A Complete Guide to the Miami Cruise Port

PortMiami is recognized as the second busiest cruise port on the planet, right behind another eastern Florida port, Port Canaveral. This “Cruise Capital of the World” processed over 8.5 million passengers in 2025, with more growth on the horizon. The Miami cruise port is home to not only many of the newest and best ships afloat, but also the newest and most innovative cruise terminals in the world.

If you’re planning a cruise from this south Florida cruise port, you’ve come to the right place. In our complete guide to the Miami cruise port, we’re going over how to get to the port, terminals, parking, and more.

Quick Summary

• PortMiami currently has nine active cruise terminals.
• Cruise lines that sail from the Miami cruise port include Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Virgin Voyages, Celebrity, Holland America, and Explora Journeys, among others.
• The closest airport to the port of Miami is Miami International Airport (MIA).
• The best transportation options to and from the Miami cruise port include driving, cruise line-operated or independent shuttles, or rideshares like Uber or Lyft.
• PortMiami has its own parking garages where cruisers can park their car for the duration of the cruise. There are also several third-party cruise parking lots located in downtown Miami.
• Hotel options close to the Miami cruise port include the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Intercontinental Miami, and Kimpton Epic Miami.
• Things to do near PortMiami include visiting the Perez Art Museum or Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, shopping and dining at Bayside Marketplace or in downtown Miami, enjoying South Beach, and strolling around Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Cruise Lines That Sail From Miami Cruise Port

The Miami cruise port is ideally located just a bridge away from the downtown Miami area. Over the causeway on Dodge Island in the beautiful Biscayne Bay, PortMiami offers some of the best sail away views you could ask for to kick off a cruise vacation.

PortMiami is a homeport for a number of cruise lines. These brands include:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Virgin Voyages
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Seabourn
• Explora Journeys
• Cunard
• Azamara

Several cruise lines also include Miami as a port of call on some itineraries.

When arriving at the Miami cruise port for your cruise, there will be large signs directing passengers to the correct terminals. Given that PortMiami is bustling with cruise ships year-round, it’s no surprise that there are several terminals to process passengers. The good news is that most of them are adjacent to each other along the waterfront.

Miami Cruise Port Terminals

Terminal(s)	Cruise Line(s)	Additional Notes
Terminal AA	MSC Cruises	At the time of publishing, Royal Caribbean is also temporarily using Terminal AA as construction is completed at Terminal G
Terminal A	Royal Caribbean	Celebrity Cruises also occasionally uses this terminal
Terminal B	Norwegian Cruise Line
Terminal C	Norwegian, MSC Cruises	C is a multi-purpose terminal often used as overflow for lines including NCL and MSC
Terminals D, E, & F	Carnival, Princess, P&O, and Holland America	These terminals primarily service Carnival Corporation ships
Terminal G	Royal Caribbean and Celebrity	Currently being rebuilt, set to open in 2027
Terminal J	Oceania, Azamara, and Regent Seven Seas	Primarily services small, boutique lines
Terminal V	Virgin Voyages

Terminal AA

Terminal AA is MSC Cruises’ new cruise terminal, which opened in April 2025. The 490,000 square-foot, four-level facility can accommodate up to three ships at once and process up to 36,000 passengers in one day. Terminal AA is the largest cruise terminal in the world.

Terminal A

Terminal A is Royal Caribbean’s state-of-the-art 170,000 square-foot facility. This terminal was completed in November 2018 in time to process the largest cruise ship in the world at the time, Symphony of the Seas. It features an expedited check-in area for international guests, spacious waiting areas, and life-sized rotating ship propeller sculptures as a focal point.

Terminal B

Terminal B is Norwegian Cruise Line’s modern 190,000 square-foot terminal, which opened in August 2021. The terminal, known as the “Pearl of Miami,” features a curved shape and massive wall of windows with modern waiting areas and efficient check-in and information desks near the boarding areas.

Terminal C

Terminal C is a multi-purpose terminal. In the past, it’s been used for ships from MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Terminals D, E, and F

Terminals D, E, and F service Carnival Corporation cruise ships. Carnival Cruise Line renovated and expanded Terminal F in 2022, just in time to welcome its newest ship at the time, Carnival Celebration. Terminals D and E are primarily used by Carnival, Princess, P&O, and Holland America.

Terminal G

Royal Caribbean Group is currently rebuilding and expanding Terminal G to be able to handle the largest vessels in the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises fleets. The project involves the demolition of the existing terminal and surrounding structures and roadways to accommodate a new multi-story terminal and parking garage. It’s expected to open in 2027.

Terminal J

Terminal J primarily services smaller, more boutique cruise lines like Oceania, Azamara, and Regent Seven Seas.

Terminal V

Terminal V is Virgin Voyages’ 100,000 square-foot terminal, which opened in 2022. The state-of-the-art facility features a modern, geometric palm tree design inspired by the area’s history as a place where coconuts were once harvested.

Flying to Miami for a Cruise

Given Miami’s ideal location, this cruise port offers an array of cruise itineraries. Cruisers will find routes to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America, along with Panama Canal transits, transatlantic cruises, and more departing from Miami, Florida.

While many Florida locals do drive to the port, most cruisers fly here to embark on their cruise vacations. The closest airport is the Miami International Airport (MIA).

This airport is located less than 10 miles from PortMiami. Based on traffic, the trip usually takes somewhere between 20-30 minutes.

You’ll find flights to Miami on most major airlines, with the airport actually serving as a hub for American Airlines. Under 30 miles up the road is the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is also an option for those taking a cruise from Miami. Major airlines also fly to FLL, with that airport operating as a hub for JetBlue. Plan for at least a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from FLL to PortMiami.

Knowing this information, you should plan your flights appropriately if you plan to fly in the day of your cruise. However, we never recommend doing this. Instead, we suggest that cruisers fly in the day before to avoid issues from any potential travel delays.

Transportation To and From the Port of Miami

Once you arrive at the airport, you will need to figure out how to get to Miami cruise port. Thankfully, you have several transportation options. Some of these options will depend on whether you fly in the day before or the day of your cruise.

As mentioned previously, if you live within driving distance of the Miami cruise port, you will likely be driving to the cruise terminal. If you are driving, we will discuss parking options a bit later. However, there are several other transportation options available.

Cruise Line Transfers

If you are arriving the day of your cruise, a cruise line transfer from the airport might be the easiest option, though likely not the cheapest. Many cruise lines offer an option to book this transportation pre-cruise.

Once at the airport, a cruise line representative will greet you at baggage claim and escort you and your luggage to the check-in area. After checking-in, you will board the next departing bus to the ship. These transfers are available from both airports and can run upwards of $40 per person depending on the airport and cruise line. Further, they run on set time schedules.

Independent Shuttles

There are also several independent shuttle options. These shuttle options may include shuttles from the airport to the cruise terminal and/or hotel shuttles. Some of these options include GO Airport shuttle, Express Shuttle Miami, and more.

Most often, these shuttles are a shared service that run on a set time schedule, or a private transfer can be arranged.

Rideshares and Taxis

Shared Ride Services are probably the most popular form of transportation. Services like Uber and Lyft are allowed to pick-up/drop-off passengers at both the airport and the cruise port.

The cost of using these services varies based on the type of vehicle you choose but the average starting cost for an UberX is around $30 for Miami and around $60 for Fort Lauderdale. Taxis are also available between both airports and PortMiami.

Public Transportation

If you are up to taking public transportation, it could save you some money. Though, it will certainly not be the most convenient. Tri-Rail, Metro Rail, and Brightline have services that will get you to downtown Miami, but you will still need additional transportation for the last mile or so to the port.

Parking at the Miami Cruise Port

If you are driving to the Miami cruise port, the PortMiami cruise parking is the most convenient option available. This “official” cruise parking is the only parking available at all cruise terminals. 

Designated disabled permit parking spaces are available in each of these garages.

On embarkation day, the garages are open and staffed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may drop off your luggage at the terminal before parking. There is also a free shuttle from each parking facility to the terminal if needed.

The current Miami cruise port parking cost is $25 or $35 per night, depending on the specific garage. If someone is dropping you off or picking you up, short term parking is available at a reduced rate and there are also cell phone waiting lots.

The Port does not own or operate any off-site parking facilities. Though, independent off-site parking lots can be a much cheaper option. This option is not the most convenient, as you will need to take a shuttle from the lots/garages in the downtown Miami area.

Some area options include Premier Cruise Parking and Safe Cruise Parking, which can save you over 50 percent a day.

Of course, if you opt for a pre-cruise stay in a hotel, some hotels also offer cruise and stay packages which can include parking for the duration of your cruise.

Hotels Near the Miami Cruise Port

When preparing for your cruise, you should consider planning a pre-cruise stay before the vacation. When cruising from the Miami cruise port, you will have a number of hotel options. Even if you are flying into the Fort Lauderdale airport, we would recommend securing a hotel in Miami so you are closer to the cruise port in the morning.

The Downtown and Brickell neighborhoods of Miami offer plenty of hotel choices. Some popular options include Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Intercontinental Miami, and Kimpton Epic Miami.

If you want to spice up your pre-cruise stay, you could always spend a few days in South Beach. For more selections, see our guide to the Top Hotels Near the Miami Cruise Port.

Top Things to Do Near the Miami Cruise Port

If you are cruising out of Miami, hopefully you are planning a pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel stay in the area, as there is so much to do and see near this popular cruise port.

Just in the downtown area alone, there is the Freedom Tower, Miami Heat games at the Kaseya Center, and the Bayside Marketplace. There is also the Perez Art Museum which is arguably the best contemporary art museum in South Florida and the family-friendly Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

There are many other neighborhoods outside of downtown that are worth exploring as well. In Little Havana, you can immerse yourself in the Cuban culture or admire the tree-lined streets, magnificent fountains, and stunning architecture in Coral Gables.

Coconut Grove is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami. This neighborhood offers a relaxed vibe and picturesque views of Biscayne Bay. It is also home to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Wynwood, a trendy up-and-coming area just north of downtown Miami, is home to one of the largest street art collections in the world. Most famous are the Wynwood Walls, a giant set of outdoor murals.

Of course, there is also South Beach. With beautiful beaches, Art Deco architecture, high-end shopping, fine dining, and nightclubs, there is never a dull moment day or night. South Pointe Park is also a great place to view the cruise ships sailing away.

If you are looking for even more options, see our Top Things to Do in Miami on a Cruise with more tour and shore excursion ideas!

Commonly Asked Questions: Miami Cruise Port

Do you need a passport to sail from PortMiami?

If you’re a U.S. citizen taking a roundtrip voyage from PortMiami (meaning it both starts and ends in Miami), you don’t actually need a passport to sail. You should absolutely use your passport to sail if you have one. If you don’t, you’ll need to provide the following documents: a government-issued photo ID (such as your driver’s license) and your original birth certificate (or a certified birth certificate).

Note that this option ONLY applies to roundtrip voyages to/from a U.S. port and only applies to U.S. citizens. We still strongly encourage everyone to sail with a passport because it provides more security and convenience if something were to happen during the voyage and you were forced to fly home from a foreign country.

What should I carry with me on embarkation day?

You should carry any important documents, your passport, medications, electronics, and any beverages you’re bringing with you on board in your hand luggage. This means that you should not give the bag(s) that contain these items to a porter once you arrive at the port; you will carry them with you through the security and check-in process, and eventually onto the ship.

We also recommend you pack any toiletries and clothes you might need during your first day on the ship in your hand luggage as well, along with a swimsuit. That way if your larger bags are misplaced and take a bit longer to get to your cabin, you’ll still have a swimsuit so that you don’t miss out on any pool time, and a change of clothes for dinner.

What happens if I arrive earlier than my designated window on embarkation day?

This depends on your cruise line and particular sailing. In some instances, you might have to wait outside the terminal building until your time frame begins. Other times, you’ll be allowed into the building as soon as you arrive, even if you’re early. Our rule of thumb is to try to arrive to the terminal right before your time frame opens. That way you’ll be on the ship as fast as possible if they don’t let you in ahead of time, but won’t have to wait long outside. If they do let you in early, you’ll be in line and moving through the security and check-in process sooner than you would have been otherwise.

Comments

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