This post covers the largest and busiest cruise port in the world, the Miami Cruise Port located in Miami, Florida
First things first. The Miami Cruise Port is immense. Below is a detailed map of the facility. A larger version of this map is available HERE.
Located at 1015 N. America Way Miami, FL, 33132, Port Miami sits in Biscayne Bay, on Dodge Island, a man-made island made specifically for cruise and cargo ports. It is connected to downtown Miami by Port Boulevard, a causeway which travels over the Intracoastal Waterway and Watson Island via the PortMiami Tunnel. It’s cruise website is located here.
PortMiami primarily serves the following:
Getting There
For GPS Purposes, these are the addresses of the various terminals:
- Cruise Terminal AA/AAA – 2200 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal A – 2000 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal B – 1761 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal C – 1741/1751 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal D – 1435 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal E – 1265 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal F – 1103 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal G – 909 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal V – 718 N. Cruise Blvd.
- Cruise Terminal J – 1120 Caribbean Way.
Directions from the Port of Miami Tunnel:
- From the North to PortMiami: Take I-95 South to Eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach) ramp. Continue on I-395 East, go over the MacArthur Causeway ICW Bridge and the tunnel entrance is on your left.
- From the South to PortMiami: Take SR-826 North to SR-836 East, head eastbound on SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach). Continue on I-395 East/MacArthur Causeway and the tunnel entrance is on your left.
- From the West to PortMiami: Take I-95 North to Eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach) ramp. Continue on I-395 East/MacArthur Causeway and the tunnel entrance is on your left.
- From Miami Beach to PortMiami: Take I-395/MacArthur Causeway Westbound and exit on Biscayne Boulevard ramp. Make a U-turn on N. Bayshore Drive to enter Eastbound MacArthur Causeway. Continue on Eastbound I-395 and the tunnel entrance is on your left.
Directions from Downtown/Port Bridge:
- From the North to PortMiami: Take I-95 South and exit 3B-Bayside. Head south to Northeast 5th Street and turn left. Fifth Street will lead onto the PortMiami bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow signage to your designated terminal.
- From the South to PortMiami: Take I-95 North and exit at Northwest 2nd Street. Head straight to NW 5th Street and make a right. Fifth Street will lead onto the PortMiami bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow signage to your designated terminal.
Parking at PortMiami
PortMiami has parking available for each Cruise Terminal located on both north and south sides of the Port. The garages are lettered, and most (but not all), correspond with the terminal it serves:
Northside
- Cruise Terminal A – Multi-Level Garage A
- Cruise Terminal B – Multi-Level Garage B
- Cruise Terminal C – Multi-Level Garage C
- Cruise Terminal D – Multi-Level Garage D and Surface Lot D
- Cruise Terminal E – Surface Lot E
- Cruise Terminal F – Multi-Level Garage G
- Cruise Terminal G – Multi-Level Garage G
- Cruise Terminal V – Multi-Level Garage G
Southside
- Cruise Terminal J – Multi-Level Garage J and Multi-Level Garage K
Additional parking information
- Designated disabled permit parking spaces are available in every garage (more information below).
- Designated spaces are available at Surface Lot E for oversized vehicles at special rates (more information below).
- All facilities are patrolled by security.
- Free shuttle service is available only on cruise days.
- On cruise days, all garages are open and staffed by a parking attendant from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- On non-cruise days, contact PortMiami Cruise Operations or Port Security at 305-347-4800.
Payment for All Garages and Surface Lots
- Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or any major U.S. Traveler’s Check. Debit cards are not accepted.
Garage A (Royal Caribbean)
- View rates online for parking rate information, reservation, or any other inquiries related to Garage A.
Garage J
- Pre-paid only. Passengers pay upon arrival at Garage J and are given a decal to display on their vehicle for the duration of their cruise.
Garages B, C, D, F, G, V, J and Surface Lots C, D and E
- Short term, per vehicle, per space, per day (no overnight) or fraction of $10.
- Long term (overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22.
- Long term (high density, overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22.
- Special events, per vehicle, per space, no less than $15.
- Lost ticket (equivalent to 11-day cruise), per vehicle, per space, for a maximum of $242.
Surface Lot E
- Open lot with no overhead clearance with designated spaces for oversized vehicles.
- Accommodates oversized vans, recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers.
- $22 per space, per day. If two spaces are utilized, $44 per day.
- If assistance is needed to park an oversized vehicle, please call 305-960-5463 or 305-960-6454.
| Garage Clearance Heights | |||||||
| Location | Garage A | Garage B | Garage C | Garage D | Garage G | Garage J | Garage K |
| First Floor | 7’2″ | 7’6″ | 9′ | 8’2” | 9’6” | 8’2” | 8’2” |
| Second Floor | 8′ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Remaining Floors | 7’2″ | 7’6″ | 6’10” | 6’8” | 6’11” | 6’10” | 8’2” |
Disabled Parking
- Miami-Dade County Ordinance requires all guests with a disabled parking permit or license tag to pay standard parking rates except as provided by Florida State Law. However, two hours of complimentary parking will be provided to vehicles displaying a disabled parking permit or license tag.
- In accordance with Florida Statute 316.1964, ONLY vehicles with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by a person who has a disability, or any vehicle displaying a State of Florida license plate for disabled veterans (issued under s. 320.084, s. 320.0842, or s. 320.0845 or displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit, is exempt from parking charges.
Disabled Veterans Parking
- Effective July 1, 2016, disabled veterans displaying a Florida license plate for disabled veterans, issued under Florida Statute 320.084, will receive free parking. The disabled veteran to whom the license plate was issued must be in the vehicle for this exception to apply.
- Please note that as long as your vehicle has a State of Florida disabled veterans tag, your parking is complimentary in accordance with Florida Statutes. When you exit the parking facility, please present the Toll Attendant your original parking ticket, driver’s license and State of Florida vehicle registration. The toll attendant will have you complete a short form and that is all there is to it.
Arrival by Air
When you’re flying into the city your cruise is departing from, it is always preferred to ARRIVE AT LEAST 1 DAY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE for any cruise. Departure day is stressful, and there’s no need to add the additional stress of a delayed flight.
Transportation from Miami International Airport
Many local hotels in Miami offer a complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and all of those listed here offer shuttles to the cruise port. (Some are complimentary, others charge a fee).
If you must travel directly from the airport to port, there are a few options.
- Uber/Lyft runs approx. $20/25. It is definitely the most economical option if you’re not using a hotel shuttle.
- Taxi is approx. $30/35. More expensive option.
- There are several companies that offer shuttle service to the port.
- Cruise Line Transfers/Shuttles vary, and can run around $25/pp depending on the cruise line you’re using.
Transportation from Fort Lauderdale International Airport
While Miami is the closest airport, another option is to fly into Fort Lauderdale International Airport, which is about 30 miles away. Due to the added distance, transportation to the cruise port will be more expensive.
- Uber/Lyft is approx. $40-45
- Taxi will run almost $100
- Cruise Line Shuttle/Transfer, around $35-40/pp.
- Independent Shuttle Service:
Preferred Hotels in the Miami Area
Lodging in Miami can be fairly expensive. The most reasonable hotels are adjacent to the airport, and the most expensive are right on the ocean. My recommendations listed below are based upon the following criteria: Price, Reviews, and if they offer shuttles to the cruise port.
Hotels near Miami International Airport
- Comfort Suites Miami Airport North – Features a free shuttle to the cruise terminal.
- Comfort Inn & Suites Miami International Airport – Also has a free shuttle to the cruise port.
- Clarion Inn & Suites Miami International Airport – $12-15 pp cruise shuttle available.
Honestly, there are almost too many hotels to list that are in the Downtown/Cruise Port area that come highly recommended, many with free or minimal cost shuttles to the cruise terminal. Some cruisers swear by staying in Brickell, which can be cheaper.
I personally love the beach, but the prices of properties on Miami Beach can be very, very expensive (especially South Beach). However, I have discovered a fantastic little boutique hotel called MB Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham. They don’t offer a shuttle to the cruise port, but we’ve enjoyed our stay here. It’s right on the beach on a quiet stretch right on Collins Ave. Their rooftop breakfast is decent and their prices cannot be beat. An Uber to the port runs about $25.
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