I've only been to a few cruise ship ports. If you want a super nice air conditioned port, then go through Miami. This one has all the basics and could be confusing if you haven't cruised before. First, if you stay at the convention center--as of 2023--do NOT walk to the port. Yes, you can see it from your hotel, but the sidewalk ends and is only a two lane road. I think--although can't confirm--that they stop you from continuing on foot. Our shuttle (I stressed to my husband that "see this note at the hotel lobby tells you NOT to walk) stopped at a tent to pick up some folks who otherwise would have no reason to be at the stop except that they walked from the hotel (not seeing or taking the hotel staff's advice). The shuttle was free and although takes longer than walking...see the part where you aren't allowed to walk.
There is parking, but the lot was small and I'm not sure if you need to pay. Once you get out of the shuttle/taxi, then there are a few tents and some people to help you navigate. Seems to be two areas for ships, so find the right ship and staff members. If you aren't checking luggage, then you get in line--passport in hand (yes, you need a passport!)--show to the staff, then get in line for checking into the ship. We did everything fairly quickly--maybe 15 minutes--but we took our luggage, had our passports ready, and got there maybe around 12. I don't remember being extremely hot inside the building, which is just a large warehouse. The doors are open, so I don't think they'd have A/C on. Check-in is super quick and then you walk to the ship, which isn't far.
A note for those who haven't cruised. NCL usually doesn't let you into your room until around 2/230, but you can hang out near the cafeteria and have some food/water until they tell you the room is ready.
Getting off was a bit more challenging. The check-out process is easy, but the taxi/vans were a bit confusing. We found one (10$ per person), but the vans stuff you in. The van could fit 9 people, but that's really like 9 small people. still, the driver stuffed us all in and it was tight. Without traffic, the trip to the airport is about 20/25 minutes, but we were really scrunched into the van. read more