Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Miami cruise port guide: Everything to know about hotels, sites, transfers

miami cruise ports

In addition to taxis, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available from points across the city and surrounding area. It basically means you use a very simple smartphone app to request a ride, and your driver uses his/her personal vehicle. These are great hassle-free options to get to your cruise terminal and are often more comfortable than a cab. The cruise port of Miami receives more than 5 million passengers a year and serves more than 20 companies and 60 different ships. Some of the world’s largest and newest ships call at or homeport in Miami, such as Symphony of the Seas, Norwegian Bliss or MSC Meraviglia.

What cruise trip options do I have from Miami?

Affordable short term parking is available at two designated lots. These are great options for friends, family and others if you are being picked up. Cell phone waiting lots are found across from Terminal B and Terminal 2 (POMTOC). If you are driving a recreational vehicle or have a trailer, there are spots for oversized vehicles at Lot 2 close to Terminal E. All parking facilities are patrolled by security.

Independent Shuttles

Just over the bridge from PortMiami, there are lots of things to do such as the Frost Museum of Science, Bayfront Park, and the Bayside Marketplace. The marketplace has a nice selection of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and shops, and is a fun place to watch the boats move in and out of the marina. South Beach, world-famous for its sand and glitz, is the place to see and be seen. While hotels right on the beach are expensive, there are many choices a block or two away that are more affordable.

Best Time to Visit and Cruise from Miami?

PortMiami Reclaims Title of Busiest Cruise Port with Growth Continuing - The Maritime Executive

PortMiami Reclaims Title of Busiest Cruise Port with Growth Continuing.

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The port is poised for yet another exceptionally strong cruise season as it welcomes a host of new cruise brands and new build ships that rank among the most innovative vessels on the seas. Terminal JSailing on a cruise line with smaller ships, like Regent Seven Seas or Oceania? There’s a good chance you’ll sail from Terminal J. The cruise terminal is on the southern side of the island, opposite of the rest of the cruise port traffic. Its location with no other ships around make getting to your cruise a bit less hectic than some of the busier terminals.

miami cruise ports

It is due for completion in late 2021 at an estimated cost of $180 million. It is located on the northwest side of the port and is planned to be the homeport to Virgin’s showcase Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. Known as “The Crown of Miami” this cruise terminal is operated by RCI in collaboration with Miami-Dade County. It was designed to handle 2 million cruise passengers per year. MSC previously used Terminal F. Designed by Aquatonica, the planned new mega-ship terminal will have two terminals and two berths.

Free shuttle service is offered between all parking areas and the cruise terminals. The Miami cruise port advises drivers to drop off passengers and luggage at the terminal prior to parking. Ignored by most, there is a Trolley (FREE) with a stop next to Terminal J and another stop close enough to Terminal F - find below the terminals where cruise ships dock. However if your cruise ships docks at any of the other terminals the walk can be quite long - over 3/4 mile (1 km) to Terminal B. If you are driving your own vehicle to the port, parking garages and lots are conveniently located at all the cruise terminals. There are designed parking spots in each garage for disabled permit holders, and a wheelchair accessible shuttle connects passengers from their vehicle to their cruise terminal.

However, several exciting neighborhoods are only a few minutes away and, this being Miami, a ton of hotels are within a short ride of the port. MSC has broken ground on their new cruise terminal slated to open in 2023 and will be able to hold up to three ships at once. Here’s a rendering of the new terminal, built in partnership with Fincantieri (who is currently building the MSC Seashore at their shipyard in Italy). Opened late 2021 with the arrival of Virgin’s Scarlett Lady, this state of the art terminal  – Palm Grove – is located on the north west side of the port (see link to map below). Miami is considered the Cruise Capital of the world, with over 7 million cruise passengers visiting it’s port each year.

Expect 45 minutes to one hour if you are headed to Fort Lauderdale. While navigating around the port can be a little confusing given the twists and turns and the number of terminals, picking up and dropping off is simple. You’ll see signs at the terminal directing you to the spot where you can let out passengers (and pick them up afterward).

This “official” cruise parking is the only parking available at all cruise terminals. The Intercontinental Miami, located at Bayfront Park and just steps from Bayfront Marketplace and other must-do sights, is a particular favorite among cruisers. Be sure to ask for a port view room so you can see your ship when you wake up on embarkation day. If you’re driving to the port, then you obviously need a place to park your car. As in other port cities, there’s an industry surrounding cruise parking for passengers. We cover all of your options in full detail (with prices and locations) in our Port of Miami cruise parking article.

The drive to Key Biscayne from the port will take 25 to 40 minutes via taxi, depending on traffic. For the convenience of being right at the cruise port, choose an on-site lot. To save a few bucks, park at a nearby lot or hotel and commute from there to your cruise terminal. A variety of local companies operate shared and private van shuttles and limo services from both MIA and FLL to area hotels and the port. Consider vendors like Express Shuttle Miami, which offers shared rides for around $15 per person from MIA and $25 per person from FLL.

However, some companies may assign you a specific time or time slot to show up at the port. In that case, you must respect the indicated time and not arrive too early or too late. Miami cruises often range from nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. This week, PortMiami welcomed the CMA CGM Osiris, a Neo-Panamax vessel and, the largest container ship to dock at PortMiami to date. With a capacity of 15,536 TEU’s (twenty foot-equivalent unit), the Osiris is currently on the Manhattan Bridge shipping route connecting China to U.S. Recognized globally as the "Cruise Capital of the World" PortMiami is the world's leading cruise port.

miami cruise ports

Miami Metro is USA's 8th-most populous and 4th-largest, with population around 5,5 million. The city is a leader in international trade, commerce, finance, media, entertainment, arts. In 2010, it was ranked USA's 7th and world's 33rd in terms of human capital, business activities, information exchange, politics and culture. Nicknamed "Capital of Latin America", Miami is USA's largest city with Cuban-American citizens. Brickell City Centre is another shopping destination close to the port. With over 120 stores and services spread across four floors, the shopping center has something for everyone.

South of downtown, and connected to the city and airport via the MertoRail system, is Coconut Grove. This upscale area includes an outdoor mall, plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife, plus a good selection of mid-range hotels. Coconut Grove is a trendy, but comfortable spot to spend some time. Miami Cruise Terminals C, D & E have been built with mega-ships holding up to 5000 passengers. Over five times the size of the Titanic, the Icon of the Seas is over 1000 feet long and 20 decks tall.

As a perk, many hotels near the Port of Miami offer cruise parking deals. You stay one night and parking while you are on your cruise is included in your room package or is a small additional daily fee. As a bonus, many of the hotels also offer shuttles to the cruise port. Given the high cost of parking at the cruise port, hotel parking can save you considerably. Of course, there are a number of hotels near the Miami cruise port.

You can download the Go Miami-Dade Transit app and guide to help you plan your journey by bus, train or mover car from anywhere in the city.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Take a Tour: Kat Von D's New 147-Year-Old Haunted Indiana Mansion

Table Of Content California climbers train for Mt. Everest from the comfort of their own beds Related Articles Feds say he masterminded an e...