Florida is home to some of the largest and busiest cruise ports in the world. You’ll have a choice of sailing out of major ports like Port Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral, Port of Tampa Bay, or Jacksonville Port Authority. Selecting a departure port is no easy task since you have to consider how you’ll get to the port, parking costs, hours of operation, and which cruise lines depart from it.
Our cruising experts have crafted this Florida cruise port guide to help you understand the logistics of each port, so you can start your cruise on the right foot.
Read more about cruise terminal transportation here.
PortMiami Address: 1435 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
There are a variety of ways for you to get to Port Miami. Cruise line shuttle services are available by request with Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn.
Public transportation is the cheapest option and includes Metrorail’s Orange Line from Miami International Airport, as well as the Metrorail Green Line. Both rail lines will take you to Government Center, where you can take the Metromover to Freedom Tower Station. From there, you can take the free Coral Way Trolley to cross the PortMiami bridge. The trolley makes three stops on-port every 15 minutes at Terminals J and E, as well as PortMiami Administrative Offices.
Taxis, ride share services, and rental cars are available as well.
Port Miami is open from 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM. We recommend arriving early because the port gets crowded, especially during peak cruise season.
If you’re parking at PortMiami, you’ll find a variety of parking options available to accommodate all of your needs. Parking rates vary from $22 - $35 a day, depending on the cruise line and the duration of your cruise.
A variety of hotels near PortMiami offer dedicated cruise port shuttles. InterContinental Miami is 0.7 miles from the port and offers a shuttle service for $8 per adult, and no charge for children under 6 years old. Comfort Inn & Suites Miami International Airport is a bit further at 7.8 miles from PortMiami but offers a shuttle service for free, available to all guests. Comfort Suites Miami Airport North is another great option, standing 8.5 miles from PortMiami and also offering a free shuttle service directly to the port.
Depending on your cruise line, you may be able to have your hotel fare covered for up to one night before your departure. Make sure to check with your line about hotel fares and cruise line shuttle services prior to booking your hotel.
The cruise lines departing from PortMiami include: Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages.
PortMiami has many cruise terminals, each typically reserved for different cruise lines. The terminals include:
Port Canaveral Address: 9005 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
To get to Port Canaveral, you can book a shuttle service through your cruise line if you are sailing with Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean. Need detailed directions? Check out our step-by-step guide to finding cruise shuttles from the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral to ensure a smooth journey.
Because Port Canaveral is a bit further from the Orlando International Airport (MCO), public transport is not available. However, many independent shuttle services are available to book online.
Taxis, ride-sharing, and rental cars are also widely available and make for good last-minute transportation options.
Port Canaveral operates 24 hours a day, providing flexibility for cruise schedules and guests.
Port Canaveral cruise parking is both convenient and affordable, with a daily rate of $17. This straightforward pricing makes it easy to budget for your trip without any surprises.
Cape Canaveral is a popular area near Orlando, so you’ll have an assortment of hotels near Port Canaveral cruise port to choose from. The closest hotel to the cruise port is Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, which is 0.6 miles from the port and offers a shuttle service for $8 a person. Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port is 0.9 miles from the port and offers a shuttle service at $10 a person. Radisson Resort at the Port is 1 mile from the cruise port and offers the cheapest shuttle at $6 a person.
Certain cruise lines may cover the hotel fare for up to one night before your departure. Check with your line about hotel fares and cruise line shuttle services prior to booking your hotel.
The cruise lines departing from Port Canaveral are Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean.
Port Canaveral's cruise terminals are split into two main sections, Terminal A and Terminal B ports. The following terminals are designated for each line as listed below:
Terminal A
Terminal B
Address Port Everglades: 1800 SE 18th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
There are a variety of cruise lines that offer shuttle services to Port Everglades including Azamara, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and Viking Ocean.
Public transportation is another great way to get to the cruise port. Fort Lauderdale's local bus service, the Broward County Transit (BCT), stops at the Northport section of Port Everglades on SE 17th Street. You can find schedules and information here.
You can also opt for private modes of transportation for a quicker, more seamless trip. Taxis, ride-sharing services, and rental cars are widely available in the area.
Port Everglades has three security checkpoints with the following availability:
You’ll find that parking at Port Everglades is both convenient and affordable, with a daily rate of $20 for standard vehicles. This flat rate makes budgeting for your trip straightforward and stress-free.
There are plenty of hotels near Port Everglades cruise port. Candlewood Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise is a closeby option, at just 2.4 miles from the port, and offers a shuttle service for $8 a person. Comfort Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port is 3.8 miles from the port and offers a shuttle service for $10 a person. Courtyard Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port is a bit further at 5.6 miles from the port but offers a complimentary shuttle for all hotel guests.
Some cruise lines may cover the hotel fare for up to one night before your departure. We recommend inquiring with your line about the hotel fare and shuttle service prior to booking your hotel.
The cruise lines sailing from Port Everglades are Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and Viking Ocean.
Port Everglades has lots of cruise terminals, so it’s important to check your ticket and figure out which one you will be departing from. Certain terminals are designated for individual or multiple cruise lines as listed below.
Port of Tampa Address: 1101 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
If coming from Tampa International Airport (TPA), you may be able to book a shuttle directly to the port with your cruise line. Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean offer one-way or round-trip shuttles to Port Tampa Bay from TPA. Taxis, ride-sharing, and rental cars are all available as well.
For a cost-efficient method, public transportation is available. Take the SkyConnect from the Tampa Bay airport to the Rental Car Facility Station, where you can switch to the Route 30 bus. Take the bus to Whiting Street at Tampa Street, and walk east one block to Downtown Tampa Station. From there, you can take the 800 line to Publix Station, which is a brief 5-minute walk from Port Tampa Bay.
Port Tampa Bay is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you leave your car at the parking lot, you’ll pay a daily rate of $15.75. The port offers several payment options, including prepayments, allowing you to manage your parking expenses easily and efficiently.
Tampa has a number of hotels with free shuttle services to the Port of Tampa. Home2 Suites By Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District is a mere 0.6 miles from the port and boasts a free shuttle service for all guests. Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown is 1.1 miles from the port, and also offers a free shuttle service for all guests. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa East - Ybor City is a bit further at 4.2 miles from the port, but also offers a complimentary shuttle service.
Some cruise lines will cover your hotel fare for up to one night before your departure. Check in with your line about hotel fares and cruise line shuttle services before booking your hotel.
The cruise lines that depart from the Port Tampa Bay area are Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean.
There are three terminals at Port Tampa Bay, each one being used by different cruise lines. The terminals and their respective liens are listed below:
JAXPORT Address: 9810 August Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226
If you’re sailing with Norwegian, you can book a shuttle from the airport directly to your cruise port.
Public transportation is also available, but it’s generally not recommended. If you’re traveling from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), you can take advantage of JAXPORT’s franchised taxi service, as well as the designated Shuttle & Special Needs Transportation service.
Taxis, ride-sharing, and rental cars are all available as well.
JAXPORT operates 24 hours a day, providing flexibility and convenience for travelers.
If you choose to park at JAXPORT, you’ll pay a rate of $17 a day. The prices for JAXPORT cruise parking makes it easy to budget for your trip without any surprises.
There are plenty of hotels near JAXPORT cruise terminal, however, none offer their own shuttles to the cruise port. The closest hotel is Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Blount Island, which is 0.9 miles from the port. Candlewood Suites Jacksonville East Merril Road is another good option, only 4.2 miles from the port. Courtyard Jacksonville I-295/East Beltway is also within driving distance, just 5 miles from the port.
If you book with certain cruise lines, you may be eligible to have your hotel fare covered for up to one night before departure. Check with your line about hotel fares and cruise line shuttle services prior to booking your hotel.
The cruise lines departing from Jacksonville Port Authority are Carnival and Norwegian.
JAXPORT offers a single cruise terminal, with the following lines sailing out of it:
Now that you know which cruise port is best for you, set sail from Florida with Cruisebound. Our website streamlines the cruise booking process, so you can research, book, and set sail on your cruise with ease. Book your next cruise with us today.