In short
Miami is Florida's main cruise port: about 10 hours' direct flight from Amsterdam, and 15–20 minutes from the airport to the terminals. Ships sail to the Bahamas and the Caribbean all year, most often from November to April, usually for 3–5 or 7 nights. Dutch and Belgian citizens need an ESTA.
Port at a glance
Miami
USA · Florida
- Where ships go
- Caribbean and Bahamas
- Usual length
- 2–5 or 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- PortMiami on Dodge Island: big lines have their own terminals
- Getting there
- About 10 hours from Amsterdam; airport to port 15–20 minutes
Good to know: Dutch and Belgian citizens need an ESTA travel authorisation to enter the US — one for everyone, children included, at least 72 hours before you fly.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Miami or Port Canaveral? →Why Miami
- Sunshine in the middle of winter. From November to April it is dry here and around 25°C in the daytime — and these are exactly the months when most ships leave Miami.
- Plenty of choice. Short cruises to the Bahamas, weeks in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, 10- to 14-night voyages to the southern islands and, in spring, Atlantic crossings to Europe.
- A direct flight. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam to Miami of about 10 hours, and the airport is only 15–20 minutes from the port.
- A city worth a stay. South Beach and its Art Deco buildings, Little Havana, the murals of Wynwood — a day or two before the cruise is never wasted here.
Where cruises from Miami go
Almost all sailings are round trips: you leave from Miami and come back to Miami. The main options:
| Route | Usual length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | 3–5 nights | All year | Nassau and the cruise lines' private islands — a good first cruise, or an add-on to a holiday in Florida |
| Eastern and Western Caribbean | 7 nights | All year, most from November to April | Miami's main route: Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to the east, Mexico, Jamaica and Honduras to the west |
| Southern Caribbean | 10–14 nights | November to April | Further islands such as Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados — more days at sea |
| Across the Atlantic to Europe | 15 nights or longer | March to May, most in April | One way: ships head to the Mediterranean or Northern Europe for the summer — you can sail home |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change — always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
The high season begins
Dry and warm, with more sailings every month and the most of the year in December. Christmas and New Year cruises sell out first.
Cruises in December →Winter sun
The most pleasant time in Florida: around 25°C by day, cool evenings, little rain. March has almost as many sailings as December.
Cruises in March →Spring and the way to Europe
Still before the heat and the rainy season. Most Atlantic crossings leave in April: fly to Miami and come home by sea.
Cruises in April →Summer and hurricane season
Hot and humid, often with afternoon thunderstorms, and fewer sailings. June to November is hurricane season: routes can change, so travel insurance is a must.
Cruises in July →Getting to the terminal
PortMiami is on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay, right opposite downtown, linked to the city by a bridge and a tunnel. The big cruise lines have their own terminals: A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, D, E and F for Carnival, AA for MSC (opened in 2025) and V for Virgin Voyages; C takes ships from various lines, and J is for small and luxury ships. Royal Caribbean is building another one, Terminal G. Your boarding documents show the letter of your terminal.
- From the Netherlands. The direct flight from Amsterdam to Miami takes about 10 hours. From Belgium you usually fly with a change, in Europe or at a US airport. Arrive the day before: after a long flight and US passport control, boarding the same day is an unnecessary risk.
- From Miami airport (MIA). The port is about 13 km away: 15–20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing app without traffic. Many cruise lines also sell their own airport transfer.
- Via Fort Lauderdale. If flying into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) suits you better, PortMiami is about 45–60 minutes by car. Fort Lauderdale also has its own big cruise port, Port Everglades — check where your ship actually leaves from.
- By car. There are multi-storey car parks at the terminals, charged per day. If you hire a car before the cruise, it is easier to return it at the airport and take a taxi to the port.
The night before: where to stay
After ten hours on a plane and a six-hour time difference, a night in Miami is not a luxury but insurance: in the morning you head calmly to the port instead of watching the arrivals board.
Downtown and Bayside
The bayfront, the Bayside market and a view of the ships. In the morning the terminals are 5–10 minutes away by taxi. The business district goes quiet in the evening.
Brickell
The financial district, with high-rises, restaurants and a waterfront. The Metrorail runs here from the airport, and the port is 10–15 minutes by taxi.
South Beach
The ocean, Art Deco buildings and Ocean Drive in the evening. The port is 15–25 minutes away over the MacArthur Causeway — allow time for morning traffic.
Near the airport
Plenty of hotels with an airport shuttle. In the morning the port is 15–20 minutes away — handy if your flight lands late in the evening.
If you have half a day in Miami
Everything below is close to the port, so it fits in before boarding or after you disembark:
- Bayside Marketplace. A waterfront of cafés and shops right opposite the port — you can see the ships at Dodge Island, and sightseeing boats leave from here for trips around the bay.
- Museum Park. The Pérez Art Museum Miami and the science museum with its aquarium stand on the bay, a few minutes from Bayside.
- South Beach and the Art Deco district. Pastel 1930s buildings along Ocean Drive and a wide beach — 15–20 minutes by car from downtown.
- Little Havana. Calle Ocho, Cuban coffee and the park where older men play dominoes — about 15 minutes by taxi.
- Wynwood. A former industrial district where almost every wall is covered in murals — 10–15 minutes from downtown.
Disembarkation day
The ship arrives early in the morning. Every passenger goes through US border control on the way out — usually quickly, with a facial photo — and disembarkation in groups runs until about 9 or 10 am. The airport is 15–20 minutes away, but do not book a flight before noon: the taxi queue and airport security take time. Direct flights to Europe usually leave in the evening, so you can still explore the city or spend a few hours at the beach.
Practical tips
- An ESTA for everyone. Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need a visa, but they do need an ESTA travel authorisation, children included. Apply on the US government website rather than through an agency, and in good time: after certain trips, Cuba for example, you cannot get an ESTA and need a visa. If you hold another passport, check the entry rules for your passport. Documents and visas →
- Insurance with good cover. Medical care in the US is very expensive, and during hurricane season a sailing may be moved or changed. About travel insurance →
- Routes can change. If a storm is in the way, the cruise line sails around it and swaps ports — that is normal practice. When a port is cancelled →
- Tips. On American ships a service charge is usually added automatically every day. Money and tips →
- Time difference. Miami is six hours behind the Netherlands and Belgium. Go to bed early the first evening — jet lag passes faster on a cruise than you might think.
Or start from Port Canaveral?
About three and a half hours' drive north, near Orlando, is Florida's other big cruise port. It has lots of short cruises to the Bahamas, and before you sail you can visit the Kennedy Space Center. Cruises from Port Canaveral →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Miami?
Mostly week-long Caribbean cruises and short 3- to 5-night cruises to the Bahamas. From November to April there are also 10- to 14-night voyages to the southern islands, and in spring one-way Atlantic crossings to Europe.
Which terminal does my ship leave from?
At PortMiami the big cruise lines have their own terminals: A for Royal Caribbean, B for Norwegian, D, E and F for Carnival, AA for MSC and V for Virgin Voyages. Your boarding documents show the exact letter.
How do I get from Miami airport to the port?
By taxi or ride-hailing app, about 15–20 minutes without traffic. Many cruise lines also sell their own airport transfer.
Do I need a US visa for a cruise from Miami?
Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need a visa, but they do need an ESTA travel authorisation — one for everyone, children included. Apply in good time, at least 72 hours before you fly. If you hold another passport, check the entry rules for your passport.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Miami?
Downtown and Bayside are closest to the port, with Brickell and its restaurants next door. For the beach, choose South Beach, but allow time for morning traffic. If you land late, a hotel near the airport is easiest.
When is the best time to cruise from Miami?
November to April: dry, around 25°C by day, and the most sailings. Summer is hotter with more thunderstorms, and June to November is hurricane season, when routes can change.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Miami that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Miami dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.