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Before leaving on a cruise from Florida, or when returning, a hotel night near the port is often necessary. Paying for that night with your hotel loyalty points reduces the total cost of the trip, especially when the Canadian dollar is weak against the U.S. dollar.
Since Starwood merged into Marriott in 2018, Starpoints and the SPG program no longer exist: everything is now booked with Marriott Bonvoy points. And since 2022, Marriott has used dynamic pricing, meaning there is no longer a fixed chart: the number of points varies by date and demand. The best way to assess value remains the same: compare the points price to the cash price for the same night.
Most cruises require you to be on board a few hours before departure. Arriving the day before protects you from a delayed or cancelled flight, the worst-case scenario when the ship leaves without you. A night near the port, paid with points, secures your embarkation while saving the equivalent of $150 to $400 depending on the hotel and season. Many properties also offer a shuttle to the terminal and parking for the duration of the cruise.
PortMiami is the busiest cruise port in the world. Downtown and Brickell, just minutes from the terminal, are home to several Marriott Bonvoy hotels bookable with points, such as the JW Marriott Miami, Courtyard Miami Brickell, or AC Hotel Miami Brickell. On the Hilton side, the Hilton Miami Downtown is a central option. Expect around 30,000 to 60,000 Bonvoy points per night depending on the date, always compare with the cash rate.
Fort Lauderdale is probably the port best served by hotels designed for cruisers, with several featuring “Airport & Cruise Port” in their name. With Marriott Bonvoy, the Courtyard, SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port offer packages with shuttle and parking, as does the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina. With Hilton, the Embassy Suites 17th Street is a few blocks from the port. Affordable options often start around 20,000 to 35,000 points per night.
Port Canaveral, an hour from Orlando, is the departure point for many cruises, including Disney’s. In Cocoa Beach, the Courtyard Cocoa Beach and the Residence Inn Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach (Marriott Bonvoy) offer cruise packages with shuttle service. It is also a good opportunity to combine a few days in Orlando before embarkation by booking your theme-park nights with points.
On the west coast, the port of Tampa serves the Western Caribbean and Mexico. Downtown, within walking distance of the terminal, has Marriott Bonvoy hotels such as the Marriott Tampa Water Street and Hilton options like the Hilton Tampa Downtown. A good choice if you want to visit the city before casting off.
With dynamic pricing, the winning move is to systematically compare the points price to the cash price, then book when the value per point exceeds 0.8 to 1 cent. Book early, as hotels near ports fill up quickly in high season. And if you are staying multiple nights, take advantage of Marriott Bonvoy’s 5th night free: on five nights paid with points, you only pay for four.
The fastest way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada remains the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, whose welcome bonus alone can cover several nights near a port. It also offers an annual free night award, making it easy to offset a stopover before your cruise.
Savings this way:
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