If you’re sailing from the Port of Miami (PortMiami), you’re probably getting ready for the experience of a lifetime aboard a cruise line of your choice. So, it is no wonder that with yearly passenger traffic of close to 5.5 million, Miami Cruise Port is one of the busiest and biggest in the world. Who doesn’t love to travel on cruise lines like the Royal Caribbean International or Carnival?
Located at 1015 N America Way, Miami, the port handles nearly 22 cruise lines and 55 cruise ships yearly. Access to the port from the Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is quite easy. It is also a few miles away from Downtown Miami and major interstates. So, if you’re a first-time traveler from PortMiami, it won’t be that difficult to reach the port.
But with nine terminals, onsite terminal parking, and lounges, you may get confused once you’re inside the port. Don’t worry! Our comprehensive Miami Cruise Terminal guide will make your journey hassle-free and enjoyable!
There are nine Miami Cruise Terminals – AA/AAA, A, B, C, D and E, F, G, J, and V, with some currently undergoing renovation and construction. Port Miami Cruise Terminal parking is available on the north and south sides of the port. Daily parking at these onsite lots will cost a maximum of $22. In contrast, offsite parking rates start as low as $11 per day.
| PortMiami Parking Lot | Duration | Parking Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term (Garages B, C, D, E, F, G, V, J, and Surface Lots C and E) | Daily (not overnight) or fraction of | $10 |
| Long-term (Garages B, C, D, E, F, G, V, J, and Surface Lots C and E) | Daily (Overnight or greater) or fraction of | $22 |
| Cruiseparking.com | Daily | $11 |
Terminal AA/AAA is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2024 for $300 million. The terminal will be home to MSC Cruises. The luxury cruise line will finance, develop, operate, and maintain the facility as a homeport for its future fleet.
1015 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
An exclusive terminal to the Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Terminal A is the largest cruise terminal in the USA. Also famous as the “The Crown of Miami,” RCI operates this cruise terminal jointly with Miami-Dade County. It can accommodate around two million cruise passengers each year.
1751 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
Terminal B is home to the Norwegian Cruise Lines. The terminal, famous as “The Pearl of Miami,” is a remarkable example of modern architecture with a huge, rounded façade resembling an ocean wave. The terminal has an area of around 166,500 sq ft.
1741 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
Norwegian Cruise Lines earlier used the terminal. Currently, cruise lines like Disney and MSC use this terminal. Looking east to South Beach or west to downtown, you get a stunning view of the entire Miami area from this location.
Terminal D - 1435 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132; Terminal E - 1265 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
Terminal D opened in 2007 and was renovated in 2013 to handle the larger Carnival cruise ships. Terminal E, renovated in 2018, also serves Carnival Cruise Lines. So, both D & E terminals are exclusive to Carnival cruise ships.
1103 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
Terminal F was previously MSC’s home port and cruise terminal. Now, the terminal is being renovated to handle Carnival Cruise Line’s planned 7,000-person Excel-class vessels, like Mardi Gras, Panorama, and Celebration.
909/1055 North Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
The terminal was completed in 2013 with a budget of around $2 million. It currently serves the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.
1120 Caribbean Way, Port of Miami, FL33132
Oceania and Regent Seven Seas operate this terminal. This terminal can accommodate smaller boutique vessels and more premium luxury cruise liners. Azamara and Crystal Cruises also use it. The terminal is undergoing renovation at a budget of $3 million, including ground-level restrooms and a new outside escalator.
897 South Cruise Blvd, Port of Miami, FL33132
The terminal, having an area of around 100,000 sq ft, exclusively serves Virgin Voyages. Located on PortMiami’s northwest side, the terminal will be home to cruise ships like Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady.
These are some hotels near PortMiami.
| Hotel | Distance from PortMiami (in miles) | Shuttle rate |
|---|---|---|
| YVE Hotel Miami | 1.6 | $8 |
| Holiday Inn Port of Miami-Downtown | 1.7 | $8 |
| InterContinental Miami | 1.9 | Free |
| InterContinental Miami | 1.9 | Free |
| Eurostars Langford | 2 | No service |
| Hyatt Regency Miami | 2.1 | No service |
| Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Brickell-Port of Miami | 2.1 | $12 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Brickell Downtown | 2.9 | $8 |
| Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Miami - Downtown Brickell - Cruise Port | 3.3 | $9 |
| Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel | 6.9 | Free |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami-Airport/Blue Lagoon | 8.9 | Free |
These are some restaurants close to the port.
| Restaurant | Distance from PortMiami (in miles) |
|---|---|
| CVI.CHE 105 | 1.6 |
| Black Market Bayside | 1.6 |
| Novikov Miami | 1.9 |
| Toro Toro | 1.9 |
| Boulud Sud Miami | 2 |
| Zuma Miami | 2 |
| Cantina La Veinte | 2.3 |
| Cipriani Downtown Miami | 2.7 |
| Edge Brasserie and Cocktail Bar | 2.9 |
| Edge Brasserie and Cocktail Bar | 2.9 |
| La Mar by Gastón Acurio | 3 |
You don’t have to be tense about the security check process at the Cruise Terminal in Miami. Ideally, there are no security checkpoints for passengers boarding a cruise from any Miami Cruise terminal. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials will scan the passengers and their carry-on before boarding the cruise. TSA officials use many methods like metal detectors, X-ray machines, and pat-downs to scan. If your luggage doesn’t contain contraband or restricted items, you can collect it on the other side of the x-ray machine and proceed to check-in.
Many cruise lines also facilitate online check-in these days. But this isn’t mandatory. You can stand in a queue, wait, and speak to the cruise line representative.
You can reach PortMiami via these modes.
If you’re a resident of Florida, you may think about driving to the port. But there are two things you must consider before driving to PortMiami – you’ll have to tackle the South Florida traffic and also find a parking spot before boarding the cruise. Though onsite parking options are available in the port, you may not get parking if you don’t preplan, and parking rates start at $22 daily. So, the best way to ensure parking is by booking one at any offsite lots nearby, with rates starting at $11 daily.
Driving directions: Take I-95 South from the north to the Eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach) ramp. Continue driving east on I-395, crossing the MacArthur Causeway ICW Bridge, and the tunnel entrance will be on your left. Then take SR-826 North to SR-836 East, then head eastward SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach).
Use the Metrorail’s Orange Line if you’re traveling from Downtown Miami. From the Government Centre Metrorail/Metromover Station, you must transfer to the City of Miami Coral Way Trolley.
Also, Amtrak train services from Washington, New York City, Orlando, Richmond, Savannah, and other Eastern Seaboard cities operate from Miami Station near the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station.
You can use rideshare services to reach the port. Getting an Uber/Lyft from Downtown Miami to PortMiami will cost between $10-$80. The rate can vary based on the pickup point, rideshare service, the type of car, and the time you travel.
Getting a taxi to the port can be expensive compared to rideshare services. You must pay a flat rate of $27 if traveling from Miami Airport to PortMiami. The estimated rate from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to the port is around $86. You must pay around $10-$20 if you’re traveling from Downtown Miami.
Many hotels near the port offer shuttle services to the port when you book accommodation with them. InterContinental Miami, Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel, and Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami-Airport/Blue Lagoon are some hotels that offer a free shuttle service. The shuttle service rate varies by the hotel you choose. Some hotels may not have a shuttle service, but they’ll arrange your transportation via taxi or a third party at an extra cost.
Airports like MIA and FLL also offer private shuttle services for you. These are more beneficial for smaller groups.
If you plan to stay near the port before boarding your cruise, try visiting some of these places.
For more information on Port of Miami Parking
Cruiseparking.com offers the best prices, making sure that you get the most value for your money.
