Miami doesn't do ordinary coastlines. Here, the beaches are alive — sun-soaked by day, neon-glow by night. Start with Miami Beach, where wide stretches of soft sand meet the Atlantic in a scene that feels pulled from a postcard. Pastel lifeguard towers dot the shore, palm trees sway with ocean breezes and locals jog the surf line like it's their daily ritual.

Just south, South Beach brings the heat. It’s equal parts glam and grit, where sunrise yoga shares space with rollerbladers, street performers and fashion shoots in progress. This stretch is made for people-watching, dining al fresco and slipping into the pulse of the city before you even unpack.

Tucked between the beach and Ocean Drive is Lummus Park, a greenbelt of volleyball courts, walking trails and tropical landscaping. It's the perfect spot to stretch your legs after a flight or take in the sunset before boarding your cruise. Bring a camera. Between the sea views and skyline, you'll want the memories to last longer than your tan.

You can practically feel Miami culture in the air around you as it dances in the streets, lives in the architecture and fills the air with music.

Check out the Art Deco District, where geometric lines and pastel facades stretch along Ocean Drive like a living museum. The buildings here — nearly 800 of them — are pure 1930s glamour, with porthole windows, terrazzo floors and neon lighting that buzzes to life each night.

Love a great festival? Miami has that too, especially Calle Ocho, the beating heart of Little Havana. Each spring, it transforms for the Calle Ocho Festival, the main event of Carnaval Miami. Get lost in 20 blocks of dancing, food, parades and live music with a Cuban soul. But even outside of festival season, Little Havana offers a taste of daily rhythm: dominos in Máximo Gómez Park, hand-rolled cigars, Cuban sandwiches with crispy pork and just-baked pan Cubano.

Start with Cuban classics in Little Havana, where no visit is complete without a crispy croqueta or a pressed Cuban sandwich from Versailles Restaurant, the city’s most famous Cuban eatery. In South Beach, Joe’s Stone Crab reigns as a seafood institution, serving its signature claws since 1913. For upscale Peruvian flavors, La Mar by Gastón Acurio brings ceviche and tiradito to a shimmering waterfront setting in Brickell.

But Miami’s food scene isn’t just about white tablecloths. Food trucks roll through Wynwood and Midtown offering everything from Korean tacos to sweet arepas, perfect for a quick bite between sightseeing. At The Salty Donut, a local favorite, hand-crafted brioche donuts come glazed with everything from maple bacon to guava and cheese.

Whether you’re grabbing a late-night Cuban coffee or sitting down to stone crab and Key lime pie, you’ll taste why Miami has become one of the most dynamic culinary destinations in the country.

South Beach is the epicenter of Miami’s after-dark scene. At LIV at Fontainebleau, velvet ropes, flashing lights and a world-class DJ lineup create the kind of nightlife people fly in for. Over in Wynwood, the vibe is a little grittier, with street art murals giving way to craft breweries, open-air bars and pop-up dance parties. For a night that feels lifted straight from a postcard, head to a rooftop lounge in Brickell, where panoramic views of Biscayne Bay pair perfectly with a mojito or two.

Beyond the bass-heavy clubs, Miami’s music roots run deep. Downtown’s Lagniappe brings a laid-back New Orleans feel with nightly jazz sessions on a backyard patio strung with lights. In Little Havana, Ball & Chain has been hosting live Latin music since the 1930s — salsa, merengue and live Cuban bands spill out onto Calle Ocho well into the night.

Looking for things to do in Miami with kids? Wildlife encounters, marine shows and hands-on exhibits make Miami a playground for all ages. Zoo Miami is one of the only subtropical zoos in the continental U.S., home to more than 3,000 animals spread across open-air habitats that mimic Africa, Asia and Australia. Nearby, the Miami Seaquarium offers up-close looks at manatees, sea turtles and playful dolphins with Biscayne Bay shimmering in the background.

Bayside Marketplace, a lively open-air shopping center along the waterfront, is a favorite for last-minute souvenirs and fresh seafood. For a more curated shopping experience, Lincoln Road offers a mile of boutiques and cafés tucked between palm trees.

If you’re staying before or after your cruise, you’ll find plenty of hotel options in Miami’s Downtown and Brickell neighborhoods—both less than an hour from the departure port in Fort Lauderdale. Prefer to stay closer to the ship? Fort Lauderdale also offers great hotels just minutes from Port Everglades. View all Princess cruise ports and recommended hotels to help plan your stay. Expect warm, tropical weather year-round, so pack lightweight layers, comfortable walking shoes, and of course, your camera—Miami is one of those places where every corner is photo-worthy.

For guests sailing with Princess, Miami is the ideal jump-off point to explore even more of the Caribbean. With local culture and Caribbean cruises departing right from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, it’s easy to turn a stay in the Magic City into the start of something unforgettable.