Cruises from Miami 2027
The biggest choice of ships and routes in the world, a short ride from the airport.
Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY 4.0
PortMiami sits on its own island between downtown Miami and South Beach, connected to the mainland by a bridge and a tunnel. It is one of the largest cruise ports in the world and is home to most of the major lines, from mass-market ships to expedition-style small ships, so for most people the question is not whether there is a sailing but which one to pick.
That choice is the main reason Miami is popular. You can sail a long weekend to the Bahamas or a 7-night Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean route, and the airport is close enough that a same-day arrival is practical. The sections below cover how to get to the terminals, where the ships go and what to do the day before.
Getting to the Miami cruise port
Flying into Miami
Miami International (MIA) is roughly 8 miles from the port, usually 15 to 25 minutes by car depending on traffic. Ride-hailing, taxis and cruise-line transfers all serve the port, and it is the easiest big cruise port to reach by air.
Flying into Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is about 30 miles north, normally 35 to 50 minutes by car. It is a good option if the flights are cheaper, and ride-hailing and shuttles run between there and the port.
By car or train
The port is reached from I-95 and I-395 over the MacArthur Causeway and Port Boulevard, and the drive is easy outside rush hour. Brightline trains reach downtown Miami, from where a short ride-hail takes you to the port.
Terminals
PortMiami has many terminals, and each cruise line generally uses its own, with some lines having dedicated, purpose-built buildings. Your boarding documents give the terminal, so check it before you leave, and note that terminal assignments can change by season.
Parking
There are parking garages at the port, charged by the day, and the facilities fill up on busy turnaround days. Pre-booking is worth doing where it is offered. Our cruise port parking guide compares port garages with off-site lots and shuttles.
What to do before you board
If you arrive the day before, these are the easy wins.
South Beach
The famous beach and Art Deco district, about 15 minutes from the port.
Wynwood Walls
A large open-air street-art district north of downtown, with galleries, cafés and breweries.
Little Havana
Calle Ocho for Cuban coffee, sandwiches and cigars, a short ride from the port.
Downtown and Brickell
Waterfront parks, museums and restaurants within a few minutes of the terminals.
Where cruises from Miami go
The usual route styles, and what each one suits.
Bahamas short break
3 to 4 nightsNassau and often a private island. A short, popular first-cruise length.
Eastern Caribbean
7 nightsSt. Thomas, St. Maarten and a Bahamas or Turks and Caicos stop.
Western Caribbean
7 nightsCozumel, Grand Cayman, Roatan and Belize. Strong for beaches and snorkelling.
Southern Caribbean and Panama
10 nights or moreLonger routes to the southern islands and Colombia or Panama.
For season, booking timing and route choices, see Caribbean Cruises 2027, Bermuda Cruises 2027, Panama Canal Cruises 2027.
Cruise lines sailing from Miami
Lines change their ships and seasons, so confirm the details with your line.
Royal Caribbean
The largest ships in the world sail from Miami, with a big private-island program.
Carnival Cruise Line
Casual, value-focused sailings in many lengths.
MSC Cruises
Newer ships and its own private island, Ocean Cay, in the Bahamas.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle dining on Caribbean and Bahamas routes.
Virgin Voyages
Adults-only ships with a dedicated terminal and a modern, no-buffet style.
Ports your ship may visit
Common stops on sailings from Miami, with our guides to each.
Nassau
Pink-sand beaches, colonial history, and Atlantis just a bridge away.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean's private island playground with beach clubs, a giant waterpark, and clear Bahamian water.
Labadee
A dramatic Haitian peninsula leased for cruise guests, known for beaches, zip lines, and mountain views.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
MSC's marine-reserve island with multiple beaches, a central lagoon, and a modern lighthouse at sunset.
Grand Turk
Turquoise water, a world-famous wall dive, wild horses on the beach, and a Caribbean island that time forgot.
St. Thomas
Duty-free shopping capital of the Caribbean — and a gateway to the world's best snorkelling at Buck Island.
St. Maarten / St. Martin
Two countries, one island — world-famous beach, duty-free shopping, and jet-blast thrills.
Cozumel
World-class reefs, turquoise water, and the best tacos al pastor in the Caribbean.
Grand Cayman
Stingray City, Seven Mile Beach, and the clearest water in the western Caribbean.
Half Moon Cay (RelaxAway)
Carnival's private Bahamian island with powder-soft beaches, turquoise shallows, and laid-back beach-day energy.
Ships that sail from Miami
Ships our guides list as using Miami as a homeport. Deployments change each season, so confirm yours.
Icon of the Seas
The world's largest cruise ship — seven neighbourhoods, endless adventure.
Wonder of the Seas
The world's most amenity-rich Oasis class ship — eight neighbourhoods of pure wonder
MSC World America
MSC's bold North American debut — European elegance meets mega-ship scale.
MSC Seashore
The sea is always with you — glass and ocean wherever you look.
Carnival Celebration
Carnival's Miami flagship — the Fun Ship evolution with all the Excel class highlights
Carnival Horizon
The second Vista-class ship, pairing big-ship thrills with Miami convenience.
Norwegian Luna
NCL's newest Prima Plus ship — a sister to Norwegian Aqua, with a wraparound promenade and a slide-coaster.
Scarlet Lady
Virgin Voyages' adults-only flagship — bold design, boundary-pushing dining, zero kids in sight.
When to sail from Miami
Sailings run year round, with the busiest and most expensive weeks between December and April. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms, and hurricane season runs June to November, when itineraries are more often changed. The port is at its most crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cruising from Miami: questions
How far is the Miami airport from the cruise port?+
About 8 miles, which is usually 15 to 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. It is one of the shortest airport-to-port transfers of any major cruise port, so a same-day arrival is practical, though an overnight stay remains the safer choice.
Is it better to cruise from Miami or Fort Lauderdale?+
Both are excellent. Miami is closer to its airport and has the widest choice of lines and the biggest ships. Fort Lauderdale is a quieter, easier port with a larger airport nearby that may have cheaper flights. The best choice is the sailing whose ship and route you prefer.
Where should I park for a Miami cruise?+
Parking garages at the port are the simplest option, and they fill up on busy days, so pre-book if you can. Off-site lots with shuttles can be cheaper but take longer. If you are staying a night before, a hotel with a cruise parking package is often the best value.
Which Miami cruise terminal will my ship use?+
It depends on your cruise line and sometimes the ship, and assignments can change. Your boarding documents name the terminal, so check it before you travel, as the terminals are spread across the port island.
Other departure ports
Cruises from Fort Lauderdale
Port Everglades: a few minutes from the airport, with Caribbean, Panama Canal and transatlantic sailings.
Cruises from Port Canaveral
The cruise port for Orlando: theme parks and Kennedy Space Center, then a Bahamas or Caribbean sailing.
Cruises from Galveston
Texas's cruise gateway: drive-to, easy from Houston, and built for the Western Caribbean.