Going on a cruise is a fantastic way to experience a unique vacation without needing to take responsibility for the brunt of the itinerary planning. There are many ports and cruise lines you can choose from, depending on what type of cruise you want to go on and where you want to go. One of the best ports is New Jersey. Here are five reasons why.
It’s a Good Location To Start a Cruise
When people choose to take cruises from NJ, they have the advantage of a good location from which to embark. Your port may be close to Jersey City and New York City or further south, but should be accessible via multiple transportation options either way. The state of New Jersey is also relatively centralized along the east coast of the United States, which means cruises destined for both northern and southern locales are able to embark from New Jersey ports with little to no extra travel time required.
You Can Access Local And Non-local Cruises
When you embark on a cruise from New Jersey, you may be going on one of many types of cruises. Popular choices from New Jersey ports include the Bahamas and other Caribbean destinations, Greenland and Iceland, the British Isles and Canada. You can also choose cruises that travel up and down the east coast of the United States. A cruise will typically include activities you can disembark for, and some cruises will offer local activities based in and around the NJ port area, such as birdwatching and marsh tours.
You Will Have Multiple Transportation Options
Because of the close proximity of NJ cruise line ports to metropolitan areas, there are multiple options available to you for any kind of transportation you might need. You can choose to drive to your port, take public transportation such as buses or trains or be dropped off by a taxi or rideshare. If you’re arriving from farther afield, you’ll have access to shuttles and other forms of transportation from airports and train stations. As long as you determine which transportation option you want beforehand, you should have an easy time getting to your port.
Parking And Hotels Are Easily Accessible
Likewise, access to parking and hotels is typically easy. Parking is important if you choose to drive yourself to your port and many people stay in hotels if they’re early for their cruises or if their plans have changed. When choosing your parking option, be aware of each lot’s proximity to your cruise line’s area of the port and how expensive it is. Some of the most convenient options may be the most expensive, so you’ll need to weigh your options according to your preferences and needs. When you look at hotels, consider why you need to stay in one and what you need out of your hotel stay.
It Allows You To Be Flexible With Your Plans
While canceling or changing plans isn’t ideal, you will likely have an easier time doing so when embarking from a centralized location such as a New Jersey port. With issues such as illness, unexpected scheduling changes from your cruise line and potential travel restrictions at your cruise’s destinations, among other things, it’s important that your port be as amenable as possible to your changing needs. Leaving from New Jersey ports is advantageous to flexibility because those ports are close to various other forms of transportation, information, lodging, entertainment and food. These are all important resources if your cruise is delayed or if plans otherwise change.
While you don’t need to spend as much time planning your vacation itinerary when you choose to take a cruise, you do still need to do some careful research to determine where you want to go, how long you want your cruise to be, what cruise line you want to sail with and what port you want to sail from. Because it’s a vacation, you want to be as comfortable as possible with each of these choices.
