Over the years, I’ve boarded many cruise ships from Port Miami, but the embarkation process for the brand-new MSC World America was a different beast.
As I arrived at MSC’s brand-new terminal in Miami to board MSC World America, it was immediately clear this wasn’t your typical cruise embarkation.
Three years in the making, the building looked more like a modern international airport than a cruise facility. It spanned nearly half a million square feet, with soaring glass walls and tech to match.
I’m talking about Terminal AA/AAA at PortMiami, which is purpose-built to handle thousands of daily guests and is officially the largest cruise terminal in the world. And while that kind of scale might sound chaotic, the boarding experience was surprisingly efficient.
Here’s what it was like from start to finish, and what future guests can expect when sailing from Miami aboard MSC World America.
The nearly 500,000-square-foot cruise terminal is designed to handle up to 36,000 daily guests across multiple ships, including vessels from MSC’s luxury line, Explora Journeys.
But despite its size, our embarkation experience was surprisingly streamlined.
From the Parking Garage to the Gangway
Parking is on-site and costs $35 daily. There is space for more than 2,400 vehicles. After dropping off bags, guests are greeted by terminal staff and guided toward check-in.
The terminal features a series of escalators and elevators near the gangway.
The walk from the parking lot to the ship does take some time, but that’s mostly due to the facility’s sheer scale and a winding, multi-turn gangway that leads to the ship.
The terminal has a modern airport feel, with roped-off queuing areas, vaulted ceilings, and a bright, glass-heavy design that keeps things open and airy.
Plenty of seating areas exist for early arrivals, and a massive digital aquarium-style display adds a visual wow factor just before boarding.
Smart Technology
MSC has integrated facial recognition technology throughout the boarding process.
You’ll scan your passport, look into the camera, and have your photo taken—an image used each time you disembark and reboard the ship.
It’s a fast and efficient process with minimal paperwork. From ID verification to digital key delivery, the whole check-in flow moves quickly, even with thousands of guests passing through at once.
Boarding the Ship
After clearing security and receiving your boarding credentials, you’ll walk a long moving walkway with small inclines and a couple of speed humps, designed to slow down rolling bags and wheelchairs. They’re subtle, but you’ll notice if you’re dragging your feet (or towing a stubborn carry-on). Consider this your fair warning!
At the end of the walkway, MSC World America awaited us. Crew members greeted us as we boarded, and from there, you’re immediately immersed in the ship’s modern design—often with smart elevators just steps away.
After the cruise, the debark process was typical, with the facial recognition you can expect at PortMiami. After you collect your luggage, you’re ushered out to the parking lot or the ride-share parking line with dedicated letter lanes (A, B, C, D, E, and so on).
Cruise Radio’s Take
This is one slick cruise terminal. MSC’s new spot at PortMiami sets a high bar for cruise embarkation. Even with its massive footprint, the technology and guest flow make boarding fast and easy.
If you’re sailing from Miami on MSC World America, expect a modern, airport-style experience designed to get you onboard quickly—with a few impressive visuals along the way.
This terminal’s sheer size and efficiency is something other cruise lines can learn from.
