downtown Brooklyn as a kid is really up and coming. 

 

Dumbo once Port Authority Piers from Redhook to Bklyn Bridge really well developed.

 

Even Gage & Toller Restaurant on Jay and Fulton has come back. Court Street and Montague also quite elegant walk. 

 

Brooklyn Heights what a site. Unfortunately we are sadden with the Twin Towers now missing. 

 

Even Jacque Torres Chocolate Factory in Dumbo has the greatest Hot Chocolate.

 

Even Fulton Street and Court and Smith if you need to pick up last minute items.

[GTJ]

On 1/13/2023 at 1:28 PM, steve4031 said:

In preparation for my transatlantic cruise for July 23 I have been reading reviews for QM2.

 

On 1/13/2023 at 3:28 PM, gumshoe958 said:

Bear in mind Cunard tends to start boarding later than the mainstream American lines

Cunard does not operate cruises on the Queen Mary 2 between New York and England. The vessel making the transatlantic crossings is an ocean liner, designed for rapid transportation purposes, and thus distinct from the other lines that leisurely cruise across the pond. This difference may be part of the distinct boarding times and arrangements at Brooklyn.

[GTJ]

On 1/14/2023 at 3:11 PM, NE John said:

Red Hook itself is an industrial waterfront with no hotels, nor would you want to stay there.

While Red Hook has industry, it is a burgeoning neighborhood that is incredibly interesting. It would be a fantastic area in which to stay but for the paucity of hotels. There's two hotels, both of which are on the border between Red Hook and Carroll Gardens. Neither of the two are directly on Van Brunt Street in the commercial part of Red Hook (it would be great for there to be lodging on the south end of Van Brunt Street). Both hotels are less than one mile from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and it is about 15 minutes walking. One hotel is the Brooklyn Motor Inn, a 2-star hotel; the other is The Lodge Red Hook, also a 2-star hotel. Don't expect the highest quality accommodations, but these hotels are convenient. For dining, highly rated is the Hometown Bar-B-Que, on Van Brunt Street, corner of Reed Street.

[navybankerteacher]

The fact is, there is very little of interest in the immediate area of Red Hook, other than hanging out the night before boarding a cruise ship, to justify investing in hotels.

25 minutes ago, GTJ said:

While Red Hook has industry, it is a burgeoning neighborhood that is incredibly interesting. It would be a fantastic area in which to stay but for the paucity of hotels. There's two hotels, both of which are on the border between Red Hook and Carroll Gardens. Neither of the two are directly on Van Brunt Street in the commercial part of Red Hook (it would be great for there to be lodging on the south end of Van Brunt Street). Both hotels are less than one mile from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and it is about 15 minutes walking. One hotel is the Brooklyn Motor Inn, a 2-star hotel; the other is The Lodge Red Hook, also a 2-star hotel. Don't expect the highest quality accommodations, but these hotels are convenient. For dining, highly rated is the Hometown Bar-B-Que, on Van Brunt Street, corner of Reed Street.

 

1 hour ago, GTJ said:

 

Cunard does not operate cruises on the Queen Mary 2 between New York and England. The vessel making the transatlantic crossings is an ocean liner, designed for rapid transportation purposes, and thus distinct from the other lines that leisurely cruise across the pond. This difference may be part of the distinct boarding times and arrangements at Brooklyn.

Yes, QM2 is built as an ocean liner -- but Cunard does offer cruises on her -- and people who book trans-Atlantic  travel on her think of those crossings as cruises.   No one really interested in "rapid transportation" between North America and the UK is going to book QM2 rather than BA , American or whoever to get across rapidly.

1 hour ago, GTJ said: