Following our recent video showing Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas docking at the new, state-of-the-art MSC Terminal AA in PortMiami, we received a flurry of questions: Is this permanent? Do I need to go to the MSC terminal for my cruise?

You are correct—the move is not permanent for all sailings. The Freedom of the Seas is currently part of a logistical juggling act, strategically using the new Terminal AA only on specific, high-traffic days.

Here is the essential breakdown of why Freedom is using the massive MSC terminal and how you can know for certain where your cruise will depart from.

When Royal Caribbean Ships "Share" Space

The change is directly related to the massive growth of Royal Caribbean's fleet, especially the new, large Icon-Class and Oasis-Class ships.

Royal Caribbean's dedicated terminal, Terminal A (The Crown of Miami), is designed to handle their flagship vessels. Freedom of the Seas is being relocated to the neighboring Terminal AA on days when Terminal A is already occupied by an even larger ship.

You can generally expect Freedom of the Seas to dock at the MSC Terminal AA on days when the following scenario occurs:

Essentially, Freedom of the Seas acts as the overflow ship, utilizing the brand-new, enormous Terminal AA when Royal Caribbean's most massive vessels are in PortMiami. This ensures that the two largest terminals in the world (Terminal A and Terminal AA) work together to process the huge number of passengers.

Safety & Logistical Advice

As the docking location is fluid, your cruise documents and SetSail Pass are your primary source of truth.

1. Check Your SetSail Pass (Don't Trust Old Info!)

Your final cruise documents and the Royal Caribbean app will confirm your departure terminal about 7 to 10 days before sailing.

Retired Chief’s Tip: Do not rely on the terminal listed on your original booking confirmation. Terminal assignments are flexible. Always use the information provided in the final documentation to ensure you direct your ride-share or taxi to the correct terminal.

2. Terminal AA is Modern and Massive

If you do dock at Terminal AA, you can expect a very efficient, stress-free experience:

• Brand New Facility: Terminal AA is the largest cruise terminal in the world and is designed for high-volume passenger processing.

• Convenient Parking: The new parking garage at Terminal AA is right next to the building, making luggage drop-off and boarding logistically smooth.

• Long Walk (But Protected!): Because the terminal can accommodate multiple ships, be prepared for a long walk from the terminal entrance to the ship's gangway. Look for the moving walkways (like those we observed in our video) to assist with the trek!

The flexibility of Freedom of the Seas docking at Terminal AA is a sign of PortMiami’s dedication to keeping traffic flowing. Be prepared to go to either spot, and always confirm your terminal before you arrive!

Need to see the new facility? Watch our video of Freedom of the Seas performing the test run at the new MSC Terminal AA:

Royal Caribbean Ship Docks at the MSC Terminal! (A Very Confusing Arrival?)