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Miami

Boats docked at Port Miami in Florida, with skyscrapers seen in the background, as photographed from a cruise ship at port.
Departure Ports, Miami, United States

What You Need to Know about the Miami Cruise Port: Parking, Hotels, Schedule & More

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About Port Miami The Miami cruise port is officially named “Port Miami” and its one of the world’s largest. Some refer to it as the “Cruise Capital of the World”. Because of its size, 518 acres in total, thousands of cruisers navigate through this port daily, and it contains multiple terminals, each designated with a letter. It can get confusing, though, because some letters are missing. The port has terminals A-G, then J and K, and V. Cruisers can determine their departure terminal by consulting their cruise documents provided by the cruise line. Still, upon arrival at the port, signage will indicate where each cruise ship is docked. The address of the Miami cruise port is 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL, 33132. Getting to Port Port Miami is only about 8 miles from MIA (Miami International Airport), which is approximately a 20-30 minute drive, depending upon Miami traffic, which is notoriously congested. Cruisers flying to Port Miami should also search for flights to Fort Lauderdale, as the Miami cruise port to FLL distance is only about 26 miles, or a 45-60 minute drive, depending upon traffic. There sometimes can be a substantial difference in airfare pricing between FLL and MIA, and either airport puts cruisers close to Port Everglades. Here are the best options to get from Miami airport to Port Miami. Best Miami Hotels for Cruisers This is an involved topic, so I created a separate post detailing the best Miami hotels near the cruise port with a shuttle, and a dedicated post highlighting top Miami hotels with beachfront access. Port Miami Parking Port Miami has ample parking for cruisers, with multi-level garage and surface parking lots on the port’s north side available for cruisers departing from all terminals, except for J & K. Cruisers departing from terminals J & K are advised to park on the south side. Consult the Miami cruise port map to see exactly where each is located. Miami cruise port parking is around $22 per day (overnight) and rates and other details can be found on the Port Miami website. Some nearby Miami hotels offer “park and stay” packages, including transportation from hotel to cruise port. While you can park your car at Port Miami, budget-conscious cruisers may seek out an offsite parking option that shuttles cruisers from their parking location to the cruise port. Airport Parking Reservations provides this service for Port Miami cruisers at a lower cost of approximately $10-18 per day. Port Schedule For a Miami cruise port schedule, visit Cruisemapper. Clothes featured in photo: Women’s 3-Piece Floral Set

Melissa at Miami Beach in Florida
Departure Ports, Hotels, Miami, United States

Best Miami Beach Hotels with Beach Access & Luxury for Cruisers

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Port Miami and Port Everglades are two of the most popular cruise ports in the United States, so it’s no wonder that cruisers often ask “What’s the best hotel in Miami?” With nearly 185 hotels, the choice can be overwhelming, so my answer is that it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re flying in the night before your cruise out of the Miami cruise port and simply looking for something clean, affordable, and with long-term parking options and/or a shuttle to the cruise port, here are my recommendations. If your preference is to effectively tag on another beach day to the front end of your cruise, my recommendation list is completely different. If you look at a map of Miami Beach, you will note that it’s small, totaling just 15 square miles, but there are many great options. Before proceeding, however, note two important things: 1) Miami is expensive, and cruisers sometimes experience sticker shock even when considering affordable hotel options. Miami Beach hotels are even more pricey, and many tack on resort fees, although these may be waived for credit card holders, so make sure to check on that. 2) I do not recommend a Miami beach hotel stay in the months of March and April, as this is “spring break season” and the beaches are romping with rowdy students. Best Miami Beach Hotels Before a Cruise Andaz Miami BeachAddress: 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140 This Hyatt property may be owned by a big-name chain, but it feels like a chic boutique property. Located about seven miles from the cruise port, Andaz (formerly known as The Confidante) provides a retro glam beach vibe. Each hour, guests receive free popsicles and lemonade, and they have direct access to Miami Beach, including using umbrellas, chairs, and towels. Note: This property is undergoing renovation and rebranding, so check before booking to ensure that the pool area is open. Circa 39 Miami BeachAddress: 3900 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140Located almost directly across the street from The Confidante is Circa 39, which truly is a smaller and more intimate boutique hotel. This is a “beachside” hotel, not beachfront, meaning guests must cross Collins Avenue to access Miami Beach. It’s a short and easy walk, literally just across the street, and once at the beach, Circa 39 guests enjoy access to complimentary umbrellas and chairs. The hotel provides beach towels in the lobby, so grab those before heading to the beach. The pool here is smaller than the other two properties but rarely crowded. Bentley Hotel South BeachAddress: 510 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139The website doesn’t make this immediately clear, but Bentley Hotel South Beach is a Hilton property. This hotel offers beachfront access and more amenities than some of the other Miami Beach hotels, such as a rooftop pool, Jacuzzi, and spa. Like the others, Bentley Hotel provides guests with complimentary access to loungers and umbrellas, via the Bentley Beach Club, and towels are handed to guests at the beach. Wait staff are also on hand for guests who wish to order food or drinks, and the property is located about six miles from the cruise port. Miami Beach Transfer Service There are many hotels in Miami Beach, but these consistently rank among the top choices for travelers cruising out of Port Miami who want a beach day experience. They’re a little pricey, but the extra beach day experience makes it worth the cost if that’s what you’re seeking. When it comes to getting to these properties from the Miami airport, there are four main options. To view these options, and see the pricing for each of them, check out my Port Miami post. To get from Miami Beach to Port Miami, private transfer service through Get Transfer starts at $21 for up to three people, or $25 for a van that fits up to 8 people, and Uber runs $20-35, depending on the day and time. Things to do Near Miami (other than the beach!) Book Your Miami Hotel Now Planning An Affordable Cruise Best Miami Hotels for Cruisers

Miami affordable hotels
Departure Ports, Hotels, Miami, United States

Best Affordable Miami Hotels Near the Cruise Port with a Shuttle

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Cruisers sailing from Port Miami often ask about the best Miami hotels that are close to the port for a stay before their cruise, especially those with free shuttle service to the port. When I’m asked that question, my answer is that it depends on your needs… are you looking for a Miami hotel that’s a splurge and allows for an extra beach day before your cruise? Or are you seeking a more frugal route and are more interested in an affordable hotel that provides benefits such as a shuttle to the port? Miami, in general, is an expensive city, so remember that “frugal” is relative here. I recommend more expensive beachfront Miami Beach hotels in this post, but let’s look at the (relatively) more affordable Miami hotel options before a cruise. Book a cruise from port miami Embarkation day at Port Miami (dress: Acelitt sleeveless tank dress). Affordable Miami Hotels Before a Cruise Hampton Inn Miami Airport EastAddress: 3449 NW 42nd Ave; Miami, FL 33142The highly-rated Hampton Inn Miami Airport East is conveniently situated at the Miami airport, about 8.5 miles from the port, and offers a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. They also provide complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast, and the location is just six miles from the port. This property does offer a shuttle to the port, which can be scheduled upon arrival and costs $12 per person, with runs at 10:15, 11:15, and 12:15. An Uber at this distance, however, might be a more affordable (and convenient) option. Book Hampton Inn Miami Airport South – Blue LagoonAddress: 777 Northwest 57th Avenue, Miami, FLThere are two Hampton Inn properties at the Miami airport, which can get confusing, especially because both offer similar amenities. Like its sister site, Hampton Blue Lagoon provides free airport-to-property shuttle service, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast. They also offer a shuttle to Port Miami, at a rate of $14 per person, and it runs at 9:30, 11:00, and noon. One distinction is that this location offers a “Park & Sail” rate, which is built into the room rate and varies depending upon the dates of stay. I priced this out for a March sailing and it increased the room price by around $90. The Park & Sail rate provides parking for up to 7 days and a free shuttle to the port for two people. It’s a great choice for cruisers seeking Miami hotels with free parking (although it’s baked into the rate). Book Comfort Suites Miami Airport NorthAddress: 657 Minola Dr, Miami Springs, FL 33166As you’ve probably realized, while some Miami hotels offer shuttle service to the port, almost all of them come at a cost. A rare hotel that includes a FREE shuttle to the cruise port is Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. Remember that this perk is bookable upon check-in and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This property is 10 miles from the port and offers complimentary Wi-Fi, free shuttle transfer from the airport to the hotel, and free breakfast, making it an excellent choice for cruisers seeking an affordable hotel option near Port Miami. Book DoubleTree by Hilton MiamiAddress: 711 N.W. 72nd Avenue Miami, FloridaI wanted to add this property as a fourth recommendation because I stayed here recently and found that it has a lot to offer. While it does not provide an airport or cruise port shuttle, it has two big perks: 1) it’s walkable to Miami International Mall (just 0.4 miles away) and 2) it does offer a shuttle, but it’s to local spots within a five-mile radius including Mall of the Americas and tons of restaurants. This is a great spot if you’re into shopping, and it’s less than 10 miles from MIA. Book DoubleTree offers free fresh-baked cookies. Miami Transfer Service While three of these options provide shuttle service to the port, I advise cruisers not to get so hung up on that as a deciding factor because, as I noted above, most shuttles are not free, and may not be the best option. Comparatively, an Uber from the airport area where all of these properties are located to Port Miami runs around $15-30, depending upon the day and time, and private transfer service through Get Transfer starts at $28. When it comes to getting to these properties from the Miami airport, they all provide free shuttle service, which helps save money. Book a Miami Transfer Things to do Near Miami Best Miami Hotels for Cruisers

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