PortMiami · Port Everglades
Cruise Transportation, Timed to Boarding
Embarkation morning is the one part of the trip you can't afford to leave to a rideshare app. We build your pickup time around your actual boarding window, drop you curbside at your terminal, and handle luggage to the porter line — then we're waiting again the day you disembark.
Embarkation Morning: When to Leave
Most cruise lines open terminal check-in around 10:30-11am and close boarding by 3-3:30pm, but the smart move is arriving in the first wave — shorter lines, better cabin access, no rushing. General guidance by origin, assuming an 11am boarding target:
| Leaving From | Depart By | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach / South Beach | By 9:15am | 15-20 min to most PortMiami terminals |
| Brickell / Downtown Miami | By 9:30am | 10-15 min to PortMiami |
| Coral Gables / Coconut Grove | By 9:00am | 20-25 min to PortMiami |
| Fort Lauderdale (FLL area) | By 8:45am | 40-45 min to PortMiami; 10 min to Port Everglades |
Flying in same-day is never ideal, but if you are, we recommend at minimum a 3-hour cushion between landing and your terminal drop-off to absorb baggage claim and traffic.
Terminal Drop-Off
PortMiami has separate terminal buildings by cruise line, and Port Everglades spans several piers — we confirm your exact terminal number when you book so there's no guessing curbside. Your chauffeur pulls into the drop-off lane, unloads your bags, and gets you to the porter line, not just the general parking area.
Debarkation Pickup
Getting off the ship is the less predictable half of the trip — customs processing and staggered disembarkation can push your actual walk-off anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours past the ship's posted time. Give us a pickup window at booking, then text when you're clear of customs; your chauffeur stages nearby and is at the curb within minutes, not circling the terminal for you to find.
Cruise Route Rates
MIA ⇄ PortMiami
$110
FLL ⇄ PortMiami
$175
FLL ⇄ Port Everglades
$95
PortMiami ⇄ Miami core (Brickell/Beach/Grove)
$110
Flying in first? See MIA to PortMiami, FLL to PortMiami, or FLL to Port Everglades for the full route detail, or the full rate card.
Built for Cruise-Sized Luggage
A week-long cruise means real bags — not carry-ons. The Suburban carries up to 6large suitcases plus passengers without stacking anything on laps. If your group runs larger, tell us at booking; we'll confirm capacity before you arrive, not after.
Frequently Asked
What time should I leave for an 11am boarding at PortMiami?
For most terminals, leave Miami Beach or Brickell by 9:15-9:30am for an 11am boarding window — the drive is 15-25 minutes, but terminal check-in lines build fast between 10:30 and noon. Flying in first? We recommend a minimum 3-hour buffer between landing at MIA and your terminal drop-off.
Do you drop off directly at the cruise terminal?
Yes — curbside at your specific terminal building (we confirm which one when you book, since PortMiami has separate terminals per cruise line). Your chauffeur helps unload luggage to the porter line; you're never walking bags across a parking lot.
Can you pick us up from Fort Lauderdale Airport for a Miami cruise?
Yes — FLL to PortMiami is a flat $175, about 45 minutes door to door. It's a common routing for cruisers who found cheaper flights into Fort Lauderdale than Miami.
What about the day we get back — do you handle debarkation pickup?
Yes. Debarkation mornings are unpredictable — customs and disembarkation timing shift by an hour or more depending on the ship. Give us a pickup window when you book and text us once you're through customs; your chauffeur will already be staged nearby.
Landing before your cruise instead of driving in? See airport transportation for MIA, FLL, and PBI arrivals — or book a hourly chauffeur for a pre-cruise hotel stay and city day in Miami.