Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

We have booked a New England Cruise in September that sails from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. I haven%26#39;t decided yet how we will get to the terminal but am leaning towards driving (from North Carolina). My plan is to drive to around Philadelphia and spend the night before there and then drive to the terminal the next day for our cruise. My question is this and please don%26#39;t laugh - how scary is it driving over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge? The thing is I have this fear of heights and the thought of driving over that tall bridge is really bothering me. Is it as bad as it sounds? Is there an alternative way to get to the cruise terminal? Thanks for any help?

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

Try for the lower level (if it%26#39;s open) of the VN Bridge by aiming for a toll both towards the left as you approach the toll plaza on the Staten Island Expressway; you%26#39;ll feel more ';grounded'; there than on the top level.

Avoid the Outerbridge Crossing exit of the NJ Turnpike (which will be the first sign you see, coming from the south, indicating access to Staten Island) and proceed up to NJ Turnpike exit 13 to take the Goethals Bridge from NJ into Staten Island. The total length of the elevated access/span of the Goethals is shorter than that of the Outerbridge, and the Goethals%26#39; lanes are a bit wider which should help alleviate your acrophobia.

Good luck!

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

OOPS, what I should have said is that you want to aim for a toll booth on the *right* hand side of the toll plaza for easier access to the lower level of the VN bridge.

I would fly or take Amtrak. Why drive all that way through traffic you aren%26#39;t used to when airfares are good these days.

Besides that, just what were you planning on doing with your car in Brooklyn all that time? I don%26#39;t think there is long-term parking anywhere near the cruise terminal.

The cruise terminal does have its own secured parking lot for passsengers%26#39; cars. Seem to remember that a recent poster said the fee was $20/day.

The Verrazano was until recently the longest suspension bridge in the world. It is very tall as well. If you panic on bridges, this will bring out the angst in you. I recently took a cruise out of New Jersey and the ship passed under the Verranzano, missing it by about 10 feet. That should tell you about how tall it is.

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is in the neighborhood of Red Hook. This is an old and battered industrial neighborhood that is cut off from mass transportation. However, it is rapidly gentrifying with some great restaurants and stores. If you have time, I%26#39;d recommend eating at my friends restaurant, ';The Good Fork.'; http://www.goodfork.com/