Miami

Often called the Cruise Capital of the World, the Port of Miami hosts 12 cruise lines and the world's largest year-round cruise fleet, handling more than 4 million passengers annually. Its 7 air-conditioned terminals feature dramatic public art, duty-free shops and limousine service; taxis are available at each terminal and car-hire agencies operate there.

Taxis serve every airport terminal, with a $27.00 flat fare between Miami International Airport and the Cruise Port of Miami. SuperShuttle vans also travel to the port: fares are about $16 per person roundtrip for the first passenger and $10 for every additional rider. An Uber/Lyft journey from the airport to the Port of Miami is approximately $16.

For GPS, enter 1015 N America Way Miami, Fl 33132. Port parking costs $20 per day.

Bayside Marketplace can be reached on foot from the terminal, but other places are too distant to walk to.

PortMiami sits very close to downtown Miami—normally around 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 kilometers), according to your departure terminal—so a taxi or short drive will get you there quickly.

A number of hotels near the airport have Cruise & Park packages.

Webcam views are available.

Bring a printable map with you.

Despite its favourable climate and geography, Miami was a remote tropical settlement of frame houses until Henry Flagler brought the East Coast Railway in 1896 and began developing the community. Miami Beach itself was formed from a mangrove swamp. Spread over 2,054 square miles of land, Miami is a vast, cosmopolitan city whose year-round warmth and sunshine draw thousands of visitors seeking sun and relaxation. Greater Miami has a long, varied range of attractions, with something for everyone among the most popular…

Take taxis to the places you wish to see, or hire a car, although Miami is not especially pleasant for driving. Cuban temperament and retirees from the north are not an easy mix.

Miami Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off and Biscayne Bay Boat Tour combo tour.

The terminal is within walking distance of Bayside Marketplace.

In Bal Harbour, an affluent Miami suburb, Bal Harbour Shops is an upmarket open-air mall internationally known for its luxury retail selection.

Lincoln Road Mall, between West Avenue and Washington Avenue, is a pedestrian promenade at the heart of South Beach activity. It has distinctive shops, pavement cafés, bars, galleries and fine dining, and is regarded as South Beach's prime place for people-watching.

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $), with ATMs widely available.

Major cards including Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere, even for purchases worth only a few dollars, and in some instances may be the sole payment method. Visitors from overseas should bear in mind that goods and services often look cheaper than they are because taxes and gratuities are seldom included in the displayed price.

In most states, sales tax ranges from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is a typical rate. Posted prices almost never include it, except for gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises; it is instead calculated and added at payment.

Tipping is widespread and expected in America. Americans may debate the appropriate amount and who should receive it, but these are the generally accepted standard rates:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20%. This is often a wait(ress)'s only income. Leave the tip in cash or add it to the credit-card slip. Few restaurants include an automatic service charge; if one does, decide whether to leave extra after checking the bill.
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers and other personal services: 10-15%.
• Bartenders: $1 for each inexpensive drink, or 15% of the total.
• Bellhops: each bag merits $1-2, with a minimum of $3-5 regardless.
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag when assistance is given, plus $1 for calling a cab.
• Tour guides: for tours lasting half a day or less, $5-10 per person; for longer tours, $10-20 per person, depending on the tour's length, size and overall guided quality.
• Private car and limousine drivers: 15-20%.
• Hotel housekeeping: $1-2 daily for long stays, or a $5 minimum for very short stays (optional).
• Food delivery, such as pizza: $2-5, and perhaps more for very large orders.

The U.S. has no federal official language, though English is overwhelmingly the everyday standard and several states have made it their official state language. Spanish, widely spoken, is also official in New Mexico; French is official in Louisiana, and Hawaiian in Hawaii. Neither has a use approaching English, and both are official chiefly for historical reasons.

Free Wi-Fi is provided at all eight cruise terminals.

For emergencies, call 911.

In large metropolitan areas such as New York and Los Angeles, drugstores and supermarkets often operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Department stores, shopping centres and most other large retailers commonly trade from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours—usually 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. They tend to stay open on holidays, except for major holidays such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when stores are generally closed.