Virgin Voyages Miami: Terminal V, parking and getting off
Checked against the cruise line’s own pages. Policies change, so we confirm the details on your booking before you pay.
Virgin Voyages sails from Miami out of Terminal V, its own terminal at PortMiami, at 718 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132. Fly into Miami International (about 15 minutes away, Virgin says) or Fort Lauderdale (30 to 40 minutes), take a car, rideshare or the free City of Miami trolley, or park at PortMiami, where Garage G is the closest garage. On the way home, you pick a disembarkation slot in the app, walk off through facial recognition, and you’re on the curb. Check-in steps and boarding order live in our embarkation day guide; this page is about the building, getting there and getting off.
The terminal itself
Terminal V opened in February 2022 as Virgin’s own building. It’s three stories on the northwest corner of PortMiami, designed around a palm grove idea, with floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights and more than 1,000 palm trees around it. Virgin says it is LEED Gold certified. The street number is a wink: 718 stands for July 18, Richard Branson’s birthday.
There are two ways in. RockStar and Mega RockStar Sailors use the private entrance at Palm Way, on the north side, which leads to their own lounge. Everyone else uses the main Sailor entrance. Virgin says the Palm Way lounge is only for suite Sailors, so a RockStar can’t bring friends from other cabins through it.
Getting there
| Option | What Virgin says |
|---|---|
| Fly into MIA | Port is typically about a 15-minute drive |
| Fly into FLL | Typically 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic |
| Car or rideshare | Uber, Lyft, taxis and private cars all work; several drop-off points have porters to tag your bags |
| City of Miami trolley | Free; stops at North America Way/Port Admin Building, near Terminal V |
| Drive and park | PortMiami garages; details below |
Virgin doesn’t publish a set flight cutoff. Its advice is to give yourself ample time for the airport transfer, check-in and delays. Virgin’s blog suggests a night in Miami before sailing for extra breathing room, and Virgin’s Miami page lists two partner hotels, Hyatt Centric Brickell and Hyatt Centric South Beach.
Arrived early? Drop bags from 9 AM, then go explore. The trolley is the easy way out and back; schedules and maps are on Miami.gov or the City of Miami Trolley app. Virgin points Sailors to Wynwood for murals and restaurants, Brickell for shopping and dining, and Bayside for the waterfront. Come back no earlier than 15 minutes before your Terminal Arrival Time.
Parking at PortMiami
Virgin’s FAQ passes along PortMiami’s rules:
- Rates: set by PortMiami and they change, so check PortMiami’s parking page for the current long-term and short-term price before you go.
- No reservations. You can’t reserve a space.
- Payment: cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or U.S. traveler’s checks. No debit cards.
- Garage J is prepaid: you pay on arrival and get a decal for your windshield. Everywhere else, you pay when you leave.
- Attendants staff every garage and lot from 6 AM to 5 PM on cruise days, and security patrols all facilities.
- Closest to Terminal V: Garage G.
These are PortMiami’s prices, not Virgin’s, so they can change. Confirm with PortMiami before you drive.
Getting off in Miami
Pick a slot. In the Virgin Voyages App, go to “Book a Shore Thing,” choose your final port and scroll to “Disembarkation Group.” It isn’t required, and Virgin sends reminders, but if you have a flight, choose one. Virgin says disembarkation runs through 10:45 AM so nobody has to rush the last morning, and your booking confirmation has your exact time. The ship arrives early: our April 2027 sailing is scheduled into Miami at 6:30 AM, and Virgin’s itinerary notes it can take up to an hour for the gangway to open.
Facial recognition. Since May 17, 2023, Terminal V has used CBP facial recognition. If you checked in with a passport (or a visa or similar photo document), your face is matched to that photo and you’re through in seconds, with no document check. A few things to know:
- Birth certificates don’t work, since they have no photo. Those Sailors are processed face to face.
- Canadians may get through by facial recognition if CBP already has their information from an earlier entry, but it isn’t guaranteed.
- You can opt out by asking a CBP officer for manual verification.
- CBP says it deletes photos of verified U.S. citizens within 12 hours.
- Keep your passport handy anyway, in case it’s requested.
Your bottles. Alcohol taken from checked luggage at embarkation is returned once the voyage is complete, and liquor bought in port is held until your final night. If you’re planning around carry-on wine, see bringing alcohol.
Wheelchair help. Terminal Crew assist between the gangway and the terminal entrance on disembarkation day, the same as on embarkation day.
Staying on for back-to-back? Miami is one of the homeports where Virgin lets you leave luggage onboard between back-to-back voyages. Coordinate with your cabin host through the app or in person.
Our take
Miami is the easiest Virgin homeport to reach, and most stress comes from arriving too early, not too late. Land, drop bags, have lunch in town and show up at your time slot. If you’re comparing departure ports, our cruises from Miami page covers the other lines that sail from here too.
Quick answers
Where does Virgin Voyages sail from in Miami?
Virgin Voyages sails from its own building, Terminal V at PortMiami, 718 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132. It sits on the northwest side of the port.
Where do I park for a Virgin Voyages cruise in Miami?
PortMiami runs the parking and sets the rates, so check its site for today's price. Garages don't take reservations, and Garage G is the closest to Terminal V. Debit cards aren't accepted; cash and major credit cards are.
Which airport should I fly into for Terminal V?
Either works. Virgin says the port is typically about a 15-minute drive from MIA, and around 30 to 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) depending on traffic. Taxis, rideshares and shuttles run from both.
What time do you get off a Virgin Voyages cruise in Miami?
Virgin says disembarkation runs through 10:45 AM, and your booking confirmation shows your exact time. You pick a disembarkation slot in the Virgin Voyages App; it isn't mandatory, but Virgin recommends it if you have a flight.
Do I need my passport to get off the ship in Miami?
Sailors who checked in with a passport are cleared by CBP facial recognition at Terminal V, so you won't need to show it. Virgin still suggests keeping it handy in case it's requested. Birth certificates don't work with facial recognition.
Can I drop my bags at Terminal V early?
Yes. Terminal V accepts luggage from 9 AM. Come back no earlier than 15 minutes before your Terminal Arrival Time, since there's no seating outside and early arrival doesn't mean early entry.