Don't Cruise from Brooklyn Without Watching This First

What is the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal really like on embarkation day? The rumors say it’s chaotic, confusing, and a total mess… so today we’re taking you with us for a real, unfiltered walkthrough of our check-in experience at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook, NYC. If you’re cruising on Princess, Cunard, MSC, or any cruise line sailing from Brooklyn, this step-by-step guide shows you exactly what to expect — from getting to the port, to dropping off luggage, to the long security lines, and finally boarding the ship. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a local New Yorker trying to decide between Brooklyn and the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, this video breaks down the good, the bad, and the “why is this windowless room so stressful?” moments so you can start your cruise calm and prepared. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Start 00:10 – What do people say about the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal? 00:45 – Getting to Red Hook (driving, Uber, subway, ferry) 03:26 – First impressions + arrival traffic at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 04:09 – Luggage drop-off & porter tips at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 04: 52 – Security line reality at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 05:48 - What's it like inside the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 06:46 – The Security and Check-in with Princess (Medallion) at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 08:52 – The Boarding Process at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal 09:50 – Boarding the Enchanted Princess 10:04 – Is the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal worth it? Final verdict 🛳️ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO ✔ The easiest (and hardest) ways to get to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal ✔ Whether you should drive, Uber, take the NYC Ferry, or use public transportation ✔ What the arrival traffic is really like ✔ How luggage drop-off and porters work ✔ How long security and check-in actually took ✔ What the boarding lounge looks like (spoiler: no windows!) ✔ Whether the terminal deserves its chaotic reputation ✔ Our honest 2-star review of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal If you’re planning to cruise from Brooklyn to the Caribbean, Canada & New England, or Europe — this walkthrough will help you avoid surprises and reduce embarkation-day stress. 🎥 WATCH NEXT: OUR CRUISE ADVENTURES 🇨🇦 New England & Canada Cruise Series (Enchanted Princess) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc5EZyHbimBqHsBoYan8gtuo066iWW-e1 📍 NYC Travel Adventures https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc5EZyHbimBqrhad6_BIGxhjhcVcTIZr6 🛳️ Princess Cruise Luggage Tags https://amzn.to/4h3ExRx 💬 LET’S CONNECT! Have you cruised out of Brooklyn before? Tell us what your experience was like in the comments — we love hearing your stories and helping fellow travelers and families plan stress-free adventures. If you enjoyed this walkthrough, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss our next adventure. And wherever your next journey takes you… we hope you enjoy the journey. 🚢 Cruise Essentials We Always Pack These are the items that consistently make our cruises smoother — especially when we’re flying to the port. • Apple AirTags (we put one in every suitcase): https://amzn.to/4gCmSRt • Cruise luggage tag holders: https://amzn.to/4h3ExRx • Travel document organizer / passport holder: https://amzn.to/4j3wTbH • Magnetic hooks for the cabin walls: https://amzn.to/421Zokg • Packing cubes: https://amzn.to/4hajbSS • Cruise-approved outlet converter (non-surge): https://amzn.to/3Wf8Fla • Multi-USB / USB-C charging block: https://amzn.to/4jFcR6V • Motion sickness bands + disposable sick bags (especially helpful with kids): https://amzn.to/4kZIrhE and https://amzn.to/4r4T4kQ 👉 You can find our full Cruise Essentials list here: https://www.familytravelpursuits.com/family-travel-tips/family-travel-favorites-gear-we-actually-use Like our music? For the best music and sound effects in our content we use Epidemic Sound. Sign up for a free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/0zhkal There are certain products that we don't leave home without when we travel. Here are some of our favorites. Please note, these are affiliate links and if you choose to purchase, we may earn a commission. Our gear: Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless: https://amzn.to/4a2wUsq Shure MV88+ Mic: https://amzn.to/4j4FElO Tripod: https://amzn.to/44qrwNf Instaflow 360 Creator Kit: https://amzn.to/4a0gMrr External Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/3DHXCuj Lighting: https://amzn.to/41WyES9 Rode Wireless Mic: https://amzn.to/3W4npDe