Port of Palm Beach Cruise Terminal Guide: Parking, Directions & Departures
Complete terminal passenger guide for the Cruise Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach: Margaritaville at Sea boarding procedures, passenger parking rates, driving directions, and local cruise hotel shuttles.
Port of Palm Beach Cruise Logistics at a Glance
- Terminal Location: 1 East 11th Street, Suite 600, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, directly off US Highway 1 (Broadway).
- Homeported Vessel: Exclusive departure port for the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sailing 2-night cruises to Freeport, Grand Bahama.
- On-Site Secured Parking: Fenced, 24-hour patrolled passenger parking at $20 per calendar day ($60 total for a standard 2-night cruise).
- Streamlined Boarding: Single-terminal setup guarantees shorter walks, rapid luggage intake, and faster U.S. Customs clearance upon return.
- Direct Florida Support Desk: Contact our cruise and terminal specialists for cabin rates, sailing dates, and travel packages at 954-969-0069.
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Port of Palm Beach Terminal Guide
- Florida’s fourth-busiest container port offering an intimate, low-stress passenger cruise experience.
- Home to the two-story Maritime Center passenger cruise terminal with modern screening areas.
- Dedicated curbside luggage drop with uniformed terminal porters directly fronting vehicle lanes.
- Staggered passenger boarding from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM prior to the 5:30 PM vessel departure.
- Full CBP inspection facilities for efficient re-entry processing during morning debarkation.
1. Boutique Port Advantage & Facility Layout
The Port of Palm Beach is situated inside Riviera Beach, just five miles north of downtown West Palm Beach. Operating from a dedicated passenger terminal within the Maritime Center, this boutique port avoids the overwhelming crowds, multi-mile traffic loops, and confusing multi-terminal navigation typical of larger Florida ports. Arriving guests can step from their vehicle directly to check-in desks and onto the ship in a matter of minutes.
- Single-Terminal Comfort: Eliminates complicated inter-terminal bus transfers and extensive walking.
- Compact Harbor Footprint: Fast passenger movement from the curb to the boarding gangway.
2. Passenger Check-in & Boarding Timelines
Embarkation procedures for the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise begin at 11:30 AM on sailing days. Passengers select assigned arrival windows during online check-in, and security personnel monitor vehicle entry lines to ensure steady terminal flow. Terminal boarding doors close strictly at 4:00 PM to allow mandatory U.S. Coast Guard safety drills and international passenger manifest certification before the ship casts off at 5:30 PM.
- Boarding Hours: Staggered passenger check-in takes place between 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
- Strict 4:00 PM Cut-Off: Terminal doors lock 90 minutes before sailing with no late boarding allowed.
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3. Customs Clearance & Travel Documentation
Because cruises to Grand Bahama Island are international voyages, all guests must have verified identification before stepping into terminal security lines. U.S. citizens taking the 2-night closed-loop cruise can travel with a valid passport book (preferred) or an official state-issued birth certificate paired with a government photo ID. Non-U.S. citizens must present valid passports and applicable re-entry visas or green cards to clear terminal agents and customs officers upon return.
- U.S. Citizen Documents: Valid U.S. passport book or state birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID.
- Swift Return Customs: Arriving back at 7:00 AM on Day 3 allows guests to clear customs and depart by 8:30 AM.
Parking, Directions & Hotels
- Convenient highway access via I-95 (Exit 76) or Florida’s Turnpike (Exit 107) directly to 11th Street.
- 24-hour fenced and patrolled vehicle parking located directly adjacent to the terminal entrance.
- Standard parking rate is $20.00 per day ($60.00 total for 3 calendar cruise days), payable by card.
- Located just 15 minutes north of Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) for easy rideshare hops.
- Area hotels in West Palm Beach and Singer Island offer pre-cruise park-and-cruise packages.
1. Driving Directions & Highway Access
Reaching the cruise terminal is seamless from both major Florida north-south expressways. Motorists taking Interstate 95 should take Exit 76 for Blue Heron Boulevard, travel east approximately two miles to US Highway 1 (Broadway), turn south, and proceed straight to the Port of Palm Beach entrance at 11th Street. Drivers traveling via Florida’s Turnpike should use Exit 107 (Beeline Highway/SR-710), proceed southeast toward Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and follow directional signage toward the port gates.
- I-95 Route: Exit 76 (Blue Heron Blvd) east to US-1/Broadway, then south directly to 11th Street.
- Turnpike Route: Exit 107 (Beeline Highway) southeast to MLK Jr. Blvd, connecting to Broadway.
2. Passenger Parking Rates & Procedures
The Port of Palm Beach provides convenient, fenced parking lots protected by 24-hour port security surveillance right beside the terminal. Drivers first pull into the designated curbside drop zone where porters take all checked baggage before vehicles are directed to the parking gate. The official parking rate is $20.00 per vehicle per calendar day (totaling $60.00 for standard 2-night/3-day cruises), and all parking fees must be paid upon entry using a major credit or debit card.
- Standard Parking Rate: $20.00 per calendar day ($60.00 total for 2-night Bahamas cruises).
- Payment Requirements: Major credit or debit cards accepted at the entry gate; cash is not accepted.
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3. Airport Transfers & Pre-Cruise Hotels
Fly-in cruise passengers will find Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) located just 9 miles south of the port, with average Uber or taxi rides taking approximately 15 minutes. Travelers driving from out of state can stay in nearby hotel hubs such as Singer Island or downtown West Palm Beach. Several partner hotels offer convenient park-and-cruise packages, allowing travelers to leave their vehicle at the hotel and take a pre-arranged shuttle directly to the terminal on embarkation morning.
- Airport Proximity: 15-minute commute from PBI baggage claim directly to the terminal curb.
- Park & Cruise Bundles: Partner hotels on Singer Island and West Palm Beach offer parking with port shuttles.
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Port of Palm Beach Cruise Logistics Overview
Essential operational guide for passengers sailing on 2-night Bahamas cruises from the Port of Palm Beach.
| Service / Feature | Location & Details | Standard Hours | Published Pricing | Key Traveler Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise Terminal | 1 East 11th Street, Riviera Beach | Check-in: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Included in cruise fare | Terminal doors close strictly at 4:00 PM |
| Passenger Parking | Secured lot adjacent to terminal | 24 Hours Daily | $20.00 / Calendar Day | $60 total for 2-night cruise; card payment only |
| VIP Parking | Front-row terminal spaces | 24 Hours Daily | $25.00 / Calendar Day | Limited availability on first-come basis |
| PBI Airport Transit | Direct taxi or rideshare pickup | 24 Hours Daily | $20 – $30 Approx. | 15-minute commute to the terminal curbside |
| Cruise Departure | Berth 1 / Slip 1 | Sails at 5:30 PM | 2-Night Cruise | Arrives Freeport 8:00 AM next morning |
Need help with cabin bookings, pre-cruise hotel accommodations, or Grand Bahama excursion packages? Call our Florida cruise specialists at 954-969-0069.
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