Cruise Port of Miami Tips: Hotels, Shuttles & Transportation, Embarkation Debarkation

Cruise Port of Miami Tips: Hotels, Shuttles & Transportation, Embarkation Debarkation. Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian.
In this video we give you tips on places to stay before and after your cruise, transportation options to and from the cruise port and airport, and a few other tips for embarkation and debarkation to make your next Miami cruise vacation goes as smooth as possible.
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THANKS FOR WATCHING!!!

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!!! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE by clicking here vvv kzbin.info/door/4Ay-1GoTYca7Tp7-LJMzZg If you liked the video give us a thumbs up!! Drop us a comment... We would love to hear from you!!!

[@thxdts]

Good video! I love the Hilton Miami Airport Hotel, Blue Lagoon. I always stay there before a cruise. This hotel almost feels like it's on an island, with water on 3 sides! The hotel has a free shuttle to and from Miami International Airport. On the day of the cruise, I take the hotel shuttle back to the airport to board the Carnival shuttle bus to the port. I usually cruise solo, so I don't mind paying the $22 each way fare. I enjoy being on the bus with other people on my cruise. I always carry off my own luggage at the end of the cruise and it is usually very quick. I am going on a B2B on the new Carnival Celebration next year. Can't wait!

[@VacayLife]

We're excited for the Celebration as well. Thanks for watching!!

[@merciadams4199]

This video was so informative! Thank you for this great information! I now know what to do thanks to the both of you! Awesome!

[@VacayLife]

Our Pleasure... Thanks for watching!!!

[@PamHill329]

Great info!!! Im researching for my cruise in October on the Horizon the same itinerary you had. Thanks for all you do!

[@VacayLife]

Awww... thank you for watching!! We really had a great time on the Horizon! I hope you do too!

[@roslynjohnson7844]

Thank you for this helpful information...especially that porter information

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@anavpicker]

Love the video making my first cruise out of Miami and you had some great info.

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching. Glad we could help!

[@teri4848]

Thanks for the tips!! We went on our first cruise April 2019 and used a porter and had the exact same experience. 🤗

[@VacayLife]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting!! The porters are worth every penny! Love them!

[@sweetjaybaby]

😂 Bahahahaha 🤔 His face when you said you don’t like the shuttle because of being around people you don’t know 😂 and you could tell he was thinking 🤨 But, babe, uh, you like cruises! 😂 I had to like and subscribe 😜

[@VacayLife]

You noticed that huh LOL... Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@VCOTHRAN]

I just found your video, such great tip, we are planning a cruise next year leaving from Miami and I didn't have clue about where to stay the night before. Taking your advise and planning on staying in the Lagoon area. Thank you!

[@VacayLife]

I'm so glad we were able to help. Thanks for watching!!!

[@brendinexpress7522]

I like that you are sharing!

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@karenmcdonald3731]

I love you guys. Very helpful information. I’m cruising on Horizon in a few weeks. I’ll be looking for a porter.

[@VacayLife]

Awww!!! Thank you so much!!! I'm glad you enjoyed and found it helpful!!! Thank you so much for watching and for the encouraging comment!! 💜

[@akmooreland]

Thankyou for great video .You covered all the areas we had concerns about. We are cruuising in Feb and staying Holliday Inn Bayside. Flying in and out of FLl. Looking to book SAS Shuttle both ways. We can't wait to board Carnival Horizon.Thanks for info. Happy Cruising. Challon

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching! Glad we could help... Happy cruising to you

[@mommyoffantastic4841]

I love this video 💪🏾💪🏾

[@VacayLife]

Thank you!!! Sure do wish we could get back out there and cruise so that we could bring everyone more videos to help them in their research. I hope this one helped you! Port of Miami can be a little cray cray, but not to bad as long as you know what you're getting into!

[@littlemisssassypants3520]

Hi! Thank you for this helpful information especially the hotels near regular shopping. I will also be using your porter tip. Definitely liked and subscribed 😊. Also, when David said, "I have a famous face," I blurted out "yeah you look like John Goodman." Anywho, thanks for the tips!

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@expatjourneys8962]

Thank you, We're taking the Disney Cruise on July 2022. We are coming from NY. 😎 .

[@VacayLife]

Our pleasure ...Thanks for watching!

[@jonathansollisch5420]

Excellent video...thank you

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@lorrainedill9499]

thanks, video was very helpful

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@rdsearcher3940]

Thanks really good info

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimbsjaunts5352]

Cruising out of Miami on Virgin in October Can’t wait to see the vlogs about their new terminal So far it is a mystery

[@VacayLife]

Yes! Really interested to start seeing some vlogs for Virgin... It's exciting to see a line doing things differently. It'll be interesting to see what works and what doesn't and if any of the other lines will make changes because of them! I hope you'll let us know your thoughts once you cruise!

[@ashleylaughlin9182]

This has helped me out a lot for our 4/2021 cruise, I did have a question if we are driving in the day before is there a parking garage at the port we can leave our car or what's the options for that if we are not flying.

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching! I'm so happy we could help you! There is parking at the Port of Miami, we have not used it in many years, here is a link to their website for more information. www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-information.asp Some people choose to stay at a hotel the night before that has a park and cruise rate and they will let you keep your car at their hotel. There are also companies that provide parking and shuttle services. Be cautious in choosing where to leave your car and be sure to read others reviews if you decide to park any where other than the Port. Have a great cruise!!

[@Amy-hy5jh]

I'm going on the Horizon out of Miami in October. This was a great video to help me with my planning. I will be flying home the same day the cruise gets back. What time do you suggest to get a flight back?

[@VacayLife]

Just to be safe we always book our flights after 12. It is very possible that you could get to the airport earlier but we would rather sit at the airport for a couple of hours than worry about missing our flight if we are delayed coming back into port or delayed by security at the airport. (Were not big risk takers haha!) We just got off the Horizon in December so if you have not yet, check out our Horizon videos on our channel. We tried to put out as much info as we could about the ship. We loved the Horizon and hope you enjoy your cruise. Thanks for watching!

[@peterweiss8500]

We are trying to decide between the Comfort Suites Miami Airport North or Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Midtown for our July 2021 cruise. Which would you recommend?

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching. Sorry for the delayed response. We usually stay near the airport. We haven't stayed at either of those hotels specifically so we can't specifically speak as to the individual properties.

[@nakeshaj]

Thank you for this detailed info. I’m so worried that I’m staying near a hotel that doesn’t have a CVS or Walgreens near. Looking on Maps is no help. Trying to figure out how close the hotel is to the port is no help. Thanks so much!

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@brodieellis2545]

Great vlog thank you. We are doing an NCL cruise in July and are overnighting at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at the Miami airport. Is this a good choice?

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching... We have never stayed at the Embassy Suites in Miami but we have seen other vloggers who have and it seemed quite nice.

[@Mayrose587]

Very good information. Wife and I are heading to Miami to board the NCL Joy in February. We happen to be staying at the DoubleTree at the airport (love them cookies) which was either within or very close to your marked area on the map. We plan to take an Uber to the cruise terminal. Thank you for mentioning the price of an Uber ride because I wasn't sure how much it would cost.

[@VacayLife]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!!

[@lovedfriend2020]

Hi, About the shuttle. I found out for alot of hotels and needing a wheelchair van/shuttle its a no go. Here is a great clue. if you use a paratransit/Door 2 door at home call them and tell them you are going to another city and they will or should know what to do. Just tell them the dates of travel.

[@VacayLife]

Great Tip! Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@Mrcruisefever1]

When we disembark on cruise : we do self disembark ( we carry off our own luggage )

[@VacayLife]

Thinking we'll do this on our 4 day in March if we don't bring the big suitcase... We usually have 4 suitcases and one of them is large so it's kept us from carrying off our own in the past... But I'd really like to try it!

[@denisedefazio2474]

Hi. We will be driving from an hour north of Miami for our Christmas NCL cruise. We want to park at the port. What do you know a out parking at Norwegian? Do we need a parking reservation there? Also does the porter find your bags, or do you get your own and then get a porter? Thanks so much for any advice! Denise and Stef

[@VacayLife]

We have never parked at the port of Miami so we can not help you with that. As far as how the porter works: you find your bags point them out and the porter puts them all on a cart and wheels them through the terminal for you. Thanks for watching!

[@704musicent]

What would you recommend for someone who doesn't fly and would like to drive to Miami and park vehicle while on cruise? Is there parking at the port or parking in Miami and maybe uber/lyft to port? I'm okay with paying to park.

[@VacayLife]

We have driven to Miami before and when we did we parked at the port. It will cost you a few dollars more per night as opposed to off site oarkinfg, but we found the convenience and security to be worth it in our opinion. Thanks for watching!!

[@purdiemom1941]

Please tip those porters a bit more than 1 or 2 dollars per bag. They do a good job, getting you from point A to B in the heat, lifting heavy, going through Customs and basically gettin you through the chaos. Well worth a good tip. Since they weren't working during COVID they are definitely needing the money.

[@VacayLife]

Hey thanks for watching. We personally tip 5 dollars per bag but we know that tipping amounts are a hot button issue. I agree with you and believe that the porters, especially on debarkation morning, are invaluable.

[@gracezihalirwa3537]

Hi, how do you get a porter? We will be traveling to Miami next year with the kids for our cruise (royal Caribbean). Where did you guys stay in the blue lagoon area?

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching! The porters will be standing around the baggage area pushing carts. Just go up to any one, they have always been super nice to us. We stayed at the Hampton Inn during this visit.

[@vaughnstravel1735]

Thanks for the tips can you catch an uber on debarkation or are there cabs waiting

[@VacayLife]

There were both cabs and ubers waiting. We took an Uber to our hotel on the beach! Thanks for watching!!

[@williamlannigan6479]

After leaving ship, what about transport to hotel FROM port Miami? Options, suggestions

[@VacayLife]

We took an Uber from the port to our hotel on the beach. It was easy and quick. Thanks for watching!!!

[@davidnieto9295]

How long does it normally take to when u get off the cruise ship to the airport of miami

[@VacayLife]

It took us about 15 minutes to get from the port to the airport with minimal traffic.

[@kylady1959]

if I don't take a shuttle when leaving port and going to airport, is it hard to get a taxi or ride without calling for one? Are they already there waiting when I get off ship?

[@VacayLife]

Miami had a huge lot of cabs and Ubers waiting when we got off. We used Uber and they came from that lot. I would assume you could get a cab without calling ahead fairly easily due to the sheer number we saw. Thanks for watching!

[@cyraxdarkmaul]

hello i am going to Miami in May your information was very good... I am looking to stay on south beach to party before i get on the cruse.... do you have a recommendation for a hotel there?

[@VacayLife]

Hi there! Thanks so much for watching! Unfortunately, I can't say that I have a recommendation for a hotel in South Beach, I wish I had more knowledge about clean, comfortable, reputable hotels there. BUT I will tell you where NOT to stay. We had a horrible experience at the National Hotel and are actually planning to do a video about it. We are currently in a dispute with them regarding charges they applied to our credit card that did not occur. It's been over 2 months since we stayed there and they are refusing to remove the charges and have actually submitted a fraudulent receipt to our credit card company in an attempt to validate the charge. So, based on our experience, you should steer clear of the National! I hope you have a fantastic time on your pre-cruise and cruise experience! If you end up finding a great hotel to recommend, come back and let us know!

[@cyraxdarkmaul]

Thanks again for the information... I will steer clear of that hotel for sure... I work too hard for my money to have it taken from me unjustified. I will make a note to let you know what i find in a hotel there. You guys are doing a good JOB with the channel keep up the good work and may GOD Bless you !!!

[@cyraxdarkmaul]

​@@VacayLife Thanks again for the information... I will steer clear of that hotel for sure... I work to hard for my money to have it taken from me unjustified. I will make a note to let you guys know what i find in a hotel there. Keep up the good work on the channel you are doing an fantastic job ! May GOD Bless you !!!

[@VacayLife]

It's our pleasure, we love helping others! Thanks so much for the encouraging comments

[@carolyngardner4999]

I only paid 10 dollars, leaving from the blue lagoon hotel area.

[@VacayLife]

That's great! Uber and Lyft base their prices depending on the current date and times algorithm's for demand, so that would explain why you may have paid $10 and we paid $17. Only $10 for transportation from Blue Lagoon to the port is awesome!

[@jay3974]

What is a porter and how do you find one? Do they help you from the airport to the cruise?

[@VacayLife]

Hey thanks for watching... Porters are people who help you with your luggage at the cruise terminal. They are always standing near the luggage area and are pushing carts. They help you by caring your bags from the cruise terminal to you transportation (private car, shuttle, tax, etc..) They are also very knowledgeable about where you need to go and the fastest way to get there.

[@kimestis6399]

Which hotel did you guys stay at in the blue Lagoon area? I’m looking at Hyatt House and it seems to be across the bridge from stores and restaurants.

[@VacayLife]

Kim Estis- We stayed at the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon... It was clean and convenient and the staff was friendly. Would stay there again! We've also stayed at the Hyatt House before (Dec 2018), it was also clean and convenient, no complaints ☺️

[@kimestis6399]

Vacay Life thanks so much! We still use packing cubes every time we vacation! 😉

[@vickiavery2732]

How did you get back to airport.

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching. We took an Uber. That is our preferred method if we can't get a free shuttle. Lol.

[@whatareuthinking1]

Whats a porter , and use them where ?

[@VacayLife]

The porters are port employess who will pick up your bags in the terminal, put them on a cart, and wheel them outside for you. Thanks for watching!!!

[@ronsteitz4535]

Things are going to change by the time cruising resumes after the Covid 19 scare of 2021.🤔

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for watching. There is so much uncertainty right now, but yes there will likely be changes to embarkation. Regardless, we can't wait till we can sail again!

[@carolyngardner4999]

Drive in the day before even if you live in Florida.

[@VacayLife]

Couldn't agree more! The only time we haven't gotten in the day before is when we lived less than 30 minutes from port.

[@Mrcruisefever1]

When is your guys next cruise in 2020 ????????

[@VacayLife]

We have the Carnival Liberty March 30th. Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas in June, and Carnival Radiance in December... May see if we can sneak in one in October depending on work schedules and if we have any PTO to use!

[@Mrcruisefever1]

I’m going on carnival breeze on October 10th 2020 : to st Martin, st kitts, San & San Juan & grand Turk, out of Fort Lauderdale @Vacay Life

[@carolyngardner4999]

Than you should stay home ..How did you deal with all those people on the ships. You better not do Royal Caribbean, can you say 6000 people.

[@VacayLife]

Thanks for all of your comments! If you are referring to the comment I made regarding not necessarily liking a lot of people up against me that I don't know in a shuttle then I would say that doesn't mean I can't do it, it's just not my preference. My preference is to have some personal space rather than to be crammed in a tight spot with people that I don't know. Which I think a lot of people could say would be their preference in most situations. It seems you took my comment about preference as a complaint, which it was not.

[@carolyngardner4999]

That not good not looking at people passport. Remember 911.

[@VacayLife]

They checked our passports at security before our bags were scanned through x-ray. Just not once we were in the terminal like back in the "old days" when you had to fill out forms, check passports, give credit cards, etc. Once the passports were checked at security, we were able to put them away, walk up to an agent that scanned our ticket and then right onto the ship :-)