What To Expect At Embarkation

What you'll find at the Port Of Miami when you pull up in whatever mode of transportation you've chosen is what appears to be a madhouse of activity.   There is a lot of activity but it is anything but a madhouse.  The cruise lines have become experts at moving thousands of people and their luggage off and on the ships.  When you arrive the previous cruise's passengers may still be getting off the ship from their cruise.  Those will be the sad looking people who appear to have lost their best friend.

First you'll unload your luggage and give it to a porter who will be sure it gets on the ship. Tip them $1 per bag and forget about your luggage for now. They will place it in big cage like carts that will be put on the ship prior to sailing.

Now you'll go inside the cruise terminal to wait for boarding to begin.  Officially in Miami boarding begins at 1:00 PM .  We go there no later than 11AM and don't really have to wait all that long considering the number of people they have to move.  You'll wait less if you've completed the pre-embarkation procedures online and obtained your "Fun Pass" that expedites your embarkation, avoiding some of the stops along the way. 

When boarding begins you'll go through a security station much like you'd find at the airport.  Carnivalwill need to physically see your identification  and whatever you've brought along to pay for your incidental charges while on board. 

From there you'll go upstairs to another waiting area where you'll get your Sign and Sail cards and wait for boarding to begin.  This could take a while so be sure to bring a book, CD or MP3 player to kill time or you can do what I do, people watch.  You'll see people from all walks of life getting ready to board, filled with anticipation.  Every single one of them.  No matter how many cruises people have been on Embarkation is a high point of the vacation.  Waiting is part of it so be prepared but othewise relax, they'll get you on the ship as soon as they can, believe me. 

When boarding starts you'll walk down a long corridor and have your picture taken by the ships photographers to commemorate the moment.  From there you'll have another picture taken right before stepping on your ship.  This one will be for security purposes and be associated with your Sign and Sail card which is also your boarding pass. 

If you were early getting to the port you'll be walking onboard probably about 1:00 if not earlier.  We've boarded as early as 11:30 and average about noon.

Have a great cruise!

 

 

Miami- Our Favorite Port Town

As the busiest and best prepared port in the world,  Miami is the standard by which I measure all other ports.  These people really know how to handle cruise passengers and do a great job of it.  We will choose a cruie sailing out of Miami over any other port if given the opportunity. 

Where To Stay In Miami

When sailing out of Miami we try to get into town a few days before the cruise.  Flying into any port a day early is recommended to avoid any possible problems with airline schedules being off and to get a fresh start on your cruise vacation.  Sailing out of Miami if you can spare two days you'll have a much richer pre-cruise vacation.  The South Beach Area and Bayside Marketplace can easily be thrown in there along with plenty of time to relax and get ready for your cruise.  Here's more on our favorite cruise city.

Local Rental Car Contacts and Numbers

Car Rental
Alamo Rent-A-Car 3355 NW 22 St, Miami, FL 33142
Phone	(305) 633-6076
Fax	(305) 635-3291
Avis Rent-A-Car
Phone	(800) 331-1212
Budget Rent-A-Car 3901 NW 28 St, Miami, FL 33142
Website	www.budget.com
Phone	(305) 871-2722
Fax	(305) 871-2786
Dollar Rent-A-Car 1770 NW LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126
Website	www.dollar.com
Phone	(305) 887-6000
Fax	(305) 894-5069
Enterprise Rent-A-Car 3975 NW S River Dr, Miami, FL 33142
Phone	(305) 633-0377
Hertz Rent-A-Car 3795 NW 21 St, Miami, FL 33142
Phone	(305) 871-0300
Fax	(305) 876-9108
National Rent-A-Car 2301 NW 33 Ave, Miami, FL 33142
Phone	(305) 638-1026
Thrifty Rent-A-Car
Phone	(305) 944-5110
Value Rent-A-Car
Phone	(800) 327-2501

Internet Resources

Official Port of Miami Site
This is the place to go for official background information on the port

Harbor Master's Report

Enter a date range here of, say, a couple days before and after your sail date to see who else is sailing out of the Port of Miami

Getting To The Port

Directions From I-95: 
Take I-95 north or south to I-395. Follow the directional signs to 
the Biscayne Boulevard exit. When you get to Biscayne Blvd., 
make a right. Go to 5th Street which converts to Port Blvd. 
(landmark: American Airlines Basketball Arena) Make a left and 
go over the Port bridge. Follow directional signs to designated 
terminal.  

Parking:

• Facilities are available at all terminals for the parking of vehicles for passengers boarding ships and for Port visitors at rates designated by the Seaport Director.
• Parking for cruise passengers is $12 per day. Parking for visitors is $5 per day. Cash or credit cards are accepted (Visa or Master Card only).
• Parking for oversized vehicles is approximately $20 per day.
  (depending on overall dimensions)
• All established parking rates will be posted at each facility and applied to the day a vehicle enters the parking lot and to each succeeding day it remains on the lot.
• Credit card payments are accepted at all terminals except terminals 2 and 10.
• **Only Visa and Master Card are accepted.
  

Ground Transportation In Miami

Miami - Directions and Parking

Address:   Port of Miami Terminals #8 and #9 1741 and 1751 Africa Way Dodge Island Miami, FL 33132 Travel Time:   ? 8 miles from the Miami International Airport; travel time is approximately 25 minutes. ? 25 miles from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport; travel time is approximately 45 minutes. Directions to the Port: Traveling from I-95 North or South - ? Exit at I-395 east toward Miami Beach (Exit #2D) ? Follow the directional signs to Biscayne Boulevard (Exit #2A/#2B) ? Follow directions for Biscayne Boulevard South; turn right at the traffic light/stop sign ? Stay in the left lane ? The entrance to the Port of Miami is at Biscayne Boulevard and Port Boulevard (N.E. 5th Street) ? At the traffic light, turn left at Port Boulevard (N.E. 5th Street) ? Proceed over the bridge and follow the directional signs to Terminals #8 and #9 Traveling from the West Coast of Florida - ? I-75 East toward Fort Lauderdale ? I-595 East toward Fort Lauderdale ? I-95 South toward Miami ? Exit at I-395 east toward Miami Beach (Exit #2D) ? Follow the directional signs to Biscayne Boulevard (Exit #2A/#2B) ?  Follow directions for Biscayne Boulevard South; turn right at the traffic light/stop sign ? Stay in the left lane ? The entrance to the Port of Miami is at Biscayne Boulevard and Port Boulevard (N.E. 5th Street) ? At the traffic light, turn left at Port Boulevard (N.E. 5th Street) ? Proceed over the bridge and follow the directional signs to Terminals #8 and #9  Parking:   $10.00 per day (rates subject to change by the Port Authority) ? Six-story, 1,400 space parking garage ? Full payment due upon exiting the parking garage ? Accepted forms of payment: U.S. dollars, U.S. Traveler's Checks, Visa, MasterCard ? No advance reservations required ? Due to height restrictions, oversized vehicles will need to utilize the adjacent outdoor parking facilities. Cost is $20 per day ? For more information: 305-347-4933 or http://www.metro-dade.com/portofmiami/