Travel Review: The Port of Miami

As cruise ship ports go, the Port of Miami is not the best, but it is not the worst, either. Depending on how you arrive at the Port of Miami, you may find it an easy experience or not quite so pleasant. It is a large port that can serve numerous ships at the same time. A port like New Orleans generally can only have a few cruise ships in port at the same time.

Once you are on the ship, the Port of Miami offers a great view to look out over the harbor and see all of the ships and activity. It is also beautiful to watch the cruise ships coming in during the pre-dawn darkness with all of their lights glowing. If you are planning a cruise that departs from the Port of Miami, there are some things that it will be helpful to know before your sailing date.

When driving in by car, it is easy to make a wrong turn on the way to the port.

While the exits from the highways are well-marked, there are basically no signs to guide you once you exit. Some of the streets have been renamed over the years. If you are using a set of directions with old names or that include streets that do not go where they used to, it can be an interesting experience to reach the port. This is especially true if you decide to go find it the night before your cruise date. Within a few blocks of the Port of Miami are some rather hazardous neighborhoods. Just one or two wrong turns can have you in an area of the city that is not safe for visitors. Even the directions furnished by the cruise lines can be misleading. In the daylight, you can see the ships and head for them.

Security can be tight at any cruise port.

Make sure to have your cruise ship tickets and your passport handy when entering the port. Depending on the security level, you may have to produce these documents for everyone in your vehicle. If you go in on a shuttle or in a cab, it is less likely that you will be scrutinized as heavily. The security is relatively painless as long as you can prove that you have the right to be there.

Parking is generally easy to locate and use.

The cruise lines have their parking areas designated on the cruise documents that you will either receive or download and print. There are great parking garages to furnish you with covered parking for most cruises. You will have to walk about a quarter of a mile or more from your car to the terminal. Having luggage with wheels makes this a little easier. The cost is around $15 per day for parking. Make sure that you store your parking receipt somewhere that you can find it at the end of the cruise because after you prepay, you do not want to pay again as you exit.

Many shuttles are available from hotels, motels, and the airport.

If you will be needing transportation to the Port of Miami from the airport or somewhere in the city, check ahead of time to make sure that shuttle service will be available. Usually, these shuttles are free, but you are expected to generously tip the driver and others who must handle your luggage. Shuttles will generally offload tagged luggage directly to the luggage handlers at the port. Keep your carry on bags with you.

Make sure that your paperwork stays in your possession until you are on the ship.

You will have to pass through metal detectors similar to those found in airports and some public buildings. You may be asked to show your identification several times before boarding the ship. Be smart and put all loose change and other items that might set off the metal detectors in your checked bags or at least in your carry on bag that will be put through the X-ray machine. Do not wear excessive jewelry or a large metal belt buckle. These will just delay your entry and irritate the other guests of the cruise line while you go through multiple times to clear the metal detectors. You also run the risk of being pulled from the line for a more thorough search.

Exiting the port is simple and the signs leading you back to the highways are good.

You will face no security checks in the Port of Miami after you exit the terminal at the end of your cruise. Just keep your eyes open and watch the signs. They will lead you right back to the interstate for you exit. If you are using a shuttle, just make sure that you board the correct one. Sometimes cabs can be a real adventure to secure after a cruise because there are about 1,000 other people wanting one, too. Just be persistent. You may have to over tip the help to get a cab quicker.