Where to Stay Pre/Post Cruise: Top Hotels Near Miami Cruise Port for 2025
On This Page:
- Which Cruise Lines Sail from Miami?
- Should We Arrive in Miami a Day Before Our Cruise is Scheduled to Depart?
- Recommended Hotels Close to PortMiami
- 1. Hilton Miami Downtown
- 2. InterContinental Miami, an IHG Hotel
- 3. Holiday Inn Hotel Port of Miami-Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- 4. YOTEL Miami
- 5. Gale Miami Hotel & Residences
- 6. DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay
- 7. The Elser Hotel Miami - An All-Suite Hotel
- 8. EAST Miami
- DOWNTOWN MIAMI
- BRICKELL NEIGHBORHOOD
- 1. Hotel AKA Brickell
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell
- 3. Novotel Miami Brickell
- 4. Tru By Hilton Miami West Brickell
- WYNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
- 1. Arlo Wynwood Miami
- 2. Moxy Miami Wynwood
- 3. AC Hotel Miami Wynwood
- After Your Cruise
With 7.2 million cruise vacationers departing from PortMiami in 2024, the massive facility just off of downtown has certainly earned its moniker as the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’. Welcoming enormous ships that keep getting larger and a bevy of cruise lines with exciting itineraries year-round, there’s no better place for you from which to set sail.
Which Cruise Lines Sail from Miami?
The list of cruise lines that offer Miami departures to the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond keeps growing each year. Currently planning 2025 departures are Carnival, MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, Seabourn Seven Seas, Holland America, Azamara, Virgin Voyages, and Oceania.
Should We Arrive in Miami a Day Before Our Cruise is Scheduled to Depart?
Without question the answer here is a resounding YES! And before you ask why, allow me to give you two good reasons.
Most importantly, it isn’t unheard of for travelers to miss their cruise because of a flight delay. Be it a mechanical issue or weather, planning to take an early morning flight to ensure that you get to the ship for an afternoon departure is cutting it too close for my liking. And, as if missing the ship’s departure isn’t enough, passengers who miss their sailing are fully responsible for getting to the next port of call on their own, at their own expense! From Miami that may mean somewhere as close as the Bahamas or as far away as Aruba. If the ship’s itinerary calls for the first two nights to be “at sea”, there’s another hotel night that will be paid by you as you determine how to catch up with the vessel. So yes, leave one day early.
Another reason that I often leave town a day earlier than required for a vacation is the simple fact that it’s relaxing not to be rushed. Why not start your “you time” with an unstressed departure? Building in an “easy” day means that you can arrive in Miami whatever time of day suits you best.
I really enjoy checking into a hotel within a few minutes of the cruise terminal and pampering myself with a nice dinner, a stroll around downtown Miami or the bustling Brickell or Wynwood neighborhoods and having the luxury of getting a full night’s sleep. As an added bonus, when you get going the next morning, you are just minutes from your ship and will be well rested and ready for the cruise festivities to begin.
Author: pisaphotography
MIAMI - FEBRUARY 27, 2015: Port of Miami with cruise ships. Miami is a major port in United States for cruises.
Recommended Hotels Close to PortMiami
Perhaps this is your first time to Miami or at least haven’t sailed on a cruise from here in the past. With an ideal location just north of downtown, PortMiami is within minutes of a wide selection of hotels for your pre-cruise overnight stay.
The Travelated website offers hotels throughout the area including many close to the airport and in trendy South Beach. But for the question of where to stay the night before leaving on your cruise vacation, let’s zero in on downtown Miami, the Brickell neighborhood just south of downtown, and the Wynwood neighborhood to the north of the cruise port, home to upscale shopping as well as many great restaurants.
While some hotels include PortMiami in their name or promote that they are located close to the cruise terminals, there is no complimentary shuttle service to the cruise ships. Guests may make their own arrangements, ask at the front desk, or request the assistance of the concierge (where available), to arrange for a taxi or other hired car transportation service. Both Uber and Lyft are popular options from Miami International Airport (MIA) to the hotels highlighted in this blog (figure 15-20 minutes to your chosen property), as well as between these hotels and the pier.
Some popular hotels for the night before your sailing include:
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
Hilton Miami Downtown – 2.1 miles/9 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 528 rooms. Restaurant & lobby bar, pool, fitness center, room service.
Intercontinental Miami – 1.9 miles/9 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 5-star rated property. 652 luxury rooms. Two restaurants, rooftop bar and pool with cabanas, fitness center, room service.
3. Holiday Inn Hotel Port of Miami-Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Address: 340 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, 33132, FL, US
Holiday Inn Hotel Port of Miami – 1.5 miles/7 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 3-star rated property. 200 rooms. Restaurant, lounge, pool, fitness room, room service. Several restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel.
Yotel Miami – 1.8 miles/7 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 222 rooms + 231 PADS (private condominium residences of varying sizes). Restaurant with bar on lobby level plus Vela Sky rooftop pool with light dining and cocktails. 24/7 gym.
Gale Miami Hotel & Residences – 1.4 miles/5 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 5-star rated property. 240 luxury kitchenette studios, and full kitchen/dining area/living room one-bedroom, and two-bedroom fully equipped residences. Upscale Italian restaurant, lobby level indoor/outdoor café, 9th floor pool deck, full-service spa and 24/7 gym.
Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay (Hilton) - 2.7 miles/11 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 3-star rated property. 311 rooms. Three restaurants, bar, deli/market, room service. Pool, fitness center.
The Elser Hotel & Residences – 1.5 miles/6 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 646 studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, & 3-bedroom residences. Restaurant. Fitness center + weights. Pool deck on 12th floor. Kitchenettes or full-kitchen facilities with dining area, living room.
EAST Miami – 2.7 miles/16 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 5-star rated property. 352 luxury rooms including 89 residence-style suites.
Domain all-day restaurant, Quinto Latin dining, and Sugar rooftop cocktails. Sophisticated “Tea Room” features Asian-style vibe with small plates, cocktails, live music (strict dress code). Pool deck, 24/7 gym.
BRICKELL NEIGHBORHOOD
Hotel AKA Brickell – 2.9 miles/17 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 5-star rated property. 220 luxury rooms. Three restaurants and lounges, rooftop sky bar + pool, fitness center, complimentary exercise classes. Room service. Within easy walking distance to some of Miami’s top-rated restaurants.
2. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell
Address: 50 South West 12th Street, Miami, 33130, FL, US
Hampton Inn Miami Brickell Downtown – 2.9 miles/14 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 221 rooms. Free breakfast. 24/7 workout room. Rooftop pool with cabanas. Lobby bar.
Novotel Miami Brickell – 3.2 miles/16 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 275 rooms. Breakfast available. Lobby bar/lounge; rooftop bar + tapas. Rooftop pool, fitness center.
Tru by Hilton Miami West Brickell – 4.5 miles/15 minutes to the cruise terminal. 3-star rated property. 141 rooms. Free breakfast. Pool, workout room.
WYNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
Arlo Wynwood – 3.1miles/14 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 217 rooms with large balcony. Rooftop heated pool with cabanas, 3rd floor indoor/outdoor lounge (Thu-Sat), lobby bar. Breakfast/lunch café, sushi restaurant.
Moxy Miami Wynwood – 3.9 miles/16 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 120 rooms. Bar/restaurant for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Fitness center, bicycle rental. There is no pool at the Moxy Wynwood. 24/7 grab-n-go snacks. Numerous affordable dining spots just steps from the front door.
AC Miami Wynwood – 3.8 miles/13 minute drive to the cruise terminal. 4-star rated property. 153 rooms. Fitness center, rental bicycles. Lobby level restaurant/lounge. Rooftop bar, pool + cabanas. Numerous affordable dining spots in the immediate neighborhood.
Should you be sailing from Miami during peak winter season or holiday weekends, you may encounter higher prices and limited room availability. Listed below are some other excellent hotels that you may be unfamiliar with, which are located in the heart of the city, close to PortMiami:
The Gabriel Miami Downtown (Hilton Curio Collection)
After Your Cruise
Many cruise travelers enjoy extending their vacation for a few days after returning to the home port. If this describes you, check out the great lineup of affordable hotels that Travelated offers on Miami Beach, and make your booking at the same time you confirm your pre-cruise hotel.
The short drive from PortMiami to South Beach, the trendy art deco neighborhood of Miami Beach takes just 15 minutes. If you prefer a hotel further up the beach, there’s no shortage of complete resort options no more than 10 minutes away.
If you are heading home the day after your cruise returns to Miami, we have dozens of hotels close to the airport, most with free shuttles, that will have you at the gate without rushing in the morning.
Safe travels and bon voyage!
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