We Stayed in South Beach (Avalon Hotel) Before Our Cruise – Worth It?

1,520 views · 63 likes · 15 comments · Feb 21, 2026 · 17:27 · Long
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Is South Beach actually a good place to stay before a Miami cruise… or are you better off downtown near the port? In this video, we swap our usual downtown Miami pre-cruise hotel for a stay right on Ocean Drive in South Beach. We check into the Avalon Hotel, explore the Art Deco district, watch cruise ships sail out from South Pointe, and see what a day as a tourist in South Beach is really like. From colourful lifeguard towers to Cuban food at a local institution and the reality of Ocean Drive at night, we put South Beach to the test as a pre-cruise base. Is it convenient? Is it too noisy? Is it worth the extra cost? If you're cruising from Miami and trying to decide between South Beach or a downtown hotel near the port, this video will help you choose. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:10 Avalon Hotel 03:26 Sailaway at South Pointe 05:03 Dinner at Puerto Sagua 08:44 Morning Drone 11:22 Breakfast at Alma Cubana 12:00 Art Deco Miami 15:27 South Beach 16:17 Final Verdict: Should You Stay Here? If you prefer staying at a downtown hotel before your cruise, check out these videos where I reviewed: Intercontinental Miami: https://youtu.be/REavhXTNvBQ Hilton Miami Downtown: https://youtu.be/WHQGiX8OlME

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