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4 Night Bahamas Cruise

Contemporary and family-friendly cruising with distinct Mediterranean influences on everything from the line’s style and décor to cuisine and onboard entertainment

The Bahamas are waiting for you with adventure, history, beautiful beaches, and MSC Cruises’ exclusive, Ocean Cay.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

• Msc Magnifica - Passenger Capacity:  2,558 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2010 Last Refurbished:  2021

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Msc Cruises

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Msc Magnifica

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Miami, Florida , Ocean Cay, Bahamas , Nassau, Bahamas

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4 Night Bahamas Cruise sailing on the Msc Magnifica

Departure dates: may 2024 - nov 2024, stateroom prices for may. 20, 2024.

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*** All itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please confirm your itinerary on the Review page before purchasing your cruise.

Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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Port of Miami Cruise Port: Parking, Address, Terminal & Amenity Info

Port of Miami , also called PortMiami, is the busiest port in the United States. The Cruise Capital of the World is located in Biscayne Bay, to the east of downtown Miami, and is made up of three connecting islands. PortMiami is reachable by the Port Boulevard bridge and serviced by two airports: Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.

Read on for our Port of Miami breakdown, including address information, cruise line terminals, directions, services and more. Also, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's ranked cruise deals from Port of Miami and see what tips, tricks and secret advice our Cruise Critic members have to say about cruises from Port of Miami .

Port of Miami Address

1015 North America Way Miami, FL 33132

Port of Miami Terminal Information: Cruise Line by Cruise Line

The Port of Miami currently has nine cruise terminals, but two terminals are being added: Terminals AA/AAA and K. Below is a list of the terminals at PortMiami and where each cruise line docks:

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal A: Royal Caribbean

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal AA/AAA: MSC Cruises (in 2023/24)

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal B: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal C: Disney Cruise Line and MSC

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal D & E: Carnival Cruise Line , Holland America Line , Princess Cruises and P & O Cruises

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal F: Carnival Cruise Line

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal G: Celebrity Cruises , Royal Caribbean

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal J: Oceania Cruises , Regent Seven Seas , Azamara and Crystal Cruises

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal K: Disney Cruise Line (in 2023)

Port of Miami Cruise Terminal V (Old Cruise Terminal H): Virgin Voyages

Port of Miami Directions

If you're planning to take your car, below are directions to Port of Miami:

Via the Port of Miami Tunnel

From the North to PortMiami: Take I-95 South to Eastbound I-395 ( Miami Beach ) ramp. Continue on I-395 East, go over the MacArthur Causeway ICW Bridge and the tunnel entrance is on your left.

From the South to PortMiami: Take SR-826 North to SR-836 East, head eastbound on SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach). Continue on I-395 East/MacArthur Causeway and the tunnel entrance is on your left.

From the West to PortMiami: Take I-95 North to Eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach) ramp. Continue on I-395 East/MacArthur Causeway and the tunnel entrance is on your left.

From Miami Beach to PortMiami: Take I-395/MacArthur Causeway Westbound and exit on Biscayne Boulevard ramp. Make a U-turn on N. Bayshore Drive to enter Eastbound MacArthur Causeway. Continue on Eastbound I-395 and the tunnel entrance is on your left.

Via Downtown/Port Bridge

From the North to PortMiami: Take I-95 South and exit 3B-Bayside. Head south to Northeast 5th Street and turn left. Fifth Street will lead onto the PortMiami bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow signage to your designated terminal.

From the South to PortMiami: Take I-95 North and exit at Northwest 2nd Street. Head straight to NW 5th Street and make a right. Fifth Street will lead onto the PortMiami bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow signage to your designated terminal.

Port of Miami Parking

PortMiami has parking available at all terminals. Five garages (A, C, D, G and J) and one lot (Lot 2) are available for cruiser use. Garage J is reserved for those who want to pay before they park (rather than when they leave), and Lot 2 is designated for oversized vehicles (longer than 20 feet).

All garages and Lot 2 offer day parking and short-term parking. Spots are available for those with disabled parking permits. Visit PortMiami for current rates for parking.

All parking locations accept cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and major U.S. Traveler's Checks. They do not accept debit cards.

Free shuttle service is offered between all parking areas and the cruise terminals. The Miami cruise port advises drivers to drop off passengers and luggage at the terminal prior to parking.

Free cell phone waiting lots are available across from terminals B and 2 (north of Seaman's Center) for anyone waiting to pick up disembarking passengers .

Getting from Miami International Airport to Port of Miami

Passengers on cruises departing from PortMiami can fly into Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale International Airport. From Miami International Airport in particular, you can pre-arrange a shuttle through your cruise line (if you're arriving the same day your cruise leaves); taxis, Ubers and Lyfts are also readily available.

Public Transit from Miami International Airport

Take the Metrorail's Orange Line to downtown Miami's Freedom Tower stop (about 30 minutes). From there, hop on Miami Trolley's Coral Way route to take you the rest of the way. The trolley drops off at the port every 15 to 20 minutes from early until mid-evening all days except Sunday.

Miami International Airport Taxi Service to Port of Miami

Taxis from Miami International Airport are readily available on days when ships are embarking or disembarking passengers. All taxis between Miami International Airport and PortMiami carries a flat rate.

If you're taking a cab to the Miami cruise port on the day of your sailing, your driver will need to follow signs for your ship's terminal after entering the port. Specific drop-off locations are designated at each terminal, and each terminal has its own designated taxi area. Look for signs or ask a port official for more details.

Rideshare apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are great options as well. Pickup locations are located on the middle inner curb of arrivals level.

Getting From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Port of Miami

Cruisers can also arrive at the Port of Miami from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which is about 25 miles away. As is the case with MIA, you have the option to arrange a shuttle with your cruise line.

FLL also offers an affordable daily shuttle to cruise ships at the Port of Miami (along with other airports, like FLL, MIA or PBI International Airports). The Fort Lauderdale Airport Shuttle runs every 5 to 20 minutes, but does require a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Pricing depends on the designated vehicle and your number of passengers.

Public Transit Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Port of Miami

Public transportation is a little more complex coming from FLL than it is from MIA. The Tri-Rail runs from the airport to the Metrorail Transfer Station . From there, take the Metrorail Green Line to Brickell Station, then hop on the free Miami Trolley to PortMiami.

Buses also run regularly from FLL, such as Greyhound and FlixBus. However, the buses are more time-consuming and can take about two hours to arrive at the Miami cruise port.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Taxi Service to Port of Miami

Taxi services are readily available from FLL along with ridesharing apps, especially Uber and Lyft. Rideshare pick-ups are located on the arrivals level of the airport. If you've rented a car instead, please see directions by car "Getting There by Car" above.

Taking the Train to Port of Miami

Amtrak has a stop in Miami, which is about a 20-minute cab ride from PortMiami.

Restaurants Near Port of Miami (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

There are four locations in the immediate port area where passengers can buy food: the Seaman's Center (across from Terminal E), the cafe in the port's administration building, and two cafeterias in the Royal Caribbean building.

Other restaurants and shops for purchasing last-minute toiletries and other items can also be found in downtown Miami, which is just over the bridge that connects to the port.

There's Bayside Marketplace nearby, which is a four-minute drive from the Port of Miami. Brickell City Centre offers visitors upscale shopping along with dining options and is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from Port of Miami.

Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port of Miami

PortMiami has wheelchairs available for rental, however inventory is low and you may have to wait.

Arrangements should be made with your cruise line in advance if you require wheelchair assistance to board the ship. If wheelchairs are required for the duration of the sailing, passengers are responsible for providing their own or they could likely rent from their cruise ship.

Porters and Red Caps at Port of Miami

Porters are available at the entrance to each terminal to take your luggage.

Bathrooms at Port of Miami

Each of Miami's cruise terminals has anywhere from six to eight bathrooms, depending on terminal size.

Port of Miami Wi-Fi

All PortMiami cruise terminals offer free Wi-Fi.

Port of Miami Waiting Area and Seating

All terminals at Port of Miami have sitting areas, with newer ones featuring extra seating in case of delays.

More Tips About Port of Miami

In case we didn't quite answer all of your concerns above, here are our miscellaneous tips for Port of Miami that you need to know.

Luggage Storage at Port of Miami

For security reasons, lockers are not available at PortMiami. However, baggage storage is available for a fee through private companies if you're booked on a flight departing from Miami International Airport. You could also check with your cruise line for luggage forwarding services if needed.

Using GPS to Arrive at Port of Miami

If you're driving to port and using a GPS, it's best to use it only to navigate across the Port Boulevard bridge. Once across, look for signs directing you to the appropriate terminal as you may lose service.

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CARIBBEAN CRUISES

Islands, bays, and coral reefs. The Caribbean is a feeling that drags you with the seductive rhythm of tropical vibes . Imbibe in an ambiance where the clock seems to stop ticking! Is the time to indulge in that Caribbean cruise you've been longing for. Walk among long stretches of white sandy beaches , lie under the balmy shade of magnificent palm trees and dive into a turquoise sea full of coral reefs. Our Caribbean cruises offer the most extensive discovery of idyllic archipelagos. MSC Cruises even owns a private Caribbean Island! Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve , located in the stunning Western Bahamas. This tropical paradise was specially crafted to provide our guests with the most exclusive Caribbean dream!

Explore the Bahamas  or discover the enchantment of Jamaica  and Dominican Republic . Drift to the sound of lapping waves in Puerto Rico , Guadalupe , or Martinique . Choose a Southern Caribbean cruise and explore St. Lucia or Barbados  or even further south to Trinidad and Tobago . Enjoy the tropical wonders of Western Caribbean .  Sail to the Cayman Islands or Honduras until you reach Mexican shores and visit ancient Mayans ruins or the mysterious island of Costa Maya. Is there anywhere else on earth where you can experience such a variety of culture and adventure? Discover MSC's cruises to the Caribbean and sail to islands of unparalleled beauty. Plan your next holidays with our Caribbean cruises for 2024 and 2025 !

Caribbean Islands

Western caribbean cruises itineraries.

Start your Western Caribbean cruise from Miami or Port Canaveral . Get the best start to your Bahamas cruise with the exclusive atmosphere of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve . While in Nassau , you can swim with dolphins in the Crystal-clear waters of Balmoral Island! For your Jamaica cruise , experience the thrilling cascades of Dunn’s River Falls from Ocho Rios. Swim in the waterfall plunge pools and enjoy nature’s ‘massage’ as the cascades pummel your shoulders. Did you know the world’s second largest barrier reef are on the island of Roatan in Honduras ? Roatan is one of the picture-perfect stops of MSC's Western Caribbean cruise and is well known among diving aficionados as it offers some of the best diving in the world! For your cruise to Mexico, soak up the ambiance of Costa Maya and discover the glorious and mystical Mayan culture. Join us on excursions to two different sets of Mayan ruins: Chacchoben and Kohunlich. If sea adventures are more your thing, sail to the Mexican island of Cozumel . With so many natural wonders and cultural experiences to enjoy, a Western Caribbean cruise promises an indelible journey.

Eastern Caribbean cruises itineraries

Sail from Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando) to islands whose names alone inspires an adventurous vibe. It could not be otherwise for an Eastern Caribbean cruise! Think Puerto Rico and you probably think Salsa - it’s the ‘sauce’ that makes parties happen! You’ll have authentic dance moves to last a lifetime. During your cruise to Puerto Rico, take an excursion in the capital, San Juan , and you’ll come home with more than memories! In the Dominican Republic , experience the flavors of Puerto Plata . With MSC Cruises excursions you can even visit a local cigar factory and a rum house. Looking to fulfill your dream of swimming with dolphins? Ocean World in Puerto Plata offers a unique tour that allows you to get up close with marine life! Sail away to the rhythm of gentle waves in Guadalupe or Martinique . While with a Lesser Antilles cruise, explore St. Lucia , Barbados , or go even further south to Trinidad and Tobago . Nature and nightlife, thrilling adventures or awe-inspiring history, Eastern Caribbean needs to be experienced to be believed! 

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: your own private island

Discover our new and exclusive Bahamian destination: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve . In Ocean Cay you disembark onto a beautiful private island, packed with watersports , beaches and attractions. Here you can connect with nature and feel the warmth of the Bahamian spirit ! On Ocean Cay you can enjoy a relaxing massage in a cabana and explore the area with dedicated excursions . As a nature-focused marine reserve, Ocean Cay demonstrates MSC Cruises long-standing love of the sea. Early birds will want to wake for a sunrise and mimosas cruise and watch dawn break over the Caribbean seas. Connect with the waters and choose from an array of watersports: a WaveRunner tour, snorkeling or kayaking and much more. Take a look around the  360 virtual tour !

Caribbean ports

Cruises from miami.

Only great Caribbean adventures depart from Miami! Set sail for dream destinations: from Bahamas to Jamaica , Cayman Islands and Honduras till Mexican coasts ! Before your tropical getaway, take the chance to visit Florida's cosmopolitan metropolis. South Beach is world-famous and offers Art Deco architectures and celebrity spotting. Miami is perfect for your shopping, with the Dolphin Mall being a top choice. Passionate about art? Then the Wynwood Art District is the perfect place for you, with its galleries, museums and its celebrated street art.  Miami is the perfect start for your Caribbean cruise!

Cruises from Port Canaveral (Orlando)

Located just 45 miles east of Orlando, Port Canaveral is one of the departure ports for Caribbean cruises. Even before your Caribbean adventure begins, you can visit extraordinary sights. Port Canaveral is worldwide known for its Space Coast , that features the phenomenal Kennedy Space Center . Learn about NASA's space vehicles and experience a space shuttle launch simulation with MSC Cruises' excursions. Or head to Cocoa Beach , the world's surfing capital and home to the massive Ron Jon Surf Shop. Be surprised before your adventure to the Eastern and Western Caribbean begins!

view all Caribbean & Southern Caribbean ports

• Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Belize City, Belize
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Cartagena, Colombia
• Castries, Saint Lucia
• Charlotte Amalie (St Tomas), United States
• Colón, Republic of Panama
• Costa Maya, Mexico
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Fort de France, Martinique
• Freeport, Bahamas
• Galveston, United States
• Georgetown, Cayman Islands
• Isla de Roatan, Honduras
• Key West (Florida), United States
• Kingstown, Saint Vincent
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• Miami, United States
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Philipsburg, Saint Maarten
• Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe
• Port Canaveral (Orlando), United States
• Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands
• Roseau, Dominica
• Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
• Saint George, Grenada
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda
• Willemstad, Curacao

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Miami Cruise

Cruises from / to Miami in 2024

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oCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE

Discover our new exclusive Destination from Miami

NATURE MADE IT BEAUTIFUL, WE MADE IT UNIQUE

MSC HOTELS AND FLIGHTS

Add hotels, flights and transfers, and extend your stay in miami before or after your cruise, travel to the miami cruise terminal.

Port Miami is known worldwide as the “Cruise Capital of the World” and is in close proximity to Fort Lauderdale (23 miles north), West Palm Beach (71 miles north) and Orlando (238 miles north). • If using a GPS device, enter 1015 N. America Way, Miami, Florida 33132 as the address of your destination. Once at the Port's bridge, turn off your GPS, stay in the left lane and follow the signs to your designated terminal. • If you are traveling from the north on I-95 South, take exit 3B to Bayside. Head south to Northeast 5th Street and turn left. Fifth Street will lead onto the Port Miami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your designated terminal. • If you are traveling from the south, take I-95 North and exit at Northwest 2nd Street. Head straight on to NW 5th Street and turn right. Fifth Street will lead onto the Port Miami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your designated terminal

Miami International Airport (MIA): 8 miles / 13 km to Port Miami Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 26 miles / 42 km to Port Miami PUBLIC SERVICES : Taxis are easily available from each airport.

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MSC Cruises

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MSC Cruise from Miami March 2024

It is said that Miami is the "Gateway to the Americas," and the city is a glitzy international destination that is worth visiting either at the beginning or the conclusion of an MSC Caribbean and Antilles vacation. An MSC Caribbean cruise from Miami can last anywhere from seven to fourteen nights at sea, and the places it stops at are as different in culture, history, and geography as the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, and others.

Cruise to the spectacular Caribbean Sea’s warm waters and lively islands with MSC Cruises from Miami in March 2024. In March 2024, MSC Cruises will take you from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean , the Western Caribbean , and other places in the Caribbean Sea.

Find your next MSC Cruises cruise out of Miami in March 2024

3-day Bahamas from Miami, Fl

Msc magnifica, msc cruises.

Date: March 1, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Key West, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

7-day Eastern Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Msc seascape, msc cruises.

Date: March 2, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Nassau, San Juan, Puerto Plata, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

14-day Eastern Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Ports of Call: Miami, Nassau, San Juan, Puerto Plata, Ocean Cay, Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

7-day Western Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Msc divina, msc cruises.

Date: March 3, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

18-day Western Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Ports of Call: Miami, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Ocean Cay, Miami, Ocho Rios, Aruba, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto limon, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

4-day Bahamas from Miami, Fl

Date: March 4, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Nassau, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

Ports of Call: Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

Date: March 8, 2024

Date: March 9, 2024

14-day Western Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Ports of Call: Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Ocean Cay, Miami, Nassau, San Juan, Puerto Plata, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

11-day Southern Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Date: March 10, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Ocho Rios, Aruba, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

14-day Southern Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Ports of Call: Miami, Ocho Rios, Aruba, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, Ocean Cay, Miami, Nassau, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

Date: March 11, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Ocean Cay, Nassau, Miami; View Itinerary

Date: March 15, 2024

Date: March 16, 2024

Date: March 18, 2024

Date: March 21, 2024

10-day Western Caribbean from Miami, Fl

Ports of Call: Miami, Nassau, Ocean Cay, Miami, Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Nassau, Miami; View Itinerary

Date: March 22, 2024

Date: March 23, 2024

Date: March 24, 2024

Ports of Call: Miami, Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Nassau, Miami; View Itinerary

Ports of Call: Miami, Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Nassau, Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Ocean Cay, Miami; View Itinerary

Date: March 25, 2024

Date: March 29, 2024

Date: March 30, 2024

Date: March 31, 2024

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Port of Miami Guide

A Guide to Miami Cruise Port Terminals

The city is a world class destination for you to enjoy before or after you set sail on your cruise. Iconic views at Miami Beach, lively South Beach, pristine Everglades National Park, bustling streets in Little Havana, beautiful architecture in the Art Deco Historic District, and much more await you.

With more than 20 cruise lines berthing 55 ships, PortMiami is one of the world’s leading cruise destinations. More than 4 million cruise passengers traveled through the port in 2022.

Cruise ships sail to points across the Caribbean , the Bahamas, Mexico and other thrilling ports from South Florida’s cultural and economic center.

Easily accessible from Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the port is minutes from Downtown Miami and major interstates.

If you are planning a pre- or post-cruise stay in Miami, there are plenty of hotels close to the Port of Miami that cater to virtually any taste and budget.

Read also : Where should I stay for a cruise from Miami?

Port of Miami in Florida Miami Cruise Terminals Getting to Miami Cruise Port Port of Miami Parking Best Time to Visit & Cruise Where to stay near the port Where to shop near the Port of Miami Sights to See Best ways to get around Miami

Miami Cruise Terminals

Modern and efficient, the future 11 cruise terminals at PortMiami are designed for quick boarding and disembarkation. Many have undergone extensive renovations, while others will be updated to offer a better travel experience for cruise passengers. Passenger drop-off is offered in front of each terminal, and parking is also available at the port.

Opened in 2018, Terminal A is home to Royal Caribbean Cruises and is the largest cruise terminal in the United States. The iconic sails of Terminal G make it an instantly recognizable landmark in Miami, and the terminal also serves Royal Caribbean. Terminal J is a boutique facility that caters to luxury cruises and smaller ships.

Moving from Terminal F, MSC Cruises will sail out of a newly designed Terminals AA/AAA in 2024. Carnival’s ships are based at Terminals D and E, and the newly renovated Terminal F from 2022. Norwegian Cruise Line operates out of Terminals B and C, while the new Terminal K will be the base for Disney Cruise Line. Terminal V opened in 2022 for Virgin Voyages .

Miami has several cruise terminals and they are:

• Terminal AA/AAA – MSC Cruises (2024)
• Terminal A – Royal Caribbean | The Crown of Miami
• Terminal B – Norwegian Cruise Line | The Pearl of Miami
• Cruise Terminal C – Disney Cruise Line | MSC
• Terminals D & E – Carnival, Princess Cruises, P&O, Holland America Line
• Terminal F – Carnival Cruises
• Terminal G – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises
• Terminal J – small vessels and luxury cruises (Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas)
• Terminal K – Disney Cruise Line (Pending)
• Terminal V – Virgin Voyages | Palm Grove

Getting to Miami Cruise Port

PortMiami sits across from Miami’s soaring skyline and south of scenic Biscayne Bay. The sprawling port is connected to the city via Port Boulevard and is easily accessible from any destination in and around Miami. Interstates 95 and 395 are less than five minutes away, and Miami International Airport is about a ten-minute drive from the port.

If traveling to the cruise terminals at PortMiami by car, you can use the following address on your GPS : 1015 North America Way, Miami, FL, 33132. Signs will guide you to cruise terminals and parking lots, which are close to all terminals.

From Miami International Airport (7 miles): Estimated Driving Time: 20 minutes (depending on traffic)

– Via Port Tunnel: Get on FL-836 E in Miami from Miad Cir

– Continue on FL-836 E and keep left to continue on I-395 E. Then keep right to continue on MacArthur Causeway and use the left 2 lanes to take the Miami Beach exit.

– Continue onto Port Miami Tunnel and use the left lane to continue toward Port Blvd. Use the left lane to turn slightly left onto Panama Way and use the left lane to turn slightly left onto N Cruise Blvd. Then turn left onto Europe Way and follow the signs to your pier terminal.

From Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (26 miles): Estimated Driving Time: 45 minutes (depending on traffic)

– Get on I-95 S in Dania Beach from Terminal Dr, Perimeter Rd and FL-818 W/Griffin Rd

– Follow I-95 S to Port Miami Tunnel in Miami. Use the left 2 lanes to take exit 2D toward I-395 E/Miami Beach

– Merge onto MacArthur Causeway and use the left 2 lanes to take the Miami Beach exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs for your pier terminal.

Cruise line transfers

Many cruise passengers arrive and depart by air. Most cruise lines provide shuttles for passengers arriving from across the U.S. and beyond at Miami International Airport. These transfers can be arranged in advance online or by calling to the cruise line (2 to 4 days prior to sailing depending on which cruise line).

Note : These shuttles are mainly only available on the day of embarkation or disembarkation. As it’s recommended to arrive at least 1 day before your voyage, this option is not suitable for most cruise passengers.

Cruise line transfers are not cheap at are charged per person. Currently for example Carnival Cruises charges $22.99 per person for a transfer from the airport to the Port of Miami. Other and cheaper options include taxi, Uber or Lyft. An Uber or Lyft is mostly the cheapest way to get to your departure terminal.

Taxi – Uber/Lyft

There is no longer a flat rate of $27 from the airport to the port, this was removed after the covid period. A taxi from the airport to the port will cost you approx. $40.

In addition to taxis, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available from points across the city and surrounding area. It basically means you use a very simple smartphone app to request a ride, and your driver uses his/her personal vehicle. These are great hassle-free options to get to your cruise terminal and are often more comfortable than a cab.

Prices of Uber/Lyft start around $20 from Miami airport to cruise port and even less for a shared pool ride. The cost of UberXL is approx. $41 while Premier and SUV cars run around $50 to $90. Prices can vary during traffic delays or high-demand times.

These rates are per car or taxi, not per person.

Public Transportation to Port of Miami

If you prefer to use public transit , you can use Metrorail’s Orange Line from Downtown Miami. You will then need to transfer to the Metromover of City of Miami Coral Way Trolley from the Government Centre Metrorail/Metromover Station.

You can download the Go Miami-Dade Transit app and guide to help you plan your journey by bus, train or mover car from anywhere in the city.

Trains also bring cruise passengers to and from Maimi. Virgin Trains USA (formerly operating as Brightline ) connect Miami with Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando in the near future. Comfortable express trains depart from and arrive at Virgin MiamiCentral in Downtown Miami.

Amtrak train services from New York City, Washington, Richmond, Savannah, Orlando and other cities across the Eastern Seaboard operate from Miami Station, which is close to the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station.

Hotels with Free Shuttle

As flight delays can always happend due to bad weather or cancelations we can recommend to book a stay at a hotel at least for one day ahead of your cruise. Some hotels close to the port offer a shuttle service for a small fee and some airport hotels such as the Comfort Suites hotel offer a complimentary shuttle service from the airport and to Miami cruise port.

At some properties you can even leave your car parked at the hotel to avoid costly port parking.

Similarly, there are rental car companies that provide courtesy shuttles after you drop off your vehicle.

Private Transportation to Miami Cruise Port

A variety of companies provide private transportation between Miami Airport and the Port of Miami cruise terminals. They offer drop-off or pick-up service between the International Airport and the cruise port. These shuttles can also be booked for getting you to/from a hotel to the terminal and airport. It’s a stress-free way to travel in comfort as driver will be waiting for you and will drop you off at your destination.

Check fares for Private Transportation to Cruise Port .

How to get from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport to Miami Cruise Port

Anybody looking to travel the 30 miles from Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) to Miami’s Cruise Port will be well served by a fantastic transport nexus specifically tailored to the bustling cruise network. But with so many transportation options available, it’s good to have in mind what each one offers, so that you can plan accordingly. Whatever transportation you choose, its best to allow at least 45 to 60 minutes for you journey from the airport to your Miami hotel or cruise terminal.

Cruise Line Transfer

Reserving your airport transfer through the cruise line promises a level of convenience, comfort and assurance that other options might not meet. You will often be greeted by cruise company representatives, conducted to a comfortable coach, and be safe in the knowledge that if the shuttle is delayed the cruise will not be leaving without you.

The comfort and assurance of the official option does come at a cost however, with many shuttle services costing around $25 to $35 per person. Charges like this may be fine if you are travelling alone, but they soon add up to a large bill if you are travelling with family.

Airport & Private Shuttles

Any airport departure gate will be well served by independent shuttle companies, and in Fort Lauderdale there are plenty of shuttle services catered to cruisers. Opting for an independent airport shuttle service will often be cheaper than a cruise line’s official shuttles. Rather than a coach, expect a minibus, and if travelling alone, expect to share the journey with other cruisers.

Private shuttles are a viable option for small groups, working out around $30 a head, this competes with the official cruise lines’ shuttle services. If you want to upgrade from an economy vehicle to something a little more stylish there are also private car and limo companies throughout the area offering private and stylish transportation between airport and seaport.

Check rates for transfers from Ft Lauderdale to Miami

Hotel Shuttles

The hotels of Fort Lauderdale near the port are well prepared to service cruisers, but often hotels in the area will only provide shuttle journeys to the nearby Port Everglades Cruise Terminal in Fort Lauderdale itself.

If you are looking to travel further afield to the Port of Miami, you may need to make your journey through a private travel service.

Taxis and Uber Journeys

Another form of independent travel between airport and cruise terminal are taxis, which don’t require pre-booking. However, ordering a traditional taxi at the rank right outside the airport can be expensive, with a one-way trip costing at least $72, and these services are less flexible than more recent competitors in the taxi market.

For the best taxi experience consider an established rideshare app like Uber or Lyft. With established pick up and drop off points, and drivers who are familiar with the route and the time it will take, these services are a great reliable way to conduct your journey, with convenient free apps giving you the option of pre-booking your journey, and shared pool rides starting from as little as $32.

Unlike other services, rideshare apps charge for the use of car, not for each passenger, so your money can go a long way if you are travelling in a large party, with 4 people able to make the trip for as little as $40, that’s $10 each. Also, if you want to splash out a bit more, these apps can be used to book a high-end SUV for your journey, providing a costlier but more luxurious travel experience. All payments can be conducted securely through the app via credit card, meaning you don’t need to worry about getting a hold of cash.

Public Transport

Using the train to travel from FLL to the Port of Miami can be an incredibly cheap option, but does require more familiarity with the area, and may be a difficult journey to conduct with large parties bearing lots of luggage.

The journey consists of taking a Tri-Rail train to Miami International Airport (for under $5), before taking the Metrorail Orange Line (at around $2 a head), changing at the Freedom Tower stop to board a free train on the Coral Way Route to reach Port Miami. This journey can cost as little as $6, but requires a bit more work than laying back in a coach, and the extra effort required may not be welcome to those who want to relax as soon as they touch down at the airport, and cut down their journey time.

But for a well-travelled, single passenger or small party, this can be a great travel option at an unbeatable price.

Port of Miami Parking

If you are driving your own vehicle to the port, parking garages and lots are conveniently located at all the cruise terminals. There are designed parking spots in each garage for disabled permit holders, and a wheelchair accessible shuttle connects passengers from their vehicle to their cruise terminal.

If you are driving a recreational vehicle or have a trailer, there are spots for oversized vehicles at Lot 2 close to Terminal E. All parking facilities are patrolled by security.

All parking areas at cruise terminal and Lot 2 are open on cruise days only. Long-term parking states at around $22 per night. On non-cruise days, you will need to contact PortMiami or port security to gain access to your vehicle.

Payment for parking is available using major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You can also pay using major U.S. Traveler’s Checks or cash. Parking at Garage J is only available on a pre-paid basis.

Affordable short term parking is available at two designated lots. These are great options for friends, family and others if you are being picked up. Cell phone waiting lots are found across from Terminal B and Terminal 2 (POMTOC).

Additional several Miami hotels offer cruise parking for the duration of your voyage. You pay a fee/ night to leave your car at the hotel or book a parking package which includes a night stay, shuttle service and cruise parking.

Read also : Miami Cruise Parking

Best Time to Visit and Cruise from Miami?

Miami is a year-round destination with plenty to see and do regardless of when you visit. Generally, mid-February through to May are great times to visit the city. The humidity of summer and uncertainty of Hurricane Season have not arrived, and you will find warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

If you are visiting Miami Beach , the best time is between March and May. You will find sunny days and comfortable temperatures hovering between the high 70s and low 80s. You also avoid peak season rates common during the winter and summer months with a spring-time visit.

Hurricane season typically runs from the beginning of June until the end of November. Most rain falls on Miami between May and September, while the winter period between December and February are the driest.

Read also : What’s the Best Time for a Caribbean Cruise from Miami?

Useful Information About Miami for Cruise Passengers

Miami has an extensive public transit system , which connects you to all major attractions in the city. Metrobus, Metrorail, and free trolley buses make it easy to explore Miami without a car. Miami Beach and Downtown are easily explored on foot, although having a car or traveling by taxi and public transit are the best way to get between districts.

Downtown Miami is home to the city’s major attractions and is the commercial hub of the city. From theaters and shops to government officers and corporate headquarters, the district is a bustling part of the city with plenty of hotels and things to do.

To the north is Midtown and the hip Design District, while Cuban culture flourishes with authentic Latin restaurants and shops in Little Havana to the west. Coconut Grove is a lush part of the city with historic sites, fine dining and luxury hotels.

Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Downtown Miami. Often thought of as part of Miami, it is a separate and distinct municipality. The popular beach destination on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean is home to several oceanfront resorts, sandy beaches, and colorful South Beach.

Where to stay near the port?

Downtown Miami and Brickell are the closest neighborhoods to PortMiami with top hotels like the InterContinental Miami, The Gabriel Miami, Hyatt Centric Brickell, Four Seasons, and Kimpton EPIC Hotel .

Hotels with breathtaking views and luxury options abound in Downtown, which is home to popular tourist attractions including Bayside Marketplace , Bayfront Park , Museum Park and Lummus Park. While still very much urban, Brickell offers a more suburban feel. Plenty of hotels are found in the neighborhood, which also offers fantastic dining and shopping at Mary Brickell Village.

Miami Beach and South Beach are unbeatable locations with oceanfront hotels offering idyllic views close to pristine white sand beaches. These diverse areas are home to top dining, from fine dining world class restaurants to delicious dishes at casual beachside haunts.

Lincoln Road is lined with lively bars and is a popular spot to enjoy a walk, and the Bass Museum of Art is also in the area. Favourite hotels close to PortMiami include The Redbury South Beach, 1 Hotel South Beach, The Confidante Miami Beach, The Marlin Hotel, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, The Palms Hotel and Spa, and Hampton Inn Miami Beach .

A hotel close to Miami International Airport is perfect if you have a late flight into the city or are flying out early in the morning. The airport is less than a ten-minute drive or shuttle bus ride from cruise terminals. Also nearby are the peaceful neighborhoods of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, 15 to 20 minutes south-west of the port.

Coconut Grove overlooks Biscayne Bay while Coral Cables is a picturesque neighborhood with fantastic shops, beautiful mansions and historic sites. Luxurious options include The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove Miami, Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, and Hotel St. Michel.

Read also : Best Hotels near Port of Miami

Where to shop near the Port of Miami?

If you forgot to pack something or need to do some last-minute shopping, there are two shopping centers close to PortMiami.

Just across from the causeway linking the port with the city, Bayside Marketplace is an open-air shopping and entertainment destination. The waterfront complex overlooks Biscayne Bay and has several dining options and more than 120 shops.

Bayside Marketplace is just a 25-minute walk from the port, or you can hop on the free Coral Way Trolley and use the Biscayne Boulevard stop. It is also close to the Metromover’s Bayside station. Please not the heat/humidity of Miami can be extreme.

Ride sharing options are also available such as Taxi, Uber and Lyft. It’s a $10-12 cab ride and probably $8 or less in Uber.

Brickell City Centre is another shopping destination close to the port. With over 120 stores and services spread across four floors, the shopping center has something for everyone. You can also enjoy a bite at one of several eateries. There is also a dine-in movie theater. The shopping center is served by the Metromover’s Brickell City Centre station as well as the free Brickell Trolley.

Sights to see

Miami and the surrounding area have a lot to offer, from interactive museums and picturesque parks to eye-catching architecture and inviting beaches. Whether you have some time to spare or are looking for attractions close to the city’s cruise terminals, there are fabulous destinations close to PortMiami.

Here are a few great attractions to consider visiting during your stay in Miami:

Bayside Marketplace : With panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, this major shopping and entertainment destination is a great destination for retail therapy and last-minute souvenir shopping. The complex is also a popular spot to grab a bite to eat with Segafredo, Hard Rock Café, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and other popular eateries. Bayside Marketplace also has a dock where you can book a boat tour of the city.

Frost Science and Perez Art Museum Miami : Located in Downtown Miami, this art and science destination offers fun for all ages with at two unforgettable museums. Frost Science is home to 3-D planetarium and an aquarium with touch-tanks, as well as other mind-bending exhibits. Hanging gardens overlooking Buscayne Bay and a stunning collection of modern and contemporary art are found at Perez Art Museum Miami. Once you are finished explore one or both of these museums, you can enjoy a walk along the bay or relax at a park.

South Beach : One of Florida’s most iconic destinations, South Beach is famous for its lively atmosphere and beautiful sandy beach. Swim in the turqoiuse waters, or rent a paddleboard or kayak to explore the waters off Florida’s magnificent coast. You can also stroll along Lincoln Road, a pedestrian mall lines with buzzing restaurants and bars. South Pointe Park is a fun spot for kits to play in interactive water fountains, while Sunset Harbour is a great place to cycle, shop and eat.

Brickell City Centre : This luxury shopping destination has more than 120 stores. From top fashion labels to the latest gadgets, you will find everything you need. There are also great eat-in restaurants and food halls to enjoy a meal. For film buffs who like to have a cocktail or meal while enjoying a movie, the complex also has a dine-in theater.

Española Way : Located between Washington and Pennsylvania Avenue in Miami Beach, this cobblestone street offers Mediterranean-inspired charm and style. The pedestrian street is home to intimate boutique hotels and welcoming sidewalk cafes, as well as live music and street entertainment. Española Way is a terrific spot to people watch and relax before your cruise or during your stay in Miami.

Read also : Best Things to do Before and After a Miami Cruise

Best ways to get around Miami

Miami is a sprawling city that can be covered by car, public transport, or other options. With neighborhoods spread across an area of about 55 square miles, you can cover more ground when not exploring by foot.

These options are also great solutions to avoid the intense humidity of Miami’s summers.

Car : If you do not have your own car, renting one is a great way to explore Miami. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to visit different parts of the city, from Miami Beach and Downtown to Little Havana and Coral Gables.

Car rental agencies have offices at PortMiami, Miami International Airport, Downtown, and other parts of the city.

Uber and Lyft : Ride-hailing services provide an affordable option to travel between Miami’s neighborhoods.

Uber and Lyft can also be cheaper than a taxi or renting a car, especially if you do not plan to be on the road during your entire stay in the city.

Limousine and chauffeured services : If you are looking for luxury or just want to be pampered, there are limo services from various service providers in Miami.

Rates depends on the type of car or limo you hire as well as how long you plan to use the service.

Public transit : Buses, trains and trolleys connect virtually every part of Miami. Trolleys are free and frequent, while the Metromover gives you easy access to Downtown and Brickell.

Metrorail is a good option for destinations further afield, including South Miami, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Buses also link neighborhoods throughout Miami and Miami Beach.

(Latest update December 21st 2023)

Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

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Miami (Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-05-19 13:08

Port Miami cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Miami, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

PortMiami and Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale are the world's largest/busiest cruise ports and the USA's main turnaround/departure ports for roundtrip Caribbean voyages. Both seaports and their respective airports are relatively nearby to each other. PortMiami's area is sized 518 acres (0,8 mi2 / 2,1 km2). The city has the world's largest number of cruise company headquarters, including Carnival , RCI-Royal Caribbean International , MSC , NCL-Norwegian , Celebrity , Oceania .

Miami Metro is USA's 8th-most populous and 4th-largest, with population around 5,5 million. The city is a leader in international trade, commerce, finance, media, entertainment, arts. In 2010, it was ranked USA's 7th and world's 33rd in terms of human capital, business activities, information exchange, politics and culture. Nicknamed "Capital of Latin America", Miami is USA's largest city with Cuban-American citizens.

The city has USA's 3rd tallest skyline with over 300 skyscrapers. Downtown has USA's largest concentration of international banks, large national and multinational corporations. PortMiami is one of USA's fastest growing containership ports . It contributes annually with around USD 43 billion to the economy and supports over 334,000 jobs countrywide.

Miami cruise port

PortMiami (locode URMIA) is currently ranked the world's second-largest cruise port (after Port Canaveral).

The world's top-10 busiest cruise ports (by annual passengers numbers/stats 2023) are in Florida USA ( Port Canaveral/Orlando (4,07M), Miami (4,02M), Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale ), Mexico ( Cozumel ), Bahamas ( Nassau ), China ( Shanghai ), Spain ( Barcelona ), Bahamas (Out Islands), Texas USA ( Galveston ), Italy ( Civitavecchia-Rome ).

Miami is also among the most fortunate ports where newest cruise ships make show-off visits and many schedule inaugural homeporting seasons. Port's facilities are among the most modern, providing easy processing and boarding. PortMiami serves 20+ cruise companies and 60+ different passenger ships.

On August 3, 2014, was opened Miami Port Tunnel. The tunnel is undersea (beneath Biscayne Bay), with length 4200 ft / 1300 m and consisting of 2 parallel tubes (1 in each direction). It connects MacArthur Causeway (Watson Island) with PortMiami (Dodge Island) removing the heavy traffic to the cruise port from downtown Miami.

In 2016, PortMiami handled nearly 4,98 million cruise passengers and also added new (MSC-exclusive) terminal for year-round homeporting. Also were started projects to enlarge MSC's cruise terminals (AA and AAA) and were added new passenger-boarding bridges.

For FY2017 (fiscal year/season 2016-2017 September 30) the cruise port reported a record year with over 5,3 million cruise passengers - the world's highest-ever number. In 2017 started works on "Terminal A" (completed in November 2018). Viking OCEAN made inaugural visits in November 2017 with Viking Sky (Nov 12) and Viking Sun (Nov 17). Among the Port's most famous newcomers in 2018 were Carnival Horizon, Norwegian Bliss, Symphony OTS. In 2019 here was homeported MSC Meraviglia .

For season 2017-2018, PortMiami expected 5,3+ million passengers (4,9 million in 2016). The 6-million pax threshold was reached during season 2018-2019. Discussions on long-term agreements are ongoing with NCLH and Carnival Corporation . 2017's growth came from RCI-Royal Caribbean (~350,000 more). The number grew further after RCI inaugurated "Terminal A" (and homeported Oasis-class liners) and MSC inaugurated "Terminal F" (for Meraviglia-class and Seaside-class liners).

In 2017 started discussions for turnaround operations by vessels of Virgin Voyages  and NCL-Norwegian . However, Carnival Cruise Line remained the Port’s largest customer (2+ million passengers in 2017).

Various studies on LNG bunkering were conducted, regarding whether these operations (LNG supply to berthed vessels) to be land or water-side. The port expects to receive its first LNG-powered cruise liner in 2022.

On May 4, 2018, from Barcelona to PortMiami were delivered 2x large-sized "Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges". The tailor-made (fully assembled) bridges were for the renovated "Terminal F’". Each of these 2-ton walkways is 4-sectioned (telescopic) and has length 32 m (105 ft). The bridges were designed by Adelte (Spain) and custom-made for "Terminal F" - to serve large liners with LOA length over 300 m (984 ft).

In late-October 2019 was approved the agreement for Brightline Miami to be rebranded "Virgin Trains" and Virgin Group to build a train station (Virgin Trains PortMiami) at the cruise port. The new station serves high-speed trains and connects PortMiami directly with the USA's intercity railway system (via Aventura, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach ) to Orlando International Airport. Brightline plans to expand the railway to Tampa  and  Jacksonville .

On August 31, 2020, Miami-Dade County' commission authorized the issuance of up to USD 0,5 billion in special obligation bonds, of which USD 335 million was designated for PortMiami and the rest going toward development projects related to the County's general fund.

• The approval came as cruising out of US homeports remained banned through October 1, and all major cruise companies suspended departures through October 31.
• Before the Coronavirus crisis (2020) paralyzed the cruise shipping industry, the County agreed to pay USD 700 million toward 7 projects - 5 new cruise terminals and 2 cruise company headquarters. Five shipowners (Carnival Corporation, NCLH-Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages) agreed to repay USD 5,8 billion over the next 20-62 years.
• The biggest part of the USD 335 million in bonds (USD 130 M) was allocated for the building of the Virgin Voyages Terminal.

On November 15, 2022, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group signed a 36-year lease agreement that includes developing and exclusive operation of PortMiami's Terminal G.

• By the deal, RCG will construct a new facility (exclusive passenger terminal for ships of RCI-Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises) and will also redevelop RCI's headquarters (at PortMiami) which lease was extended through 2072.
• By May 2020, RCI spent ~US$70 million to upgrade its headquarters prior to halting construction works to mitigate financial losses during the COVID crisis.
• By the new lease deal (2022), Miami-Dade is now financing the RCI headquarters' completion as well as Terminal G's construction. In turn, Royal Caribbean guarantees a minimum annual passenger movement ~600,000 (during Terminal G's reconstruction), 1,5 million (following the completion/scheduled for 2027) and 2,1 million passengers annually (from 2038 to 2063). RCI also agreed to repay the cost of finishing its headquarters via increased rent and to pay back up to 53% (US$172,5M) of Terminal G's redevelopment costs.
• Terminal G's lease includes 3x 7-year renewal options, while RCI's headquarters lease has 2x 5-year renewal options.
• The deal also provided for RCI's shared use of Berth 10 Terminal (scheduled for completion in October 2028) - together with MSC.
• The 2022-signed agreement replaced the expiring in 2033. Reportedly, the lease will generate ~US$2,5 billion (from Terminal G) and ~US$260 million (from RCI's headquarters) and will create ~12000 permanent jobs, including ~1000 additional positions with RCI (+50% over 2022's staff count).

In Miami is also headquartered CMI-Cruise Management International and its subsidiary CMI Leisure (smaller-sized and expedition cruise ship management company). Since 2022, CMI is owned by Anglo-Eastern (1974-founded company that manages 600+ vessels/crew recruitment and management, technical services).

Since January 2024, in Block 55 at Sawyer's Walk (premium retail shopping and residential area in Downtown Miami) is headquartered MSC Group (the world's second-largest container shipping company/after Maersk).

World's largest cruise ports

Based on 2016 passenger traffic numbers reported by CLIA, Miami cruise port was ranked world's largest (4,898 million pax). Follows the list of world's busiest cruise ports with annual shipping traffic over 1 million passengers.

• Miami FL (4,898 million)
• Port Everglades Fort Lauderdale FL (3,890 million)
• Port Canaveral Fl (3,686 million)
• Cozumel Mexico (3,637 million)
• Shanghai China (2,847 million)
• Barcelona Spain (2,683 million)
• Civitavecchia-Rome Italy (2,340 million)
• Nassau Bahamas (2,035 million)
• Canary Islands Spain (combined 1,981 million)
• Balearic Islands Spain (combined 1,957 million)
• USVI (combined 1,777 million)
• Galveston TX (1,730 million)
• Grand Cayman Island (1,712 million)
• Southampton UK (1,7 million)
• St Maarten Island (1,669 million)
• Jamaica (combined 1,655 million)
• Venice Italy (1,606 million)
• Marseille France (1,597 million)
• Sydney Australia (1,309 million)
• Naples Italy (1,306 million)
• New Orleans NOLA (1,070 million) - excluding USA river cruise passengers.

PortMiami statistics

PortMiami is a major US seaport located on Dodge Island (Biscayne Bay, Florida). It is ranked the world's largest passenger port (serving both cruise and ferry shipping traffic). The port is linked to Watson Island via PortMiami Tunnel (building cost USD 1 billion). Dodge Island combines 3 islands (Dodge, Lummus, Sam's) into one.

PortMiami has capacity to handle the world's biggest passenger ships and is homeport (turnaround port) for numerous large-sized vessels. However, port's prime shipping business are container ships , ranking it Florida's largest container cargo port and USA's 9th-largest. Annually, it handles 4+ million cruise ship tourists, around 7,4 million cargo tons and 1+ million TEU-containers.

Currently, PortMiami has 9 passenger terminals, 6 gantry crane-equipped wharves (total 9 gantry cranes serving containerized cargo), 7 Ro-Ro docks (serving ferries and car carriers), 4 reefer yards (for refrigerated containers), breakbulk warehouses. The port has 2 super post-Panamax gantry cranes (among the world's largest) with capacity to handle 22,000-TEU boxships.

In 1997 was started USD 250 million port redevelopment project for facility upgrades and expansion in order to accommodate the industry's demands. PortMiami Tunnel was built 2010-2014, linking (via SR 836) directly the seaport with USA's interstate highway system, thus bypassing downtown's congestion. By this project were also constructed new cruise terminals, roads, terminal parking garages, new lighting, landscaping, signage. Security Gates (opened in 2006) increased the port's processing rate for container trucks.

In 2007, the port served over 3,787 million cruise passengers. In 2010 were handled 4,33 million cruise passengers (1 in 7 in the world). In 2015 were handled nearly 4,9 million cruisers. For FY11 (fiscal year 2011), PortMiami reported an economic impact in Miami-Dade County of USD 18 billion, providing around 176,000 local jobs.

On December 9, 2018 (Sunday), the port reported its ultimate one-day record for cruise shipping traffic - 52,000 passengers. The list of berthed liners included Carnival Horizon , Carnival Magic , Disney Magic , MSC Divina , Norwegian Getaway , Oceania Riviera , Allure of the Seas , Empress of the Seas , and the high-speed catamaran San Gwann (FRS Caribbean - German company serving the ferry route Miami- Bimini Islands ).

Port Boulevard connects PortMiami with Downtown. This link is a causeway over the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway. ICW has length 3000 mi (4800 km) and runs along the USA's Atlantic (Eastern Seaboard) and Gulf of Mexico coasts (from Manasquan River NJ, around Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville TX). According to US federal law, ICW must be maintained at min-depth 3,7 m (12 ft). ICW is toll-free, but since 1978 commercial users (cargo barges) are charged a fuel tax, which is used for facilities maintenance.

PortMiami Deep Dredge project (budget USD 180 million, completed in 2016) increased the harbor's max draft to 15 m (48 ft) allowing access to Super Post Panamax boxships after the Panama Canal expansion completion.

In March 2018, NCLH unveiled details on NCL's exclusive new Cruise Terminal B scheduled for completion in 2019 (read more in the port's "Terminal" section).

In 2018, PortMiami implemented the NOAA agency's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) PORTS system (Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System). The system is a public-private partnership for reducing in-port ship accidents (by over 50%) and transit delays for commercial shipping traffic. It also improves hazardous spill response. PortMiami's annual benefit from the PORTS system was estimated at around USD 300 million. The system serves a total of 31 US seaports, supporting 85% of the USA's cargo shipping traffic. PORTS provides real-time maritime data to vessel operators and harbor pilots, including information on currents (in and around port), water levels, waves, water salinity, bridge clearances (air gaps), visibility, winds (speed and direction), air and water temperatures.

On May 10, 2018, was officially opened Carnival's "Fleet Operations Center". The 35,000 ft2 facility allows simultaneous real-time monitoring of all ships in the fleet. The main feature is its 74 ft (22,5 m) long video wall composed of 57x LED screens. The data processed here includes itinerary information, current position, weather conditions, logistics, environmental status, guest operations. The interactive world map shows also the current locations of all Carnival Corporation ships (all brands). The center is staffed 24 / 7. The Corporation also owns similar monitoring centers in Seattle and Hamburg.

FY2018 (Sept 2017-Sept 2018) was another (4th consecutive) record year, with 5,8% growth in containerized cargo volumes (total 1,084 million TEUs) and 4,7% increase in cruise shipping (total 5,592 million passengers). Cargo shipping growth was attributed to the seaport's USD 1 billion investments in infrastructure improvements that allowed handling of Post-Panamax ships (with min draft 12 m / 40 ft). In 2018, the port handled over 250 such vessels, following a deep dredging project and the installation of Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes. Cruise shipping growth was attributed to expanded business opportunities (adding 3 new cruise companies - Viking Ocean, Seabourn, Victory Cruise Lines), extended homeport seasons and homeporting larger passenger liners.

In early January 2019, MSC signed with Miami-Dade County a letter of intent for expanding the company's PortMiami operations. The project's approval was received on Sept 19, 2019. By this project (completed in November 2023) MSC increased its annual capacity by building two (exclusive) cruise terminals (AA, AAA). The project included design, construction and management of the buildings (pax capacity 7000/28000 daily movements), berths (2 mega-liners), terminal parking garages, administrative offices, storage facilities plus infrastructure. MSC planned to homeport here several ships, including of the WORLD class (fleet's largest).

FY2019 (Sept 2018-Sept 2019) was again record-breaking for both container shipping (+3,4 % increase, to 1,12 million TEUs) and cruise shipping (+22% increase, to 6,824 million passengers). In 2019 were signed terminal development projects with Carnival Corporation, MSC, NCLH-Norwegian, Virgin UK, CMA-CGM (for Terminal Link Miami). The port generated ~USD 7,8 billion (economic impact) and supported ~27,500 South Florida jobs.

In FY2019, the cruise port handled 6,823816 million passengers, providing 27500 jobs and contributing ~USD 7,8 billion to the state's economy.

In February 2021, Miami-Dade County signed a deal with FPL-Florida Power & Light Company (subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc) and 6 major cruise companies (Carnival Corporation, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, MSC, NCLH-Norwegian, DCL-Disney, Virgin) for funding the Shore Power Pilot Program ( shoreside power capabilities at cruise berths). In May, the program received USD 2 million funding by DERA Program (Diesel Emissions Reduction Act).

In February 2023  was subcontracted PowerCon AS (Hadsund Denmark-based engineering and manufacturing company specializing in electrical power conversions) to deliver 5x shore power systems for cruise vessels. For this particular project was established the subsidiary PoweCon USA. The cruise shore-power facilities are to be installed at four PortMiami cruise terminals - Terminal A (RCI-Royal Caribbean International), Terminal B (NCL-Norwegian and MSC), Terminal F (CCL-Carnival), and Terminal V (Virgin Voyages). When completed (2023-Q4), the combined shore-power system will be the world's largest.

April 9, 2023, was PortMiami's record-breaking day when were handled a total of 67594 tourists visiting on 8 different ships (Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Explorer of the Seas, MSC Seascape, Norwegian Encore, Oasis of the Seas, Seabourn Ovation, Scarlet Lady).

FY2023 (October 1st, 2022, through September 30th, 2023) became PortMiami's record year for cruise shipping, with handled a total of 7,299294 million passengers (~7% increase over FY2019).

Cruise itineraries to and from Miami Florida

Follows a list of destinations visited by ships leaving out of Miami:

• World Cruises - around the world voyages from Miami are offered in January, as well as shorter itinerary segments part of the main round-trip itinerary.
• South America itineraries from Miami are operated by luxury lines or by budget lines ships on relocation routes to Brazil ( Santos or Rio de Janeiro ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ). Round-trip itineraries usually visit ports in the Southern Caribbean, Brazil (often the Amazon River region), then go back to Florida.
• Bahamas itineraries from Miami visit Nassau (New Providence Island) and Freeport (Grand Bahama Island) , often combined with Florida ports (mainly Key West ). Major lines also include exclusive stops at their Bahamian private islands. These are Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean) , Half Moon Cay (Carnival, Holland America) , Princess Cays (Princess) , Castaway Cay (Disney) , Great Stirrup Cay (NCL Norwegian) .
• Short-break (3-day) cruises to Bahamas stop in Nassau. Some 3-day and most 4-day itineraries additionally include a private island stop, while 5-day itineraries add Freeport.
• Short-break (4-day) roundtrips to Mexico stop in Key West and Cozumel .
• 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries visit ports in Honduras, Belize, Mexico, also Grand Cayman Island (George Town) and Jamaica.
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit ports in BVI, USVI, Dutch Antilles, also Puerto Rico, Bahamas (Nassau) and the lines private islands.
• B2B (back-to-back) cruises combine two 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries into a 14-day roundtrip itinerary.
• 8-day Southern Caribbean itineraries visit Grand Turk Island , Dominican Republic, Aruba (Oranjestad) , Curacao (Willemstad) .
• Panama Canal transits  between Miami and California ports ( Los Angeles , San Diego , San Francisco ) are offered with one-way itineraries (up to 16 days in length). They include transition through Panama Canal and usually visit ports in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico (Mexican Riviera).

Seasonal ship relocations (RepositionCruises.com) include Panama Canal transits from Florida to Alaska in late Spring. The itineraries end either in California ports or in the turnaround ports for Alaskan roundtrip from Vancouver BC or Seattle WA . The reverse routes (Alaska to Florida) are in early Fall.

Transatlantic crossings from Florida to Europe are offered in Spring. Relocation routes from Miami usually include the Canary Islands and Mediterranean ports, and often Bermuda (stopping at King's Wharf ). The longest relocation itineraries end in Baltic Sea turnaround ports ( Amsterdam , Copenhagen , Hamburg ).

Transatlantic crossings from Europe to Florida usually depart from the UK (Southampton, Dover, Harwich) or Mediterranean (Barcelona, Civitavecchia-Rome, Piraeus-Athens) and often stop in Bermuda (Kings Wharf).

Miami cruise terminal

Port Miami has been the "Cruise Capital of the World" and also "Cargo Gateway of the Americas" for many years. It kept that title for more than two decades and accommodated world's biggest cruise ships of all major passenger shipping companies. PortMiami lost the title in late-2000 to Port Everglades .

The port is situated in Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL on Dodge Island. There the Sam's Islands, the Lummus and the Dodge (famous historic islands) combine in one. The Port of Miami is related to four important projects &ndash: the Panama Canal expansion, the Port of Miami Tunnel, the bridge and rail line restoration and the Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project. The ship schedule offers voyages all the year. The Miami International Airport is 8 mi/13 km away, the Fort Lauderdale International Airport - 25 mi/40 km.

Port Miami has 9 terminals. Located at the Dodge Island north part are terminals B/C, D, E , F, G, on the west is terminal H (V) and on the south – terminal J. The most modern cruise terminals are D and E. They started to operate in 2007 and host mega-liners. The luxury market is operated by cruise terminal J - facility made to look like a boutique. All passenger terminals offer cafes, check-in, shops, bars and cab ranks. Multi-Agency Facility is available at terminals D and E.

Miami cruise terminals B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J

• port address - "1741,1751 Africa Way, Dodge Island, Miami Florida 33132"
• location (on Dodge Island) - 8 mi / 13 km (25-min drive distance) from Miami International Airport, 25 mi / 40 km (45 min drive distance) from Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• Port entrance is via Biscayne Blvd (Port Bridge).
• Terminal address - "zzz Cruise Boulevard, Port of Miami, Miami, FL 33132"
• In the above address replace "zzz" with the corresponding address (by terminal) listed below:
• (new) "Terminal A" (address "1015 North") - here dock Royal Caribbean ships only. Berth length is 1300 ft (396 m).
• Terminal B (address "1751 North") - here dock NCLH-Norwegian ships only
• Terminal C (address "1741 North")
• Terminal D (address "1435 North") - here dock Carnival ships only.
• Terminal E (address "1265 North") - here dock Carnival ships only.
• Terminal F (address "1103 North")
• Terminal G (address "909/1055 North") - here dock Royal Caribbean ships only (berth length 1000 ft / 305 m)
• (west, Bimini Tent) Terminal H (address "897 South") - for Resorts World Bimini (Bimini SuperFast).
• Terminal J (address "1120 Caribbean Way") Terminal J is primarily for docking luxury cruise ships from the fleets of Azamara, Crystal, Oceania, Regent. This terminal underwent a USD 3 million refurbishment which upgraded the furniture, more lounge seating was added, along with new check-in counters.

Terminals D and E are the newest (both open in 2007) and can berth the world's largest cruise ships with capacity up to 5000 passengers. Their buildings are 3-story facilities (sized 105,000 ft2 / 9750 m2. Each terminal has a VIP lounge, separate security screening facility (embarkation), airline counters, conveyor baggage system.

(expanded) MSC Terminal F

In December 2016 started construction works for renovating and expanding "Terminal F" to be able to homeport MSC Seaside in December 2017.

Miami-Dade funded the USD 38 million reconstruction project, which increased the terminal's capacity up to 6000 passengers. MSC Seaside has max capacity of 5179 passengers. Planned terminal enhancements included an expanded waiting area (1500 seats), larger VIP waiting area (exclusive lounge for "MSC Yacht Club" VIP passengers), new "group passengers" dedicated lounge, improved baggage-claim area, 60 ticket counters, also implementing the latest technology for faster passenger embarkation/debarkation process.

The 2-story terminal covers a total area of 3557 m2 (38280 ft2). The new terminal was officially opened/inaugurated on December 7, 2017, MSC Seaside's scheduled dock in PortMiami was on December 21, 2017.

On May 4, 2018, from Barcelona were delivered two large passenger boarding bridges. Tailor-made for "Terminal F’", each bridge is 2-ton and 4-sectioned (telescopic), with length 32 m (105 ft). They serve ships with LOA length over 300 m (984 ft).

(NEW) Carnival Terminal F

In September 2019, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line received approval for major expansion and renovation of "Terminal F". The upgraded (471000-ft2 / 43760-m2 sized) facility can handle the Excel-class vessel Carnival Celebration (homeported since November 2022).

The 2019-signed Carnival-PortMiami agreement included the company's commitment to homeport at Terminal F ships for 20 years, with the option of two additional 7-year lease extensions.

Carnival Terminal F's renovations officially started on January 29, 2021 (with the groundbreaking ceremony) and are scheduled for completion by October 2022. Terminal F's groundbreaking was attended by Christine Duffy (CCL's President) and Daniella Levine Cava (Miami-Dade Mayor), along with construction companies representatives and county commissioners.

Terminal F is PortMiami's 3rd cruise terminal dedicated to Carnival ships as well as currently the largest in North America.

(NEW) MSC Cruise Terminal (AA, AAA)

In July 2018, Miami-Dade County and MSC signed an agreement for extended preferential berthing rights and MoU for building a new "Cruise Terminal AAA" at PortMiami (company's exclusive homeport in the USA).

The new agreement extended the old (Saturdays) preferential berthing rights to Sundays as well.

MSC Terminal AAA (completed in October 2022) has capacity to handle MSC WORLD-Class liners (fleet's ever-largest, with passenger capacity 7000).

The 2018-signed MoU agreement received approval from Miami-Dade's Commissioners on April 9, 2019 and the deal was officially signed on September 19, 2019. MSC designed and started construction works on a large building (to serve its two cruise terminals - AA, AAA) plus two new berths. For the terminal's design was contracted Arquitectonica (global architecture, landscape and interior design company).

PortMiami's MSC terminals AA and AAA can serve 2 turnarounds/homeported ships simultaneously and have max capacity 28000 passengers daily.

On July 8, 2021, MSC and Fincantieri signed a contract for the construction of PortMiami's newest MSC Cruise Terminal. The project (valued ~EUR 350 million/~USD 414M) was signed by Pierfrancesco Vago (MSC) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri).

The new MSC Terminal can handle three large vessels simultaneously (max daily passenger capacity 36000) and is fitted with shorepower connectivity .

The 4-story building houses office areas and has multi-level parking (min capacity 2400 vehicles), 4 passenger boarding decks, a new road connection, two new docks (berths with total length 750 m / 2460 ft) plus a 3rd berth (built/financed by Miami-Dade County).

The new facility was designed by Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure. It is adjacent to Royal Caribbean's Terminal A. Construction works started on March 10, 2022, with scheduled completion and inauguration in December 2023.

Starting in 2025, MSC World America will be also homeported at the new terminal.

(NEW) Royal Caribbean Miami Terminal A

In September 2015, the world's second-largest cruise ship company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd/RCCL announced its plans to build a US$100 million terminal at PortMiami.

In June 2016, PortMiami leased 10 acres (0,04 km2) of land to RCCL to build and exclusively operate a dedicated terminal. Here are also homeported two of RCI's largest liners - Allure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas .

The new "Terminal A" facility is sized 170,000 ft2 (15,800 m2) and is able to handle the world's largest passenger ships of the OASIS-class. According to the MoU (memorandum of understanding) between Royal Caribbean and Miami-Dade County, the Terminal's completion date was July 31, 2018. By the deal, RCCL leased the land and financed the whole project. RCCL was responsible for the Terminal's design and construction of the facilities (including parking garages with combined capacity 1000 vehicles).

The plans for the new Royal Caribbean terminal were approved by Miami's Board of County Commissioners on July 7, 2016. Under the agreement, RCCL fully financed the construction, except US$15M that PortMiami paid for infrastructure/road works.

Annually, Royal Caribbean pays Miami-Dade County US$7,5M in rent.

The project's value was estimated at USD 247 million for PortMiami - after taking into consideration up-front costs and annual rent for current cargo shipping purposes. For comparison, the Port's annual revenues are US$1,2M (from cargo activities) and US$9,5M (from cruise shipping).

Royal Caribbean is leasing the land for an initial 20-year period (until 2048) at base rent US$9,5 million per year (annual increase 1,5%). In addition to the base rent, Miami-Dade County receives US$5,50 per cruise passenger in excess of 1,55 million pax.

The new terminal building (nicknamed 'Crown of Miami') serves exclusively RCCL/RCG-Royal Caribbean Group-owned ships.

As of 2016, PortMiami handled ~750,000 Royal Caribbean passengers (per year) or ~15% of the Port's entire cruise traffic. The new terminal generates at least 1,8 million cruisers (or ~30% of the projected traffic) with estimated economic impact ~USD 0,5 billion. The facility generated ~4000 new local jobs.

Construction works started on March 8, 2017. RCCL later added to the project another building (named "Innovation Lab") that serves as the corporation's headquarters. Innovation Lab is sized 1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) and also hosts the company's ship design studio.

"Terminal A" was officially inaugurated on November 2, 2018. The opening ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCCL's CEO), Michael Bayley (RCI's CEO), Carlos Gimenez (Miami City Mayor), and Rebecca Sosa (Port Commissioner).

Until 2018, RCI represented annual capacity 0,8 million passengers (~15% of the Port's overall traffic). With the new terminal, this capacity was expected to increase to ~2 million.

(NEW) NCL-Norwegian Cruise Terminal B

On May 2, 2017, was announced that Miami-Dade County commissioners approved the agreement with NCLH/Norwegian Cruise Line Holding for a new terminal at PortMiami.

The facility has berthing capacity of two vessels (simultaneously), having 2 berths for large-sized vessels (up to 5000 passengers each). The facility was inaugurated in February 2020, with the arrival of Norwegian Encore (homeported here for winter 2019-2020 season).

NCL terminal's construction officially started on April 26, 2018 (ground-breaking ceremony). The project was officially approved on April 10th, and works started on May 1st, with planned completion in Fall 2019.

The new Terminal B's cost was estimated at ~USD 100 million. The facility incorporates PortMiami's existing terminals B and C into a single/new "Terminal B". 

Miami-Dade shares the county's parking and marketing revenues. The expected numbers for fiscal 2018 were ~US$180,000 (parking) and US$210,000 (marketing).

NCLH's new terminal was expected to generate ~US$24 million in gross revenue (starting FY2018), with an estimated increase of 3% each year. By the April 2018-signed agreement, NCLH guarantees Miami-Dade a minimum of 1,3 million passengers annually. The deal created ~160 new full-time jobs.

By the agreement, NCLH received preferential berthing rights at the new Terminal B. This means priority docking of vessels from the fleets of NCL , Oceania  and RSSC-Regent . The required minimum number of ship calls (per fiscal year) is 45, which is 15 more than the previous agreement.

The building's design is inspired by nautilus (marine mollusks of the cephalopod family Nautilidae). It features a spiraled, multi-level facade and open-floor interior.

The building is sized approx 166,500 ft2 (15,500 m2) and implements all modern technologies that support faster and more efficient passenger processing, as well as expedited security screening and luggage check-in.

The new Terminal B has a dedicated waiting hall, separate bar lounge, service area, new parking garage, valet parking area (accessing the building directly).

(NEW) Virgin Voyages "Terminal V"

On November 28, 2018, Richard Branson (Virgin Group's Founder) and Tom McAlpin ( Virgin Voyages ' President and CEO) officially announced the plans for a new/exclusive cruise terminal in PortMiami.

"Virgin Voyages Terminal" is a 3-story building (sized 100,000 ft2 / 9300 m2) located on PortMiami's northwestern side (address "718 N Cruise Blvd"). Approval for the project was given on September 20, 2019, with a subsequent berthing agreement deal.

Construction works started in October 2019, with scheduled completion in November 2021. The USD 150 million (~EUR 137 million) facility was officially renamed from "Terminal H" to "Terminal V". Virgin Voyages has brand's name on a for-profit train connecting Miami with West Palm Beach (via Aventura and Boca Raton). Virgin's cruise operations from PortMiami were planned to start in April 2020 with Scarlet Lady .

In late-October 2019 was approved the agreement for Brightline Miami to be rebranded "Virgin Trains" and Virgin Group to build a train station (Virgin Trains PortMiami) at the cruise port. The new station serves high-speed trains and connects PortMiami directly with the USA's intercity railway system and Orlando International Airport. Construction works on Virgin Trains PortMiami are scheduled for completion in 2022.

PortMiami's "Terminal V" was officially opened/inaugurated on February 13, 2022. The ceremony was attended by Richard Branson, Tom McAlpin and Daniella Levine Cava (Miami-Dade County Mayor).

Cruise ship terminal directions and parking

• From North - take I-95 South, drive eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach). Continue driving on I-395 East (MacArthur Causeway). The entrance of Port Miami Tunnel (Road 887) is on the left. Follow the signs to your Cruise Terminal.
• From North (via Downtown Miami / Port Bridge) - take I-95 South. Exit 3B-Bayside. Drive south to Northeast 5th Street, turn left. 5th Str leads onto PortMiami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your terminal.
• From South - take SR-826 North to SR-836 East. Drive eastbound on SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach). Continue driving on I-395 East (MacArthur Causeway). The entrance of Port Miami Tunnel is on the left. Follow the signs to your Cruise Terminal. You can also take I-95 North and drive eastbound I-395 (Miami Beach).
• From South (via Downtown Miami / Port Bridge) - take I-95 North. Exit at Northwest 2nd Street. Drive straight to NW 5th Street, make a right. 5th Str leads onto PortMiami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your terminal.
• From Miami Beach - take I-395 (MacArthur Causeway), drive westbound, exit on Biscayne Blvd ramp and make U-turn on North Bayshore Drive to enter MacArthur Causeway eastbound. Then continue on I-395 East (MacArthur Causeway).
• Parking rates (subject to change) - USD 20.00 per day. All parking lots are outdoor and located in front their corresponding terminals. Special arrangements are offered for cruise passengers with disabilities.

Miami port, besides its 9 cruise terminals also has facilities to handle cargo ships (bulk carriers and container vessels) and dry dock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - USMIA
• eight dedicated cruise terminals
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deep water channel - North Ship Channel has 2 turning basins - west (Fisher Island) and east (Main).
• deep water berths
• sheltered harbor area
• access unrestricted by tides
• no restrictions on length and GT tonnage of cruise ships
• The cruise port is accessible the whole year round – 24/7, 365 days a tear.
• Cruise ships usually arrive in Miami in early morning (7 or 8 am) and depart from Miami in late afternoon (at 4, 4:30 or 5 pm) and in the evenings (at 7 pm).

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Miami - user reviews and comments

MSC Cruise's Newest Ship Will Offer Largest and Latest MSC Yacht Club

M SC Cruises is launching its largest and most luxurious ship in April 2025 complete with the cruise line's most expansive onboard MSC Yacht Club.

The ship, MSC World America, (which will have its naming ceremony in Miami on April 9 ) features re-imagined venues and concepts created specifically with the U.S. market in mind, as well as seven unique districts for guests to explore.

And in its latest announcement today, the cruise line revealed that among the ship’s seven districts is the MSC Yacht Club. This exclusive area will provide a secluded sanctuary available to guests who stay in one of MSC World America’s 152 luxe suites.

MSC says the area will provide a “ship-within-a-ship concept” that offers “unparalleled personalized service and exclusive spaces for the discerning traveler."

“MSC World America will take our MSC Yacht Club product to new heights as the largest MSC Yacht Club in the North American market,” Cristian Comirla, MSC’s brand performance director for MSC Yacht Club, said in a statement.

The Yacht Club will offer “exclusive amenities, top-notch service and luxurious benefits,” Comirla added. “MSC Yacht Club offers a tranquil holiday for guests who prefer to have a more relaxing and secluded cruise experience, yet still have access to the excitement of the ship’s entertainment, specialty dining and other amenities.”

Yacht Club guests on MSC World America will also have access to Ocean House at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, an island retreat experience that has also been designed to provide elevated vacationing. The getaway, located in the Bahamas, features a private beach and restaurant and personalized service for guests.

Highlights of the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Cruise's latest ship include:

Expansive sundeck: Guests will find room to relax and take in sea views in this outdoor space spanning two decks. The lower deck will feature a bar and grill with an expanded seating area where guests can grab a bite to eat for breakfast and lunch, or enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset.

The upper deck is a private area for lounging by the pool, taking a dip in the whirlpool or unwinding in a private cabana.

In addition, for the first time, MSC Yacht Club guests aboard MSC World America will be able to table service from the nearby bar and grill throughout the full sundeck area

• Multi-room Owner Suites: Ultra-luxurious Owner Suites include a beautifully-decorated bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and bathrooms featuring a full-sized imperial bathtub. A separate living and dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows opens onto a private terrace complete with a hot tub and an al fresco dining area

Duplex Suites: MSC World America’s MSC Yacht Club will contain duplex suites spanning two decks that can accommodate families or larger groups traveling together.

On the lower deck, the dining and living areas offer space for relaxation with the added convenience of a guest bathroom. Upstairs, the main bedroom comes complete with its own bathroom.

The suites also offer plenty of outdoor space for lounging and sunbathing with some suites even boasting a two-level private sundecks and a private whirlpool.

MSC Is Launching Its New Megaship in Miami Next April

MSC Cruises is launching its new megaship in Miami in April 2025, Caribbean Travel Advisor has learned. 

The company’s newest ship is custom-designed for the US market, and it will be the brand’s first with seven different onboard “districts.”

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MSC Moving U.S. Headquarters to Miami

• January 17, 2024

MSC Group has announced its new home in Downtown Miami.

According to a statement, the MSC Group’s $100 million investment in Miami-Dade will bring approximately 250 South Florida-based team members from MSC Cargo, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys under one roof in a new state-of-the-art facility within Block 55 at Sawyer’s Walk.

MSC Cargo has had a presence Miami-Dade for more than 25 years and now MSC Cruises is moving to establish the Cruise Division’s North American headquarters as part of the Group’s commitment to Miami. MSC’s Cargo headquarters has been in New York City and will continue to be based there.

The 130,000-square-foot office space will support the continued growth of MSC Cruises and the newly launched Explora Journeys in the North American market, allowing them to expand alongside MSC Cargo, the company said.

Per the economic impact analysis run by Miami-Dade County, this latest development from the MSC Group will generate 668 direct and indirect jobs over the next three years. It will also provide $65.2 million annually in recurring direct economic impact (Gross Regional Product), delivering measurable growth to the local community.

The Cruise Division is firmly establishing Miami as its new home and is building a new, next generation cruise terminal at PortMiami, set to become North America’s largest once it’s completed later this year. The new terminal will feature a four-story building capable of accommodating 36,000 passenger movements per day, and feature enough berthing space to serve three latest generation ships at once.

With its cruise and cargo operations, The Beacon Council identified MSC Group as a perfect fit for Miami-Dade and provided guidance together with Cushman & Wakefield in the Company’s search for a new North American Cruise Division headquarters, as well as new office space for MSC Cargo’s South Florida operations. Miami-Dade’s strong labor pool and attractive business environment played significant factors in MSC Group’s decision to invest in Downtown Miami.

“We are thrilled to invest in the future of MSC and Miami-Dade County by making this important move,” said Fabio Santucci, President and CEO of MSC USA. “Miami has been a pivotal part of our growth story in the U.S., and we are proud of our strong history of driving the local economy. The Beacon Council was a significant driver in helping us make our decision. They played an instrumental part in making us feel welcome to make this commitment to expanding in South Florida.”

“This is an exciting time of growth for the Cruise Division and we are happy to call Miami-Dade our new home as we continue to expand our reach throughout the Caribbean and North America,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises. “We look forward to bringing more jobs to the local economy and will work with Miami-Dade County to ensure we are a leader in making an important impact in the community.”

“This announcement underscores Miami’s status as a world-class destination and premier access point for companies seeking to extend their influence throughout the continent and the Caribbean,” said Rodrick T. Miller President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. “Miami-Dade provides an ideal backdrop for a distinguished brand like MSC Cruises, celebrated for its contemporary offerings and international flair. With our diverse and skilled workforce, coupled with a top-tier cruise port, Miami warmly embraces MSC Cruises. We are thrilled to support and champion their expansion in the region.”

“Miami-Dade is thrilled to welcome MSC Group,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “We are up for the challenge in supporting their expansion. PortMiami is the number one Cruise Port in the world and an important economic engine for our community generating more than $40 billion annually. MSC Cruises, one of the world’s most innovative cruise lines with strong global influence will not only make an impact on our economy but seamlessly connect with our diverse residents and visitors.”

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Cruise ship arrives in NYC port with 44-foot dead endangered whale caught on its bow

Updated on: May 9, 2024 / 11:41 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship sailed into a New York City port with a 44-foot dead whale across its bow, marine authorities said.

The whale, identified as an endangered sei whale , was caught on the ship's bow when it arrived at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez said. A necropsy conducted later confirmed the whale's species and determined that the creature was a mature female, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization that conducted the exam on an marine mammal.

A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the whale was on the MSC Meraviglia, which docked at Brooklyn before sailing to ports in New England and Canada.

"We immediately notified the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an examination of the whale," officials with the cruise line said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of any marine life," the officials said, adding that the Geneva-based MSC Cruises follows all regulations designed to protect whales, such as altering itineraries in certain regions to avoid hitting the animals .

The dead whale was relocated to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and towed to shore there to allow for better access to equipment and to conduct a necropsy, Gomez said.

The necropsy, an autopsy on an animal, was conducted on Tuesday, Gomez said. Samples collected from the whale will help biologists determine whether it was already dead when it was struck by the ship, she said.

Basic results of that exam showed evidence of tissue trauma in the area of the whale's right shoulder blade and a fractured right flipper, said the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. In a post shared Wednesday to its Facebook page, the organization also said those tests revealed the whale's gastrointestinal tract was "full of food." Samples of its organs will undergo toxicology reviews and analyses to identify any potential tissue diseases.

"The tissue and bone samples collected will help biologists determine if the vessel interaction occurred pre or post mortem," said the conservation society.

Sei whales are typically observed in deeper waters far from the coastline, Gomez said. They are one of the largest whale species and are internationally protected.

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation , sei whales eat 2,000 pounds of fish and plankton per day. They can grow up to 60 feet long, weigh as much as 50 tons and live on average between 50-70 years.

The incident marks the latest endangered whale to be found dead along the East Coast.  Last month, federal authorities said a North Atlantic right whale that was found floating 50 miles offshore east of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was killed in a collision with a ship .

In March, NOAA said the first  North Atlantic right whale  baby born this season had  died after being hit by a vessel .

Environmental groups have called for tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to try to save the whales.

In Massachusetts, there's a proposal to put  speed limits on fast ferries  to Cape Cod and the Islands to protect whales. The ferry companies counter that this would drastically reduce service, and say their captains have never seen a right whale on the job. 

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Travel | MSC Cruises to bring a 2nd ship to Port Canaveral

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MSC Grandiosa was the first Meraviglia Plus class ship for MSC Cruises. It debuted in 2019. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Wild Forest Aquapark on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Safari pool on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Galleria Grandiosa on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

L'Atelier Bistro on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Lego-themed kids club on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

MSC Grandiosa will begin seven-night Caribbean itineraries in December 2025 for the winter sailing season while MSC Seashore remains, but sailing short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings to Nassau and the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay.

It’s the largest MSC ship yet to sail from the port. The Meraviglia Plus-class vessel is among the top 20 largest cruise ships worldwide at 181,541 gross tons and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,334. It debuted in 2019 and features a water park, five pools, nine hot tubs, spa, the MSC Yacht Club exclusive area and a Lego partnership in its kids clubs.

One of the more dramatic features is the 323-foot-long Galleria Grandiosa promenade with an LED projection screen over the length of the walkway. The ship features 10 restaurants including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi, Kaito Tepanyaki and L’Atelier Bistrot.

This is its first time taking on North American duties, and its arrival coincides with the debut out of PortMiami of the MSC World America, which will be even larger.

“The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that,” said MSC Cruises USA President Rubén A. Rodríguez in a press release. “We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamorous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”

MSC first began sailing from the port in 2021, joining mainstays Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. It has shuffled several ships for short runs for what Rodríguez said was a taste of what MSC has to offer. That has included MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seashore.

The family-owned cruise line has its roots in Europe, so the line plays up its “unique international flavor” compared with the other lines, while also touting its environmental efforts such as can be found on the private Bahamas island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. It is undergoing a major expansion effort to support excursions and on-island activities.

MSC Grandiosa will trade off alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Eastern trips will visit Nassau and Ocean Cay, Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands. Western trips will visit Nassau; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay and Falmouth, Jamaica; and Belize City, Belize.

“We are honored that MSC Cruises chose Port Canaveral for the North American debut of their magnificent MSC Grandiosa,” said Port Canaveral CEO John Murray in the release. “Expanding their homeport fleet at Port Canaveral underscores their confidence in our partnership and shared commitment to success.”

The growing port for a time took on the title of world’s busiest cruise port after the pandemic, and while PortMiami has since retaken that title, Port Canaveral continues to expand its ship offerings.

The last sailing season saw 16 ships that either homeported year-round or sailed seasonally, and it expects that number to grow to 19 for the 2024-2025 sailing season, including the debuts of Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises this fall.

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Verstappen holds off thrilling late charge from Norris to win Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

• Emilia-Romagna
• Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen has returned to winning ways after missing out in Miami by taking victory in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with the Dutchman holding off an exciting late charge from Lando Norris.

After Verstappen built up a solid lead in the early stages following a good launch from pole position, the Red Bull star enjoyed a mostly serene drive around the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, until Norris's McLaren began to close the gap from P2 as the race reached its latter stages.

A thrilling end to the event ensued as Norris continued to cut into Verstappen’s advantage, but a snap of oversteer seemed to take further life out of the McLaren driver’s ageing tyres, allowing the Red Bull to hold onto P1 by just 0.725s as the chequered flag was waved.

Despite looking to be on Norris’s tail in the fight for P2 earlier in the event, Charles Leclerc had to settle for the final podium position of third in front of Ferrari’s home fans, while Oscar Piastri claimed P4 in a solid drive for McLaren.

Carlos Sainz added to Ferrari’s points tally by claiming fifth place, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in a lonely sixth for Mercedes followed by his team mate George Russell in seventh, who had made a surprise late pit stop for medium tyres allowing him to claim the extra point for fastest lap.

Sergio Perez salvaged P8 for Red Bull after a difficult qualifying saw him start the race in P11, with Lance Stroll taking Aston Martin’s only points in ninth. Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top-10 after a racy drive in the RB.

The Haas pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen followed in 11th and 12th respectively, despite the former running in the top 10 earlier on and the latter engaging in a few battles to work his way through the field.

RB’s Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line in P13, dropping back from P9 on the grid, with the lead Alpine of Esteban Ocon following in P14 ahead of Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu in P15.

Leclerc took the final podium position of third in Imola

Pierre Gasly ended the day in 16th place for Alpine, having been one of just two drivers to start the race on the soft tyre. Williams’ Logan Sargeant was just behind in 17th, while Valtteri Bottas rounded out the finishers in 18th place.

Fernando Alonso had spent much of the afternoon running near the rear of the pack in what has been a challenging weekend for the Spaniard. He retired his Aston Martin in the latter stages, classifying him in P19.

The only other retiree was Alex Albon, who was forced to retire his Williams earlier in the Grand Prix.

Verstappen has extended his lead in the drivers' championship following his victory in Imola

AS IT HAPPENED

Despite a difficult day in the car on Friday, Verstappen bounced back in Saturday’s qualifying to claim his eighth consecutive pole position, putting him just ahead of the McLaren pair of Piastri and Norris.

However, a three-place grid drop was handed to Piastri after the session as the Australian was found to have impeded the Haas of Magnussen during Q1, pushing him down to P5 on the grid. This in turn promoted Norris to the front row, while the Ferrari duo also moved up to the second.

Alonso, meanwhile, was set to start from the pit lane due to late set-up changes being made to the suspension on his Aston Martin, compounding a difficult weekend so far for the Spaniard after he originally qualified down in 19th place.

As the cars assembled on the grid at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, it was confirmed that the majority of the field would be starting on the medium tyres, while Alonso and Gasly had bolted on the softs and Perez, Sargeant and Zhou were all running the hard compound for an expected one-stop encounter.

Verstappen and Norris made equally solid launches when the lights went out for the 63-lap event, but it was polesitter Verstappen who then drew clear. While Norris potentially found himself at risk from the Ferraris, the top six ultimately held position on a clean first lap.

2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Verstappen holds the lead ahead of Norris on the race start at Imola

Further back some big names were making moves, with Hamilton gaining a position to go into P7 while Perez had also overtaken Ricciardo to slot into P10, marking a good start for the Mexican on the hard tyres.

As the race settled down, Verstappen’s lead had increased to over a second from Norris by Lap 4 – despite the Briton trying to stay within reach – while Leclerc was also a further second behind the McLaren, with Sainz and Piastri close on his tail.

Elsewhere, with the Mercedes pair of Russell and Hamilton in a lonely P6 and P7, a DRS train had started to form behind Hulkenberg in P8 following an impressive getaway from P10 on the grid for the Haas driver.

As Lap 8 ticked down, Piastri was struggling to find a way past Sainz despite being within half a second of the Ferrari. The Spaniard was not being helped by team mate Leclerc, who had proceeded to build a gap rather than drop back to give Sainz DRS.

Two tours later and there was trouble for Albon, who looked to be moving slowly after emerging from the pits following a stop for hard tyres. “I've got a problem, tyre isn't on properly,” the Thai driver reported as he tried to trundle back to the pit lane.

2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Albon forced to pit again because of loose wheel

The Williams did indeed make it back to the pits, where he was given a set of mediums and sent back out on track. Other drivers, meanwhile, were starting to make their pit stops, with Alonso and Ricciardo amongst those to have stopped for fresh rubber.

There was further drama for the former when he spotted that his front brakes were on fire as he left the pit lane to emerge back out near the rear of the pack. Elsewhere, Tsunoda had been stuck behind Hulkenberg for some time, prompting RB to bring the Japanese driver in for a stop.

While Hulkenberg then pitted himself one lap later, Tsunoda had done enough to undercut the Haas, meaning that he stayed ahead in P14 when Hulkenberg returned to the track. Up ahead, Verstappen was now leading by five seconds from Norris as the race reached Lap 16.

The other McLaren of Piastri was still struggling to find a way past Sainz in the continued battle for P5. In off-track news, it was confirmed that the stewards were investigating Albon for an unsafe release following his earlier pit-lane incident.

Replays showed that Perez had experienced a bit of a moment on Lap 18, with the Mexican losing several seconds as he ran wide and took a trip through the gravel. This did not prevent him from holding onto P8, though it did help ninth-placed Stroll to close the gap somewhat.

Perez went long on his opening stint on the hard tyre

Verstappen was reporting that his front left tyre was “not good” by Lap 21, while Russell made a stop for the hard compound one lap later. A flurry of action followed in the pit lane as Norris soon pitted from second place, putting the McLaren back out on track in P7 behind Perez.

Ferrari, meanwhile, looked to be trying the overcut given that Norris had found himself in traffic, though the Briton had already managed to clear Perez within a matter of laps. Piastri had also stopped before sweeping past Stroll for P7 after returning to the track, with the Australian showing strong pace.

Race leader Verstappen soon made his stop, while the Scuderia brought Leclerc in one lap later, leaving Sainz and Hamilton out front as both had not yet pitted. Leclerc and Piastri quickly picked off Perez, while Sainz and Hamilton each made their pit stops on Lap 28.

Sainz slotted into sixth behind Piastri and Perez, something that would surely please the McLaren team as the Ferrari now had to find a way past the Red Bull. Further back, Tsunoda pulled off an impressive overtake on Sargeant, with the Williams yet to make a pit stop.

As the race headed towards its halfway point, Verstappen held the lead from Norris, Leclerc and Piastri, while Sainz had got ahead of Perez – still going long on his first stint – for fifth place. The Mexican might be known for his ‘tyre whisperer’ qualities, but his set of hards looked to be fading.

Tsunoda seemed determined to score points for RB in front of their local crowd

Tsunoda’s racy afternoon continued as he clinched P11 from Zhou, meaning that the RB driver was in prime position for potentially scoring points given that the likes of Perez ahead still had to make a pit stop.

While the gaps amongst the front-runners looked steady, Norris was concerned about his pace. “Why am I so much slower than the guys behind?” the McLaren driver asked his engineer on Lap 35, to which he was told that others were using their tyres more.

Elsewhere Hamilton was on the tail of Perez in the battle for seventh place. With the two on different strategies, the Mexican did not make things too difficult for Hamilton as the seven-time champion swept past through Tamburello.

It was on Lap 38 that Perez finally made his pit stop, with the Red Bull mechanics fitting a set of medium tyres onto his RB20, while Stroll and Magnussen also pitted. Perez emerged back on track in P11, around two seconds behind Ricciardo in the final points-paying position of P10.

Within a couple of laps, Perez utilised DRS to pass Ricciardo, with the latter on much older tyres. He followed this by picking off Hulkenberg for P9, with Tsunoda next in his sights in P8. Meanwhile Magnussen was engaged in a fierce scrap with Zhou for 16th place as the Kick Sauber managed to stay ahead.

Leclerc tried to chase down Norris for P2

Back at the front, the battle for second place was heating up. Leclerc had closed the gap to Norris to just under a second, prompting the McLaren team to give their driver a hurry-up. Meanwhile Leclerc was being told, “You are the fastest car on track”.

Perez had sealed P8 by Lap 43 after overtaking Tsunoda. Seventh place looked to be a challenge, however, with Hamilton 30 seconds up the road. In the other Red Bull, Verstappen was serenely leading by six seconds from Norris.

Other duels were playing out across the field. Stroll was chasing down Hulkenberg for P10 in what looked to be Aston Martin’s only chance of scoring a point, as Alonso’s miserable weekend continued down in P19.

Magnussen, meanwhile, had not let up in his pursuit of Zhou with 15 laps to go. After a lengthy scrap, the Haas made a neat move through Tamburello to claim P15. The other Kick Sauber of Bottas also looked to be in trouble in 13th, with Ocon close behind in the Alpine.

In the all-important scrap for points, Stroll had overtaken Hulkenberg and was now chasing down Tsunoda for P9, a place he soon managed to take. Ocon, meanwhile, looked to have lost ground, allowing Magnussen to surge forwards into P14.

Magnussen engaged in several battles – including with the Alpines – as he worked his way forwards from P18 on the grid

Further ahead, Norris seemed to have dropped Leclerc, with the result being that the McLaren had managed to close the gap slightly to Verstappen. By Lap 52 it had come down to four seconds as Verstappen’s tyres looked to be suffering.

There was some late action in the pit lane as Russell stopped for medium rubber. The Mercedes emerged back on track in P7, 22 seconds behind team mate Hamilton, while Norris was continuing to eat into Verstappen’s lead.

With seven laps to go, Norris had brought the gap down to two seconds. Verstappen, meanwhile, voiced his annoyance at Tsunoda after lapping the RB, who did not seem to get out of the way fast enough when the blue flags were shown.

Albon became the first retiree of the day when the Williams team asked him to bring the car home, but the action was not letting up back on track. Verstappen’s advantage over Norris had dropped to 1.5s with just a few laps remaining.

A heart-stopping moment of oversteer seemed to slightly throw off Norris’s charge, with the gap remaining steady as the final laps ticked down and the Briton continued to struggle for grip on his ageing tyres.

2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Verstappen crosses the line just ahead of Norris to take victory at Imola

Despite refusing to give up – and enduring another scare when he nearly headed into the gravel – Norris was unable to close down any further and Verstappen crossed the line to take victory, just 0.725s ahead of the McLaren.

“Had to work hard for that,” the Dutchman conceded over team radio after the chequered flag, while a disappointed Norris rued his “hard luck”. Behind them, Leclerc claimed the final podium position of third, with Piastri in fourth ahead of Sainz in fifth.

The Mercedes pair of Hamilton and Russell followed in a relatively lonely sixth and seventh, while Perez took eighth place in the Red Bull. Stroll and Tsunoda rounded out the top 10, taking valuable points for their respective Aston Martin and RB teams.

Hulkenberg and Magnussen slotted into P11 and P12 for Haas, with Ricciardo failing to make ground from P13 ahead of Ocon in P14.

Zhou ended the day in 15th place as Kick Sauber continue to look for their first points of the season, while Gasly crossed the line in 16th.

Russell claimed the additional point for fastest lap following a late pit stop

Sargeant was the sole Williams to finish the race in P17, with Bottas following in P18. Alonso, meanwhile, retired his Aston Martin in the latter stages after a challenging weekend in Imola for the Spaniard.

He was classified in P19. Albon, meanwhile, had retired on Lap 51 of the event, with Williams yet to get off the mark for points in 2024.

The additional point for fastest lap went to Russell, who benefitted from the fresh tyres from his late pit stop to go quickest of all.

Verstappen's victory marked his fifth of the 2024 season

“I think the whole race I had to push flat out to try and make a gap initially," said Verstappen. "I think on the medium tyres we were quite strong, on the hards tyres it was just a bit more difficult to manage, especially in the last 10, 15 laps. I had no grip anymore, I was really sliding a lot.

"I saw Lando closing in, so the last 10 laps I was just flat out. It’s very difficult when the tyres are not working anymore and you have to go flat-out. I couldn't afford to make too many mistakes. Luckily we didn’t, and super happy of course to win here today.”

What’s next

The next stop on the 2024 F1 calendar will be Monte Carlo, with the Monaco Grand Prix following swiftly on the weekend of May 24-26. Head to the RACE HUB to find out how you can follow the action.

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