Construction kicks off on Arquitectonicas massive new terminal for MSC Cruises at PortMiami

Table Of Content

• Terminal A – The Crown of Miami
• (expanded) MSC Terminal F
• Which Cruise Lines Use Each Terminal?
• Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port of Miami
• More Tips About Port of Miami
• THE CRUISE DIVISION OF MSC GROUP BREAKS GROUND ON PORTMIAMI CRUISE TERMINAL—SOON TO BE NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST
• Getting From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Port of Miami

The project was officially approved on April 10th, and works started on May 1st, with planned completion in Fall 2019. The new terminal building (nicknamed 'Crown of Miami') serves exclusively RCCL/RCG-Royal Caribbean Group-owned ships. MSC Terminal AAA (completed in October 2022) has capacity to handle MSC WORLD-Class liners (fleet's ever-largest, with passenger capacity 7000). 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).

Terminal A – The Crown of Miami

Your cruise documents will also confirm the terminal and name of your cruise ship. 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.

(expanded) MSC Terminal F

The entrance to the port is walkable over the Port Boulevard Bridge from downtown Miami (not Miami Beach). The ships are lined up in a row along the north side of the island so the distance obviously depends on which terminal you are going to. Pre-Covid on the Meraviglia we left from Terminal D if I remember correctly. The new MSC terminal (now due to open next summer) will be at the far east end. Of course, it only makes sense to debut a new cruise terminal with a brand new ship. Departing every Saturday throughout the summer, the 215,863-gross ton MSC World America will alternate between 7-night, round-trip, Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean voyages.

Which Cruise Lines Use Each Terminal?

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. Taxis from Miami International Airport are readily available on days when ships are embarking or disembarking passengers.

Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port of Miami

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. Prices of Uber/Lyft start around $20 from Miami airport to cruise port and even less for a shared pool ride.

More Tips About Port of Miami

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. 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. 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.

THE CRUISE DIVISION OF MSC GROUP BREAKS GROUND ON PORTMIAMI CRUISE TERMINAL—SOON TO BE NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST

Under the agreement, RCCL fully financed the construction, except US$15M that PortMiami paid for infrastructure/road works. 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.

MSC Cruises Announces Summer 2025 Sailings from Three U.S. Homeports - Cruiseline.com

MSC Cruises Announces Summer 2025 Sailings from Three U.S. Homeports.

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:35:04 GMT [source]

Using GPS to Arrive at Port of Miami

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). 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). 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. Drive eastbound on SR-836 to I-395 East (Miami Beach), continuing over MacArthur Causeway. Plans include widening the ship channel and the turning basin which will include the acquisition of land rights currently used by Seaboard Marine. Part of it has been incorporated into the new Terminal B construction.

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. 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).

These are great hassle-free options to get to your cruise terminal and are often more comfortable than a cab. 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). PortMiami's MSC terminals AA and AAA can serve 2 turnarounds/homeported ships simultaneously and have max capacity passengers daily.

The interior of the terminal is open and airy, with luxury finishes and comfortable seating to welcome passengers with MSC Cruises’ exclusive luxury service even before they step on their ships. When were there in March, we spent 30 minutes from the time we crossed over to the port to the time we actually got out of the lyft at the terminal. Having lived in major cities, we're used to jumping on public transit or just walking. MSC Seascape, which will share PortMiami with MSC World America, will alternate between 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries that will embark on select Thursdays and Sundays all summer long. The longest two itineraries offered by the 5,179-guest ship will be 7-night voyages to the Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line also built a signature terminal that went into operation last year when cruising resumed and recently PortMiami opened Terminal V at the western end of Dodge Island built for Virgin Cruises. This week, PortMiami also celebrated the topping out of Terminal F, which is being rebuilt for Carnival Cruise Line. 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. The new Terminal B has a dedicated waiting hall, separate bar lounge, service area, new parking garage, valet parking area (accessing the building directly). The facility incorporates PortMiami's existing terminals B and C into a single/new "Terminal B". The plans for the new Royal Caribbean terminal were approved by Miami's Board of County Commissioners on July 7, 2016.

The flagship of MSC Cruises’s World-class fleet, MSC World America, will spend its inaugural season based in Miami, Florida. The 6,762-passenger ship is currently in the final phases of construction, but will homeport at what will be the world’s largest cruise terminal when it enters service in April of 2025. In line with PortMiami’s plans to enable shore power connectivity, MSC Cruises’ ships that are deployed from the port will be ready to plug into the local power grid when they are docked. 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. Most ships at berth at the new Miami terminal will be able to plug in to the local power grid, in line with PortMiami’s plans to enable shore power connectivity.

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

From Miami Beach – take I-395 (MacArthur Causeway) westbound, exit on Biscayne Blvd. Make a U-turn on North Bayshore Drive to enter MacArthur Causeway eastbound then continue east along MacArthur Causeway. Port Miami has many major ongoing construction and improvement projects listed above. 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. 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.

Rates depends on the type of car or limo you hire as well as how long you plan to use the service. Ride sharing options are also available such as Taxi, Uber and Lyft. 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. 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.