Port of Miami Cruise Port Guide (2026): Terminals, Parking and Getting There
PortMiami is on Dodge Island, about 8 miles from Miami International Airport, at 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL 33132. It has ten cruise terminals, each with its own garage or lot. Parking costs $25 to $35 a day depending on the terminal, debit cards are not accepted, and Royal Caribbean guests are currently being sent to Terminal AA, not Terminal A.
That last point catches people out, so check your boarding documents the week you sail. Everything else you need is below: which line uses which terminal, what parking really costs, how to get from the airport, and what the construction on the island means for you.
Which Cruise Line Uses Which Terminal?
PortMiami currently operates 10 dedicated passenger terminals. To handle the massive volume of travelers, several major cruise lines have their own custom-built, brand-specific terminals.
Terminal
Primary Cruise Lines
Notable Details
AA
MSC Cruises
The world's largest cruise terminal
A
Royal Caribbean
Known as "The Crown of Miami"
B
Norwegian Cruise Line
Known as "The Pearl of Miami"
C
Disney Cruise Line, MSC
Efficient transit hub for multiple lines
D, E, F
Carnival, Princess, Holland America
Recently expanded to handle mega-ships
G
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity
Currently under major redevelopment
J
Oceania, Regent Seven Seas
Boutique terminal for smaller luxury ships
V
Virgin Voyages
Distinctive geometric, palm-inspired design
Note: Terminal assignments can occasionally change due to scheduling. Always check your specific cruise boarding documents before arriving.
Why are Royal Caribbean guests going to Terminal AA?
Royal Caribbean's own Terminal A is being renovated, so the line is embarking guests at MSC's Terminal AA instead. Royal Caribbean has written to guests on affected sailings, but it has not said exactly how long the work will last. You drive past Terminal A to reach Terminal AA, so don't pull in out of habit. I covered this in full here: Royal Caribbean is sending Miami cruisers to MSC's Terminal AA.
How much is parking at the Port of Miami?
Official PortMiami parking costs $25 per day at most garages and $35 per day at the MSC (AA) and Norwegian (B) garages. Royal Caribbean's Garage A is run separately and priced through its own booking site. You pay for every day, including the day you arrive and the day you leave.
Your terminal - Where you park - Daily rate (2026)
AA – MSC (and Royal Caribbean for now)Garage AA$35
A – Royal CaribbeanGarage ASet by Royal Caribbean's parking site – check before you go
B – NorwegianGarage B$35
CGarage C / Surface Lot C$25
D – CarnivalGarage D / Surface Lot D$25
E – CarnivalSurface Lot E$25
F – Carnival, G, V – VirginGarage G$25
J – luxury linesGarages J and KCheck PortMiami's parking page
Five parking rules that trip people up:
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No debit cards. PortMiami garages take cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover only.
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Big vehicles go to Surface Lot E. It has no height limit and takes RVs, vans and trailers. It is $25 per space, or $50 a day if you need two. Most garages have clearance of around 6'8" to 7'6" on the upper floors.
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Garages are staffed 6am to 5pm on cruise days.
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Florida disabled veterans park free with the Florida disabled veterans plate, as long as the veteran is in the vehicle.
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A lost ticket costs up to $275 at the $25 garages, so photograph yours.
Is it cheaper to park off-site?
Yes. Off-site lots in Downtown Miami typically run about $10 to $16 a day with a shuttle, roughly half the port price. The trade-off is the shuttle timing: some only run in set windows, so book one whose return shuttle runs from early morning on disembarkation day.
How do I get from Miami airport (MIA) to the cruise port?
PortMiami is about 8 miles from MIA, a 15 to 30 minute drive. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are the easiest options, and most cruise lines sell a transfer too.
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Taxi: Miami-Dade scrapped its old taxi flat rates in 2022, so the meter now runs on every trip. There is a $15 minimum fare from MIA and from the port. Budget roughly $30 to $40 on the meter.
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Uber/Lyft: Usually the cheapest for one or two people, but prices spike on busy embarkation mornings and at disembarkation.
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Cruise line transfer: The most expensive per person, but they meet you at the airport and handle luggage.
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Public transport: Metrorail does not reach the port, so it is not practical with cruise luggage.
How do I get from Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) to PortMiami?
FLL is about 25 to 30 miles from PortMiami, a 45 to 75 minute drive depending on I-95 traffic. Rideshare is the usual choice, and it costs several times the MIA fare. Cruise line transfers from FLL usually run only on embarkation day. If you can choose, fly into MIA.
Driving to PortMiami
Set your GPS to 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL 33132, then follow the signs to your terminal letter. From I-95 or I-395, use the PortMiami Tunnel. It is toll-free and goes straight onto Dodge Island, avoiding Downtown traffic. On busy days, with eight or nine ships in, the queue to get onto the island is the biggest delay, so leave more time than the map app suggests.
Is PortMiami still the busiest cruise port in the world?
Not in 2025. Port Canaveral handled 8,602,047 passengers in fiscal 2025 to PortMiami's 8,564,225, a gap of fewer than 40,000. Miami still set its own record, up about 4% on 2024. Port Canaveral had also edged ahead in 2022, before Miami took the title back in 2023 and 2024. Figures for fiscal 2026 (which ended 30 September 2026) have not yet been released.
What time should I arrive at PortMiami?
Arrive at the check-in time your cruise line gives you, not earlier. The port has to clear the previous sailing's guests first, and early arrivals simply queue in their cars. If you are parking at Terminal AA for a Royal Caribbean sailing, Royal Caribbean has previously told guests that the garage does not open to embarking guests until 11am.
Fly in the day before. South Florida weather and flight delays are the most common reasons people miss a ship, and Miami is no exception.
What construction is happening at PortMiami?
Three projects affect cruisers right now:
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Terminal G was demolished in 2025 and is being rebuilt for Royal Caribbean Group ships carrying up to 7,000 guests, with completion targeted for late 2027. Celebrity and Silversea will be able to use it too.
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Terminal A is being renovated, which is why Royal Caribbean is using Terminal AA.
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North-side berths are due to be rebuilt one at a time from summer 2027, in a seven-year programme. Expect more terminal reshuffles while that happens.
The practical result: terminal assignments move more than they used to. Check your documents and app in the final week.
Things to do near the Port of Miami before your cruise
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Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park: Just across the bridge from the port. Good for lunch with a view of the ships.
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Brickell and Downtown: The closest hotel areas to the port, 5 to 15 minutes by car.
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South Beach: About 15 to 20 minutes away. Worth a pre-cruise night if you want the beach.
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Wynwood Walls: Street art and cafés, about 15 minutes from Downtown.
Insider tips for PortMiami embarkation day
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Confirm your terminal letter the week you sail. With Terminal A under renovation and Terminal G being rebuilt, this is the one thing most likely to change.
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Drop bags with a porter at the curb. Tip around $2 to $3 a bag, then park or send your ride away hands-free.
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Carry a credit card or cash for parking, never only a debit card.
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At Terminal AA, wear comfortable shoes. It is the largest cruise terminal in the world and the walk is long.
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Disembarkation morning: Rideshare prices surge between 8am and 10am. A pre-booked shuttle or the cruise line's airport transfer can work out cheaper.