Port of Miami

[kathi]

Sailing on the Dream out of Miami in March. First time in that port. Could someone talk about the process from the time you arrive till boarding? We will be arriving via Uber.

Is it the same as Port Canaveral where you check in outside, go through security and then into the terminal? Is there a supervisor desk in the terminal? Places to sit to wait for your boarding group to be called? Restrooms?

 

[jenushkask8s]

It's a little different than PC.

You'll drop your luggage with the porters and then go through security. Once through security, you go to the checkin desks and then up the escalators to the waiting area to board. The waiting area is huge and has tons of seating.

There is a supervisor desk by the checkin desks. For both legs of our B2B these past 2 weeks, it was to the right of the concierge checkin desk.

 

[braysmommy]

Bathrooms upstairs where you wait.

 

[TooBoyz4us]

It's a little different than PC.

You'll drop your luggage with the porters and then go through security. Once through security, you go to the checkin desks and then up the escalators to the waiting area to board. The waiting area is huge and has tons of seating.

There is a supervisor desk by the checkin desks. For both legs of our B2B these past 2 weeks, it was to the right of the concierge checkin desk.

We are cruising out of Miami for the first time in a couple months. Well, first ever cruise really.

So, if we arrive via Uber, we get out where our luggage gets dropped off with the porters and walk to security from there? I have tried pulling up images so I will have a visual in my head.

 

[Stinasmom]

Tagging onto this question... where do you go to check on last minute upgrades?
Assuming it's in the terminal not on the ship...

 

[auntlynne]

Tagging onto this question... where do you go to check on last minute upgrades?
Assuming it's in the terminal not on the ship...

You got it. That’s the Supervisor’s Desk mentioned above. (Don‘t feel bad - I’ve utilized it before and would have called it Guest Services or Upgrades). Same general area as check-in stations. Good luck with your upgrade attempt.

 

[auntlynne]

We are cruising out of Miami for the first time in a couple months. Well, first ever cruise really.

So, if we arrive via Uber, we get out where our luggage gets dropped off with the porters and walk to security from there? I have tried pulling up images so I will have a visual in my head.

In some ways it’s obvious. A bunch of suitcases, people handing off their luggage. Step One Done. Uber driver should know where to drop you off for this. Even though they don’t speak English. (Realism, not condemnation).

Then look for the line(s) of people. Disney has been either lining you up by PAT or calling out PAT times. If you are early, expect that people with earlier times but are behind you may /should be going in first.

It all seems a bit chaotic when you come out of the tunnel and are on the Port of Miami island. There are often 5 or more ships lined up on boarding day. And some of those ships are extremely large.

Port Canaveral seems like an oasis of peace in comparison. Don’t let the POM put you off cruising. I expect better things when DCL moves this temporary Miami home to its long contract with Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) - and a dedicated Disney Terminal. (Info that doesn’t matter for your upcoming cruise).

But POM does have the impressive Miami skyline - make sure to get out and check out the views from the outside decks. On the port side while you are exiting are some exclusive neighborhoods. Note how many of these have beautiful yachts. Truly amazing. Fisher Island (will be starboard as you exit the POM) has the highest per capita income of any area in the US. Just some trivia.

The ship docked along the canal (upper side if Dodge Island / POM us a Disney ship.



The Magic, perhaps?

 

[bigAWL]

We are cruising out of Miami for the first time in a couple months. Well, first ever cruise really.

So, if we arrive via Uber, we get out where our luggage gets dropped off with the porters and walk to security from there? I have tried pulling up images so I will have a visual in my head.

I'm not sure if this helps. Red lines showing the drop off lane where luggage porters will take your bags, and the walk toward security and check-in.

 

[mmouse37]

We sailed out of Miami 3 times last year with 2 times on DCL transfers and 1 time with an Uber. Arrival was similar with each. Each time we arrived we collected our luggage and waited outside in a line based on Port Arrival Time. It was a self-governing line meaning people showed up, asked others in line what their PAT was and then got in the line either before or after them depending on their own PAT. There was not much "official" guidance at the port from the staff (non DCL). Once they called your PAT you would enter the terminal and pass through security, then check in, then it was testing (thank goodness that is done with). Then upstairs to wait. Plenty of seating, restrooms. Some DCL signage around.

Obviously, things could be a bit different this year.

MJ

 

[Mango7100]

We just sailed out of Miami last month, and one thing to watch is traffic getting into it. It was a nightmare. Way worse than Canaferal for us. Like 45 minutes to go 2-3 miles. We were late for our PAT (which was actually fine since we could bypass the massive line of people who arrived earlier than their PAT). The woman checking us in said traffic is always bad.

 

[randumb0]

Bad traffic is standard for Miami

 

[TooBoyz4us]

We sailed out of Miami 3 times last year with 2 times on DCL transfers and 1 time with an Uber. Arrival was similar with each. Each time we arrived we collected our luggage and waited outside in a line based on Port Arrival Time. It was a self-governing line meaning people showed up, asked others in line what their PAT was and then got in the line either before or after them depending on their own PAT. There was not much "official" guidance at the port from the staff (non DCL). Once they called your PAT you would enter the terminal and pass through security, then check in, then it was testing (thank goodness that is done with). Then upstairs to wait. Plenty of seating, restrooms. Some DCL signage around.

Obviously, things could be a bit different this year.

MJ

Thankyou so much for the information!
I was trying to figure out if we arrived too early what would happen. Now, I know ;-)

 

[TooBoyz4us]

We just sailed out of Miami last month, and one thing to watch is traffic getting into it. It was a nightmare. Way worse than Canaferal for us. Like 45 minutes to go 2-3 miles. We were late for our PAT (which was actually fine since we could bypass the massive line of people who arrived earlier than their PAT). The woman checking us in said traffic is always bad.

We are staying at a downtown/BisCayne Bay hotel the night before, that should be no more than 10-15 mins to the port without traffic issues. I was thinking of arranging our Uber to pick us up about 30 minutes before our PAT, but now I am wondering if we should bump that back to 45 mins or even an hour?

 

[TooBoyz4us]

I'm not sure if this helps. Red lines showing the drop off lane where luggage porters will take your bags, and the walk toward security and check-in.View attachment 751460

YES! That helps tremendously, thankyou so much!!!!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

In some ways it’s obvious. A bunch of suitcases, people handing off their luggage. Step One Done. Uber driver should know where to drop you off for this. Even though they don’t speak English. (Realism, not condemnation).

Then look for the line(s) of people. Disney has been either lining you up by PAT or calling out PAT times. If you are early, expect that people with earlier times but are behind you may /should be going in first.

It all seems a bit chaotic when you come out of the tunnel and are on the Port of Miami island. There are often 5 or more ships lined up on boarding day. And some of those ships are extremely large.

Port Canaveral seems like an oasis of peace in comparison. Don’t let the POM put you off cruising. I expect better things when DCL moves this temporary Miami home to its long contract with Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) - and a dedicated Disney Terminal. (Info that doesn’t matter for your upcoming cruise).

But POM does have the impressive Miami skyline - make sure to get out and check out the views from the outside decks. On the port side while you are exiting are some exclusive neighborhoods. Note how many of these have beautiful yachts. Truly amazing. Fisher Island (will be starboard as you exit the POM) has the highest per capita income of any area in the US. Just some trivia.

The ship docked along the canal (upper side if Dodge Island / POM us a Disney ship.

View attachment 751438

The Magic, perhaps?

View attachment 751444

Thankyou for being so helpful! I will try and remember those bits of trivia to throw at my husband,interesting stuff!

 

[professorandmom]

We are staying at a downtown/BisCayne Bay hotel the night before, that should be no more than 10-15 mins to the port without traffic issues. I was thinking of arranging our Uber to pick us up about 30 minutes before our PAT, but now I am wondering if we should bump that back to 45 mins or even an hour?

I think that depends on your PAT. The downstairs area to wait for PAT entry is a bit small (in my opinion)...we had an 11:00 PAT but they hadn't starting calling PATs yet ...if your PAT is around/after the beginning of ship boarding (remember PAT is different than the time you get to board the ship) then arriving early may not present too much crowding while waiting to move "through" the waiting area...but I can tell you the group of us (7) had trouble finding seats while we waiting for the first PAT to be called...

just my experience in Miami last August

 

[Mango7100]

We are staying at a downtown/BisCayne Bay hotel the night before, that should be no more than 10-15 mins to the port without traffic issues. I was thinking of arranging our Uber to pick us up about 30 minutes before our PAT, but now I am wondering if we should bump that back to 45 mins or even an hour?

I would rather be a little late than too early and have to stand in the direct sun while waiting for your PAT to be called. We were 20 minutes late to our 1145 PAT but by then there was hardly any line through security or anything. Meanwhile there was a giant line for the 1215 and later PATs.