Beach before or after the cruise?
Both work, but after is easier. Ships dock early on return morning and you’re off by mid-morning; a beach hotel that stores your bags lets you spend the day on the sand before check-in. Before the cruise, a beach night means a longer ride on sailing day.
The beach hotels compared
| Hotel | Port distance | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon Hotel, Ocean Drive | 6.4 miles | 15% off pre- or post-cruise stays (code ESCAPE, through Mar 31, 2027), luggage storage, kids under 9 free |
| Loews Miami Beach | 7.3 miles | On the sand, kids’ club; resort fee $50 a night; 21+ to check in |
| Fontainebleau Miami Beach | 10.3 miles | The big-name resort; renovated towers |
Getting to the ship
Take a taxi or rideshare. Miami-Dade taxis are metered: from South Beach the meter comes to roughly $25–30 before tolls and tip, more from mid-Beach. Ask the front desk to book a car the night before if you sail on a weekend.
Parking on the beach is expensive
Overnight valet at the beach resorts runs about $55–70 a night. If you’re driving, park at a park-and-cruise hotel or the port garages and take a ride to the beach after the cruise.
