NYC Cruise Tourism Boost Incoming
Virgin Voyages is moving to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which should boost NYC's cruise tourism with new itineraries to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Europe [https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/virgin-voyages-moves-to-brooklyn-cruise-terminal-boosting-cruise-tourism-growth-in-new-york-with-their-new-itineraries-to-bermuda-caribbean-and-europe/].
The move to Brooklyn reflects issues with Pier 90 in Manhattan, Virgin's usual home, which is undergoing redevelopment. Piers 92 and 88 are also impacted by repairs and scheduling, leading to a "berth" crunch. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal offers streamlined embarkation and shorter processing times, a key advantage for passengers. Its single-ship terminal layout avoids the congestion common at Manhattan's multi-berth pier. NYC's cruise business is rebounding, with roughly 1.5 million passengers handled in 2024 at both the Manhattan and Brooklyn terminals. This activity generates an estimated $500 million in economic activity and supports thousands of local jobs. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal has shore power, reducing emissions from ships at dock. The city also plans to modernize the Manhattan Cruise Terminal with shore power capabilities.
