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By Boat

If you enter the United States in a private vessel along the Atlantic Coast south of Sebastian Inlet, you must call the U.S. Customs Service. Customs clears most boats of less than 5 tons by phone, but you may be directed to a marina for inspection. The Port of Miami, in downtown Miami near Bayside Marketplace and the MacArthur Causeway, justifiably bills itself as the Cruise Capital of the World. With 18 ships and the largest year-round cruise fleet in the world, the port accommodates more than 3 million passengers a year. It has 12 air-conditioned terminals, duty-free shopping, and limousine service. Taxicabs are available at all terminals, and Hertz is at the port, although other rental companies offer shuttle service to off-site locations. Parking is $12 per day, and short-term parking is a flat rate of $5. From here, short cruises depart for the Bahamas and Eastern and Western Caribbean, with longer sailings to the Far East, Europe, and South America.

Contacts

Carnival Cruise Lines (800/227-6482. www.carnival.com). Celebrity Cruises (800/722-5941. www.celebrity.com). Norwegian Cruise Lines (800/327-7030. www.ncl.com). Port of Miami (1015 North American Way, Miami. 305/371-7678 or 305/347-4860. www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/portofmiami). Royal Caribbean International (800/722-5045. www.royalcaribbean.com).

U.S. Customs Service (800/432-1216 small-vessel arrival near Miami; 305/536-5263 Port of Miami office).