Cruise passengers

Flying in or out of MIA around a cruise puts two timetables against each other: the ship sails whether your flight was late or not. These guides cover how early to arrive, where to leave bags, how to reach the port and how to get back to the airport in time for a flight on disembarkation day.

• Cruise luggage at Miami airport: what to do with it

  Flying into MIA for a cruise? Decide when to keep your bags, what the port takes, and where to store luggage if you arrive early.

  • First, settle who has your bag
  • At PortMiami, the luggage drop belongs to your cruise line
  • Arriving early? Use left luggage only if the route works
  • Sources
• Flying into Fort Lauderdale instead for a Miami cruise

  Compare FLL and MIA for a PortMiami cruise, including the transfer, the drive and the point where a cheaper flight costs more.

  • Compare the trip you will take
  • The drive from FLL
  • Rail can save money, but it adds a connection
  • Protect the sailing, then plan the flight home
  • Sources
• Getting back to MIA after a cruise without missing your flight

  Plan your flight home from MIA around the time you can leave the ship, collect your bags and reach your airline, not the ship's arrival time.

  • The timing mistake that catches people
  • Decide if your flight works before you sail
  • Before the ship reaches port
  • Once you’re off the ship
  • If the clock is slipping
  • A long wait after the cruise
  • Sources
• How early to fly in before a Miami cruise

  Fly into Miami the day before your cruise. Find your boarding deadline, plan the trip from MIA to PortMiami, and protect your sailing if flights slip.

  • Work backward from the ship, not the flight
  • Make the day before useful
  • The cost of a night versus the cost of missing the ship
  • If your flight starts slipping
  • Sources
• Miami airport to Port Everglades for a Fort Lauderdale cruise

  Flying into MIA for a Fort Lauderdale cruise? Compare transfer choices, check your ship's terminal, and avoid the PortMiami mix-up.

  • Should you fly into MIA for this cruise?
  • Choose the transfer with the whole trip in mind
  • From your MIA arrival to the right ship
  • If the plan starts to slip
  • Sources
• Miami Airport to PortMiami with a cruise to catch

  Just landed at MIA? Choose a taxi, ride app, cruise transfer or transit, then find the right PortMiami terminal with your luggage.

  • First, get out of the airport with the right destination
  • Choose your ride before you join a line
  • The cheaper route takes more handling
  • At PortMiami, follow the letter, then the ship
• Miami cruise port shuttles: which are worth booking

  Compare a shared shuttle with a taxi from MIA to PortMiami. Use your party size and live quotes to find the cheaper ride.

  • The break-even test, by party size
  • The cruise line’s own transfer
  • Independent shuttles
  • The pickup terms can change the answer
  • On arrival, follow your booking
  • Sources
• Staying overnight between your flight and your cruise

  Choose an MIA or downtown hotel for the night before your cruise, then plan the airport pickup, morning ride and luggage handoff.

  • Which side should you sleep on?
  • After you land at MIA
  • The ride to the ship in the morning
  • If you have hours between checkout and boarding
  • Sources
• Taxi fare from Miami airport to the cruise port

  A taxi from MIA to PortMiami runs on the meter: about $30 to $36 for the 7 to 9 miles, plus tolls and waiting. Where to find a cab and how to compare a ride app.

  • What the meter charges
  • Taxi, ride app or cruise transfer?
  • From baggage claim to your ship
  • If the fare looks wrong
• Which PortMiami terminal is my ship at?

  Find your PortMiami terminal letter, confirm it for your sailing, and give your driver the right drop-off from MIA.

  • PortMiami terminal letters by cruise line
  • Give your driver the letter and ship name
  • If you still don’t have a letter