Newport, Rhode Island?

[Crusin Karen]

I’m thinking of booking NCL Breakaway October, ‘24 specifically for Newport. I can’t find any info on this port of call. Can anyone help? TIA 

[sunshine4me2]

 

We are booked on the NCL Escape, this October 15th.

Google search Things to do in Newport RI cruise port.  Good starting point, that's what I did and proceeded from there. 

If you are planning on excursions, either with NCL or independent tour companies, don't wait too long as I did.  Quite a few were already booked up.

[Crusin Karen]

Thank you. This is for 2024 so I’m just researching now. I’ve been to Halifax and NS a bunch of times-Portland once. Big draw was Newport and Bar Harbor. Hate that they’re both tender ports tho! Enjoy your cruise and report back if you can! 

[mets123]

7 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

Thank you. This is for 2024 so I’m just researching now. I’ve been to Halifax and NS a bunch of times-Portland once. Big draw was Newport and Bar Harbor. Hate that they’re both tender ports tho! Enjoy your cruise and report back if you can! 

You may want to confirm it's still going to Bar Harbor in 2024. The town voted against big ships coming in. Royal took Bar Harbor off its NE/Canada itinerary next year, and I assume most other lines did as well.

[Cruising Judge]

When we went to Newport last fall - we took the public bus that takes tourists to interesting spots for no charge. The bus terminal is about 2 blocks from the tender boat dock. You can walk the cliff walk for free - go to the international tennis hall of fame for maybe a normal fee . If you join the preservation society, you will not have to get in lines to see the “cottages”

[tring]

9 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

Thank you. This is for 2024 so I’m just researching now. I’ve been to Halifax and NS a bunch of times-Portland once. Big draw was Newport and Bar Harbor. Hate that they’re both tender ports tho! Enjoy your cruise and report back if you can! 

 

As previously mentioned your ship may not make Bar Harbor if the cruise is next year.  As I understand they are accepting cruise ships this year which had been pre booked, but there is currently a court case ongoing which will decide if the town can refuse cruise ships.  I think it was all ships carrying more than 1.000 people, possibly including crew, so most cruise ships will not be able to call, even if currently booked for next year.  Someone may update me on that though. Often cruise lines will remain booked until actually cancelled as they will need to pay if they break the contract, so best for them to leave it for the port to cancel and they may also get compensation for the cancellation then.

 

I think you will find details of the ongoing situation on a thread about Bar Harbor on this board, but will be a page or so down now.

 

Edited August 21, 2023 by tring

[dkb15732]

On 8/21/2023 at 3:47 PM, Cruising Judge said:

When we went to Newport last fall - we took the public bus that takes tourists to interesting spots for no charge. The bus terminal is about 2 blocks from the tender boat dock. You can walk the cliff walk for free - go to the international tennis hall of fame for maybe a normal fee . If you join the preservation society, you will not have to get in lines to see the “cottages”

We did the same 15 years ago while in port in Newport.  We are going again this fall and with friends and I'm trying to remember if the free city trolly had commentary during the ride.

[slidemaster5]

FYI - I posted these comments this week for a Princess roll call for September 2024. I currently live in RI.

 

Newport

 

In General

Climate/crowds: Labor Day weekend expect 75-80 degrees weather. Don't be surprised if it is humid since we do have hot humid summers here but usually cooler on the water. Expect crowds if the weather is nice since this is the traditional end of tourist season so the streets will be crowded by late morning. (Locals often avoid this weekend since parking gets difficult - obviously not a cruiser issue.) Newport is probably the OG of seaside towns and has a feel similar to Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA. 

 

Downtown

Most of the shops and restaurants are clustered in the downtown area which consist of America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street which run parallel along the Bay. America's Cup is along the Bay and Thames Street is just east of it a block away. My understanding is that tenders drop off at Perrotti Park which is on America's Cup Avenue. Shops and restaurants start at Perrotti Park on America's Cup and go about a half mile or so southward. Thames Street shops and restaurants start about a 1/4-mile further north. 

 

Restaurants

For the locals (Rhode Islanders) Newport is very popular year-round. The wife and I have two favorites we take people to: Brick Alley Pub on Thames Street which has the pub and tavern feel and The Mooring which is seafood (has meat options). The Mooring has great views if you get an outside table since it overlooks the Bay, and you are in the midst of a wharf / boat slips. Brick Alley is a 5-minute walk (.2 mile) east from Perrotti Park and The Mooring is a 7-minute walk (.3 mile) south down America's Cup. There are plenty good restaurants around. I strongly suggest making reservations no matter where you plan on going. Make them at least a few weeks out. As a point of reference, I tried to walk into Brick Alley on a weekday in the summer and there was a 1 hour wait for lunch.

 

Excursions

One word - yikes! The last excursion listed (Newport Scenic Schooner Cruise) is a great example. I took family last June on the same schooner and it is $45 a ticket. They want $129. You can actually book the same time they are showing and save yourself $84 per person and still have the safe return guarantee, LOL.  Mansion tickets run $25, $38, $46 for one, two, or three mansions respectively if you want to compare. Now, you would have to uber/taxi to avoid the walk (about 45 minutes) but you get the point. 

 

Points of Interest

Various boat rides (as discussed above) are generally from Bowens Wharf is about 5-minute walk from Perrotti Park down America's Cup.

 

Mansions - if you do one, I suggest the biggest and most famous - The Breakers. Marble House or Rosecliff are also good options. (I haven't been to Rosecliff and may go this summer. This mansion is the most "filmed" - True Lies/The Great Gatsby(1974)/Heaven's Gate/Amistad.) 

 

If you are into cultural or are of the Jewish faith, Touro Synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in the country. (5-10 minute walk from drop off).

 

If you like sports - the International Tennis Hall of Fame is there. (20-minute walk from drop off point)

 

The Cliff Walk which runs a total of 3.5 miles is scenic. The easier (flat sidewalk part) is the first mile or so and wraps around the Breakers. Some points literally require rock hopping so that is not for the casual walker. If you want to walk the flat part have them take you to the end of Narragansett Avenue which dead ends at the ocean. Uber/taxi since it is a 45 minute walk from Perrotti Park.

 

 

Edited April 22 by slidemaster5