Brooklyn, New York
Hotels Near Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (Red Hook)
Staying near the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (Pier 12) requires more strategy than staying near the Manhattan piers. Because the port is tucked away in the industrial-chic neighborhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn, hotel options in the immediate vicinity are very limited.
To avoid stress on embarkation day, you essentially have three choices: stay in Red Hook for proximity, Downtown Brooklyn for variety, or Lower Manhattan for the classic NYC experience. Since public transport to Red Hook is notoriously tricky with luggage, your choice of location determines whether you’ll have a 5-minute walk or a 20-minute taxi ride.
Do hotels offer Shuttle to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal?
No. It is a common misconception, but currently, no hotels in Brooklyn or Manhattan offer a dedicated shuttle service to Pier 12.
Most passengers rely on Uber, Lyft, or a Yellow Cab. If you are staying in Lower Manhattan, you could technically take the NYC Ferry to the Red Hook/Atlantic Basin stop, but we only recommend this if you are traveling very light, the walk from the ferry landing to the terminal entrance can be cumbersome with heavy suitcases.
Bestsellers
The Lodge Red Hook
★★★
Best for: Closest option to the terminal
The nearest hotel to the cruise terminal, about a 10–15 minute walk away. A short taxi or rideshare is often easier, especially with luggage or on busy embarkation mornings.
Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown
★★★
Best for: Value and convenience
A reliable and often more affordable option in Downtown Brooklyn, with parking available. Expect a short taxi or rideshare to the terminal, making it a good balance between price and location.
Hilton Brooklyn New York
★★★★
Best for: Best balance of comfort and location
A modern hotel in Downtown Brooklyn, offering easy access to Red Hook by taxi. A practical choice if you want more hotel options while staying relatively close to the port.
Because the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is located in Red Hook, your hotel location has a big impact on how easy your embarkation day will be.
Red Hook (Closest option)
The only area near the terminal, with very limited hotel choices. Staying here allows you to walk or take a very short ride to the ship, making it the simplest option.
Downtown Brooklyn (Most practical)
The most popular choice, offering a wide range of hotels and a short taxi or rideshare to the terminal. A good balance between convenience, price, and hotel selection.
Lower Manhattan (Best for the NYC experience)
Ideal if you want to stay in a more central and tourist-friendly area. However, you will need to cross the river on embarkation day, which adds travel time.
Our Advice
If convenience matters most, stay in Downtown Brooklyn and take a short taxi.
If you want to be as close as possible, choose Red Hook.
How to Get to Red Hook Pier 12
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is not well connected by public transport, which makes your hotel location more important than in most cruise cities.
Most travelers use a taxi or rideshare to reach the port. From Downtown Brooklyn, the ride is usually short and straightforward, while from Lower Manhattan it takes longer due to the river crossing.
Public transport and ferries are possible, but not practical with luggage, which is why staying closer to Red Hook or Downtown Brooklyn is usually the easier choice.
Car Parking at the Port
Parking is available directly at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and rates are typically around $45 per night, subject to change. Many travelers consider it the easiest option because the lot is located right next to the ship.
While parking in New York is not cheap, many cruise passengers find the convenience well worth it. The parking area is located right next to the terminal, allowing you to walk from your car to the ship in just a few minutes.
While some hotels in Brooklyn and nearby areas may offer parking, free parking is uncommon in New York City. In most cases, hotel parking is paid and can be relatively expensive.
Because of this, many travelers prefer to park directly at the terminal, where access is easy and close to the ship. Off-site parking options may sometimes be cheaper, but any savings can be offset by additional transport costs.
Sailing to or from another port?
If your cruise also starts or ends in another city, it’s worth planning your hotel there as well.
Many itineraries include Manhattan; see our guide to Where to Stay near Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
Some sailings depart from Cape Liberty; check Hotels near Cape Liberty Cruise Port.
Cruises may also include Boston or Montreal; see our hotel guides for each port.