From $140 per vehicle: a private, one-way ride from Port of Miami to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center in a chauffeured SUV or van.
These are fixed one-way fares for the whole car or van, tolls and fuel included, so the total is known before anyone gets in.
Book with the ship’s name and the date, and the driver handles the rest at PortMiami: waiting at the correct terminal, helping with the suitcases, and leaving the port without a queue. The curbside greeting costs nothing extra; the Meet & Greet at the terminal with a name sign adds $40.
Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center is a hotel and meeting property set in inland north Broward, the suburban stretch of towns that includes Plantation, Sunrise, and Coral Springs. This is the green, residential side of the county, away from the coastline and the cruise piers, where broad roads and leafy neighborhoods take over from the port bustle you leave behind. It is a practical base whether you are in town for a conference, a family stay, or a night before or after a sailing.
The area around the hotel is anchored by two of the region’s biggest draws. Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet-and-shopping destinations anywhere in the state, sits neighboring with its vast run of stores, and the Florida Panthers play at Amerant Bank Arena a short drive from the same corner of Broward. Between the shopping and the arena, the neighborhood gives you a full day’s worth of things to do without heading back toward the water.
For quieter hours, north Broward offers its own low-key attractions close at hand. The Plantation Historical Museum keeps the local story on display, and Tradewinds Park adds open green space when you desire a break from indoor plans. Arriving from the port, you locate a comfortable suburban setting with parking, room to spread out, and easy reach to the outlets and the arena. It is an easy place to settle in, drop your bags, and pick up whichever plan brought you to this side of the county.
This is a private, door-to-door run from your ship straight to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center. Once your group clears disembarkation, the chauffeur meets you at the curb of your cruise line’s own terminal, loads every bag, and takes I-95 north toward inland Broward. Your luggage rides in the vehicle with you the whole way, so there is no drag across the port and no line to stand in before you pull away.
The journey normally takes about 50 to 66 minutes, one direct leg from the pier to the hotel with no stops in between. Your driver is staged and waiting before you finish clearing the terminal hall, so the wait belongs to them, not to you. The car is reserved for your party alone, the fare is locked in advance, and fuel and standard tolls are already covered, which keeps arrival day simple from the terminal curb to the hotel door.
From the Port of Miami, plan on about 52 minutes and 32.0 miles to reach Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center in Fort Lauderdale via I-95. Prices are per vehicle, not per seat: $140 for the Black SUV, $290 for the Van, $350 for the Van XL. Pickup is at your cruise terminal curb at PortMiami.
| Road distance | 32.0 miles |
|---|---|
| Black SUV, 1-5 | $140 |
| Drive time | 52 minutes |
| Van, 6-9 | $290 |
| Main roads | I-95 |
| Van XL, 10-14 | $350 |
| Back from Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center | $140 / $290 / $350 |
For the trip back, your driver picks you up at the main entrance of the hotel and drives the 32.0 miles to your cruise terminal at PortMiami in about 52 minutes. The return fare is $140 for the Black SUV, $290 for the Van and $350 for the Van XL. The booking box opens with Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center as the pickup; just add the date and time. Book the return
The 32.0 miles from the Port of Miami to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center take about 52 minutes without heavy traffic via I-95. At busy hours, allow extra time. Each vehicle has a fixed fare, no traffic or surge charges: $140 for the Black SUV, $290 for the Van and $350 for the Van XL.
Book the time you expect to walk out of the terminal with your bags, not the docking time. The waiting rules for slow disembarkation days are on the FAQ page linked below. The drive to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center then takes about 52 minutes.
Curbside at the terminal your ship uses. Leave the building with your luggage, send a message, and the driver comes to that curb. From there it is 32.0 miles to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center.
The Black SUV holds up to 5 passengers, with passengers plus big suitcases up to 10; on this route it costs $140. Six to nine travelers with their cases take the Van ($290), ten to fourteen the Van XL ($350). All three go door to door to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center.
Yes. The return from Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center to the Port of Miami costs $140 in the Black SUV, $290 in the Van and $350 in the Van XL. Allow about 52 minutes for the drive, plus a margin, before your boarding time; the return section above has the booking link.
Every policy in full: FAQ
My wife and I came down the gangway at PortMiami and a private car was waiting at the terminal curb to take us to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center. The ride from the terminal to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center was smooth and steady, and we could just watch the city go by. There was a name sign at the terminal doors, so we spotted the driver immediately.
Took all the worry out of disembarkation morning — highly recommend. There was a name sign at the exit, so we spotted the driver immediately.
Ao sair do navio sem companhia, a última coisa que eu queria era pegar fila de táxi no porto, então tinha um carro privativo combinado para ir até Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center. Na noite anterior recebi uma mensagem com o nome do motorista e a placa, então não sobrou nada para resolver na saída.
The perfect end to the cruise — private, on time, and easy. The fare was set up front, nothing added at the curb.
With the whole crew, arranging a private car from the terminal to Universal Palms Hotel & Conference Center meant no scramble on disembarkation morning.