Key Aspects:
- Freedom of the Seas will be using the MSC Cruises’ terminal at PortMiami for the January 19, 2026 departure.
- The alternative terminal use comes just days after the construction on the new Terminal G has begun.
- Guests are advised to prepare for walking as the MSC Cruises terminal is the largest in the world.
Guests boarding Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas on Monday, January 19 in PortMiami will feel like they’re setting sail with MSC Cruises – because they kind of are.
With the demolition of the old Terminal G to make way for the construction of a new and updated cruise terminal, there is no designated Royal Caribbean terminal available for Freedom of the Seas to use for Monday’s departure. The cruise line has reached out to booked guests to alert them to the alternative plans.
“Our usual terminal is currently undergoing renovations, and in the meantime, we’re excited to be using the brand-new Terminal AA, courtesy of our friends at MSC,” the email notification confirmed.
The email does alert guests that the MSC Cruises terminal “has the feel of an airport concourse” and to be prepared for extensive walking.
In fact, Terminal AA, which opened in April 2025, is the world’s largest cruise terminal at 492,678 square feet, with four levels capable of welcoming three cruise ships simultaneously.
Guests are reminded to follow the port signage for Terminal AA, noting that they will be driving by Royal Caribbean’s Terminal A along the way.
“That is not your terminal – do not stop there,” the email urges. “You’re sailing from Terminal AA for this sailing, so stay in the proper lane and follow the signs accordingly.”
Read Also: I Embarked at PortMiami’s New MSC Cruise Terminal – What You Can Expect!
Guests will also utilize the parking facilities for Terminal AA, which will open for arriving guests at 11 a.m. Prior to that time, embarking guests will not be able to enter the parking area as it is necessary for debarking guests to exit first.
Royal Caribbean signage will be in place to guide guests to the proper embarkation point for Freedom of the Seas as they head off on their 5-night voyage to the Bahamas, with visits to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Who’s Using Terminal A?
In addition to the now incapacitated Terminal G, Terminal A at PortMiami is also a Royal Caribbean terminal. In fact, it’s not altogether that old, having just opened in late 2018.
At the time, Terminal A was the largest cruise terminal in the US and was designed to accommodate two Oasis-class ships. It is one Oasis-class ship, Wonder of the Seas, that will be using the facilities on Monday, January 19.
While Freedom of the Seas is smaller as the lead ship in the Freedom class, ongoing renovations and updates at Terminal A make it less practical to host two ships for the time being.
This is not the first time Freedom of the Seas has been a guest at the MSC Cruises terminal. The same alternative terminal plan was used for the ship’s October 27, 2025 departure and has been used occasionally in the intervening months as well.
There are no changes to Freedom of the Seas‘ departure plans or overall itinerary. The ship offers 4- and 5-night sailings from Miami year-round, visiting destinations such as Nassau, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Grand Turk, Jamaica, and other ports depending on sailing date and cruise length.
Occasional 9-night sailings are also offered to Southern Caribbean destinations, including Curacao, Aruba, and Cabo Rojo. Nearly every Freedom of the Seas sailing also visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Coming Up at Terminal G
Just over a week ago, ground was broken on what will become the new Terminal G at the western end of PortMiami’s main channel, next to the Virgin Voyages terminal.
Demolition of the existing Cruise Terminal G began in July 2025, at which time a bit of berth juggling has become necessary to accommodate all planned cruise ships at the busy cruise port.
The new terminal will be more environmentally updated with silver LEED certification and will be sized to accommodate the Icon-class ships and up to 7,000 guests.
A multi-level parking garage and a transportation hub for buses, ride shares, and shuttles is also part of the new terminal development.
No confirmed opening date has yet been announced for Cruise Terminal G, but it is expected to welcome its first guests in late 2027. Ships from the entire Royal Caribbean Group – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea – will utilize the new terminal.
Undoubtedly, Royal Caribbean will be amenable to generously “sharing” the new terminal with other cruise lines if necessary, just as MSC Cruises’ generosity has helped out Royal Caribbean ships.
