Transportation from RI to Manhattan cruise terminal.

[cynski8]

Not sure if this is right place to post but was wondering about transportation from RI to the Manhattan cruise terminal in February 2023. Not sure whether to do the train on the same day or go a day early and stay overnight.Thought about driving also but not sure about parking. We have always used bus transportation but its hard to find a company doing it now. Thanks in advance.

[njhorseman]

6 minutes ago, cynski8 said:

Not sure if this is right place to post but was wondering about transportation from RI to the Manhattan cruise terminal in February 2023. Not sure whether to do the train on the same day or go a day early and stay overnight.Thought about driving also but not sure about parking. We have always used bus transportation but its hard to find a company doing it now. Thanks in advance.

I recommend going in a day early, particularly in the winter where a snowy day  an easily disrupt any form of transportation.

 Going by train is certainly a good choice. If you want to drive because of the cost of hotels and parking in Manhattan I'd recommend staying overnight in nearby Connecticut...perhaps the Stamford area...or in Westchester County NY, and then making the relatively short drive to the cruise terminal the next morning.  Hopefully someone who lives in that area can make specific hotel recommendations .

When driving in we always park at the cruise terminal.  It's $40 per night, not cheap but quite reasonable for Manhattan and very secure and convenient. 

In the winter make sure you have a snow shovel, brush and ice scraper in the car as the parking lot is on the roof of the cruise pier. Since you live in Rhode Island you undoubtedly already have that in the car.

[princeton123211]

1 hour ago, cynski8 said:

Not sure whether to do the train on the same day or go a day early and stay overnight.Thought about driving also but not sure about parking.

I agree with going the night before but if I had to go the same day the train would be the only way I'd feel comfortable doing it. Very rarely is there a major delay on the Northeast Corridor and you wont hit anything like traffic like you will with a car or a bus. 

[1025cruise]

I'd take Amtrak.

[GTJ]

22 hours ago, cynski8 said:

[W]as wondering about transportation from RI to the Manhattan cruise terminal in February 2023. * * * We have always used bus transportation but its hard to find a company doing it now.

There had been a long history of bus service direct to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The advertisements below from Greyhound Lines, appearing in a 1983 issue of the OAG Worldwide Cruise and Shipline Guide, and a 1984 issue of the Official Bus Guide, illustrates the type of services once available from Providence. Alas, most of these bus services direct to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal are no longer provided. There's still service from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, via Trans-Bridge Lines, and from Albany, New York, via Yankee Trails, but that's about it . . . nothing regularly from Providence anymore.

 

As for regular service to and from New York, going by bus would be slightly more convenient than going by train because the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is closer to Port Authority Bus Terminal than it is to Pennsylvania Station. Regular non-stop service from Providence to New York is provided by Peter Pan Bus Lines, successor to Bonanza Bus Lines. That company has provided good service for many years, and I would not hesitate to utilize it. (There is also minimal service provided by Greyhound Lines, but that company has virtually abandoned Providence.) If not overly ladened with baggage, one might consider walking from the bus terminal to the cruise port, but otherwise taxis are readily available to make the quick and inexpensive transfer. Some people might prefer travel from Providence to New York by railroad, based on greater perceived comfort. Usually railroad service is a bit more expensive (especially if one chooses Acela service, faster train that are not much faster than regular trains), but it could be cheaper, so it is worthwhile looking at the specific dates of travel. Pennsylvania Station is about ten blocks more distant from the cruise terminal than Port Authority Bus Terminal.

 

Edited October 23, 2022 by GTJ

[cynski8]

Thanks everyone for your input. Hotel is booked and amtrak is booked. Heading in a day early seemed the best option ! Happy cruising !