True North VIPTrue North VIP

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Car Service

Car service to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at Pier 12 in Red Hook. Your chauffeur uses the Bowne & Imlay entry—not the GPS pin for Clinton Wharf—because knowing the actual vehicle gate is the difference between curbside drop-off and circling the Atlantic Basin.

Vetted chauffeurs
24/7 dispatch
Flat rate (no meter)
Pier 12 / Red Hook

Red Hook's Cruise Port: What You Need to Know

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal sits at 210 Clinton Wharf in Red Hook, operating from Pier 12 on the Atlantic Basin waterfront. Managed by Ports America and open since 2006, it handles major cruise lines departing from Brooklyn—but its Red Hook location creates a ground transportation challenge that most competitor pages gloss over: the roads around the terminal are industrial, GPS routing to “Clinton Wharf” is unreliable, and the actual vehicle entry is at the Bowne Street and Imlay Street intersection.

Every car enters through this single controlled gate. From the BQE, your chauffeur takes Exit 26 (Hamilton Avenue), follows Van Brunt Street south into Red Hook, and turns onto Bowne Street. From Manhattan, the route runs through the Battery Tunnel (I-478) directly into the Hamilton Avenue exit sequence. Once inside the gate, curbside drop-off puts you steps from porters and the terminal entrance near Pioneer and Conover Streets.

For passengers connecting from area airports, we handle the full chain: flight tracking at JFK, LGA, or EWR, meet-and-greet at baggage claim ($25 add-on), and a direct transfer to the Bowne & Imlay gate timed to your embarkation window. After your cruise, we position your chauffeur for the disembarkation flow—flat-rate pricing, no meter running through Red Hook's industrial streets.

Terminal Logistics Your Driver Must Know

Red Hook is not Midtown. The roads are industrial, GPS pins land in the wrong spot, and there is exactly one way in by car.

Bowne & Imlay Entry Gate

All vehicles enter through the Bowne Street and Imlay Street intersection—the single controlled access point. GPS navigation to “210 Clinton Wharf” often routes to the wrong side of the Atlantic Basin. Your chauffeur navigates to Bowne & Imlay directly, bypassing the confusion.

BQE Exit 26 Routing

From the BQE: Exit 26 (Hamilton Ave) → Van Brunt Street south → Bowne Street. From Manhattan: Battery Tunnel (I-478) feeds directly into the Hamilton Avenue exit sequence. Both routes converge on Van Brunt, the main arterial through Red Hook that leads to the terminal gate.

Porter & Timing Windows

Ships arrive 7–8 AM. Porters begin at approximately 9 AM. Previous-sailing passengers clear by 10–10:30 AM. Arriving before porter service starts means waiting curbside with luggage. Plan your car service to arrive at 9–9:30 AM for the smoothest bag handoff and check-in flow.

Boarding Day vs Return Day

Two different operations, two different timing strategies for your car service.

Embarkation

Drop-Off for Departure

  • Chauffeur times the Bowne & Imlay approach to your check-in window
  • Curbside drop-off with luggage assistance near Pioneer & Conover
  • Porters active from ~9 AM—arriving earlier means waiting with bags
  • From airports: flight tracked, driven directly to BCT via BQE Exit 26
  • From Manhattan hotels: 20–40 minutes via Battery Tunnel
Disembarkation

Pickup After Your Cruise

  • We monitor vessel arrival and adjust pickup timing as the ship docks
  • Disembarkation typically starts 8–9 AM after customs clearance
  • Private car pickup coordinated separately from the taxi queue
  • Text your chauffeur your cross-street (Bowne & Imlay) for precise meeting
  • Direct transfer to JFK (40–60 min), LGA (35–50 min), or EWR (45–70 min)

Airport to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

Same-day airport-to-port transfers with flight tracking and buffer planning.

JFK

JFK Airport

40–60 minBelt Pkwy → BQE Exit 26

Primary international gateway. The Belt Parkway westbound to BQE Exit 26 is the direct route. Build in 90+ minutes buffer between landing and your boarding window for customs, bags, and the drive to Red Hook.

JFK car service details →
LGA

LaGuardia Airport

35–50 minGCP → BQE → Exit 26

Domestic hub. Route runs via Grand Central Parkway to the BQE southbound, then Exit 26. Shorter than JFK but the Gowanus interchange can bottleneck during embarkation-morning traffic windows.

LGA car service details →
EWR

Newark Airport

45–70 minNJ Tpk → Goethals / Battery Tunnel

Longest airport-to-BCT route, crossing two state lines. Via NJ Turnpike to the Goethals Bridge, or through the Battery Tunnel from Lower Manhattan as an alternate when the BQE is congested.

EWR car service details →

All airport transfers include flight tracking, luggage assistance, and flat-rate pricing. Optional meet-and-greet ($25) for indoor baggage claim meeting.

Getting to Red Hook: All Options

Red Hook is notoriously transit-poor. Here's what actually works—and what doesn't—when you're carrying cruise luggage.

NYC Ferry (Seasonal Free Tickets)

The NYC Ferry Red Hook landing (South Brooklyn route) is the nearest water transit option. From June 1 through September 30, cruise passengers and crew receive complimentary NYC Ferry tickets. Weekend departures run every 15 minutes from BCT between 7:30 AM and 1 PM, with a staffed kiosk for disembarking guests.

Outside the summer season, the ferry operates on its regular schedule at standard fare. Connects to Wall Street/Pier 11 and other Manhattan stops.

On-Site Parking

Parking is available on the south side of the terminal, overlooking the Statue of Liberty. Rate: $45 per night (up to 24 hours), taxes included, no SUV upcharge. Cash and major cards accepted.

On major sail days, the lot can fill. For a 7-day cruise, parking costs $315+. A round-trip car service (drop-off and pickup) eliminates both the parking expense and the walk from the lot to the terminal in any weather.

Subway & Bus (With Caveats)

Option A: F Train + Bus

Take the F to Smith/9th Street, then transfer to a bus toward Red Hook. The bus frequency is limited and the walk from the bus stop to the terminal adds significant distance with luggage.

Option B: Borough Hall + B61

Take the 2/3/4/5/N/R to Borough Hall, walk 4 blocks to the B61 bus stop. The B61 drops at Pioneer & Van Brunt, still approximately 4 long blocks from the terminal entrance at Pioneer & Conover. Not practical with cruise-volume luggage.

How It Works

1

Book Your Transfer

Enter your pickup address (or airport), the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal as destination, and your embarkation date. We confirm a flat-rate quote and provide the Bowne & Imlay entry instructions.

2

Confirmation Details

24 hours before pickup, we send your chauffeur's name, vehicle details, and pier-specific approach instructions. For airport-to-port, your flight number activates tracking.

3

Curbside at BCT

Your chauffeur enters via Bowne & Imlay, stages at the terminal gate, and assists with luggage. For embarkation, timed to when porters are active. For disembarkation, timed to vessel arrival.

4

Post-Cruise Pickup

After your cruise, we monitor your ship's arrival and position your chauffeur for the disembarkation flow. Text your cross-street location and we meet you\u2014no taxi queue, no confusion.

Vehicles for Cruise Transfers

Luggage capacity matters when you're packing for a week at sea. All vehicles are late-model (2023–2026), professionally detailed between rides.

Executive Sedan

Executive Sedan

2 passengers | 2 large bags

Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5-Series. Handles Red Hook's industrial streets easily. Ideal for solo travelers or couples with carry-on-sized cruise bags.

Luxury SUV

Luxury SUV

6 passengers | 6 large bags

Cadillac Escalade ESV or Mercedes GLS. The go-to for families with checked bags, strollers, and port bags. Child seats available ($25 each) for young cruisers.

Executive Sprinter

Executive Sprinter

Up to 14 passengers

Mercedes Sprinter with captain's chairs. Perfect for multi-cabin groups, cruise club meetups, or wedding parties departing from Pier 12 together.

Policies for Cruise Transfers

Flight Tracking

Complimentary for all airport-to-BCT transfers. Chauffeur timing auto-adjusted based on actual arrival at JFK, LGA, or EWR. Provide airline and flight number at booking.

Wait Time

60 minutes complimentary for domestic flight arrivals. 90 minutes for international. 15 minutes for hotel/address pickups. Clock starts at actual flight landing or scheduled pickup.

Cancellation

24+ hours: full refund. 12\u201324 hours: 50% fee. 2\u201312 hours: 75% fee. Under 2 hours: 100% fee. Cruise line schedule changes accommodated whenever possible.

Meet & Greet

$25 add-on for airport-to-BCT transfers. Indoor baggage claim meeting with name sign and luggage assistance at JFK, LGA, or EWR before driving to the terminal.

Child Seats

$25 per seat. Infant (rear-facing), convertible, and booster seats available. Specify child age, weight, and height when booking your cruise terminal transfer.

Tolls & Parking

All tolls (Battery Tunnel, BQE, bridges) included in your flat rate. Terminal staging fees covered. The quoted price is the final price\u2014no surprises at the pier.

Why Cruise Passengers Choose True North VIP

Vetted Chauffeurs

Background-checked and professionally licensed. Every driver knows Red Hook's industrial grid, the Bowne & Imlay entry, and BQE Exit 26 routing.

Flight + Vessel Tracking

We monitor your inbound flight for airport-to-port transfers and your ship's arrival for post-cruise pickups. Schedule changes handled automatically.

Confirmed Pricing

Rates locked in at booking. No surge pricing on sail days, no meter running through Red Hook traffic, no toll surprises. Your quote is your final fare.

24/7 Dispatch

Ships dock early. Flights arrive late. We operate around the clock to match cruise schedules and embarkation windows at any hour.

Brooklyn vs Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Two NYC cruise ports, different locations, different logistics. Confirm which terminal your sailing uses before booking.

Address

BCT

210 Clinton Wharf, Red Hook

MCT

711 12th Ave, Midtown

Vehicle entry

BCT

Bowne & Imlay

MCT

W 55th St & 12th Ave

From JFK

BCT

40–60 min

MCT

60–80 min

From EWR

BCT

45–70 min

MCT

30–45 min

Parking

BCT

$45/night

MCT

Rooftop, limited

Closer to

BCT

JFK, Brooklyn

MCT

Midtown, EWR

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal: Your Questions Answered

Bowne & Imlay, Not Clinton Wharf. We Know the Way.

Flat-rate car service to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with vetted chauffeurs who know Red Hook's one way in—and the exact timing to get you there when porters are ready.

True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.

To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.