What to See When Leaving NYC

[Sexydva74]

When we cruised out of New Orleans,  there's a lot to see on the Mississippi into the Gulf and another cruiser had posted a guide to what you're passing.  Is there a similar one for NYC?  Pic is of what I am looking for.  TIA

 

 

[princeton123211]

44 minutes ago, Sexydva74 said:

Is there a similar one for NYC?  Pic is of what I am looking for.  TIA

It depends on whether you are sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Brooklyn/Redhook, or from Bayonne. 

 

Both Bayonne and Brooklyn are more limited because the ships have a quicker way out of the harbor past the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge into open water. From the Brooklyn pier you will have views over Governors Island to lower Manhattan while still docked and also the Statue of Liberty towards New Jersey which will be better seen in the first few minutes of the ship leaving the pier. 

 

From Bayonne, occasionally a Celebrity/RCCL captain will get permission to turn North and try and give passengers a few of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island but it is not a guarantee. Traffic in the harbor the day of can prevent this from happening. 

 

Sailing from Manhattan Cruise Terminal you will have the best overall sightseeing tour. You'll sail along the length of Manhattan from Midtown to the Battery and then a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Often times ships sailing from Manhattan will have a narration over the ships loudspeaker to let you know what you are sailing past. 

 

All three you will sail under the Narrows Bridge which can be a treat depending on how large your ship is (and how much it looks like you might hit the bottom of the bridge). Once through the bridge Fort Hamilton is directly on your left and Fort Wadsworth on your right. A bit further sailing you'll see Coney Island also on the left-- you can see the parachute drop tower and also the giant ferris wheels. 

 

After that it's into open water. If you are sailing back into Manhattan a lot of folks also like getting up super early to see the early morning sail past the Statue of Liberty on the return-- its usually a little less crowded than the outbound sail past. 

[navybankerteacher]

Sailing from Manhattan CruiseTerminal  you want to be on the port side as you start out for a great view of New York City - then, as you pass the Battery at the south tip of Manhattan you want to be on the starboard side for a view of the Statue of Liberty - finally going to a high midships deck for passing under the Verrazano Bridge.

[Sexydva74]

1 hour ago, princeton123211 said:

It depends on whether you are sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Brooklyn/Redhook, or from Bayonne. 

 

Both Bayonne and Brooklyn are more limited because the ships have a quicker way out of the harbor past the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge into open water. From the Brooklyn pier you will have views over Governors Island to lower Manhattan while still docked and also the Statue of Liberty towards New Jersey which will be better seen in the first few minutes of the ship leaving the pier. 

 

From Bayonne, occasionally a Celebrity/RCCL captain will get permission to turn North and try and give passengers a few of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island but it is not a guarantee. Traffic in the harbor the day of can prevent this from happening. 

 

Sailing from Manhattan Cruise Terminal you will have the best overall sightseeing tour. You'll sail along the length of Manhattan from Midtown to the Battery and then a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Often times ships sailing from Manhattan will have a narration over the ships loudspeaker to let you know what you are sailing past. 

 

All three you will sail under the Narrows Bridge which can be a treat depending on how large your ship is (and how much it looks like you might hit the bottom of the bridge). Once through the bridge Fort Hamilton is directly on your left and Fort Wadsworth on your right. A bit further sailing you'll see Coney Island also on the left-- you can see the parachute drop tower and also the giant ferris wheels. 

 

After that it's into open water. If you are sailing back into Manhattan a lot of folks also like getting up super early to see the early morning sail past the Statue of Liberty on the return-- its usually a little less crowded than the outbound sail past. 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  I love knowing what I'm passing.  This is very helpful

 

9 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Sailing from Manhattan CruiseTerminal  you want to be on the port side as you start out for a great view of New York City - then, as you pass the Battery at the south tip of Manhattan you want to be on the starboard side for a view of the Statue of Liberty - finally going to a high midships deck for passing under the Verrazano Bridge.

Thanks so much for your  help!  Knowing where to do the viewing was a question I forgot to ask.  I can't wait to see everything!

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Sexydva74 said:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  I love knowing what I'm passing.  This is very helpful

 

Thanks so much for your  help!  Knowing where to do the viewing was a question I forgot to ask.  I can't wait to see everything!

 

My favorite viewing spot is on a forward open deck under the Bridge, if the ship has one.  One can go from Portside to Starboardside as well as getting a view forward as the ship sails down the River.  As navybankerteacher said, then moving to a top deck before going under the Narrows Bridge will provide a memorable view.  

[Sexydva74]

11 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

My favorite viewing spot is on a forward open deck under the Bridge, if the ship has one.  One can go from Portside to Starboardside as well as getting a view forward as the ship sails down the River.  As navybankerteacher said, then moving to a top deck before going under the Narrows Bridge will provide a memorable view.  

Perfect!  That sounds wonderful.  Thanks so much!

[navybankerteacher]

4 hours ago, Sexydva74 said:

Perfect!  That sounds wonderful.  Thanks so much!

As a final suggestion- especially if you have binoculars -- shortly after passing under the Verazzano Bridge into lower NY harbor you will pass the three mile long pier  (off to starboard) where trains bring naval ammunition to replenish USN ships from the Earle, NJ ammunition depot.   On a clear day, it is an interesting sight.

[mskaufman]

So much to see

 

 

[mskaufman]

Just now, mskaufman said:

So much to see

 

 

 

[George C]

Love sailing past Statue of Liberty, also freedom towers .

[Sexydva74]

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

As a final suggestion- especially if you have binoculars -- shortly after passing under the Verazzano Bridge into lower NY harbor you will pass the three mile long pier  (off to starboard) where trains bring naval ammunition to replenish USN ships from the Earle, NJ ammunition depot.   On a clear day, it is an interesting sight.

Thanks!  This is exactly what I was hoping to find.  I know the big landmarks, which I’m also thrilled to see, but it’s the lesser known things that I’d like to know.

[mjkacmom]

This might help, you will be traveling from the MCT to the Verrazano bridge. https://nycmap360.com/nyc-tourist-map

[Sexydva74]

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

This might help, you will be traveling from the MCT to the Verrazano bridge. https://nycmap360.com/nyc-tourist-map

That is PERFECT!!!  Not sure how much of that we'll actually be able to see from the ship but it helps. Thank you!

[mjkacmom]

1 hour ago, Sexydva74 said:

That is PERFECT!!!  Not sure how much of that we'll actually be able to see from the ship but it helps. Thank you!

You should be able to see a lot, it’s pretty amazing (done it 3 times and I’ve lived in the area all of my life, never gets old).

[mar214]

You might see some bright lights on the coast if you are on the starboard side of the ship about 5 or 6 hours after sailing. That is Atlantic City. Since it is dark at that time, the lights will be easily seen, even though I love using binoculars to see what's around. We have seen those lights several times, and I finally thought to ask a worker on the bridge if that was AC. After doing some mental calculations, he did confirm. I can't remember now what time we set sail and what time we saw the lights. It's a nice sight if you happen to catch it. 

[Sexydva74]

33 minutes ago, mar214 said:

You might see some bright lights on the coast if you are on the starboard side of the ship about 5 or 6 hours after sailing. That is Atlantic City. Since it is dark at that time, the lights will be easily seen, even though I love using binoculars to see what's around. We have seen those lights several times, and I finally thought to ask a worker on the bridge if that was AC. After doing some mental calculations, he did confirm. I can't remember now what time we set sail and what time we saw the lights. It's a nice sight if you happen to catch it. 

Thanks -  I'd love to see that!  I  used to work in Atlantic City.  It would be nice to see it again. 

[navybankerteacher]

4 hours ago, Sexydva74 said:

Thanks -  I'd love to see that!  I  used to work in Atlantic City.  It would be nice to see it again. 

Of course all you will see will be a string of lights on the horizon - impossible to distinguish Asbury Park from Atlantic City at that distance.

[mar214]

Navybankerteacher- the lights in Atlantic City are bright and glitzy, you can see from the building structures they are the casinos. Asbury Park is further north and nothing is as bright in that area of the Jersey shore. They don't have the buildings similar to AC casinos north or south of AC. If you use binoculars, you will see the difference. You might see some bright lights of rides, but nothing like AC. 

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, mar214 said:

Navybankerteacher- the lights in Atlantic City are bright and glitzy, you can see from the building structures they are the casinos. Asbury Park is further north and nothing is as bright in that area of the Jersey shore. They don't have the buildings similar to AC casinos north or south of AC. If you use binoculars, you will see the difference. You might see some bright lights of rides, but nothing like AC. 

Yes, Atlantic City is much brighter than Asbury Park, but unless the ship is paralleling the coastline, Atlantic City (about 80 miles to the southwest of Asbury Park) will be much further away  .  A ship heading towards San Juan, for example, is likely to pass about 10 miles to the east of Asbury Park and perhaps 50 miles from  AC.

[mar214]

The only message I wanted to post here is that we have sailed from NYC many times. We have seen Atlantic City from the ship, and thought others might see its bright lights on the coast about 5 - 6 hours after sailing and would enjoy knowing what the lights are. Sexydva74-hope you enjoyed working in AC and hope you get to catch a glimpse from the ship!

[Sexydva74]

Thanks to all of you for your contributions.  I will be sharing with my group on Facebook for this cruise so we all know what we're passing.  

 

Here is the final draft I have created. If you have anything else to add, or if I've made any mistakes, please let me know.  

 

Sailing from Manhattan Cruise Terminal you will have the best overall sightseeing tour.  My favorite viewing spot is on a forward open deck under the Bridge, if the ship has one.  One can go from Portside to Starboardside as well as getting a view forward as the ship sails down the River.  As navybankerteacher said, then moving to a top deck before going under the Narrows Bridge will provide a memorable view.  If not, you want to be on the port side for a great view of New York City.  You'll sail along the length of Manhattan from Midtown to the Battery and then, moving to the starboard side, you’ll have a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Often times ships sailing from Manhattan will have a narration over the ships loudspeaker to let you know what you are sailing past. 

 

You will sail under the Narrows Bridge which can be a treat depending on how large your ship is (and how much it looks like you might hit the bottom of the bridge). Once through the bridge Fort Hamilton is directly on your left and Fort Wadsworth on your right. A bit further sailing you'll see Coney Island also on the left-- you can see the parachute drop tower and also the giant ferris wheels. 

 

You might see some bright lights on the coast if you are on the starboard side of the ship about 5 or 6 hours after sailing. That is Atlantic City. Since it is dark at that time, the lights will be easily seen, even though I love using binoculars to see what's around. We have seen those lights several times, and I finally thought to ask a worker on the bridge if that was AC. After doing some mental calculations, he did confirm. I can't remember now what time we set sail and what time we saw the lights. It's a nice sight if you happen to catch it. 

 

After that it's into open water. If you are sailing back into Manhattan a lot of folks also like getting up super early to see the early morning sail past the Statue of Liberty on the return-- its usually a little less crowded than the outbound sail past. 

 

Many thanks to Princeton 123211, navybankerteacher, rkacruiser, mskaufman, George C, mjkacmom, and mar214 on cruisecritic for their contributions to this tour. 

 

[shipgeeks]

One of our favorite sights occurred before our ship even left the dock.  We sailed late afternoon.  As we stood on the top deck, hoping for views in all directions, the lights of New York City began to come on. Times Square, and so many other areas.  It was magical.

[Sexydva74]

On 7/15/2022 at 4:04 PM, shipgeeks said:

One of our favorite sights occurred before our ship even left the dock.  We sailed late afternoon.  As we stood on the top deck, hoping for views in all directions, the lights of New York City began to come on. Times Square, and so many other areas.  It was magical.

Thanks!  I can't wait to see it!

[GTJ]

A few notes on your commentary. There is but a single ferris wheel at Coney Island, known as Deno's Wonder Wheel. While the Parachute Jump has long been associated with Coney Island, it was actually constructed for the 1939–40 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows, a few steps from where I currently reside; it was moved to Coney Island in 1941.

 

While many persons traveling in New York Harbor get distracted by the usual tourist sights (e.g., Statue of Liberty), I tend to be attracted to railroad maritime history, and in particular remnants of the railroad ferry services that once lined the New Jersey shore. Alas, nothing really remains of the former New York Central Railroad ferry at Weehawken (it was located immediately north of Pershing Road, a few blocks south of where Port Imperial is located and directly across the river from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal). The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad ferry terminal in Hoboken remains in use as a terminal for New Jersey Transit trains, and the ferry terminal has been adapted for use by NY Waterway . . . it is a great site to view while cruising down the river. Next up is the former Erie Railroad ferry at the foot of Pavonia Avenue, near the Lefrak Point lighthouse. As with Weehawken, nothing remains. A few blocks further south is the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, the railroad having operated on an elevated structure along Christopher Columbus Drive. The ferry terminal was located where the Owen Grundy Park promenade is now located, at the foot of Montgomery Street (Exchange Place), a few blocks south of which NY Waterway now uses its Paulus Hook ferry terminal. Finally, the former Communipaw terminal of the Central Railroad of New Jersey comes into view. The station building a focal point for Liberty State Park, and the ferry slips remain well-defined. Statue Cruises (Hornblower) has a new ferry dock just south of the former railroad ferry slips. Not truly a passenger ferry, but further south is the Greenville railroad yard of New York New Jersey Rail, formerly the New York Cross Harbor Railroad, and connecting with both CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. Located in Jersey City just north of the former Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, now used in part as Cape Liberty Cruise Port, the railroad yard is one terminal of the last remaining car float in New York Harbor. On the other side, the car float docks at the 65th Street Yard in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where it connects with the New York and Atlantic Railway (which operates over the Long Island Rail Road) and the South Brooklyn Railway (owned by the City of New York and operated by the New York City Transit Authority). For the railroad enthusiast on a vessel departing the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, there is much for which to keep one’s eyes open.

[Sexydva74]

1 hour ago, GTJ said:

A few notes on your commentary. There is but a single ferris wheel at Coney Island, known as Deno's Wonder Wheel. While the Parachute Jump has long been associated with Coney Island, it was actually constructed for the 1939–40 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows, a few steps from where I currently reside; it was moved to Coney Island in 1941.

 

While many persons traveling in New York Harbor get distracted by the usual tourist sights (e.g., Statue of Liberty), I tend to be attracted to railroad maritime history, and in particular remnants of the railroad ferry services that once lined the New Jersey shore. Alas, nothing really remains of the former New York Central Railroad ferry at Weehawken (it was located immediately north of Pershing Road, a few blocks south of where Port Imperial is located and directly across the river from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal). The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad ferry terminal in Hoboken remains in use as a terminal for New Jersey Transit trains, and the ferry terminal has been adapted for use by NY Waterway . . . it is a great site to view while cruising down the river. Next up is the former Erie Railroad ferry at the foot of Pavonia Avenue, near the Lefrak Point lighthouse. As with Weehawken, nothing remains. A few blocks further south is the site of the Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, the railroad having operated on an elevated structure along Christopher Columbus Drive. The ferry terminal was located where the Owen Grundy Park promenade is now located, at the foot of Montgomery Street (Exchange Place), a few blocks south of which NY Waterway now uses its Paulus Hook ferry terminal. Finally, the former Communipaw terminal of the Central Railroad of New Jersey comes into view. The station building a focal point for Liberty State Park, and the ferry slips remain well-defined. Statue Cruises (Hornblower) has a new ferry dock just south of the former railroad ferry slips. Not truly a passenger ferry, but further south is the Greenville railroad yard of New York New Jersey Rail, formerly the New York Cross Harbor Railroad, and connecting with both CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern. Located in Jersey City just north of the former Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, now used in part as Cape Liberty Cruise Port, the railroad yard is one terminal of the last remaining car float in New York Harbor. On the other side, the car float docks at the 65th Street Yard in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where it connects with the New York and Atlantic Railway (which operates over the Long Island Rail Road) and the South Brooklyn Railway (owned by the City of New York and operated by the New York City Transit Authority). For the railroad enthusiast on a vessel departing the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, there is much for which to keep one’s eyes open.

This is wonderful - thank you!  I love trains so this is an added bonus for me! I’ll add it to my post.