Differences between sailing from Miami and Port Canaveral

[mrsgthatsme]

In the past, we have only sailed from Port Canaveral for our DCL cruises and was just curious as to how the experience sailing from Miami compares. How are the two ports different?

1)We have stayed at WDW in the past and taken the DCL transportation to Port Canaveral. What is the best way to travel from a Miami hotel to the pier? Uber, lyft, or something else?

2) Where would you recommend staying the night prior to the cruise?

3) Is it usually cheaper to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or does it completely depend on where you are flying from?

4) Would you say the passenger population is similar on cruises out of both places? (Assuming it's a similar length of itinerary) We were actually pretty impressed with the behavior of the kids, niceness of the families, respectfulness towards other passengers, etc... on our cruises out of Port Canaveral. Wondered if that was consistent at all ports, or if the demographics varied by location.

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?

6) I know that at Port Canaveral, if you check in after 12:30 or so, you can pretty much walk on the ship most times. Is the same true in Miami?

7) Any other tips sailing from Miami?

Thanks so much for your time and willingness to share your experiences!

 

[Dug720]

1)We have stayed at WDW in the past and taken the DCL transportation to Port Canaveral. What is the best way to travel from a Miami hotel to the pier? Uber, lyft, or something else?
I've used Lyft 2 of the 3 times I've cruised out of Miami. Super easy and no problems.
The other time my hotel had a shuttle for $10/person that was super easy as well.

2) Where would you recommend staying the night prior to the cruise?
I like the Hampton Inn and Suites Blue Lagoon. Super friendly staff, there are restaurants, a Starbucks, 2 drug stores, and a grocery store with a wine section for stocking up on my 2 bottles before boarding within walking distance (like, across the street or up to 2 blocks away). They offer the port shuttle.

3) Is it usually cheaper to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or does it completely depend on where you are flying from?
I fly into Miami because I usually fly American. To me, it's easier and no dealing with a Lyft or shuttle from FLL. BUT if you fly JetBlue or Southwest you're going to be limited to FLL.

4) Would you say the passenger population is similar on cruises out of both places? (Assuming it's a similar length of itinerary) We were actually pretty impressed with the behavior of the kids, niceness of the families, respectfulness towards other passengers, etc... on our cruises out of Port Canaveral. Wondered if that was consistent at all ports, or if the demographics varied by location.
With Disney I have not noticed a difference.

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?
Very similar. Slightly more organized at boarding as they do a bettie job of controlling the mass "let's stand in front of the entrance even though they are on Group 4 and we are Group 26. Probably because most of the terminals in Miami are shared, so the employees - while having had basic Disney training, are not Disney CMs and not as concerned about getting bad reviews by enforcing things.

6) I know that at Port Canaveral, if you check in after 12:30 or so, you can pretty much walk on the ship most times. Is the same true in Miami?
Not a clue. I always have a low boarding number.

7) Any other tips sailing from Miami?
I'd try to get a couple of days before or after to explore Miami. It's a great city.

 

[cyclenut]

In the past, we have only sailed from Port Canaveral for our DCL cruises and was just curious as to how the experience sailing from Miami compares. How are the two ports different?

1)We have stayed at WDW in the past and taken the DCL transportation to Port Canaveral. What is the best way to travel from a Miami hotel to the pier? Uber, lyft, or something else?

2) Where would you recommend staying the night prior to the cruise?

3) Is it usually cheaper to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or does it completely depend on where you are flying from?

4) Would you say the passenger population is similar on cruises out of both places? (Assuming it's a similar length of itinerary) We were actually pretty impressed with the behavior of the kids, niceness of the families, respectfulness towards other passengers, etc... on our cruises out of Port Canaveral. Wondered if that was consistent at all ports, or if the demographics varied by location.

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?

6) I know that at Port Canaveral, if you check in after 12:30 or so, you can pretty much walk on the ship most times. Is the same true in Miami?

7) Any other tips sailing from Miami?

Thanks so much for your time and willingness to share your experiences!

We thought Miami as a city was very fun. There are a few different scavenger hunt experiences for Miami, one of which we tried and really enjoyed. Can't remember the name of it now, but there are a few out there. You pay a small fee, download the app, register yourself as a team and use the clues to explore the city. The one we did is all on foot. We also went to a local brewery taphouse that was in the parking garage of Marlins' baseball stadium. Great fun. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove, which we really liked, but it's a bit of a distance from the port.

We have not actually sailed out of Miami though so can't really comment about the boarding process in Miami. We have sailed Disney out of other ports and can say that Disney does like to keep things organized no matter where you sail from. While Port Canaveral is nice and very much Disney themed throughout, we have found other ports to be just fine.

 

[hcox31]

We have sailed out of PC twice and Miami once. We found both ports very similar. Outside of Miami was crazy busy, as all of the ships have drop offs relatively in the same area. We don't find PC as nuts as far as traffic goes. Maybe because the ships are more spread out, I don't know. We didn't see nearly as many Disney buses as we do at PC, for sure. That may add to the traffic.

The terminal at PC is more "Disneyfied". Miami has signs up etc, but they're more of a portable type rather than a permanent sign, if that makes sense. The boarding process was similar. Security, check in, embarkation etc. I think as far as flights go to Miami or FLL, it depends where you're flying from. We opted for FLL because there was more choice of direct flights from there and it was cheaper.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I don't disagree with anything Dug says ... just mentioning some other perspectives. Lived in Miami for a while, worked in the port and downtown and sailed from there dozens of times. Currently live near PC and sailed from here many times as well.....

In the past, we have only sailed from Port Canaveral for our DCL cruises and was just curious as to how the experience sailing from Miami compares. How are the two ports different?

1)We have stayed at WDW in the past and taken the DCL transportation to Port Canaveral. What is the best way to travel from a Miami hotel to the pier? Uber, lyft, or something else?
Airport is much closer to the pier in Miami so your travel is easier and less costly. I've used taxi many times (gasp!) with no issues <b4 there was UBER>. U/L, taxi and private are all available. Hotel shuttles are not common.

2) Where would you recommend staying the night prior to the cruise?
Blue Lagoon area near airport is popular. Today Brickell area is very popular. I like staying in Coconut Grove ..... South Beach has its fans of course but is $$ and not the most kid friendly area (can be 'entertaining' if you catch my drift ..... dress and behaviour and 'attitudes' not usually seen at home ... )

3) Is it usually cheaper to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or does it completely depend on where you are flying from?
Depends on your airline and specific. If both airports are an option be sure to figure in extra transport cost and TIME for POM to/fm FLL

4) Would you say the passenger population is similar on cruises out of both places? (Assuming it's a similar length of itinerary) We were actually pretty impressed with the behavior of the kids, niceness of the families, respectfulness towards other passengers, etc... on our cruises out of Port Canaveral. Wondered if that was consistent at all ports, or if the demographics varied by location.
One POTENTIAL variable: Miami is the gateway to south and central america so there is a possibility that this demographic will have a higher presence ..... you certainly see this when being a tourist IN Miami. Not a biggie but I mention because unlike Cocoa Beach and Canaveral, Miami can seem like you left the US! In many places English is NOT the primary language spoken ....

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?
Miami had cruise ships long b4 Canaveral ... the companies that man the terminals know what they are doing. (p.s. in Miami AND Canaveral these folks work for stevedore companies and not directly for the cruise lines .... including Disney - altho in Canaveral to get on with the company servicing DCL is considered a 'prime' position with quite a waiting list last I checked) As mentioned in Miami there isn't a 'DCL terminal' ... they are shared and it may be DCL today and MCS tomorrow and NCL the next .... so less Disney 'theming'
EDIT: in both ports, the experience will be VERY DIFFERENT on a day where ONE ship is turning over versus a day where FOUR or FIVE are turning around! In this case MIAMI has the problem of all the terminals being in a line along one road which results in congestion; Port Canaveral has the problem of simply being a small town and services like rental cars & their shuttles, taxi/UBEr availability get stressed.

6) I know that at Port Canaveral, if you check in after 12:30 or so, you can pretty much walk on the ship most times. Is the same true in Miami?
In my experience all ships TRY to begin the boarding around 1130 and the 'me first' crowd is typically cleared by 1230 .... which is why I typically don't arrive b4 1pm!

7) Any other tips sailing from Miami?
Sail out is very fun but no passing places like Fishlips and Grills .... webcam is far away so no waving to the folks back home.

p.s. there are no DCL / Disney busses in Miami .... the DCL shuttle from the airport uses regular charter busses. The DCL busses seen around Orlando and Canaveral are actually owned and operated by an Orlando transportation company

 

[Sunshine2U]

We arrive at MIA later in the day (on the day before the cruise). So we look for airport hotels with free shuttles to the hotel. Then we hire private transportation to the pier - it's a step above Uber and we can reserve a larger car or van. It's not expensive at all. The bell service at the hotel can set that up for you. There are private and hotel-owned shuttle services that run regular routes from hotels to cruise port, but the time will vary and you are on their time table. Probably not a big deal if you are okay to arrive within a wide time window. Again, bell services or front desk can set that up for you. We have never booked anything in advance. It's about 15 min on a weekend morning from airport hotel to the pier. No idea what it is weekdays.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?
Very similar. Slightly more organized at boarding as they do a better job of controlling the mass "let's stand in front of the entrance even though they are on Group 4 and we are Group 26. Probably because most of the terminals in Miami are shared, so the employees - while having had basic Disney training, are not Disney CMs and not as concerned about getting bad reviews by enforcing things.

Love this.

 

[Dug720]

Love this.

It was the only thing I could figure. The guys checking boarding cards as you left the terminal behaved the same way on the 2 fathom cruises I was on - not your number? have a seat please.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It was the only thing I could figure. The guys checking boarding cards as you left the terminal behaved the same way on the 2 fathom cruises I was on - not your number? have a seat please.

DCL - PLEASE NOTE.....

 

[Shanti]

In the past, we have only sailed from Port Canaveral for our DCL cruises and was just curious as to how the experience sailing from Miami compares. How are the two ports different?

1)We have stayed at WDW in the past and taken the DCL transportation to Port Canaveral. What is the best way to travel from a Miami hotel to the pier? Uber, lyft, or something else?

2) Where would you recommend staying the night prior to the cruise?

3) Is it usually cheaper to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or does it completely depend on where you are flying from?

4) Would you say the passenger population is similar on cruises out of both places? (Assuming it's a similar length of itinerary) We were actually pretty impressed with the behavior of the kids, niceness of the families, respectfulness towards other passengers, etc... on our cruises out of Port Canaveral. Wondered if that was consistent at all ports, or if the demographics varied by location.

5)We loved the port experience at Port Canaveral and found it to be very organized, clean and smooth. Is it similar in Miami? How is the check in, luggage claim, and general port experience different between the two ports?

6) I know that at Port Canaveral, if you check in after 12:30 or so, you can pretty much walk on the ship most times. Is the same true in Miami?

7) Any other tips sailing from Miami?

Thanks so much for your time and willingness to share your experiences!

We flew into the Miami airport the morning of our cruise, and flew out of the Fort Lauderdale airport the afternoon of disembarkation day. We had no desire to spend extra days in Miami as we simply have no interest.

I would recommend flying via the Miami airport as it's closer to the port (great for day-of arrivals & departures), and the Fort Lauderdale airport was a total cluster when we were there. Also, you can't take a Disney transfer bus to or from the Fort Lauderdale airport, so if you prefer traveling via DCL transfers, as we do, the Miami airport is a better option. We booked a shuttle from the port to the FLL airport, which was late & featured an overly chatty driver who tried to sell vacation packages & once took both hands off the steering wheel while driving.

The passenger population was very different for us sailing out of Miami. I would estimate that at least 70% were South American nationals (foreigners, not Hispanic Americans). Most guests were speaking Spanish or Portugese. This was for a 3-night Castaway Cay cruise sailing from Miami on New Year's Eve.

The Miami port experience was fine. Not as pretty or Disney as the port at Port Canaveral, but we had no complaints. We got our picture with Mickey while we waited. The DCL transfer bus taking us to the Port of Miami was a generic one instead of the Disney-decorated one with porthole windows that you get at PC, but the same DCL entertainment was shown on the bus TV screens.

One nice thing about sailing from Miami in winter is that unlike Port Canaveral, Miami is warm even mid-winter, so even embarkation day can be spent in summer clothes or at the pool.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I haven't sailed out of Port Canaveral yet, but I have sailed out of Miami twice. The experience wasn't bad the first time, but they did significant renovations sometime in the last 2 years, and the experience in April of this year was definitely improved over April 2016. Very clean terminal, and, lots of space at security and check in. The holding area is bigger now that they've moved the check in desks, but it does get crowded right before boarding begins. The drop off area is chaotic, but it's relatively controlled chaos.

Both times we've sailed out of Miami, we've had a rental car that we've parked at the port. We stayed the night before at the Doubletree Grand Biscayne Bay in a bayview room and could see the ship on embarkation morning from our balcony. This year I even watched the ship dock in Miami on embarkation morning. 2 years ago we drove to the Everglades National Park and did a couple of the scenic trails there, and checked out the Cape Florida lighthouse park. Both were well worth the time!

We've flown out of both MIA and FLL. Pricing really depends on what your primary airline is. Ours is Southwest, but this last trip, they didn't have any reasonably flight times for getting us home on debarkation day, so we had to fly American from MIA. I definitely prefer Southwest and FLL. Miami and American were both not my favorite experiences. I will say that we were late clearing customs the day we returned to FLL, so the bulk of the chaos that goes with having MANY ships unloading in 2 ports within half an hour of the airport had cleared. I would not want to hit FLL at 9 am from the stories I have heard...

 

[mrsgthatsme]

Based on the comments of several on this board and others, did anyone else notice a significant difference in the demographics of the passengers (lots of passengers from South and Central America) on the Magic? While I have absolutely no issue with this, I know I have read from some WDW boards that other posters had complaints about South American tour groups at times being more aggressive and loud when interacting with others in lines at WDW, etc... Not sure if the people talking about the South American population on the Magic were referring to such tour groups, or just typical families. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Dug720]

Based on the comments of several on this board and others, did anyone else notice a significant difference in the demographics of the passengers (lots of passengers from South and Central America) on the Magic? While I have absolutely no issue with this, I know I have read from some WDW boards that other posters had complaints about South American tour groups at times being more aggressive and loud when interacting with others in lines at WDW, etc... Not sure if the people talking about the South American population on the Magic were referring to such tour groups, or just typical families. Any thoughts on this?

My parents and I did not notice any groups when we cruised the Magic in February 2017. So if they were there they were well behaved.

I think the SATGs are more likely to go on lines that offer group perks like discounts, etc. Disney does not have the same kind of group packages other lines do.

 

[hcox31]

I will say that we were late clearing customs the day we returned to FLL, so the bulk of the chaos that goes with having MANY ships unloading in 2 ports within half an hour of the airport had cleared. I would not want to hit FLL at 9 am from the stories I have heard...

I hated FLL airport. HATED. We got there around 9:30/10:00 and it was utter chaos. Airlines wouldn't check people in who were there early (us) and there was literally NO WHERE To sit or go. We had the kids sitting on large planters. No restaurants. No lounges. Nothing. We had to wait 2 hours to check our bags. It was awful. And the gate area was just as bad. Little choice for food/refreshments. We ended up sitting on the ground cause there was very little available seating for waiting passengers. Awful. The only plus side was it was cheaper for us than FLL but if we used miami again I wouldn't hesitate to spend extra to fly out of MIA.

 

[cyclenut]

I hated FLL airport. HATED. We got there around 9:30/10:00 and it was utter chaos. Airlines wouldn't check people in who were there early (us) and there was literally NO WHERE To sit or go. We had the kids sitting on large planters. No restaurants. No lounges. Nothing. We had to wait 2 hours to check our bags. It was awful. And the gate area was just as bad. Little choice for food/refreshments. We ended up sitting on the ground cause there was very little available seating for waiting passengers. Awful. The only plus side was it was cheaper for us than FLL but if we used miami again I wouldn't hesitate to spend extra to fly out of MIA.

I think the check in policy is an FAA policy. We ran into this flying out of Vancouver. We had booked a later flight and had hoped to check in, check our bags and then go explore the city a bit before returning for our flight. NO GO. We ended up hauling our bags around the city. It's also very common for airports to have restaurants after you go through security. Some have the before security but many airports have only a small footprint prior to security. I don't know how you check this in advance.

The worst part about a cruise is leaving the ship and going home. The most common itineraries are Sunday to Sunday and unless you take that extra Monday off of work, everyone is trying to get off the ship and catch a flight (or they are lucky enough to live close enough to drive).