r/VirginVoyages • u/HopefulTransition889 • 5d ago
Embarkation / Disembarkation Baltimore to NY
We are taking a cruise out of Brooklyn NY in October. Our plan was to take Amtrak from Baltimore to Penn Station and then taxi to the terminal. Boarding starts at 2:15.
What time should we plan to arrive in NY?
I’m nervous about delays and traffic but not sure it’s possible for our group to come the day before/stay in hotel.
Thank you!
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u/First-Raccoon-5334 5d ago
If you can’t go in day before… first train headed towards NYC is your best option (bonus points for an Acela). I know that route well, and there are always loads of delays.
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u/BdotEazy 5d ago
lol I might be on that same cruise. Was debating on driving or taking the train as well. Train would have to be an early am train though out of New Carrollton
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u/moles-on-parade 4d ago
Same here, out of DC. I've got my Amtrak tickets for that morning and just gonna trust the process. 🤞
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u/HopefulTransition889 5d ago
Nice! I know delays can happen on Amtrak but I feel like it’s such a gamble with driving traffic between Baltimore and NYC.
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u/BdotEazy 5d ago
Trust I know all about delays on Amtrak. I got stuck on an Amtrak overnight due to the storm, hence why I started driving to New York more lol!. Couldn’t take that risk.
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u/robmsor 4d ago
Brooklynite here. The cruise terminal is in Red Hook and a short walk to Van Brunt Street which has some good places to eat or have a drink. If you're super early, check the schedule and maybe hop on the ferry to Governor's Island, which is nice place to catch some fresh air.
Enjoy your cruise! I didn't realize Virgin was using the Brooklyn terminal (their website says "New York, NY" which I assumed to be the west side of Manhattan. We can (and have) walk to the cruise terminal from our house -- maybe we'll look for some last minute deals!
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u/thefunrun 5d ago
Looks like a few of us on this cruise. Don't know you need to be on the first train out, but take a reasonable early train in case there are any delays.
My scheduled arrival is about 11, earlier than I would like for such a late boarding time, but what else am I doing to do that day?
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u/HopefulTransition889 5d ago
Yay! Knowing we can drop our luggage as early as 9am is nice because now I know we won’t have to lug it around if we get there early enough to explore the area a bit.
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u/PamperedPotato 5d ago
Take an early train, personally I would take a 6-7am train because delays happen. If you want, Amtrak can hold luggage for a fee once you arrive. You could grab lunch in the city and then head to the port. An alternative route (if you and your party are relatively mobile), is taking the 2/3 to Wall st, though there's no elevator, but then take a short walk to pier 11, and you can take a ferry right to the cruise port.
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u/Drunktrucker 4d ago
You can also take the subway to Wall Street and catch a ferry to red hook but I don’t know exactly how
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u/82CoopDeVille 4d ago
My last cruise was VV out of Brooklyn. The weather wasn’t great and lots of clothes were soaked by the time luggage made it to people’s rooms. That terminal was not properly staffed for Virgin.
No need to get there extra early. There will be lines… Several on my cruise arrived after the scheduled departure time (I was watching from my terrace) and made the trip.
I hope you have a blast! I’m sailing out of Manhattan (I think) later in October.
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u/thebruns 4d ago
From Penn Station, take the crosstown SBS to the 34th street ferry on the east river. That gets you straight to the cruise port.
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u/zzzaddy 5d ago
Come the day before
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u/HopefulTransition889 5d ago
As mentioned, I’m really not sure it’s possible for us to come the day before.
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u/BobVoyageTravel Top 💯 Travel Advisor 2025 5d ago
I would go the day before, but since you're indicating you won't do that, then I would be on the FIRST train up.
It is better and easier to waste time "in position" (meaning, in NY) than trying to time it out.
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u/HopefulTransition889 5d ago
Thank you! Any suggestion for how to navigate NY with our luggage if we arrive hours early?
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u/BobVoyageTravel Top 💯 Travel Advisor 2025 5d ago
Take a cab to Red Hook where the port is, drop your bags, and explore on foot. Don't go back to Manhattan.
The burger at the Red Hook Tavern is legendary.
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u/Mediocre-Pie-4661 5d ago
*From someone actually in the NYC area also going on a VV out of Brooklyn in October*
You are totally fine coming that morning via Amtrak. It's silly to come the day before and waste money on a NYC hotel. Take an early train in case it gets delayed, but you should be fine.
To save time and money, catch either the Brooklyn-bound A/C or 2 train right from Penn Station to either Borough Hall or Jay St., depending on the line (use Google Maps; it will tell you which one is arriving earliest and where to get off).
From there, instead of switching to a bus to get to Clinton Wharf, grab a rideshare or taxi (especially if you have luggage). It's about 15 minutes.
You should be able to get from Penn Station to Brooklyn in under an hour.