10 Best Cruises Leaving From Miami

Forward-facing cabins are usually very popular among people who love to enjoy the spectacular front views. In addition, one can easily see where the ship is going and take in the beautiful views of the port. In most cases, these cabins don’t have balconies, but the spectacular views make up for that. The Mediterranean architecture accommodates 271 rooms and suites which frequently accommodate visiting dignitaries and celebrities. Private transport to the Miami cruise port can be booked with the concierge by taxi, town car or limo so you can arrive in style. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is an upscale four star hotel in an older part of Miami, an easy taxi ride from Miami cruise port.

Hilton Garden Inn Miami Airport West

That's a recent trend; the oldest ships in a cruise line's fleet might have more ocean-view rooms than balcony cabins, while the newest ships will have mainly balcony rooms. A concierge cabin comes with -- you guessed it -- easy access to a cruise concierge. That means hands-off dinner and spa reservations, shore excursion bookings, and requests from guest services.

The Savoy Hotel & Beach Club

To make your hotel planning process easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best hotels in Miami. These hotels were recommended to us by Royal Caribbean Blog fans on our message boards or by personal experience our own cruises. Best Ships for Cruisers with DisabilitiesIt's possible for cruisers with disabilities to enjoy a stress-free vacation.

How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Cruise Ship

Staterooms are like tiny homes at sea, and choosing your "best" is kinda personal. Your choice also will depend on the company, vessel, room size, type/view, deck location, amenities. Not to forget the special offers with super low-priced promo deals that could change everything you know on the subject. Referred to as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” PortMiami sees over 4 million passengers each year.

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like - Cruise Blog

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Norwegian Star that cost $1700 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like.

Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Concierge Cabins: A Direct Connection to a Cruise Concierge

Like plenty of beach resorts on dry land, cruise lines also occasionally overstate the ocean views available in some of their oceanview cabins. Structural designs can lead to balcony cabins that are, in fact, obstructed-view cabins. The primary offender in this category include cabins above or adjacent to life boats, as well as forward balcony cabins located close to the bridge wing. Rooms underneath a pool deck overhang may also have obstructed views. These cabins are the quietest cabins on cruise ships as they are located away from noisy areas such as restaurants, laundry rooms, theaters, or nightclubs. The other reason behind such cabins being quiet is that they are surrounded by several other cabins.

On some ships, aft cabins may also be far from dining and drinking venues, as well as entertainment. However, on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas, the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and kid-friendly attractions are at the back of the ship. Midship cabins are located at the central lower decks of the cruise ships and are suitable for those who have motion sickness or seasickness. Even if the ship travels through the rough seas, you will feel much less motion compared to other cabins. Another advantage of these cabins is that they are in the heart of everything, which means you can immediately access the main deck, which is likely to be directly above the cabin. Other places on the ship can be reached swiftly as well because they are not far away from midship cabins.

Everyone is different, and what is not important to one person might well be important to you. Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines. Balcony cabins are less prominent on lower decks than on higher ones, but for those who enjoy an up-close view of the ocean, booking a lower deck balcony cabin can be quite nice. Carnival Cruise Line has gained a following for its cove balconies -- just a few decks above the water. If you've never cruised before, or if you've only ever sailed in one type of cabin, it can be overwhelming to choose the ship deck on which you want to spend your time at sea.

This is the option the cruise line selects for you any time before embarkation day. They can put you in a cabin, on a lower deck, with an obstructed view, looking out at lifeboats, near the elevators, or by the casino with noise and smell of smoke. However, depending on the size of the ship, they could be farther from entertainment and dining areas. On big ships, there may be 10 or even more flights of stairs between your cabin and the pool, sun deck, buffet, and other amenities found at the top of the ship. There will be elevators, of course, but you should expect queues at busy times.

However, some rooms do have outdated and worn decor, and the mid-range chain style isn't for everyone. The airport is 16 minutes away by car and the Port of Miami is a five-minute drive away. Miami Airport Marriot is a popular choice which offers a special Park & Cruise package with discount. The hotel includes a complimentary shuttle service to the cruise port as part of the package. Museums, the Center for Performing Art and Bayfront Park are all within walking distance and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant, pool, health club and bar. Most importantly, this luxury Miami hotel offers a shuttle service for those booking a “Park and Cruise” package.

Price is certainly a consideration, but if your vacation time is limited, you might be willing to pay more to get a cabin better suited to your lifestyle. The best advice is to be informed about cruise ship cabins and make the right decision for you. Although many people recommend to new cruisers that they book the cheapest inside cabin since, "they won't be spending much time in there anyway", it's not really true for everyone. If you are on a seven-day or longer cruise, you will have days at sea that you might want to spend relaxing in your room, watching a movie, or taking a nap. On a cruise ship, your cabin is the one place you can get away from everything and everybody. Selecting a cabin type is as personal as deciding where to cruise and which ship to cruise on.

Generally, standard inside and outside cabins will be your cheapest bets, with balcony cabins costing a bit more, and suites and anything higher being the most expensive. You can expect to pay more the more amenities and additions to service that you want. These cabins are perfect for spa lovers who want to enjoy some lazy time, and also, they don't have to walk long distances for spa treatments from their cabins. These cabins also offer a number of benefits, such as discounts on spa services and unlimited lounge access. Booking a spa cabin may include additional benefits such as exclusive dining or complimentary beverage packages. However, aft cabin balconies are almost always stepped out, allowing passengers in cabins above yours as well as higher deck public space to see down onto your balcony.

Book a Sea Terrace on the line's Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady or Valiant Lady and you'll get a balcony equipped with chairs and a small table plus a hammock swing attached to the ceiling. Embrace your inner kid and swing to your heart's content while you enjoy fresh air and sea views. The "best cabins for seasickness" are located at the ship's edges (top decks, bow, and stern). The worst area in the front section, as the bow is first hit by waves. Higher deck front cabins fell more the up and down motion, while for the aft cabins the motion is less noticeable. The most stable cabins are located midship and on lower decks (closer to the waterline).

The same applies for standard ocean view cabins, but you might want to inquire about the size of the window since the lower deck ocean views might only have portholes or a smaller window. Two problems that you might experience with cabins on the lower decks are engine noise and anchor noise. If your cabin is near the front of the ship, it can sound like the ship has hit a coral reef when the anchor is dropped. The racket will wake anyone up, so the only good thing about the noise is it can serve as an alarm.

Suites on most ships are often the first category to sell out, partly because there are fewer of them, and partly because they often offer extremely good value. For this reason, it's important to decide early what kind of suite you'd like. The best room location on any cruise ship can vary from person to person. It can also mean the difference between seasickness and noise that keeps you up all night -- or the sounds of waves lulling you to sleep like a baby or awesome views. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best room on a cruise ship.

Check out Marriott Springhill Suites Downtown or Hampton Inn By Hilton. With stunning waterfront views, DoubleTree by Hilton Biscayne Bay is a high-end luxury hotel right on the bay. The excellent amenities include a salon and spa, fitness center, ballroom, outdoor pool, business center and four restaurants including the Zagat awarded Waterclub. One of the newest hotels servings Miami cruise port is the Comfort Inn and Suites Miami International Airport. Just 5 minutes from the airport, it’s a great choice for cruisers as it offers a free airport shuttle and a complimentary shuttle to the cruise port (note that there’s a fee for the return ride though).

Suites themselves are usually the best option if cruising with a guaranteed big balcony is your goal. If you're trying to avoid elevator rides or too many stairs, keep in mind how many decks there might be between your cabin and the main areas of activity (dining rooms, theater, atrium, etc.). A few can be a healthy way to work off all the extra dessert (pro), but if there are too many, you could be looking at long waits for the elevator or a long walk up the stairs back to your cabin. Keep any mobility concerns in mind before booking an upper deck cabin. On this deck on each ship, you'll usually find the buffet, bars and entertainment like a big outdoor screen for movies. Sports courts and activities like ropes courses, mini-golf, water parks and other wet and wild attractions are located at or toward the top of the ship, as well.

Upper vs Lower Deck: A Cabin Comparison

Table Of Content

• Forward- and Aft-Facing Balconies
• Choose Country
• Cheapest Hotels Near Miami Port
• Intercontinental Miami
• Aloft Miami Airport

Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size and amenities, with the price differential being the location. The least expensive, inside standard cabins on a mainstream cruise ship run from about 120 square feet to 180 square feet. Since most cruise ships are relatively new or have been refurbished, the cabins usually are tastefully decorated with twin beds that can be pushed together to make a queen-sized bed for couples. The staterooms have wall-to-wall carpeting, individually controlled air conditioning/heating, dresser or storage space, closet, telephone, and satellite television. The television usually has news, sports, local on-ship channels for broadcasting information on shore excursions or from guest lecturers, and movies. Some cabins have VCRs or DVD players, and some televisions also have radio/music channels.

Forward- and Aft-Facing Balconies

The lower cabins are in earshot of the areas on the ship that house storage and services, from food lockers to the laundry and the crew quarters. Being located close to the water can make passengers prone to seasickness. Most balconied cabins do not have verandas large enough for a lounge chair where you can lie down and sunbathe in private. The balconies are often narrow, just wide enough for two chairs and a small table. If you want a larger balcony, look for a cabin on the rear of the ship. These balconies would definitely not be appropriate for daytime nudity.

Cheapest Cruise Ship Room Not Worth It, What to Get Instead + Photos - Business Insider

Cheapest Cruise Ship Room Not Worth It, What to Get Instead + Photos.

Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Choose Country

These are areas where people typically congregate into the late hours of the night. If you have more flexibility in your budget, consider what’s important to you in accommodation. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more. Families might look for cabins with connecting doors or extra bed options.

Cheapest Hotels Near Miami Port

The rooms are often slightly larger than inside cabins; on some ships, they might have a sitting area in addition to the bed and bathroom. If you tend to get seasick, selecting your cabin can be critical decision. The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balcony room, choose a low level and a room closest to the ship's center. The higher decks and cabins at the front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most. The cabin deck just below that top deck of cabins can be a good choice.

Intercontinental Miami

This Miami cruise hotel offers many amenities including a business center, gym, complimentary Wi-Fi and free hot breakfast to see you through the morning. It offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport for two guests with a $10 fee for additional riders. The best deal is the all-inclusive “Stay and Cruise” package making this a top choice hotel near Miami cruise port with shuttle service. Oftentimes the ocean view standard cabins and the inside standard cabins are almost identical in size and layout. Most modern ships have large picture windows rather than portholes, but these windows cannot be opened.

Aloft Miami Airport

Choosing the right cabin is the first step in maximizing your cruise vacation and getting the most from your vacation budget. Here, I answer the most common questions about cruise ship cabins and picking the best fit for your travel party. Cruise lines cater to spa lovers with special spa cabins that are close to the spa and come with special spa amenities. These might include plush bathrobes and slippers to wear on your way to the spa, upgraded toiletries, scrub kits, aromatherapy diffusers and even yoga mats. The cabins sometimes also come with spa discounts, unlimited spa lounge access and other spa-related perks. Virgin Voyages likes to do things more playfully than other lines, and its balcony cabins are in keeping with that philosophy.

If they choose a regular cabin, priced for two people, they have to pay a single supplement — a solo cruiser tax, if you will, that can be akin to paying double the per-person fare. Some cruise lines have solved this problem by offering solo cabins designed and priced for one traveler. After analyzing their deck plans, we'll list here the most famous ships and their "worst" cabins. The "bad cruise cabins" issue is not about amenities, but about location - and noise.

You can always ask at the front desk when you board your ship, but even if you play the birthday/anniversary/special occasion card, you can rarely sweet talk your way to a suite. For others, scoring the best cabin location is vitally important because your enjoyment of the cruise is at stake. Carnival Cruise Line's Family Harbor cabins even come with access to an exclusive family lounge with snacks, games, TVs and computers, and a concierge. Accessible cabins come in all types, from insides to suites, and typically have more square footage than the basic room in the same category to allow for wheelchair turning radius and storage. They will often have features such as roll-in showers with benches, wider doorways, smooth thresholds and lowered sinks and counters. The most spectacular suite at sea is likely Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Regent Suite.

Here are a few ways to enjoy your personal alfresco space on different cruise lines. 14 Unusual Cruise Ship Balcony CabinsCabins with odd-shaped balconies and non-ocean views are sometimes the most sought after. Disney Cruise Lines start some of the passenger cabins on the first deck, but Royal Caribbean passenger cabins begin on deck two or three, and Princess’ lowest passenger cabins begin on deck four. You should avoid these if you are a light sleeper because they can be noisy.

The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake. While not the worst cabins on a cruise ship for seasickness, aft cabins can be a bit more at the whims of the ocean's movements then those in the middle of the ship. If you're super sensitive to motion sickness, consider a balcony room that's along the port or starboard sides of the ship, toward the middle. Most cruise ships have a choice of fully accessible cabins for those that require mobility aids. If your preference is to stay in a non-modified stateroom, you can still rely on the expertise of the design engineers, who generally place modified cruise cabins near the central elevators.

However, you will get more rocking motion up high, so on smaller ships, those who are prone to becoming seasick might want to avoid a higher deck cabin. Larger balcony cabins are also found on the so-called hump of cruise ships (the hump of a ship is the midship curved portion). Hump cabins located where the ship transitions from a narrower to a wider width have angled balconies that may be a little roomier than a typical balcony. Typically, concierge (and concierge lounge) access is a perk for suite guests and top-tier frequent cruisers. However, a few lines offer concierge services to passengers who book specialty cabins that aren't suites. The vast majority of balcony rooms are standard balcony cabins or slightly larger rooms along either side of a cruise ship -- the port and starboard sides.

But you also could miss out on the reason you’re cruising in the first place. Some people spend little time in their cabins, while others spend time relaxing, eating, or reading a book in their cabin. An interior room could feel like close quarters if you like to spend time in your room. While most cruise ship balcony rooms are along a ship's port or starboard sides, aft cabins on your cruise (as well as forward cabins) often provide even bigger decks and more square footage. That means choosing between the back or the front of the ship, respectively. While it might not seem like there's much difference at first, there are pros and cons to an aft balcony room or one at the front of the ship.

Check out the best Miami cruise port hotels and start planning your getaway. Pre-book the “Stay and Cruise” package which includes a complimentary airport pickup and a shuttle bus to the cruise port for up to two guests. Less than 10 minutes from Miami cruise port, the Hilton Downtown Miami is one of the city’s premier hotels. Located on Biscayne Blvd, this high-rise luxury hotel has over 520 deluxe rooms and suites, many with scenic views across Biscayne Bay to the iconic Miami Beach skyline beyond. Located on NE 1st Street in downtown Miami, the Leamington Hotel Miami is one of the closest hotels near Miami cruise port.