PortMiami vs. Port Everglades: Which Cruise Port Is Better for Families?
Planning a cruise with the whole crew? Choosing the right cruise port is the first big decision.
Enter the contenders: PortMiami and Port Everglades.
Both are brimming with cruise ships—but which one truly rolls out the red carpet for families?
Let’s break it down!
PortMiami Vs. Port Everglades
| Point of comparison | PortMiami | Port Everglades |
| Variety of Cruise Lines | PortMiami has a higher number of cruise operators than Port Everglades. While some cruise operators only dock at either port, others may have terminals at both ports. Cruises exclusive to PortMiami are Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Azamara. | Disney Cruise Line is homeported at Port Everglades. Other cruise lines taking off from Port Everglades are Holland America, Crystal, Royal Caribbean International, Ritz-Carlton, and Celebrity Cruises. These cruise lines also depart from PortMiami. Princess Cruises, Balearia Caribbean, Silversea, and Viking Ocean are a few cruise lines exclusive to Port Everglades. |
| Itineraries | Itineraries from both PortMiami and Port Everglades are pretty much the same, with some exceptions. You can now visit the Caribbean, Bahamas, Panama, Mexico, and more parts of South and Central America, thanks to more cruises running these routes from here. Cruises to Europe are also available. | Port Everglades offers more cruises departing to European and Mediterranean regions than PortMiami. You can cruise along the East Coast to Canada and New England conveniently from here. |
| Crowds | While both the ports are among the busiest in the world, PortMiami can get very crowded since it is home to 42 ships and 18 cruise line operators. 5 million passengers pass through PortMiami in a year. Miami itself is a tourist hotspot. Expect it to be packed during peak travel seasons like Spring Break, Summer Holidays and Christmas. During this time, all the touristy destinations will be jam-packed. Traffic will be a nightmare. | Port Everglades is relatively quieter, with 9 cruise lines and 34 cruise ships. This port receives an annual passenger count of less than 4 million. Fewer people visit Fort Lauderdale, the city. It is a popular destination for Spring Break, but during the rest of the year, it is a more breathable version of Miami.Port Everglades is also easier to navigate since there are fewer terminals. |
| Port access | Reaching PortMiami from the airport is supposed to be a 20-minute drive on paper. Good luck reaching there in 20 minutes, though, since Miami traffic and the Port of Miami tunnel can be bumper-to-bumper. | Port Everglades is less than 10 minutes away from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. There are 3 access points to the port and each is well-connected to state highways. |
| Cruise Line Transfers | Again plenty of options to reach the cruise terminal from the airport. Cabs, ride-shares, Kidmoto, and shuttles are available. Pre-book to avoid last-minute hassle. | From Port Everglades, you can choose plenty of cheap options like airport shuttles. Travel in air-conditioned vans costing around $11 per head. Again, reserve ahead of time for a better experience. |
| Flights from the nearest airport | Miami International has more flight options from all over America than Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. Approximately 50 airlines operate from here so you have a wider range of travel options. With so many flights touching down, the downside of arriving here is that it is super busy, so expect longer wait times before you get off the airplane and clear the luggage claim. | Fort Lauderdale has around 30 airlines, so while it’s not exactly sleepy, it is a little less busy than Miami. Also, given that the port is so close by, you can expect cheaper transportation. |
| Port Parking | Parking at PortMiami is more expensive than at Fort Lauderdale. Expect to pay $20 per day for cars and larger vehicles like RVs, around $40 per day. You could also get parking packages at nearby hotels. | Pay around $15 a day for cars and $19 for larger vehicles like RVs. Moral of the story? The larger your vehicle, using the parking facilities at Fort Lauderdale is value for money. |
| Port Facilities | Both ports have similar facilities. You will find air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, porter service, and bathrooms. You will need to pre-arrange wheelchair service since both ports don’t offer these. | Port Everglades offers Global Entry, an option that makes your arrival a lot easier. With this, you can expect faster customs and security clearance. |
| Pre-Cruise Accommodation | Lots of hotel chains have a presence in Miami. You’ll find unique places to stay here that reflect the local culture and vibe. | Plenty of hotel chains are clustered close to the port, so accommodation shouldn’t be a problem. |
| Pre-Cruise Activities | Miami has a great Arts and culture scene, along with good beaches for kids. Since Miami is more cosmopolitan, you’ll be paying more for experiences than you would at Fort Lauderdale. | Fort Lauderdale’s beaches are a lot less crowded, and there are great water activities for kids. |
It’s A Wrap
So, which port wins?
Either way, you’re in for a fantastic voyage from these two world-class ports—just don’t forget the sunscreen!
To get to either Port Miami or Port Everglades from the airport, book a ride with Kidmoto. You can choose multiple car seats for kids on the App and get your family there safely!
Bon voyage!
