Making the most of Cape Liberty NJ NY
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Opened in May of 2004, the cruise port is located on The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, formerly the Bayonne Navy Base/MOTBY facility. Fifteen minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and seven miles south of Manhattan, Cape Liberty cruise terminal is easily accessible via the New Jersey Turnpike (Exit 14A) and mass transportation (NJ Hudson-Bergen Light Rail). If the cruise line offers airport transportation, this might be the way to go.
While the local public transportation system will take you to a point directly outside the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal, the relevant authorities prohibit people from entering the port area unless they are traveling in a motor vehicle. No pedestrians are permitted. Thus, you would need to go by taxi for that short distance remaining between the station and the port. Fortunately, the taxi fare is not that high, less than $10.
Royal Caribbean International just spent $70 million to build a new cruise terminal at Cape Liberty in Bayonne,
For GPS users: 14 Port Terminal Boulevard Bayonne NJ 07002-5038 Cape Liberty has unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. However there is nothing of interest in the surrounding area.
Please visit our New York page for further info.
Money
The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.
Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.
Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.
Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:
- Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
- Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
- Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
- Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
- Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
- Tour guides: Depending on tour length, size, and overall quality of guided tours; for half day tours or less $5-10 per person, for longer tours $10-20 per person.
- Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
- Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
- Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders
Staying connected
The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Spanish is also official in the state of New Mexico, where it is widely spoken; French is official in Louisiana and the Hawaiian language is official in Hawaii, but neither approaches the use of English and are official for primarily historical reasons.
Emergency 911
Opening Hours and
In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)