Miami, Florida, USA cruise port

Miami, Florida, USA

The Cruise Capital of the World is also one of its most rewarding port days — Art Deco beaches, Cuban coffee, street murals, and the wild Everglades all within reach.

⚓ Docked (PortMiami)🕒 Typical call: embarkation / full day💵 US Dollar🗣️ English & Spanish
Docking
PortMiami — multiple terminals on Dodge Island, 5 min from downtown
Walk to center
Downtown Miami ~25-30 min walk over Port Blvd bridge (or short rideshare); South Beach ~20-30 min by taxi/rideshare
Best For
Art Deco architecture, Latin food & nightlife, Everglades day trips
Don't Miss
Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana and a colada at any ventanita

Getting Ashore

PortMiami sits on Dodge Island, minutes from downtown, with multiple terminals served by taxi, Uber, and the free Metromover.

Getting Ashore at PortMiami

  • 1
    Exit the terminalFollow signs through the cruise terminal to ground transportation. Taxis and Uber/Lyft are available at the curb. Rideshare pickup zones are clearly marked outside each terminal.
  • 2
    To downtown Miami (free Metromover)A short taxi or rideshare ride (~$10) gets you to Government Center Station, where the free Metromover loop circles downtown, Brickell, and the Omni area.
  • 3
    To South Beach (Miami Beach)Rideshare or taxi to South Beach takes 20–30 min and costs $20–$30 depending on traffic. A Citi Bike single-ride pass (~$6.50 for 30 min) works great once you're over the causeway.
  • 4
    Organized tours depart pier-sideEverglades airboat tours, Miami city tours, and snorkel trips typically pick up directly at the port — confirm pickup at your terminal number when booking.

💡 Pro move: Miami traffic can be heavy midday. If your ship departs before 6 PM, plan to be back at the port by 4:30 PM to clear security comfortably.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

PortMiami operates lettered cruise terminals on Dodge Island, each assigned to specific lines — check your booking for your exact terminal.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
Royal Caribbean (A), Norwegian (B), Carnival (D/E/F)Lettered terminals, Dodge Island, PortMiamiDocked
MSC (Terminal AA), Virgin Voyages (Terminal V)Dodge Island, PortMiamiDocked

Top Excursions

From Everglades airboats to Art Deco walking tours, Miami's shore excursions range from wild nature to urban cool.

Nature

Everglades Airboat Adventure

Speed across the river of grass on a flat-bottomed airboat, spotting American alligators, roseate spoonbills, and sawgrass prairie. Guides explain the unique ecosystem. Return in time for sailaway.

⏱ 4–5 hrs🚌 45 min drive west🐊 Wildlife-rich👟 Easy
Find Everglades airboat tours →
Iconic

South Beach Art Deco & Ocean Drive

Stroll the pastel-painted 1930s hotels on Ocean Drive, swim at the famous white-sand beach, and people-watch from a café on Lincoln Road. Easy to do independently or with a guided walking tour.

⏱ 2–4 hrs🚶 Easy📷 Iconic🏖️ Swimwear recommended
Find South Beach walking tours →
Culture

Wynwood Walls & Street Art District

Miami's open-air street art museum covers a full city block with giant murals by world-renowned artists. Explore surrounding galleries, boutiques, and trendy cafés in the warehouse district.

⏱ 2–3 hrs🚗 10 min from port🎨 Arts & culture☕ Great café scene
Find Wynwood art tours →
Food

Little Havana Culinary Walk

Sip a cortadito at a sidewalk ventanita, watch dominoes played at Maximo Gomez Park, and eat at Versailles — Miami's legendary Cuban restaurant. Calle Ocho is the cultural heart of the Cuban-American community.

⏱ 2–3 hrs🚗 10 min from port🍽️ Food-focused🎶 Live music
Find Little Havana food tours →
History

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Explore the magnificent 1916 Italian Renaissance-style villa built by industrialist James Deering on Biscayne Bay. The 10 acres of formal gardens and ornate interiors are among Miami's finest historic treasures.

⏱ 2–3 hrs🚗 15 min from port🏛️ Historic🌿 Beautiful gardens
Find Vizcaya tours →
Relax

Key Biscayne Beach Day

Escape the city crowds at Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne — turquoise water, calm surf, and far fewer people than South Beach. Picnic areas, volleyball, and kayak rentals available.

⏱ 3–5 hrs🚗 20 min from port🏖️ Relaxed🌊 Calm water
Find Key Biscayne beach tours →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

Miami's neighborhoods are distinct worlds — here are two walks you can do independently from the port.

Brickell & Downtown Loop

3 km · ~1 hr · Easy · Free Metromover

Walk the free Metromover from downtown to Brickell's gleaming financial district, cross the Miami River on the Brickell Bridge, and return along Biscayne Bay waterfront. Great skyline views.

📍 Government Center Station, Miami 📍 Brickell City Centre, Miami 📍 Brickell Bridge, Miami 📍 Bayfront Park, Miami

Ocean Drive to Lincoln Road

2.5 km · ~1 hr · Easy · South Beach

Start at the Art Deco Welcome Center on Ocean Drive at 10th Street, walk north past the iconic hotels, cut west on 16th Street to Lincoln Road pedestrian mall, and loop back via Collins Avenue.

📍 Art Deco Welcome Center, Ocean Drive, Miami Beach 📍 The Carlyle Hotel, Miami Beach 📍 Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach 📍 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Miami, Florida, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy Days
Jan75°F / 24°C63°F / 17°C11
Feb77°F / 25°C67°F / 19°C11
Mar79°F / 26°C68°F / 20°C9
Apr82°F / 28°C72°F / 22°C12
May83°F / 28°C74°F / 23°C16
Jun85°F / 29°C77°F / 25°C22
Jul87°F / 31°C78°F / 26°C22
Aug87°F / 31°C79°F / 26°C24
Sep86°F / 30°C77°F / 25°C24
Oct83°F / 28°C75°F / 24°C18
Nov80°F / 27°C70°F / 21°C13
Dec77°F / 25°C67°F / 19°C10

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • 🚗
    Rideshare is king. Uber and Lyft are plentiful and far cheaper than taxis. Download your app and have a US number or data plan ready.
  • ☀️
    Heat and humidity are real. Miami summers are brutal — bring SPF 50+, a hat, and stay hydrated. Spring/fall calls are far more comfortable.
  • 💳
    No currency exchange needed. USD everywhere, and cards are accepted at virtually every business. ATMs are abundant.
  • Order a Cuban coffee. A colada (shared espresso) or cortadito (espresso with steamed milk) from any Little Havana ventanita is the real Miami experience — $2–$4.
  • Traffic is unpredictable. The MacArthur Causeway to South Beach can jam up. If your ship sails at 5 PM, leave Miami Beach no later than 3:30 PM.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at Miami, Florida, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises
Round-trip from Miami
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 16:008 nights6 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 6 ports
8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean
  1. 02 Jan 16:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 05 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Philipsburg St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
  3. 06 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Basseterre St Kitts, Port Zante
  4. 07 Jan 07:00 - 15:30St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands
  5. 08 Jan 10:00 - 18:00Puerto Plata-Amber Cove, Dominicana
  6. 10 Jan 07:00Arriving in Miami, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$508from / pp
Norwegian Luna
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises
Round-trip from Miami
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 16:007 nights6 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 6 ports
7 days, round-trip Caribbean Round-trip Miami Harvest Caye, Cozumel Roatan
  1. 02 Jan 16:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 04 Jan 10:00 - 18:00Roatan Island, Carnival Isla Tropicale-Coxen Hole, Honduras
  3. 05 Jan 08:00 - 17:00Harvest Caye Belize, NCL private island
  4. 06 Jan 08:00 - 17:00Costa Maya, Mexico, Riviera Maya
  5. 07 Jan 07:00 - 17:00Cozumel, Mexico, Riviera Maya
  6. 09 Jan 07:00Arriving in Miami, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$1219from / pp
ms Zuiderdam
Holland America Cruises
Miami → San Diego
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 16:0014 nights9 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 9 ports
14 days, one-way from Miami to San Diego
  1. 02 Jan 16:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 05 Jan 07:00 - 13:00Cartagena Colombia
  3. 06 Jan 06:00 - 06:00Panama Canal
  4. 08 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Puntarenas, Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
  5. 10 Jan 07:00 - 16:00Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
  6. 11 Jan 11:00 - 17:00Huatulco, La Crucecita, Mexico Riviera
  7. 12 Jan 08:00 - 17:00Acajutla, El Salvador
  8. 14 Jan 08:00 - 15:00Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico
  9. 16 Jan 07:00Arriving in San Diego, California
Find this cruise to book →
$1889from / pp
Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises
Round-trip from Miami
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 16:0011 nights9 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 9 ports
11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Round-trip Miami Mexico, Jamaica Costa Rica
  1. 02 Jan 16:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 04 Jan 09:00 - 18:00Falmouth Jamaica
  3. 06 Jan 06:00 - 14:00Cartagena Colombia
  4. 07 Jan 05:00 - 15:00Panama Canal
  5. 07 Jan 17:00 - 20:00Colon, Panama
  6. 08 Jan 07:00 - 16:00Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
  7. 10 Jan 09:30 - 15:30Harvest Caye Belize, NCL private island
  8. 11 Jan 11:00 - 19:00Cozumel, Mexico, Riviera Maya
  9. 13 Jan 07:00Arriving in Miami, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$1689from / pp
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises
Round-trip from Miami
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 16:0014 nights10 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 10 ports
14 days, round-trip Caribbean Bahamas
  1. 02 Jan 16:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 05 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Philipsburg St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
  3. 06 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Basseterre St Kitts, Port Zante
  4. 07 Jan 07:00 - 15:30St Thomas Island USVI, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands
  5. 08 Jan 10:00 - 18:00Puerto Plata-Amber Cove, Dominicana
  6. 10 Jan 07:00 - 16:00Miami, Florida
  7. 12 Jan 08:00 - 18:00Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos
  8. 14 Jan 08:00 - 18:00MSC Ocean Cay, Bahamas private island
  9. 15 Jan 08:00 - 17:00Nassau, Bahamas, New Providence Island
  10. 16 Jan 07:00Arriving in Miami, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$901from / pp
MSC World America
MSC Cruises
Round-trip from Miami
⚓ Calls 02 Jan 17:007 nights6 portsDeparts 2027 Jan 02
View itinerary · 6 ports
7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Bahamas
  1. 02 Jan 17:00Departing from Miami, Florida
  2. 04 Jan 09:00 - 18:00Roatan Island, Carnival Isla Tropicale-Coxen Hole, Honduras
  3. 05 Jan 08:00 - 17:00Costa Maya, Mexico, Riviera Maya
  4. 06 Jan 09:00 - 19:00Cozumel, Mexico, Riviera Maya
  5. 08 Jan 08:00 - 20:00MSC Ocean Cay, Bahamas private island
  6. 09 Jan 07:00Arriving in Miami, Florida
Find this cruise to book →
$912from / pp
See all 105 cruises calling at Miami →

Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.