MIAMI, FLORIDA

Oct 24

PortMiami is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, so there's a good chance a Caribbean cruise starts here. We've arrived the day before our sailing twice, and both times we based ourselves in South Beach. Here's how we'd spend a pre-cruise day in Miami, where we stayed and what we'd do differently.

Our Visits

Summer 2021: A pre-cruise day in South Beach with friends before sailing Freedom of the Seas
October 2022: I took the twins for a night at the Gabriel Miami South Beach, then we sailed Freedom of the Seas to Perfect Day at CocoCay

At a Glance

Where to stay: South Beach, close to both the airport and the cruise port
Arrive: At least one day before your cruise, so a flight delay doesn't cost you the ship
Don't miss: Sunrise on the beach at Lummus Park and Cuban food on Ocean Drive
Getting around: Rideshare. Skip the airport taxi line.
Weather: Summer and fall are hurricane season, so expect heavy afternoon rain

Why We Fly in a Day Early

We always arrive in our departure city a day ahead. A delayed or canceled flight on embarkation day can mean missing the ship, and the ship won't wait. Miami makes the extra day easy because there's so much to do within a short drive of the port.

Tip 1: Book your flight for the day before you sail. It's the cheapest insurance you can buy for a cruise.

South Beach and Ocean Drive

On our first visit we went straight to South Beach to put our toes in the water. The ocean here averages about 72 degrees in winter and 82 in summer, and it felt even warmer the day we were there.

Ocean Drive runs between 5th and 15th Street along the beach. It's lined with Art Deco hotels and sidewalk cafés, and it's one of the best people-watching streets we know. At night it turns into Miami's party strip, so pick your hotel based on how much noise you want.

Tip 2: Walk Ocean Drive in the morning. It's quieter and cooler, and you can enjoy the architecture without the crowds.

Lunch at Havana 1957

We had lunch at Havana 1957 in the Breakwater Hotel on Ocean Drive. The menu is all Cuban. The house specialty is the Pollo Havana 1957, roasted chicken in Cuban gravy with rice, black beans and plantains.

We went with sandwiches: a classic Cubano, the pan con lechón with roasted pork and grilled onions, and the Sandwich Havana 1957 with the roasted chicken and gravy. In 2021 the sandwiches ran $15.50 to $17.50 each. It's tourist pricing, but the food was good and the location can't be beat.

Tip 3: Eat a big lunch and skip the pricey dinner. Ocean Drive dinners add up fast, and you'll be eating well on the ship tomorrow.

Tell us in the comments: Would you spend your pre-cruise day on the beach or out ship spotting at the port?

Driving in Miami

Miami traffic is busy on a clear day. In a summer downpour it's a white-knuckle drive for a tourist. Rod has a lot of experience driving in bad weather and it was still stressful.

Tip 4: Don't rent a car for a pre-cruise night. Use rideshare between the airport, your hotel and the port. Parking in South Beach is expensive and hard to find.

Where I Stayed: The Gabriel Miami South Beach

On our second visit, Rod was at Disney World with his family, so I took the twins to Miami to sail Freedom of the Seas. I booked the Gabriel Miami South Beach, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel right on Ocean Drive. It's a 1920s-inspired Art Deco building with European styling, and it's close to both the airport and the cruise port.

We arrived around midnight and the front desk greeted us with a smile and cold water. The European styling extends to the room size. Our room was tiny, and the elevator was a tight squeeze with two six-foot sons and our bags. The room was clean and stylish for the price.

The reason I picked this hotel was the sunrise. Lummus Park and the Atlantic are right across the street. I made the boys throw on yesterday's clothes and walk to the beach with me before breakfast, and it was worth it.

Breakfast was another story. We paid $97 for the three of us, which was hard to swallow with unlimited dining waiting on the ship that afternoon.

Tip 5: Take a rideshare from the airport. Our taxi took 15 minutes and cost $59 before the tip.

Tip 6: Eat breakfast off property. Grab coffee and something small nearby, then save your appetite for the ship.

My verdict: the twins gave the Gabriel a thumbs down because of the small room. I give it a thumbs up if you want a boutique stay steps from the beach for one night.

Ship Spotting at PortMiami

Seeing cruise ships in port always gives me happy chills. On a busy day you can spot ships from several cruise lines lined up along the terminals. We've seen Norwegian Jewel waiting to sail, and Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady docked next to our ship.

Sail-away from Miami is one of the best on any Caribbean cruise. Get out on deck as the ship heads down Government Cut. You'll pass the Miami skyline on one side and South Beach on the other.

Tip 7: Be on deck for sail-away. Grab a spot on the side facing South Beach about 30 minutes before departure.

What We'd Skip, and Our Backup Plan

Skip: The airport taxi. Rideshare costs less.

Skip: The hotel breakfast on embarkation morning. Board the ship hungry instead.

Backup plan: If a storm rolls in, which happens a lot in summer, head indoors for a long Cuban lunch and wait it out. Most afternoon storms pass within an hour.

Book This Trip

Hotels in South Beach: Compare stays on Expedia
Find a cruise from Miami: Search cruises on Expedia
Things to do in Miami: Search Miami tours on GetYourGuide
Pack these: A compact travel umbrella and reef-safe sunscreen

FAQ

Where should I stay in Miami before a cruise?
We like South Beach. It's close to the airport and the cruise port, and you can walk to the beach and Ocean Drive.

How much is a taxi from Miami airport to South Beach?
Our 15-minute taxi ride cost $59 before the tip in 2022. Rideshare is usually cheaper.

Should I fly into Miami the day before my cruise?
Yes. A flight delay on embarkation day can mean missing the ship.

Is the Gabriel Miami South Beach a good pre-cruise hotel?
It's a good boutique choice for one night on Ocean Drive. The rooms are small, and breakfast is expensive.

When is hurricane season in Miami?
June 1 through November 30. Expect heavy afternoon storms in summer and early fall.