Florida - Flying into MIA for a cruise

I arrive in MIA this Saturday at noon for a cruise leaving at 5pm from the port of Miami. Can anyone suggest things to do with the time? Should I just get in a cab and go to the port, or is there some fun place to hang out for an hour or two on the way from which it's easy to get to the port?

thanks!

I'd head for the port immediately. IME, the ship's ready way before the announced boarding time. Board, have lunch and a couple drinks, explore.

FYI, it is considered a wise move to arrive the night before. Much less stressful. I flew in the morning of our first cruise, wandered around South Beach and almost missed the cruise when I couldn't find the parking garage at the port.

I'd head for the port immediately. IME, the ship's ready way before the announced boarding time. Board, have lunch and a couple drinks, explore.

FYI, it is considered a wise move to arrive the night before. Much less stressful. I flew in the morning of our first cruise, wandered around South Beach and almost missed the cruise when I couldn't find the parking garage at the port.

Completely agree. I'd board ASAP...followed by lunch, drinks and a nap.

I third the suggestion of getting to the ship right away. That 5 hour buffer you think you have isn't really 5 hours. By the time you get off the plane, maneuver through the airport, get luggage, get a cab, get to the port, get checked in for the cruise, you will be ready for lunch and a drink!

The ship will let you board starting around 1pm or maybe earlier. You may not get into your cabin until later but there will be lunch, drinks and music ready and waiting!

Thanks all. My friends who are avid cruisers said the same thing. I'm happy the airport is only about a 20 minute cab ride from the pier, so we'll get on the boat and relax. Let the vacation commence!

A partly contrarian view:

First, that's what I'd do too. However, I spend a lot of time in the Miami area. My wife grew up there, still has lots of family/friends there, we've been there a bazillion times - most recently last month for her high school reunion - and will be in Florida again next month.

If you haven't, though, five hours is enough time to do something. You could have a drink somewhere along the ocean, walk up and down the boardwalk or the beach a bit, and then head for the ship. Others can suggest other things to do that don't duplicate what the cruise ship will offer.

You'll be spending a lot of time on board, drinking, napping, sitting on the deck and doing exactly the same things you can do on the ship that afternoon. Boarding early so you can do even more of exactly the same is an option, but if there's something different to do with your time on shore, why not do it? If you don't get to the Miami area a lot, this is your chance.

A partly contrarian view:

First, that's what I'd do too. However, I spend a lot of time in the Miami area. My wife grew up there, still has lots of family/friends there, we've been there a bazillion times - most recently last month for her high school reunion - and will be in Florida again next month.

If you haven't, though, five hours is enough time to do something. You could have a drink somewhere along the ocean, walk up and down the boardwalk or the beach a bit, and then head for the ship. Others can suggest other things to do that don't duplicate what the cruise ship will offer.

You'll be spending a lot of time on board, drinking, napping, sitting on the deck and doing exactly the same things you can do on the ship that afternoon. Boarding early so you can do even more of exactly the same is an option, but if there's something different to do with your time on shore, why not do it? If you don't get to the Miami area a lot, this is your chance.

I'd have said the same thing if the OP had the time. One cruise we took left Monday and returned Friday. We flew in to Miami Saturday and out Sunday. We spent a day at the Everglades, went to the Monkey Jungle, beached a little and tried a few restaurants. I love Florida and not just as a port to the Caribbean.

A partly contrarian view:

First, that's what I'd do too. However, I spend a lot of time in the Miami area. My wife grew up there, still has lots of family/friends there, we've been there a bazillion times - most recently last month for her high school reunion - and will be in Florida again next month.

If you haven't, though, five hours is enough time to do something. You could have a drink somewhere along the ocean, walk up and down the boardwalk or the beach a bit, and then head for the ship. Others can suggest other things to do that don't duplicate what the cruise ship will offer.

You'll be spending a lot of time on board, drinking, napping, sitting on the deck and doing exactly the same things you can do on the ship that afternoon. Boarding early so you can do even more of exactly the same is an option, but if there's something different to do with your time on shore, why not do it? If you don't get to the Miami area a lot, this is your chance.

But, why not build in unscheduled time to do some of these things after the cruise?

A partly contrarian view:

First, that's what I'd do too. However, I spend a lot of time in the Miami area. My wife grew up there, still has lots of family/friends there, we've been there a bazillion times - most recently last month for her high school reunion - and will be in Florida again next month.

If you haven't, though, five hours is enough time to do something. You could have a drink somewhere along the ocean, walk up and down the boardwalk or the beach a bit, and then head for the ship. Others can suggest other things to do that don't duplicate what the cruise ship will offer.

You'll be spending a lot of time on board, drinking, napping, sitting on the deck and doing exactly the same things you can do on the ship that afternoon. Boarding early so you can do even more of exactly the same is an option, but if there's something different to do with your time on shore, why not do it? If you don't get to the Miami area a lot, this is your chance.


One of the problems is what to do with the luggage during all this strolling and chilling? It's not very relaxing dragging "stuff" along behind you. the OP is flying in the same day as the cruise so no chance to leave the luggage in the room or with the bell desk.

Going on a first cruise is exciting. get there early and have fun, fun, fun!

We did this in Barcelona -- got in at 10, dropped bags off a the ship by about noon, and rushed into town to see a few sites. I think the ship sailed at 6; the public transportation was a bit better, and we saw one major sit e(Sagrada Famiglia).

In Miami, with cabs you could do something. Then again, much of what you'd have time to do is walk on the beach/along the beach, get some food, relax -- all can be done or something close on board without the lost time of transiting back and forth. I'd just get on in this case. Beach time is likely during the cruise, and Miami time afterwards...