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CRUISES FROM NEW YORK CITY

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New York City (Cape Liberty, NJ) Port Guide

On cruises from New York, sail off to the picturesque coast of Rhode Island, the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, and the charming city of Charleston. You can also board an unforgettable transatlantic cruise from New York to Europe and discover the natural and historic wonders that await in Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland.

Before your cruise from New York, spend a couple of days exploring the Big Apple. Head to the top of the Empire State Building for an unbeatable photo op, or take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. As you set sail, New York’s most iconic landmark, the Statue of Liberty, will bid you farewell.

Itineraries

New York Shore Excursions

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Top Destinations on Cruises from the New York Area

Stroll on pink sand beaches and enjoy the cool sea breeze on the idyllic island of Bermuda. Scuba dive or snorkel in crystal-clear waters and discover coral reefs systems and more than 300 shipwrecks found near its shores. Journey into the Crystal Caves, where you’ll be amazed at the limestone formations and pristine pools of waters inside. Or explore the city of Hamilton, where there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and shopping.

Charleston, South Carolina

Embrace the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most picturesque cities in the United States. Learn all about Civil War history at Fort Sumter, the location of the first major battle of the war. Walk hand in hand down the French Quarter, where colorful buildings and palm trees make a picture-perfect background. Try freshly shucked oysters at one of the city’s award-winning restaurants by the water.

Newport, Rhode Island

Gilded Age mansions, historic lighthouses, and seaside walks await in Newport, a quaint city in Rhode Island full of craggy cliffs and lovely coastal landscapes. Step inside the former summer manses of America’s wealthiest dynasties. Board a sailing yacht and go on a tour of Narragansett Bay. Discover the bucolic views from Cliff Walk, a scenic trail that will take you through the highlights of Newport.

Visit Iceland, a magical destination with stunning natural landscapes and unforgettable outdoor adventures. In Reykjavik, immerse yourself in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon, feel the powerful mist from the Gullfoss Falls, or explore the ice caves at Vatnajokull. While in Akureyri, you can see lava fields at Dimmuborgir and witness the majesty of the 40-foot-high waterfall of Godafoss.

Explore the unique beauty of Greenland while enjoying the utmost comfort aboard one of our ships. This far-off destination is teeming with outdoor adventure and breathtaking landscapes to discover, including the majestic beauty of Lake Tasersuaq, the healing hot springs of Uunartoq, and the stunning hills of Qaqortoq, where you’ll experience unparalleled fjord views and picturesque colonial homes in a rainbow of colors.

Our Ship Sailing Out of the NYC Area

On Celebrity Summit, stay in newly redesigned staterooms and make yourself at home while surrounded by modern design and innovative technology. This recently revolutionized ship has also added The Retreat, our luxury vacation experience, which includes a private restaurant, sundeck, lounge, and a stay in one of our sophisticated suites. Enjoy reimagined restaurants and lounges and unwind in the elevated Spa, where you’ll find it easy to leave all of your worries behind.

Why Sail from New York with Celebrity Cruises

Cruises from NYC make it easy to combine an exciting trip to New York City with a relaxing vacation to the shores of Bermuda, Charleston, and Rhode Island. Spend your days in Bermuda exploring the island’s famous pink sand, swimming in crystal clear water, and experiencing its unique culture. Stroll through the quaint streets of Charleston and admire the Gilded Age mansions of Rhode Island. Onboard, unwind in Celebrity Summit’s reimagined spa or dine in any of its renovated restaurants with dishes crafted by our Michelin-starred chef.

On a transatlantic cruise that sails to Iceland and Greenland, you’ll also discover cities in Nova Scotia, towns in Scotland, and the port of Southampton, which is only an hour away from London. During your transatlantic journey, you’ll spend luxurious days at sea, exploring all of the revolutionized venues available onboard, including the entertaining theater, the lively lounges and bars, and the serene, indoor solarium.

View All Cruises from New York

Cape liberty, nj cruise port facilities and location.

Cruises from New York City with Celebrity Cruises depart from the recently-renovated Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey, a sleek and modern new cruise terminal that makes check-in and embarkation as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is conveniently located in close proximity to Newark Airport and is less than an hour’s drive from New York City.

Top Sights & Attractions to See Before Cruises From NYC

Empire state building.

The Empire State Building has been memorialized in movies and TV for decades, and a trip to the top is something you should experience for yourself at least once. Made up of 102 floors and coming in at over 1,200 feet tall, the observation deck offers an unbeatable view of the Manhattan skyline.

Ellis Island

Take a day trip to Ellis Island to discover the history of immigration in America during pivotal points in U.S. history. Spend the afternoon looking at historic immigration materials in the museum and learning about how the United States opened its doors to the world.

Brooklyn Bridge

Built in the late 1800s to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is a marvel of human achievement and an architectural delight. A walk or ride over the Brooklyn Bridge, whether you’re in a taxi or on your own two feet, is pretty spectacular.

Times Square

It wouldn’t be a trip to NYC without a stop at the overwhelming, world-famous Times Square, a stretch of several blocks of bright, flashing billboards and crowds clamoring for neon photos.

Top Things to Do in New York

Walk in central park.

Central Park is one of the largest parks in a metropolitan area. Comprised of over a mile of green space and walking trails, it offers a killer view of lower Manhattan from certain vistas. When you’re craving some time in nature in the middle of this loud, humming city, head to Central Park for a walk, a picnic, or just to people-watch.

Go to a Broadway Show

Theater lovers will plan an entire trip to New York around a single Broadway musical or play. If you can snag tickets, you’ll be front and center to some of the biggest performers and talents in the world, whether you’re seeing an established, multi-run show or something artsy off-Broadway.

Pay Respects at the 9/11 Memorial

Built to honor the lives lost as a result of the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Memorial is a harrowing must-see experience during a trip to New York. It relays the significance of the terrorist attacks not only on the New York community, but the United States as a whole.

Where should I eat in New York?

New York offers nearly every type of cuisine in the world, whether you’re craving an authentic New York slice of pizza or prefer to stop at one of the halal food trucks scattered throughout Manhattan. There are dozens of restaurants along every block. Famous spots include Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Katz Delicatessen, Gramercy Tavern, and Grand Central Oyster Bar.

What’s the culture and history of New York?

Native American groups have lived in the area now known as New York for thousands of years, and European settlement of the area didn’t begin until the 15th century. In the 1600s, the Dutch West India Company began a colony called “New Amsterdam” and expanded their living quarters into what we know now as Manhattan. The local population boomed, and the New Amsterdam area became known as a trade hub between the Dutch, Europeans, and the New World. By the mid-1600s, the British took control and kept it until after the Revolutionary War. During the 19th century, the melting pot of New York that the city is now famous for began to take shape as Ellis Island welcomed millions of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, and Germany. People from around the world settled throughout the five boroughs. Today, New York symbolizes the promise of an America with open arms for all types of people, and New York’s food, attractions, and cultural institutions celebrate that diversity. 

Where can I go shopping near the cruise port?

For a glimpse of New York’s famous shopping scene, find a nearby subway station and head to Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue, where you’ll find every luxury brand under the sun. SoHo boasts many of the biggest names and rising brands in fashion and design, while the windows of famous department stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdales attract thousands of eyes during the an. Of course, souvenir shacks with memorabilia of the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Chrysler Building aren’t hard to find either.

How can I get around New York City?

Getting to New York City from the cruise terminal is easy. There are several options including hailing a taxi, taking a train on the PATH Rapid Transit System train to Manhattan, or boarding a bus that will drop you off in the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Once you are there, the options for getting around the five boroughs are plentiful, as New York has one of the most comprehensive public transit systems in the U.S. The subway operates 24/7. If you’ve decided to stick to landmarks in a particular neighborhood, you’ll be able to get around on foot. If you’re tired, you can hail one of the city’s famous yellow cabs. Rideshares also operate here. 

What are the local currency & tipping customs?

The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the official currency of NYC, and you’ll find ATMs are widespread. Most major credit cards are accepted as well, but it’s helpful to carry cash with you when you shop at bodegas. Many bars have a minimum purchase amount for credit or debit card use.

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New York (NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region East Coast USA and Canada New England

Local Time 2024-05-07 20:32

Port New York cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from New York, NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port New York has two cruise ports with their own passenger terminal facilities. Port Manhattan (4 berths on 2 piers - numbers 88 and 90) is located on Manhattan Island's western coast, beside the Hudson River. Port Brooklyn (1 berth) is located approx 6 mi (10 km) to the south, on eastern Upper Bay on Brooklyn’s Red Hook waterline.

Cape Liberty Cruise Port is also in New York Harbor but is part of Bayonne City (New Jersey) . Bayonne's Military Ocean Terminal serves Royal Caribbean Group/RCG-owned ships from the fleets of RCG's subsidiaries RCI-Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises , while ships of RCG's subsidiary Silversea dock at NYC's Manhattan Terminal.

Currently, NYC's Manhattan Cruise Terminal serves CCL-Carnival , NCLH ( NCL-Norwegian , Oceania , RSSC-Regent Seven Seas ), TUI ,  Virgin Voyages and other major companies .

Currently, NYC's Brooklyn Terminal serves Cunard Line and MSC .

All these ports/cruise terminals are part of the "Port of New York and New Jersey" - a port district in the New York Metro (total population 20,1+ million).

Around 8,1 million New Yorkers live on Long Island (population density 5860 per mi2/2262 per km2).

NYC cruise port

Port NYC NJ (officially "Port of New York and New Jersey") handles a huge cargo shipping volume and is US East Coast's biggest seaport.

Port's cruise schedule lists voyages the whole year round. During winter are popular southbound itineraries – to the Caribbean and Bahamas. During summer are operated mainly roundtrips to Bermuda as well as Transatlantic crossings (USA-UK/ Southampton ). In autumn are offered "Fall Foliage" cruises to Canada and New England USA.

In May 2013, Port NYC started a project to raise Bayonne Bridge in order to allow access to the world's largest container ships  to the cargo ports of New York City and New Jersey (Elizabeth and Newark). The project also included dredging (deepening) the navigation channel.

On September 7, 2017, the boxship CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt (2015-built, IMO 9780873) passed under the elevated Bayonne Bridge. The vessel has TEU capacity 14855 containers, LOA length 366 m, volume 152,991 GT-tons. It became the largest ship to pass under the Bayonne Bridge.

On September 28, 2023, NYC's Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC/1991-founded nonprofit) announced new port usage agreements (for Manhattan's and Brooklyn's terminals) signed with Carnival Corporation, NCLH-Norwegian and MSC. The agreements were designed to increase revenues and sustainability/emissions reduction, with term lengths ranging between 3-15 years, each with an optional 5-year renewal.

The 2023-signed agreements included establishing a Community Priority Fund (by adding US$1 per cruise passenger; to be used for projects in the cruise terminals' neighborhoods/Red Hook and Midtown Manhattan), planning ground transportation (improvements to maximize public transportation/reducing road traffic), reducing CO emissions (where feasible, including shore power connections/all cruise ships in NYC must be equipped with the technology by 2028), increasing local provisioning and developing educational partnerships with NYC-based institutions.

Port New York and New Jersey

Port New York and New Jersey is the seaport of NYC metro. It encompasses an area with a radius ~25 mi (40 km) and includes all navigable waterways in NY–NJ Harbor Estuary. The covered coastline is around 650 mi (1050 km) along both states. NYC Harbor is among the world's largest natural harbors. By annual cargo capacity, the seaport is ranked USA's 3rd largest - after South Louisiana (Mississippi River) and Houston (Texas).

Within the seaport there are 2 FTZs (foreign-trade zones) where commercial goods (domestic and foreign) receive same Customs treatment as outside USA. Annually, Port NY-NJ handles around USD 208 billion in shipping cargoes, around 3,4 million TEU's (shipping containers) and nearly 0,4 million cars.

• In July 2017, the port's largest container ship so far (CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt - 14,400 TEUs ) passed under the raised Bayonne Bridge.
• The channels (as draft) and the bridges (as heights) limit the vessels that can enter the harbor.
• Verrazano-Narrows Bridge's clearance is 228 ft (67 m).
• Brooklyn Bridge's clearance is 135 ft (41 m).
• Bayonne Bridge's clearance (lowered-raised) is  155-215 ft (47-65,5 m).

The company "Port Authority of New York and New Jersey" was established in 1921 to manage all facilities and services within the combined NY-NJ harbor area. The company also controls all vehicular and rapid-transit systems connecting New York and New Jersey, several airports, as well as real estate developments. It also maintains its own police force.

US Army Corps of Engineers are involved in regular harbor maintenance works (bulkhead and channels). USCG (Coast Guard) maintains all floatable debris and marine accidents and incidents (spills, rescues, counter-terrorism operations). Both states (NY and NJ) maintain maritime police units. US Customs and Border Protection and US Immigration and Customs agencies regulate international shipping imports and cruise passenger arrivals.

Port's foreign trade zones - FTZ 1 (New York) and FTZ 49 (New Jersey)  handled in 2010 a combined shipping traffic of 4811 vessels and over 32,2 million tons of cargoes valued USD 175+ billion.

In March 2006, some passenger terminals were transferred (as management) to DP World ( Dubai -based corporation).

The seaport has 4x containership terminals, ranking it (by combined volume) the US East Coast's largest, USA's 3rd busiest and the world's 20th largest cargo port. Terminals are leased to private operators.

• Howland Hook Marine Terminal (northwestern Staten Island)
• Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (Newark Bay)
• Port Jersey Marine Terminal and Red Hook Marine Terminal (both in Upper New York Bay)
• Maher Terminals LLC operates the port's largest containership facilities, served by a total of 11x Liebherr STS (ship-to-shore) megamax container cranes.

NY-NJ port's main imports are petroleum, appliances, vehicles, plastics, electronics, chemicals, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, optical and photographic materials, precious gems and metals.

ExpressRail network supports intermodal freight transport interconnecting all major terminals. In 2014, the total number of handled intermodal TEUs was 391,596. Most imports are transported in TEUs. Petroleum and scrap metals are handled at bulk cargo terminals, many of which are located along the port's straits and canals.

• New York New Jersey Railroad serves freight cars across Upper Bay, connecting Jersey City with Brooklyn (between Greenville Yard and Bush Terminal Yard). The 4 km crossing takes 45 min.
• Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel is a proposed project under Upper Bay, with western portal at Greenville Yard and eastern portal still undetermined.

Cruise ships and ferries in Port New York and New Jersey dock at the berths of Cape Liberty Cruise Port (Upper Bay, Bayonne NJ) , Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (Upper Bay, NYC) and New York Passenger Ship Terminal (Hudson River, NYC).

• Regularly scheduled ferry service across Upper Bay connects South Ferry with St George Ferry Terminal, serving daily around 75,000 passengers.
• Major ferry terminals are Hoboken, Battery Park City, Paulus Hook, Weehawken Port Imperial, Pier 11, West Midtown and the East 34th Street Landing. Most smaller-sized ferries serve only 1 route.
• Small boats operate leisure tours, excursions and NYC harbor cruises. They circumnavigate Manhattan or navigate into Upper New York Bay.

In July 2017, through bidding, Ports America won a contract for operating Manhattan and Brooklyn cruise terminals until 2029. The deal required investments of USD 38,5 million in infrastructure improvements, including Pier 90 berth rehabilitation, extended aprons, new fenders. Brooklyn Pier was extended by 45-60 m (150-200 ft) to allow berthing for larger boats. Construction works started in 2018.

Season 2018 featured two large newbuild liners - Carnival Horizon (133500 GT-tons, 4700 passengers) and Norwegian Bliss (168000 GT-tons, 4900 passengers).

New York ferries

In 2018 was inaugurated the ferry line connecting Bayonne NJ with Manhattan (across Hudson River).

A US$650,000 federal grant was given to the city for the building of a new ferry terminal. The facility is on the southern part of the Military Ocean Terminal, on an artificial peninsula east of NJ Route 440.

The 1,5-acre land site (former US Navy base) was purchased in 2010 and leased for ferry docking at US$200,000 per year.

In the previous year (2017) NYC Ferry inaugurated the commute ferry service linking Manhattan with Long Island (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx). In 2016, NYC Ferry's fleet consisted of 19 newbuild boats.

• On May 1st were launched the East River route (North Brooklyn to Midtown and NYC's Financial District) and the Rockaway route (Lower Manhattan to Sunset Park and The Rockaways).
• On June 1st was launched the South Brooklyn route (8 terminals/between Corlears Hook and Bay Ridge) linking Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park.
• On August 29th was launched the Astoria route (between Western Queens and Roosevelt Island) linking Wall Street/Pier 11, East 34th Street, LIC/Long Island City Queens, Roosevelt Island Manhattan, and Astoria Queens.

In August 2018, NYC Ferry launched a link between Soundview (South Bronx) and Manhattan. The landing site in Bronx is at Clason Point Park (Sound View Ave's end). The nearest subway station (Morrison Ave-Sound View) is 2 mi (3 km) away. Ferry travel time Bronx-Manhattan is 45-min. In Manhattan, ferries stop at 90th St (Upper East Side), East 34th Str (Midtown), Pier 11 (Wall Str). Currently, NYC Ferry operates 6 routes.

New York cruise terminal

The following NY & NJ cruise port map shows the locations of all three cruise terminals (NYC's Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Bayonne NJ's Cape Liberty).

NYC Manhattan Cruise Terminal

The Manhattan passenger terminal is on Hudson River (on Manhattan Island's shoreline), located is between West 44 and West 52 streets. Both Newark International Airport and LaGuardia Airport are located approx 15 mi (24 km) away, while JFK International Airport is approx 20 mi (32 km) away.

This NYC cruise terminal has 3 wharves – Pier 88 (2 berths), Pier 90 (2 berths), and Pier 92 (1 overflow berth). They can accommodate up to 5 cruise liners simultaneously and each has a fully-functioning passenger terminal building. Manhattan terminal serves NCL Norwegian , Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America . At Pier 92's south side dock large liners.

In early 2017, NYC Economic Development Corporation selected Ports America as long-term cruise ship terminal operator for both Brooklyn (1 berth) and Manhattan (Pier 88 and Pier 90), Ports America also supplies cruise ship provisions for vessels docked at Pier 92.

At the top of all the piers, there is a building with dedicated parking lots, snack bars, restrooms, check-in, VIP areas, customs, newsstands.

• Address: "Manhattan Terminal, 711 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10019"
• Manhattan Terminal parking: daily parking rate ($18, for 10 hours), overnight rate ($23, for 24 hours). Theparking rate for multiple days is $20 daily.

NYC Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

Located across Governors Island, Brooklyn NYC cruise port terminal is in Red Hook. LaGuardia Airport is 12 miles away, Newark International Airport – 16 miles away and JFK International Airport is 20 miles away.

Brooklyn New York cruise ship terminal used to be a cargo port. You will get very ”industrial feel”. The terminal building on Pier 12 is a new one. The facilities are vending machines, check-in, restrooms and customs. There is a parking area with 500 spots. Brooklyn New York cruise port terminal can accommodate only one ship. It serves Princess Cruises and Cunard ships.

• Address: "Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, Pier 12, Brooklyn, NY 11231"
• Brooklyn Terminal parking rates (subject to change): $35 daily.

Brooklyn cruise terminal's shorepower

Since 2016, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal provides shore-power .

The shore-to-ship electric power supply project was first announced in 2011.

Cunard's liner RMS Queen Mary 2 was the first-ever vessel (officially plugged-in on November 12th, 2016).

The US$21 million system was signed off by the New York and New Jersey Port Authority and turned over to the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which currently oversees the cruise shipping program for Brooklyn and Manhattan. As of September 2016, NYCEDC has responsibility for the system's operations and maintenance.

The plug-in shorepower was installed by Cochran Marine. This is a dual-voltage system targeted for use by Cunard Line and  Princess Cruises , which are the terminal’s primary customers. The Terminal's cable positioning device is removable, so it can be stored during winter.

Connecting to Con Edison power grid, the shorepower system allows ships to run their onboard systems without using diesel generators. This eliminates ~1500 tons of CO2, ~95 tons of NOx, and ~6,5 tons of soot/particulate matter annually.

In 2010, the NY-NJ Port Authority estimated that improvement to air quality could yield public health benefits of USD 99 million over 15 years. That was a key element for community groups around the terminal’s Red Hook neighborhood to start pushing for shore power. Beyond the infrastructure cost, the project was delayed by haggling over the price of electrical power – in an era where cheap fuel prices made shipboard generation more economical. The power costs are subsidized in part by the EDC and the New York Power Authority, with terminal user Carnival Corp picking up the rest. As part of an agreement,  Carnival Corporation pays USD 12 cents per kilowatt-hour for shorepower.

Costs were ~USD 10 million (to service one slip) and involve substantial infrastructure improvements. Ship operators must spend ~USD 1 million to make a vessel shorepower-ready. Demand on the energy grid is substantial too. A typical container ship in port uses about as much energy as a single terminal at Boston ’s Logan Airport, while RMS Queen Mary 2 requires 13 megawatts (equal to the entire airport).

New Jersey Cape Liberty cruise terminal (Royal Caribbean)

In October 2014, RCCL-Royal Caribbean and NYC Port Authority dedicated a Cape Liberty cruise terminal for the RCI's ship Quantum OTS. The new terminal started operations on November 10, 2014.

The new facility is located at Port Terminal Blvd (Bayonne waterfront), adjacent to the Tear Drop Memorial (Russia-built 10–story sculpture). The US$55 million building project included port expansion with a new passenger terminal, featuring a total covered area of 125000 ft2 (11600 m2) that hosts check-in, customs and immigration, luggage storage and processing area, parking area (capacity 950 cars/costs US$25 per day including taxes) and also improvements of the existing docking pier. The new terminal building is adjacent to the 2004-inaugurated terminal.

Port Cape Liberty is in close proximity to EWR-Newark Liberty Airport (10 mi / 16 km to the west, ~20-min travel time by car) and easy to access, skipping NYC's heavy traffic and bridges.

• Empire State Building: don’t miss that famed building. It is 1050 ft tall. You can take a look from the airy promenade after a great lift to the Observatory.
• Central Park: the iconic park dates from 1857. It is a large landscaped area where you can enjoy the Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Bethesda fountain, the Great Lawn and Belvedere Castle.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: located between East 81 and East 82, dates from 1870. Discover artworks of famous artists – Aristotle with a Bust of Homer by Rembrandt, Wheat Field with Cypresses by Van Gogh, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher by Vermeer and The Unicorn in Captivity, medieval tapestry.
• Brooklyn Bridge: the bridge dates from the late 19th century. It spans across the East River. The Brooklyn Bridge and the views across Brooklyn, Upper Bay and Manhattan are breathtaking.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: 39 acres with beautiful gardens. Walk through the Bonsai Museum, the Tropical Pavilion, the Aquatic House and the Desert Pavilion. You can also have a coffee, buy a gift or something from the garden store.

New York tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Cheap Cruises from New York City - Cruises out of New York City

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7 Night Cruise to the Bahamas

• You want a cutting-edge family cruise with European flair
• You like nonstop activities with round-the-clock fun for all
• You want dozens of different bars, lounges and restaurants
• You don't want cruise catering to European tastes first
• You dislike announcements made in up to six different languages

7 Night Cruise to Canada & New England

4 Night Cruise to Canada & New England

• You want mega-ship fun with innovative onboard features
• You need a cruise that is suitable for families of all ages
• You want your ships big and bold but with a touch of class
• You hate crowds; things can get competitive at the buffet
• You are looking for cruises longer than a week in duration
• You don't enjoy being upsold for promotions and packages

5 Night Cruise to Bermuda

83 night cruise to around the world.

• You are a discerning traveler seeking the ultimate luxury cruise
• You appreciate big-ship amenities with small-ship ambiance
• You want lavishly-appointed suites that spare no expense
• You prefer the intimacy of a smaller ship with fewer people
• You are watching your pennies; Mariner commands high prices

8 Night Cruise to the Bahamas

14 night cruise to transatlantic.

• You are looking for one of Royal Caribbean's next-gen cruise ships with lots to do onboard
• You want a wide selection of dining venues, both specialty and included
• You seek a unique variety of activites and entertainment, from simulated sky diving to robotic shows
• You prefer a smaller ship with fewer fellow passengers and more space per guest
• You appreciate a greater destination focus with an observation lounge, besides North Star
• You want even more included without the need to pay for extras

7 Night Cruise to Bermuda

6 night cruise to bermuda.

4 Night Cruise to Bermuda

• You want to sail on the largest cruise ship in the world
• You want lots of choices for both dining and activities
• You like big, busy ships with theme-park-style diversions
• You dislike crowds; lines and congestion are still a reality
• You want a quieter cruise on a smaller, more intimate ship
• You care about visiting unique, off-the-beaten-path ports

10 Night Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean

• You want diverse, innovative options when it comes to family cabins
• You like plenty of big-ship choice for dining and entertainment
• You appreciate Norwegian’s freestyle cruising atmosphere
• Go-karts, bumper cars and laser tag just aren’t your thing.
• You want a smaller ship with less crowding and queueing

• You want to cross the Atlantic on the only true ocean liner
• You enjoy vibrant nightlife with plenty of live entertainment
• You like the grandeur and elegance of the transatlantic liners
• You are looking for a true ultra-luxury cruise experience
• You are looking for wacky activities, amenities and pool games
• You dislike formality; dressing up is part of the experience

9 Night Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean

12 night cruise to around the world.

• You like having plenty of organized activities by day and night
• You want a classy cruise on a big ship for a reasonable price
• You value stylish interior design and innovative amenities
• You don’t want to have extra fees and costs for dining and drinks
• You are looking for a ship holding fewer than 2,000 passengers

14 Night Cruise to Europe

• You want a big, reasonably sized ship with lots of amenities
• You like having fun diversions like an onboard bowling alley
• You're traveling as a family and want fun options for all
• You're looking for the biggest, newest cruise ships at sea
• You want thrill-seeking options like ziplines and racing tracks
• You are looking for a quiet, subdued onboard experience

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Night Cruises on Circle Line

Guided Tours Cruising Nightly

See Iconic New York Landmarks In A Whole New Light

You haven’t seen Lady Liberty until you’ve seen her at night! Cruise with Circle Line for a nighttime boat tour of downtown New York. Our award-winning tour guides will narrate the story of New York while you enjoy refreshments and bask in the evening glow of New York harbor. The city’s legendary landmarks truly come to life at night; you don’t want to miss the boat on this unforgettable New York experience.

Circle Line offers two New York night cruise options to fit your schedule.

If you want to see New York at night, both the Statue By Night Cruise and Harbor Lights Cruise are sure to dazzle and delight! Our iconic NYC night cruises offer unparalleled views of the skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. Our evening cruises depart from both midtown and downtown Manhattan, making it convenient for you to decide where you'd like to depart from. Whether you’re looking for a quick family photo op with the Statue of Liberty or romantic views of illuminated New York landmarks, use the list below as your guide and get ready for an unforgettable evening.

If you need help selecting the best nighttime NYC boat cruise experience for you, feel free to contact us for more information. Not sold on touring the city at night? Check out all of our world-famous Circle Line cruises!

Virgin Voyages plans first cruises from New York, Los Angeles with new ship

Virgin Voyages is finally bringing its adults-only cruises to the New York and Los Angeles markets.

The 2-year-old cruise brand, which currently operates most of its North America sailings out of Miami, on Wednesday announced it would soon offer its first regular sailings from the giant coastal cities as well as Seattle.

The trips will kick off in late 2025 on the line's next new ship, the long-delayed, 2,770-passenger Brilliant Lady.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As part of the announcement, Virgin Voyages said Brilliant Lady would finally start sailing in September 2025. That's nearly two years later than the line originally planned when it announced the vessel in 2018.

Brilliant Lady was originally scheduled to debut in December 2023 .

Virgin Voyages on Wednesday outlined a year's worth of sailings for Brilliant Lady that included sailings to Bermuda, New England and Canada, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, the Panama Canal, the west coasts of Mexico and California, and Alaska.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Virgin Voyages ship

The trips will kick off Sept. 5, 2025, with the vessel's maiden voyage (called a Mermaiden voyage by Virgin Voyages) out of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City.

Four more voyages out of New York, ranging from five to 13 nights, will follow during September and October of 2025.

The New York-based trips will include calls in Bermuda, as well as such eastern ports as Charleston, South Carolina; Boston; and Halifax, Saint John and Quebec City in Canada.

After operating out of New York, Brilliant Lady will reposition to Miami and then Los Angeles and Seattle for the following sailings:

• 17 voyages from Miami between October 2025 and April 2026. The trips will range in length from seven to 12 nights and include stops in Aruba; Bonaire; Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; Turks and Caicos; Antigua; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
• One 16-night Panama Canal cruise departing March 21, 2026 . The one-way voyage from Miami to Los Angeles will bring calls to Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.
• Four voyages out of Los Angeles starting April 7, 2026. The sailings will range from five to eight nights and bring calls along the west coast of California and Mexico.
• A yet-to-be-determined number of cruises out of Seattle starting in May 2026 through September 2026 . Details of the sailings will be announced soon, the line said.

While details of the Alaska sailings have yet to be set, customers can secure access to a priority booking window for the sailings by placing a deposit of $500 to $2,500 with Virgin Voyages starting May 8, 2024.

The deposit program will be called the Alaska Front(ier) of the Line Pass. The required deposit amount varies depending on the type of cabin that a customer wants to book.

Like Virgin Voyages' first three vessels ( Scarlet Lady , Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady ), Brilliant Lady has been designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising. The ship will have everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge. To ensure a proper party vibe, it also will be a kid-free travel zone , with a minimum age to sail of 18.

Related: Is Virgin Voyages right for you? Our thoughts

Since its first vessel sailed out of Miami in late 2021, Virgin has been going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, Brilliant Lady will have no buffets, no dress codes, and no big Broadway-style theater shows. For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties and DJ sets. Suites will have a rock star theme .

Virgin Voyages on Wednesday said customers (called "sailors" by the line) who were previously scheduled to sail on Brilliant Lady before its debut was delayed will be given priority access to book the ship's first voyages out of New York and Los Angeles.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

A BRILLIANT INAUGURAL SEASON

 introducing an inaugural season like no other., once-in-a-lifetime 5 to 16-night journeys, four mermaidens, never-seen-before experiences, and iconic destinations sea-defining luxury and adventure., built for the waves. destined for the stars..

THE EPIC SHIP OVERVIEW

Meet Brilliant Lady

As we gear up for her 2025 debut, stay tuned for more details on how brilliant lady is not just navigating the high seas, but charting a new course for sea travel, exploration, and peak luxury., brilliant lady's mermaiden marvels, be part of maritime history with brilliant lady's inaugural sailings., new york city sept. 5th, 2025.

Kick off Brilliant Lady’s inaugural season with an exhilarating 5-night voyage from the city that never sleeps to Bermuda's Kings Wharf! Revel in pristine beaches, explore the rich naval history, and soak in the subtropical bliss on this first-ever journey to paradise.

Miami Oct. 17th, 2025

Immerse within a melting pot of cultures while luxuriating in St. Maarten's sun, escape to Tortola’s serene shores, and indulge in our exclusive beach club experience in Bimini on Brilliant Lady’s 8-night MerMaiden voyage out of Miami’s Terminal V.

Los Angeles Apr. 7th, 2026

From the coastal charm of Santa Barbara and San Diego to Ensenada’s vibrant flavors, live the best of the Pacific on Brilliant Lady’s (and Virgin Voyages’!) first-ever West Coast voyage — a 5-night dive in sunshine, culture, and culinary delights.

Seattle May 2026

Sail into the heart of Alaska for an experience filled with breathtaking landscapes and glorious wildlife, all viewed from an unparalleled vantage point — your cabin. And the most iconic outdoor views of the most awe-inspiring corner of the USA.

Epic new regions & experiences

Panama canal, los angeles, new york city | on sale may 8th.

We’re taking it back to where our story started in the US with 5 to 13-night voyages to Bermuda and Canada for a perfect blend of urban exploration, rich history, and serene natural beauty.

Miami | On Sale May 23rd

Dive deep into the Caribbean with 7 to 12-night sailings toward Aruba's warmth, Curaçao's charm, and upbeat rhythm with the stunning new ports of Kralendijk, Bonaire, and Jamaica’s Ocho Rios.

Panama Canal | On Sale May 8th

Cross the incredible Panama Canal on a 16-night voyage from the East to the West Coast, with stops in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala for a mix of adventure, tropical bliss, and epic engineering.

Los Angeles | On Sale May 8th

Explore Cali's iconic coastlines and the vibrant Mexican Riviera life with 5, 7, and 8-night voyages featuring Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta, and more.

Set off on a journey into Alaska's awe-inspiring wilderness with incredible voyages that offer you a front-row seat to its rugged landscapes, majestic wildlife, and serene beauty.

Brilliant 4 You Pass

Save your spot on every Brilliant Lady MerMaiden voyage for a cross-country journey that gives you the best of all four corners of North America. Available starting May 8th. BRILLIANT 4 YOU PASS RockStar Edition | $40,000 - Seriously Suite - Up to 2 sailors

Limited RockStar Quarters

Revel in the unmatched comfort and style that feels personally yours with the same Seriously Suite across all MerMaiden voyages.

RockStar Status

Early boarding, priority booking, onboard 24/7 access to RockStar Agents, and more… because VIP treatment isn’t an option — it’s our standard, of course.

Shore Thing Galore

With a Shore Thing included on each voyage, your next favorite memory is always just a port away — from thrilling adventures to serene getaways.

Exclusive Launch Invites

Be a part of our dazzling launch events in NYC, Miami, and LA to celebrate Brilliant Lady’s debut and mingle with other VIPs at the most sought-after parties of the year.

ALASKA FRONT(IER) OF THE LINE

Fair & flexible fares.

Over $1000 in value and flexible policies. The luxury you deserve — without the nickel and diming from the others.

Fly and stay the Virgin Way

An ultimate all-access pass, or skip to the front of the line. Two Brilliant ways to sea the world differently.

Bragging? We prefer dazzling.

Discover the experiences that turned skeptics into stans (in a *very* good way).

Can’t wait to go again!

Amazing cruise. Our second. The food and restaurants are very unique and yummy… and the Splash of Romance add-on is worth it. It gives you so many extras for such a low price. Look it up. Everything was seamless. Can’t wait for our next VV cruise.

Trip Advisor

Not your typical Cruise!

Had an awesome adventure on Virgin Voyages! Totally different experience than your typical cruise. Food, service and entertainment was amazing. Can’t wait to book another cruise on Virgin Voyages.

Surpassing my expectations!

I was taken by the organization, quality and outstanding dining options. I believe the most valuable asset is their employees. They truly went above and beyond [to] answer your questions and assist in whatever concerns you might have.

Epic Family Cruise on the Scarlet Lady

My family celebrated my dad's 56th birthday. We had an amazing time… The food was fantastic, the entertainment was fun, the spaces were beautiful [and] we could really lounge in luxury. I can't wait for our next voyage!

Experience what the world has been raving about

Best overall cruise line - large ship category.

Our exclusively adult experience has been dropping jaws ever since we first hit the water in 2021.

Cruise Critic Editor’s Pick -  Best Entertainment

Immersive experiences, game shows, and exclusive entertainment — critics say we’re light-years ahead.

Condé Nast Traveler - #1 Best Large Cruise Ship

With our jaw-dropping entertainment and unique dining options — we’re a Condé Nast Traveler’s favorite.

Travel + Leisure’s #1 Best Mega-Ship

From veteran cruise-goers to newbies, our innovative take on cruising got rave reviews from just about everyone.

From the Panama Canal to glacier views, let’s hit the (Brilliant) blues.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO OUR PORTS

If you are driving to the port, below you will find driving directions to all Norwegian Cruise Line departure ports. Please make your selection below.

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15 top adults-only cruises for 2025 & 2026.

Pack your bags and leave the kids behind for your next cruise adventure.

Top Adults-Only Cruises

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

If your idea of getting away from it all includes a vacation without the kids, consider booking an adults-only or adults-oriented cruise . While some lines provide a fully adults-only experience (i.e., children are not allowed on board), others offer adult-focused venues and activities on the ship to keep you separate from younger patrons.

The following cruise lines provide upscale amenities, immersive excursions, sophisticated dining options, lively nighttime entertainment and time for relaxation among like-minded – and similarly aged – travelers.

Find your perfect cruise

Viking Ocean Cruises

Courtesy of Viking

Travelers ages 18 and older are welcome aboard Viking 's adults-only ships, which feature destination-focused itineraries around the world. The line's 11 oceangoing ships carry between 930 and 998 guests (at double occupancy) and offer luxurious, comfortable Scandinavian-style spaces. The line will add Viking Vesta to its ocean fleet in 2025.

Viking's exploration program boasts special access to behind-the-scenes experiences curated for travelers who are interested in history, food, the arts or science. Immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to a traditional family farm near Bergen, Norway, or spend an evening dining on Chinese specialties at a home-hosted dinner in Shanghai .

In addition to these off-the-beaten-path excursions, guests can visit iconic sites like the ancient city of Ephesus (Kuşadasi) in Turkey and the Acropolis in Athens, Greece . Viking also hosts onboard enrichment programs like cooking classes and lectures by historians. Cruise fares include stateroom accommodations with a private veranda, all meals (including specialty dining venues), wine and beer at onboard lunch and dinner, 24-hour room service, one free excursion per port, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and access to onboard amenities such as the Nordic Spa and fitness center.

In addition to its ocean vessels, Viking offers river cruises in destinations around the world – including Mississippi River cruises aboard Viking Mississippi. The line also has two Polar Class 6 expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which traverse waterways from Canada, the U.S. and South America to remote destinations in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages offers an adults-only retreat for guests ages 18 and older. The line currently has three sister ships: Scarlet Lady (the first in the fleet), Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady . The line's fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is set to debut in September 2025.

All the ships in this adults-only cruise line feature 1,404 cabins (most with balconies) and RockStar Quarters suites, where guests have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive outdoor deck space. The superyacht-inspired vessels boast 20-plus eateries, including restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs, and a variety of onboard fitness and wellness spaces. At Redemption Spa, relax and recharge in the mud room or salt therapy chamber – and then take rejuvenating dips in the hot and cold plunge pools. You can even order a bottle of bubbly anywhere on the ship via the Virgin Voyages app's secret "Shake for Champagne" feature.

Itineraries on Virgin Voyages span destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Morocco, as well as trans-Atlantic crossings. The line will also feature 21 new ports across its global fleet in 2025, including destinations in Iceland, Turkey, Oman, Italy, Portugal, the Cayman Islands and more. Cruise fares cover meals at all the dining venues and basic beverages such as soda, water, tea and coffee. Gratuities for the crew, Wi-Fi access, entertainment and group fitness classes are also included. While on board, be sure to indulge in a swanky dinner at The Wake and an immersive show at The Red Room, a unique multiform theater at sea.

P&O Cruises

Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Two ships in P&O Cruises' U.K.-based fleet – Arcadia and Aurora – are exclusively for adults 18 and older. Arcadia, the slightly newer of the two ships (debuted in 2005), carries 2,094 guests at double occupancy, plus 866 crew. The ship departs from Southampton in the U.K. and sails to a variety of European destinations, ranging from Spain and the Canary Islands to Norway and Iceland; some cruises visit the U.S. and Canada. The ship will also sail world cruises in January 2025 and 2026.

Arcadia's 15 restaurants, cafes and bars include Indian cuisine with a British twist at Sindhu, as well as steaks and seafood by renowned British chef Marco Pierre White at Ocean Grill. Passengers can take a class to sample the line's branded gins; sip Champagne at Intermezzo, the ship's cocktail and Champagne venue; or enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif at the yacht-inspired Spinnaker. After exploring exciting ports of call, head back on board to enjoy Arcadia's elegant interiors and top-notch service. You can splurge on a stone therapy treatment and a visit to the thermal suite at the spa for some extra pampering, followed by a live show at the three-tiered theater, The Palladium. Then, finish off the evening dancing the night away at The Globe.

Aurora is a slightly more intimate ship, carrying 1,874 passengers (double occupancy) and 850 crew members. A four-level atrium gallery sits at the heart of the vessel. Itineraries include destinations in the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the British Isles, Iceland, the Caribbean and South America. There are 19 restaurants, bars and cafes on the ship, including club-style restaurant Alexandria and casual spots like The Beach House. After dinner, live entertainment and dancing await you at the show lounge Carmen's, as do larger productions at the ritzy 660-seat Curzon Theatre.

Top Cruises Designed for Adults

While some all-inclusive – or mostly all-inclusive – boutique and luxury cruise lines are family-friendly, many of the onboard venues and activities are adult-by-design. Since there are few (or no) activities geared toward younger cruisers and no babysitting services, you typically won't find parents with young children on these ships.

Courtesy of Azamara

Azamara's four upscale boutique ships provide immersive travel experiences geared toward adults. These smaller ships – accommodating a maximum of 702 guests – sail waterways and rivers that larger ships can't access, docking in city centers and unique ports of call around the globe.

Many Azamara voyages also offer longer stays and overnights in port, unlike some competitors' itineraries. Some even feature special events, such as a 12-night voyage from Rome to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in May 2025, or a 25-night cruise in February 2025 from Buenos Aires, Argentina , to attend Carnival in Rio de Janeiro . In addition, the line is extending its offerings on Country Intensive voyages in 2024 and 2025 with itineraries in various continental European countries, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Iceland and Australia.

On board, you'll find a wide selection of casual and formal dining options ranging from Windows Cafe to the main dining room, Discoveries Restaurant. Specialty restaurant offerings include top-notch steak and seafood at Prime C and Italian fare at Aqualina. Atlas Bar is a unique venue on Azamara Onward (the line's newest ship), though its artisanal cocktail menu is also available on the line's other ships. Discoveries Lounge is another guest-favorite spot, and wine aficionados will enjoy pairing limited-production and rare vintages from the Wine Cellar with dinner.

Cruise fares include stateroom accommodations; select spirits, wine and beer; gratuities; 24-hour room service; and nonalcoholic beverages. You'll also have access to complimentary AzAmazing Celebrations with special evening and daytime events ashore and on the ship. You can purchase a package that includes additional amenities like unlimited Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursion credits and other perks. Butler service and other extras come with suite accommodations.

Courtesy of Scenic

When it launched in 2019, Scenic Eclipse I was touted as "The World's First Discovery Yacht." The intimate vessel offers an all-inclusive, ultra-luxurious experience for just 228 guests (double occupancy). The line's second luxury yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, which is nearly identical to its sister ship, debuted from Lisbon, Portugal , in April 2023. The Polar Class 6 rating enables these two yachts to sail to destinations like Antarctica; on these expedition-style voyages, the ship carries only 200 guests and offers a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.

All suite accommodations include a private veranda or terrace; butler service; state-of-the-art amenities; a king-size Scenic Slumber Bed; and an in-suite minibar stocked with wine, spirits and other personally selected beverages. You'll also find indulgences like onboard helicopters for intimate excursions and the line's submersibles for underwater exploration.

Guests can enjoy up to 10 dining experiences on the ship, including French fine dining at Lumière; innovative Asian flavors at Koko's Asian Fusion; Italian, steak and seafood specialties at Elements; or an immersive dining experience at Chef's Garden @ Epicure. When it's time for an after-dinner drink, sample craft cocktails or the impressive selection of whiskeys available at Scenic Lounge Bar. Other onboard activities include getting an invigorating treatment at Senses Spa or just relaxing with Champagne and spectacular views on deck 10 at the Sky Bar.

Scenic's ships sail to destinations in Australia and the South Pacific; Europe and the Mediterranean; Asia; the Americas and the Caribbean; and the polar regions of Antarctica and the Arctic.

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Following Seven Seas Grandeur's launch in December 2023, this line now has six luxury vessels in its fleet. Regent Seven Seas ' all-inclusive fares include round-trip business class or coach airfare (depending on the destination); complimentary pre-cruise hotel stays; two- or three-night land packages; all meals and beverages; free shore excursions; prepaid gratuities; and more. Seven Seas Grandeur is a sister ship to the elegant Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor ; it features 372 luxurious all-balcony suites and an impressive ratio of 548 crew members to just 744 guests (double occupancy).

In the evenings, diners can choose between French cuisine at Chartreuse; creative Asian fare at Pacific Rim; steaks and seafood at Prime 7; Italian dishes at Sette Mari at La Veranda; or design-your-own-entree options at the ship's largest specialty restaurant, Compass Rose. For a casual evening, plan to dine alfresco at the Pool Grill. Adults can also enjoy pre-dinner cocktails in one of the lounges and nightly entertainment at the Constellation Theater. For a nightcap, sip a fine cognac in one of the ship's favorite hideaways, Connoisseur Club. There are also plenty of options for exercise, fitness and relaxation at Serene Spa & Wellness.

If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the high seas, consider booking the Regent Suite. Situated on deck 14 – and boasting more than 4,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor space – this luxurious accommodation features an impressive balcony with a minipool spa, in addition to two bedrooms, a living room and dining room, and a private in-suite spa. Cruise fare for the suite also includes a long list of high-end amenities such as access to a private dining room called The Study, a personal car and guide in every port, free in-suite spa services, a complimentary cocktail party for eight guests, a private butler and more.

Regent's 2025-2026 Legendary Voyages include sailings to destinations like Barcelona, Tokyo and more. If a world cruise is on your bucket list, you can circumnavigate the globe for 154 nights beginning in January 2026 aboard Seven Seas Mariner.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea's all-inclusive luxury ocean and expedition cruises offer voyages to more than 900 destinations across the seven continents. Silversea's 11 ultra-luxury ships and expedition vessels range in size from 51 to 364 suites and boast spacious ocean view accommodations – most with private verandas. Cruise fares cover door-to-door transfers from home to the ship, including airfare (business class in some destinations) and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays. On board, guests will have butler service, a nearly one-to-one ratio of guests to staff, 24-hour gourmet dining, premium alcoholic beverages, one complimentary shore excursion in each port, gratuities and more.

Silver Ray is set to become the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet when it debuts in summer 2024. The luxury vessel adds more open spaces and top-notch cuisine. Silver Ray is also the second vessel in the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is billed as a more sustainable cruise ship.

Four of the line's ships are purpose-built expedition vessels that sail to the farthest reaches of the Earth, including Antarctica, the Arctic and Greenland, French Polynesia and the Pacific, Asia, and more. On these sailings, guests will experience immersive exploration with as many as 28 expedition staff per cruise. Unique upcoming itineraries visit Greenland and the Arctic Circle, as well as remote locales like Robinson Crusoe Island, Tahiti and more.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn features an all-inclusive adult-focused experience on its five luxury ocean vessels and two expedition ships. One of the line's newest ships, Seabourn Pursuit, is an ultra-luxury Polar Class 6 purpose-built expedition vessel with 132 oceanfront veranda suites. The ship is equipped with two submarines for underwater exploration, kayaks and 24 Zodiacs. There's also a 24-person expedition team to assist guests with exploring far-reaching destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley region of Australia, the Amazon and the Northwest Passage.

The new Seabourn Ovation accommodates up to 600 guests (double occupancy) and offers amenities found on most of Seabourn's ships: well-appointed oceanfront suites, living areas with dining tables, verandas and nearly a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Guests can try Seabourn's new Mediterranean venue, Solis, on four of the line's ships, including Ovation. You'll also find health and wellness programs curated by Dr. Andrew Weil.

The Seabourn Conversations program is another highlight. Accomplished experts host adventures ashore, participate in meals and chat with guests on board. For a special treat, don't miss the Caviar in the Surf beach party. This event (available in select destinations) includes chilled Champagne, caviar, music and a barbecue set against a backdrop of white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

Windstar Cruises

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Windstar's six intimate ships accommodate between 148 and 342 guests. Passengers can choose between cruising on one of the line's three-masted Wind Class vessels or one of its three Star Plus Class ships.

Windstar just announced the addition of two new ships to its fleet; Star Seeker is expected to launch in December 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December 2026. These two vessels will feature 112 suites with private verandas and infinity windows, two Owner's Suites with wraparound balconies, a water sports platform, a two-story spa and fitness center, and more. The ships are constructed with ice-strengthened hulls that position them for exploration in remote destinations like Antarctica.

Windstar's adult-focused and casual – but still elegant – onboard experiences feature locally inspired top-notch dining, guest lecturers, a water sports platform on all ships, an open bridge policy and an engaging social environment. If you're looking for a romantic getaway, Windstar is also regarded as one of the most romantic cruise lines for a wedding, honeymoon , vow renewal or anniversary trip, especially in magical destinations like the South Pacific or Europe.

Windstar's smaller ships can reach ports, coves, harbors and villages that are not accessible by larger vessels. They also offer more than 2,000 immersive cultural experiences in port, many with small groups. You'll find culinary-themed voyages in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, as well as wine-focused itineraries around the world. What's more, Windstar's itineraries offer late evenings and overnights in its ports of call, allowing guests to experience local culture and cuisine after dark.

Windstar will begin sailing in South America in December 2025 with the 312-passenger (double occupancy) Star Pride, offering excursions to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the town of Cusco , Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands .

Other Top Adults-Only Cruise Options

While these larger ships offer activities for families and children of all ages, adults can also find hidden retreats and venues just for grown-ups. These spaces are typically quieter and situated away from the crowds.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises offers spaces created with adult guests in mind. On Celebrity Beyond and the newest addition to the fleet, Celebrity Ascent , adults can have a unique dining experience at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. The world-renowned Global Culinary Ambassador for the line, Daniel Boulud created the menu at this elegant venue, incorporating dishes inspired by his travels. You'll also find an impressive wine list to accompany your dining experience.

When it's time to relax, The Solarium is a popular adults-only area located on the Resort Deck of all Celebrity ships. This light-filled pool area encased by a glass dome is the perfect quiet space for reading a book or taking a nap. While there, you can also grab a light breakfast or lunch at the Spa Cafe and Juice Bar, or order your favorite cocktail while lounging in the hot tub.

Other adult-focused venues to check out on Celebrity Ascent, Beyond and Apex are the new elevated bar spaces. The Edge series World Class Bar – a popular spot on other Celebrity Cruises ships – features craft cocktails in a beautiful setting. And don't miss the two-story Sunset Bar on Celebrity Ascent, a reimagined space by interior designer and TV personality Nate Berkus. The aft location of the bar offers almost twice the space as previous iterations and beautiful wake views.

Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

The Sanctuary, a retreat for guests ages 18 and older, offers an escape from bustling public spaces. The relaxing top-deck venue is available on all Princess Cruises ships and features plush lounge chairs, a spa-like setting and Serenity Stewards, who serve light bites and other refreshments. To fully unwind, consider reserving a private cabana, where you can book an open-air massage. The child-free venue varies from ship to ship, with some offering the exclusive Retreat pool, cabanas and a bar area, and newer iterations featuring more space.

Spellbound by Magic Castle is an exciting new venue aboard the line's newest ship, Sun Princess, for adults 21 and older. The collaboration with The Magic Castle private club in Hollywood offers guests an evening of magic, illusions and theatrical cocktails in a Victorian-inspired space.

If you're heading off the ship for an excursion to Princess Cays (the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas), plan to chill out for the day in an adults-only Sanctuary Bungalow. Located just minutes from the ocean and beach, the rentals accommodate four people, and the price includes two complimentary float rentals. You can also order a gourmet picnic to enjoy while lounging on shore.

Back on the ship, adults can reserve a spot for the line's new Winemaker Dinners, a partnership with Caymus Vineyards. These 12-guest evenings are offered fleetwide, two to three times during each cruise. Winemaker Chuck Wagner personally selected the wines from the notable Napa Valley winery to pair with the elevated five-course menu.

Carnival Cruise Line

The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is located on all of Carnival Cruise Line 's ships. Access to this tranquil outdoor hideaway is complimentary for passengers 21 and older. While there, guests can enjoy relaxing loungers, daybeds and whirlpools. Take in the warm sun and ocean breeze with a signature sangria in hand, or stop for a healthy meal at the Fresh Creations salad bar (available on select ships) for an alfresco lunch.

Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Though Disney Cruise Line tends to attract families and younger travelers, it also offers multiple spaces and activities for adults 18 and older. Disney's newest ship, Disney Wish , boasts several luxurious adults-only venues featuring characters and scenes from "Beauty and the Beast."

For top-notch steaks, contemporary Italian cuisine and panoramic ocean views, make a reservation at the Cogsworth-inspired Palo Steakhouse. If you prefer French-style fare and world-class wines served in an elegant and shimmering setting, Enchanté by three-Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement is the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two. Before dinner at either venue, enjoy a signature cocktail at The Rose. After dinner, you won't want to miss the galactic libations and ever-changing views of faraway galaxies at the adults-only Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge bar.

Depending on the ship, adult travelers can also dance the night away in a trendy club, watch live entertainment or a cabaret show, catch a sports game on satellite TV, or relax with an after-dinner cocktail at a bar or lounge. Outdoors, the kid-free Quiet Cove Pool is a tranquil place to relax on all the ships. For even more pampering, Senses Spa & Salon boasts treatment rooms with ocean views, luxurious spa villas and other amenities. On Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line 's private island, adults can head to Serenity Bay – a scenic, adults-only stretch of the beach.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line has three adults-only outdoor venues for guests 18 and older (though specific spaces vary by ship). On Norwegian 's Bliss, Escape, Getaway and Breakaway ships, the Vibe Beach Club sun deck invites guests to relax in oversized hot tubs and comfy daybeds, adding perks like a full-service bar and chilled towels. Guests can enjoy two-story beach clubs on Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore, while the clubs on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva include the line's first infinity hot tubs. You can purchase a multiday pass in advance for the club, and cabana rentals are available for more privacy.

At Norwegian Epic's two-level Posh Beach Club, complimentary perks include fruit skewers, cold water spritzers and a snack menu. Multiday passes are available to all adult cruisers, while travelers who book a Haven suite can access Posh Beach Club for free. Spice H2O is another adults-only venue on the Norwegian Bliss, Joy, Escape, Getaway, Breakaway, Epic, Star and Spirit vessels; access is complimentary. At night, the space becomes an open-air dance club where you can spend the evening partying under the stars.

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Solarium is Royal Caribbean International 's complimentary, child-free space open to guests 18 and older. Located at the front of every ship in the fleet, this indoor-outdoor oasis (or indoor-only on Quantum Class ships) offers impressive vistas and endless views of the sea. Thanks to a full glass canopy over the interior space, adult passengers can enjoy quiet lounging areas, swimming pools and whirlpool tubs with a view, no matter the weather. Select ships feature a cascading lagoon for further relaxation.

Be sure to grab a tropical cocktail or zero-proof drink at Solarium Bar (or Sunshine Bar, on Quantum ships) to sip poolside while enjoying the ocean vistas. Guests of both bars must be at least 21 years old when sailing from North America or a minimum of 18 when departing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Adult cruisers (18 and older) can relax and chill out at the first suspended infinity pool at sea at The Hideaway on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Icon of the Seas. The beach-vibe neighborhood, perched eight stories above the sea at the back of the ship, features Champagne cocktails, a DJ spinning tunes, full-size daybeds, a wraparound bar, and endless ocean and sunset views from the multilevel terrace.

Frequently Asked Questions

"Adults-only cruise ships – or adults-only spaces on cruise ships – have become increasingly popular over the years," says Chris Gray Faust, executive editor at Cruise Critic. "That's not only because fewer people are having families. It's also because parents themselves often want the chance to get away, either by themselves for a romantic trip or with friends to celebrate a special occasion, girls' or guys' weekend, or milestone birthdays."

"I seek out adult spaces on cruise ships primarily because I want my experience on a ship to mirror my life on land – a little quieter, with more sophisticated food and drink options," she explains. "I also appreciate the opportunity to connect with my friends who are parents in a space where we can have personal one-on-one conversations or let loose a bit with some drinks. Adults with children are more than just their kids, after all – and they also appreciate a space where they don't have to worry about their little ones."

Anne Scully, a partner at the luxury travel company EMBARK Beyond, says, "With so many cruise lines and sailings, it's always a good idea to have options – and adults-only cruises are very popular." She adds, "Viking and Virgin have always focused on adults-only cruises and most river cruises also cater to adult passengers."

Adults-only cruises are designed with guests ages 18 and older in mind, from the staterooms and dining venues to the onboard entertainment and shore excursions. What you typically won't find on board are water or theme parks, climbing walls, game rooms, and restaurants serving kid-friendly foods.

If you're looking for a relaxing, fun and romantic vacation without the kids in tow – and you don't want to deal with the other passengers' children on your getaway – consider booking a sailing specifically for cruisers at least 18 years old. Alternatively, select a cruise line or ship that caters to mostly adults and doesn't offer any services, kids clubs, babysitting or activities for children.

You don't have to be a kid to be a Disney Cruise Line fan. While the line does not have an adults-only vessel within the fleet, there are plenty of kid-free spaces for adults only. Adults can enjoy cocktails, dinner and entertainment in several venues and relax at designated pool areas on the ship. There's also private, adults-only stretch of beach, Serenity Bay, on the line's private island, Castaway Cay.

In addition, Disney offers one of the best programs to keep youngsters entertained at sea, so you'll find that many of the children hang out in the kids club during the day and in the evening. These club spaces are divided by age groups, and they're typically open until midnight or 1 a.m. so parents – and even adults without kids – can enjoy a night out on the ship sans kids.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and Vietnam and Cambodia and an expedition vessel in Antarctica. She covers the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for Couples
• The Best Party Cruises
• The Best Gay Cruises
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts

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A New Pacific Arsenal to Counter China

With missiles, submarines and alliances, the Biden administration has built a presence in the region to rein in Beijing’s expansionist goals.

By John Ismay ,  Edward Wong and Pablo Robles April 26, 2024

U.S. officials have long seen their country as a Pacific power, with troops and arsenals at a handful of bases in the region since just after World War II.

U.S. military or partner bases

But the Biden administration says that is no longer good enough to foil what it sees as the greatest threat to the democratic island of Taiwan — a Chinese invasion that could succeed within days.

The United States is sending the most advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan and has established a new kind of Marine Corps regiment on Okinawa that is designed to fight from small islands and destroy ships at sea.

The Pentagon has gained access to multiple airfields and naval bases in the Philippines , lessening the need for aircraft carriers that could be targeted by China’s long-range missiles and submarines in a time of war.

The Australian government hosts U.S. Marines in the north of the country, and one of three sites in the east will soon be the new home for advanced American-made attack submarines. The United States also has a new security agreement with Papua New Guinea.

Potential submarine bases

Xi Jinping, China’s leader, and other officials in Beijing have watched the U.S. moves with alarm. They call it an encirclement of their nation and say the United States is trying to constrain its main economic and military rival.

Since the start of his administration, President Biden has undertaken a strategy to expand American military access to bases in allied nations across the Asia-Pacific region and to deploy a range of new weapons systems there. He has also said the U.S. military would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion.

On Wednesday, Mr. Biden signed a $95 billion supplemental military aid and spending bill that Congress had just passed and that includes $8.1 billion to counter China in the region. And Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Shanghai and Beijing this week for meetings with Mr. Xi and other officials in which he raised China’s military activity in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, calling it “destabilizing.”

Mr. Xi told Mr. Blinken on Friday that the United States should not play a “zero-sum game” or “create small blocs.” He said that “while each side can have its friends and partners, it should not target, oppose or harm the other,” according to an official Chinese summary of the meeting.

Earlier in April, the leaders of the Philippines and Japan met with Mr. Biden at the White House for the first such summit among the three countries. They announced enhanced defense cooperation, including naval training and exercises, planned jointly and with other partners. Last year, the Biden administration forged a new three-way defense pact with Japan and South Korea.

President Biden held a trilateral meeting earlier this month with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines at the White House.

Yuri Gripas for The New York Times

“In 2023, we drove the most transformative year for U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific region in a generation,” Ely S. Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said in a statement following an interview.

The main change, he said, is having American forces distributed in smaller, more mobile units across a wide arc of the region rather than being concentrated at large bases in northeast Asia. That is largely intended to counter China’s efforts to build up forces that can target aircraft carriers or U.S. military outposts on Okinawa or Guam.

These land forces, including a retrained and refitted U.S. Marine littoral regiment in Okinawa, will now have the ability to attack warships at sea.

For the first time, Japan’s military will receive up to 400 of their own Tomahawk cruise missiles — the newest versions of which can attack ships at sea as well as targets on land from over 1,150 miles away.

The Pentagon has also gained access rights for its troops at four additional bases in the Philippines that could eventually host U.S. warplanes and advanced mobile missile launchers, if Washington and Manila agree that offensive weaponry can be placed there.

The United States has bilateral mutual defense agreements with several allied nations in the region so that an attack on the assets of one nation could trigger a response from the other. Bolstering the U.S. troop presence on the soil of allied countries strengthens that notion of mutual defense.

In addition, the United States continues to send weapons and Green Beret trainers to Taiwan, a de facto independent island and the biggest flashpoint between the United States and China. Mr. Xi has said his nation must eventually take control of Taiwan, by force if necessary.

“We’ve deepened our alliances and partnerships abroad in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago,” Kurt Campbell, the new deputy secretary of state, told reporters last year, when he was the top Asia policy official in the White House.

What Deters China?

Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, said in an interview in Taipei that the strengthened alliances and evolving military force postures were critical to deterring China.

“We are very happy to see that many countries in this region are coming to the realization that they also have to be prepared for further expansions of the P.R.C.,” he said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

To some Chinese military strategists, the U.S. efforts are aimed at keeping China’s naval forces behind the “first island chain” — islands close to mainland Asia that run from Okinawa in Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines.

U.S. military assets along these islands could prevent Chinese warships from getting into the open Pacific waters farther east if conflict were to break out.

Leaders in China’s People’s Liberation Army also talk of establishing military dominance of the “second island chain” — which is farther out in the Pacific and includes Guam, Palau and West Papua.

First Island Chain

Second Island Chain

philippines

But several conservative critics of the administration’s policies argue that the United States should be keeping major arms for its own use and that it is not producing new ships and weapons systems quickly enough to deter China, which is rapidly growing its military .

Some American commanders acknowledge the United States needs to speed up ship production but say the Pentagon’s warfighting abilities in the region still outmatch China’s — and can improve quickly with the right political and budget commitments in Washington.

“We have actually grown our combat capability here in the Pacific over the last years,” Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. said in an interview before becoming the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on May 3. “But our trajectory is still not a trajectory that matches our adversary. Our adversaries are building more capability and they’re building more warships — per year — than we are.”

Mr. Paparo said new American warships were still more capable than the ones China is building, and the U.S. military’s “total weight of fires” continued to outmatch that of the People’s Liberation Army, for now.

Warplanes on the flight deck of U.S.S. Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, during a joint U.S. and Japanese military exercise in the Philippine Sea in January.

Richard A. Brooks/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , a Cold War-era arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow, prohibited land-based cruise or ballistic missiles with ranges between 311 miles and 3,420 miles. But after the Trump administration withdrew from the pact, the United States was able to develop and field a large number of small, mobile launchers for previously banned missiles around Asia.

Even with the deployment of new systems, the United States would still rely on its legacy assets in the region in the event of war: its bases in Guam, Japan and South Korea, and the troops and arms there.

All of the senior U.S. officials interviewed for this story say war with China is neither desirable nor inevitable — a view expressed publicly by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. But they also insist that a military buildup and bolstering alliances, along with diplomatic talks with China, are important elements of deterring potential future aggression by Beijing.

Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, told Mr. Blinken on Friday in Beijing that “the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building, and the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions.” He warned the United States “not to interfere in China’s internal affairs, not to hold China’s development back, and not to step on China’s red lines and on China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.”

U.S. military or

partner bases

The new deterrent effort is twofold for American forces: increasing patrolling activities at sea and the capabilities of its troop levels ashore.

To the former, the Pentagon has announced that U.S. Navy warships will participate in more drills with their Japanese counterparts in the western Ryukyu Islands near Taiwan and with Filipino ships in the South China Sea, where the Chinese coast guard has harassed ships and installations controlled by the Philippines .

A swarm of Chinese militia and Coast Guard vessels chased a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea last year.

Jes Aznar for The New York Times

To the latter, Marine Corps and Army units already in the Pacific have recently fielded medium- and long-range missiles mated to small, mobile trucks that would have been prohibited under the former treaty.

These trucks can be quickly lifted by Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft or larger cargo planes to new locations, or they can simply drive away to evade a Chinese counterattack. A new flotilla of U.S. Army watercraft being sent to the region could also be used to reposition troops and launchers from island to island.

In an interview last year with The New York Times, Gen. David H. Berger, then the Marine Corps’ top general, said the service had begun analyzing strategic choke points between islands where Chinese forces were likely to transit throughout the Pacific. He said the service had identified sites where Marine assault forces like the new Okinawa-based littoral regiment could launch attacks on Beijing’s warships using these new weapons.

Philippines

Partner bases

The Pentagon announced in February last year a new military base-sharing agreement with Manila, giving U.S. forces access to four sites in the Philippines for use in humanitarian missions, adding to the five sites previously opened to the Pentagon in 2014. Most of them are air bases with runways long enough to host heavy cargo planes.

Plotting their locations on a map shows the sites’ strategic value should the United States be called upon to defend their oldest treaty ally in the region , if the Philippines eventually agrees to allow the U.S. military to put combat troops and mobile missile systems there.

One, on the northern tip of Luzon Island, would give missile-launching trucks the ability to attack Chinese ships across the strait separating Philippines from Taiwan, while another site about 700 miles to the southwest would allow the U.S. to strike bases that China has built in the Spratly Islands nearby.

In 2023, the United States committed $100 million for “infrastructure investments” at the nine bases, with more funds expected this year.

The Pentagon has forged closer military ties with Australia and Papua New Guinea , extending America’s bulwark against potential attempts by the Chinese military at establishing dominance along the “second island chain.”

The Obama administration moved a number of littoral combat ships to Singapore and deployed a rotating force of Marines to Darwin, on Australia’s north coast, giving the Pentagon more assets that could respond as needed in the region.

Last year, the Biden administration greatly elevated its commitment to Australia, which is one of America’s most important non-NATO allies.

The U.S.S. North Carolina, a Virginia-class submarine, docking in Perth, Australia, last year.

Tony Mcdonough/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A new multibillion dollar agreement called AUKUS — for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States — will permanently transfer some of the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack subs to Canberra . The location of the new bases for those subs has not been announced, but the first group of Australian sailors who will crew them graduated from nuclear power training in America in January.

These stealthy submarines, which can fire torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, will potentially add to the number of threats Beijing faces in case of a regional war.

Just north of Australia, an agreement in August gave U.S. forces more access to Papua New Guinea for humanitarian missions and committed American tax dollars to update military facilities there.

To Admiral Paparo, this growing network of partnerships and security agreements across thousands of miles of the Pacific is a direct result of what he calls China’s “revanchist, revisionist and expansionist agenda” in the region that has directly threatened its neighbors.

“I do believe that the U.S. and our allies and partners are playing a stronger hand and that we would prevail in any fight that arose in the Western Pacific,” the admiral said.

“It’s a hand that I would not trade with our would-be adversaries, and yet we’re also never satisfied with the strength of that hand and always looking to improve it.”

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