Introduction
Miami is situated on the Florida mainland. Offshore, due east in the Atlantic, there are a series of islands. The most southerly of the islands is Key Biscayne. Moving north the next is Virginia Key, then Fisher Island, and finally Miami Beach. The bay between the islands and the Florida mainland is named Biscayne Bay.
Miami started as a small orange farming settlement. Then when a railroad was constructed to the settlement, its hot temperatures and coastal location proved attractive to newcomers, and as a consequence the town grew quickly.
In the early part of the 20th century hotel companies looked to the Atlantic beaches of Miami Beach, and so began the construction of the fashionable Art Deco hotels at South Beach. The storms of 1929 caused huge damage to the island, but proved just a hitch as new properties sprung up as speedily as before.
The 1960s saw a large migration into Miami of refugees from Cuba, fleeing the government of Fidel Castro. As a result Miami assumed the feel of a Latin America city, with much liveliness mixing with a relaxed approach.
Today Miami is a major city for industry, entertainment, tourism and the arts. The city’s cruise port is a large center and Miami is often named the Cruise Capital of the World. The cruise port hosts several major cruiselines, with itineraries to the beautiful Caribbean or further.
You Choose the Cruise
Cruises on offer are the Eastern Caribbean (San Juan, Tortola, St Maarten and St Thomas), the Western Caribbean (Roatan, Cozumel, Belize and Grand Cayman), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (St Kitts, St Johns and Barbados). Longer voyages are offered, examples would be South America, the Amazon and trans Panama canal to Florida. For a full schedule of cruises see cruises from Miami.
Miami Cruise Terminals
The Port of Miami is situated on Dodge Island, an area of reclaimed land in Biscayne Bay created by the merging of 3 islands, Lummus, Dodge and Sam’s.
Dodge Island is a mere two miles from downtown Miami. Port Boulevard, a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, joins the city to the port.
Eight cruise terminals are in operation at the port.
Terminals B/C, D, E , F , G are on the north side of Dodge island, terminal J on the south coast, and terminal H on the west. The container ship facility is along the south coast of Dodge island. Cruise terminals D and E, which began operating in 2007, are the most newly built. These are capable of berthing large ships. The overall distance end-to-end of the cruise ship piers is about one and half miles, and eight cruiseliners can be berthed simultaneously. Each terminal has the basic services, including cab ranks, shopping, cafes, check in and bars. Additional services at terminals E and D include airline style check-in desks, conveyor-belt like luggage handling, and an all-in-one Federal Multi-Agency Facility, with US Department of Agriculture, United States Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Services.
For the port’s official website see Port of Miami.
Sightseeing In Miami
South Beach (or SoBe)
This fabulous Art Deco designed seafront neighborhood has everything, beautiful historic buildings, funky shops, laid-back cafes, a huge sandy beach, up-market boutiques, fine eateries and wonderful people-watching. The art deco district is about 25 minutes from the port by cab.
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove, built in the 1870s, is Miami’s oldest area. It's an area of galleries, restaurants, lively bars and stylish shops. Venture into Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an early 20th century estate constructed by a Chicago businessman with the intention of reconstructing a European like 16th century estate.
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Garden enthusiasts should make for the Fairchild Tropical Garden, where a group of attractive ponds are overhung by beautiful plants and trees.
Little Havana
For a taste of current Cuban living, venture into Little Havana, the place where thousands of migrant Cubans came to after getting away from Cuba. Saunter the length of Calle Ocho, watch cigars being produced at the Credito Cigar factory, make a trip to the Cuban Museum and visit a bar for a cup of traditional Cuban coffee.
Coral Gables
The Coral Gables area was founded in the 1920’s, and has a mixture of fine eateries, fashionable boutiques, cool bars and modern galleries. Bring swimming gear and call in at Venetian Pool, the unique public pool hewn from a quarry.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida is situated on the southernmost point of Key Biscayne barrier island. Here you’ll find the very old lighthouse originally constructed in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846.
Visit the park to swim, hike, sunbathe, picnic and surf along over one mile of beautiful Atlantic beachfront.
Bayside Marketplace
It’s an easy walk from the port to Bayside Marketplace, a busy shopping mall. It's an open air mall, and can be oppressively hot in the summer months. It has a lot of fashion stores, souvenir shops, bars and eateries.
Getting To The Port
By Road
From the North
Take Interstate-95 southwards and exit at 3B Bayside. Head south and make a left at 5th Street. 5th Street crosses Port Boulevard bridge. Keep going over the bridge and follow signage to the correct terminal.
From the South
Follow Interstate-95 north and turn off at NW 2nd Street. Carry on to NW 5th Street and make a right. 5th Street will lead onto Port Boulevard bridge. Continue across the bridge and follow the signs to the correct cruise terminal.
It’s a good idea to reserve by internet long term parking required.
There is a free bus to ferry you from your car to your cruise terminal.
By Air
The cruise port of Miami is just a few miles eastwards from Miami International Airport. To travel from airport to cruise port, take a cab or jump on the supershuttle bus.
For transport options from airport to port see http://www.miami-airport.com
