Cruises From Miami, Florida

Miami’s food scene is a fusion of international flavors, but you’ll find a particular Latin flair going through many of the dishes. While in Miami, there are some dishes that stand out from the rest, and five you should try are:

Arepas: This popular South American food item is also popular in Miami. It infuses cheese into a flattened, folded pastry, which is then cooked until the dough turns golden.

Ceviche: With the close proximity to the sea, you can find a variety of ceviche in Miami, which typically mixes cold seafood with any number of ingredients from fruit to salsa.

Chicharrones: If you’re a meat-lover, you can’t miss trying chicharrones in Miami, which are pork skins that are deep-fried and have a salty aftertaste.

Florida Stone Crab: If you’re visiting between October and March, try the local seafood delicacy of stone crab, served chilled on ice. The meat of the stone crab claw is known for its tenderness and hint of sweetness.

Cuban Sandwich: This iconic Miami dish is a sandwich made with Cuban bread. In between the slices of bread, you’ll find a pile of delicious ingredients like roasted pork, baked ham, gooey Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and yellow mustard.

When it comes to drinks, you’ll likely be able to find your favorite libation at one of the many bars and nightclubs lining the streets of Miami Beach. However, if you want to try a local specialty, look for a mojito or a Miami Vice.

The culture of Miami has been largely influenced by the influx of immigrants to the city over the past 80 years, giving it an intriguing multicultural scene that extends to the arts, music, beach, and nightlife. You can find Latin flair throughout the city before departing on one of our cruises from Miami, along with a distinctly Caribbean vibe, especially when you’re in the Little Havana and Little Haiti areas of the city. Beach bars intermingle with nightclubs, and the laidback lifestyle mixed with the ritzy nightclubs that attract the rich and famous from all around the world create an interesting dichotomy.

It’s not hard to find places to shop in Miami, but if there’s a particular type of shop you’re after, certain areas of the city are best. The Design District of Miami is known for its art galleries and high-end boutiques.

For clothing, you’ll find designer boutiques at Bal Harbor, and more clothing stores along Collins Avenue or Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. You’ll also find some shopping with an international flair in Little Havana or along historic Española Way in Miami Beach. 

For jewelry and local crafts plus more fashion and trinkets, the Miami Fair Trade Marketplace is a great place to shop both for the variety and because you can be assured that souvenirs were made in fair and safe working conditions.

For a fun shopping mall experience with a quintessential Miami vibe, head to Bayside Marketplace. This mall has open-air walkways leading to over 100 shops. At this mall, you’ll also find restaurants and bars, street performers and live music, and even a launchpad for boat tours along the Miami coastline.

Bargain shoppers who love a great deal on luxury finds will enjoy a day of shopping at Dolphin Mall, which is an outlet mall located close to Miami International Airport.

Public Transport

You have four main options for public transportation in Miami: the Metrobus, the Metrorail, the Metromover, and the trolley. The Metrobus is a bus system that runs all around the Greater Miami area, and the Metrorail runs from the north to the south end of Miami with stops in downtown.

The free Metromover covers downtown Miami and Brickell. It is a fully automated shuttle that runs on electricity. The Metromover also connects with the Metrorail and Metrobus at downtown stations. For traveling around Miami and Miami Beach, trolleys offer free services with many routes available.

For private transportation, taxis and rideshares are popular ways to get around Miami. Make sure you’re hailing a licensed taxi, which should have written that it’s a taxi cab on the side of the car and display the license for the driver and the taxi’s rate card inside the vehicle.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

If you’re embarking on one of our cruises from Miami and you don’t live within driving distance to the port, there’s a good chance you’re flying into Miami International Airport (MIA). Upon landing, you can get local information at the airport, where you’ll also find a bank, post office, pharmacy, baggage storage, ATM, and car rental companies.

If you’re flying in the night before your cruise (which we recommend to accommodate for possible flight delays), check with your hotel if they offer a shuttle from the airport. Otherwise, you have plenty of other options, including a 24-hour Super Shuttle van service, taxis, and buses. If you’re going straight to the cruise port from MIA, you can take a taxi to the cruise terminal or take the cruise shuttle bus that you can purchase tickets for through Celebrity Cruises.

The currency accepted in Miami is the U.S. dollar, and you’ll be able to find ATMs dispensing U.S. dollars all over the city. Tipping is very common and expected in Miami, especially in restaurants, bars, and taxis. A common tip for restaurants, taxis, and most other services is 15% to 20% of the total amount.