Miami’s Cruise Terminals are located on Dodge Island, in the middle of Biscayne Bay between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. The cruise ship operations share the island with commercial cargo ships and is only accessible via a bridge or tunnel from the Miami side of the island.
There’s enough space in the cruise ship section of the port to handle up to seven cruise ships at a time. Most of the ships are “parked” along the north side of the island, with the exception of Terminal J, a smaller terminal on the south side. Terminals D and E are the most modern – and capacious – of the cruise terminals, with the ability to accommodate the 5,000+ passenger lists of the biggest of the big ships.
Cruise Transportation from Miami Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) is located about 8 miles west of the Miami Cruise Port. Taking a taxi from the airport to your cruise terminal costs a flat rate of $27. You can also share a ride (with companies like Super Shuttle) for about $15 per person. Rental cars are available from all the major rental car companies and they have shuttles to take you to your car from just outside the baggage claim area.
One nice feature provided in the Miami cruise terminal area are “cell phone lots.” If you have a friend or family coming to pick you up after a cruise, they can wait for your call in one of the cell phone lots (across from Terminal B and Terminal 2).
Miami Cruise Driving Directions
The Miami Cruise Port is only about six blocks from I-95 – unfortunately those six blocks are through the heart of downtown Miami. It’s still a relatively straightforward trip.
If you’re coming from I-95, take the exit 2A (from the south) or exit 2C (from the north) toward Biscayne Boulevard. The exit will take you to a merge with 3rd Street. Go about 1/3 mile and turn left onto Biscayne Boulevard. Go north 1/2 mile and turn left onto Port Boulevard onto the island.
Miami Cruise Terminal Parking
As you enter the cruise port area look for the directions to the terminal for your cruise. Considering the size of the facility, you’ll probably want to try to park in one of the garages or lots nearest your terminal. You can drive by your terminal first to drop off your bags. Parking is $20 per night.
In 2010 the Port of Miami opened a new $15 million parking structure, Parking Garage D, that serves the two new terminals used by the ships of Carnival Cruise Lines. The garage can hold up to 873 cars and has an Automated Parking Control System that lets visitors pay at automated stations and bypass the manned booths at the exit.
Park & Cruise Hotel Packages: If you don’t want to leave your car in one of the cruise terminal parking lots and pay the $20 a day fee, you might want to consider one of the “park and cruise” hotel packages available in the Miami area. This can be a good option for those who are arriving in Miami the day before their cruise departs. Hotels offer packages that include parking for the duration of the cruise as well as transportation to the cruise terminal. Some of the airport area hotels that offer “park and cruise” packages include Comfort Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hampton Inn. The Hilton Miami Downtown also offers a Park and Cruise package.