Cruisers like me who sail out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral have come to love the convenience of hopping on Brightline to get to and from the port. It has become the go-to solution for avoiding I-95 traffic or simply exploring Central and South Florida cities before embarkation day. But big changes are on the way, and if you already count on Brightline as part of your cruise routine, you will want to pay close attention.
Changes Coming October 6, 2025
Starting October 6, Brightline is rolling out a new schedule and fare structure. For those cruising from South Florida ports, the good news is trains will run more frequently with departures nearly every half hour during peak times. Orlando cruisers get even more options as the company is boosting the number of trains traveling between Central Florida and Miami to a full 20 daily departures. That means less waiting around and more flexibility when you are trying to time your arrival with a cruise check-in window or a post-cruise flight.
Fares are also changing. Brightline says it wants to make pricing more predictable, so they are moving to a flat off-peak and peak system. In theory, this should make it easier to know exactly what you will pay when you book, but if your cruise travel requires you to ride during peak hours, expect to pay more. On the plus side, the company is offering new Brightline Passes that bring the per-ride cost down for frequent riders, although that is more of a win for locals than one-time vacationers.
Premium Loses the Uber Credit
Premium class is where the biggest shake-ups are happening, and not all of them are positive. Cruisers who enjoyed the perks of the Premium fare like lounge access, complimentary snacks and drinks, and that all-important Uber credit for getting from the station to the port will notice some changes. Brightline is adding new perks such as pre-boarding at Miami and Orlando, priority baggage claim, and a dedicated guest services line. These are nice, but let’s be honest, the real value for many of us was that Uber credit, especially when you are lugging suitcases to PortMiami or Port Everglades. Unfortunately, Brightline is pulling the plug on that credit starting October 8, citing low utilization. For cruisers, that is a loss that stings. It shifts the last mile cost of getting to and from the station back on the traveler, and for anyone budgeting their vacation, it is an extra expense to factor in.
So what does all this mean for your cruise plans? If you are heading to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you will now have more train options than ever to line up with your embarkation time, which is a huge plus. If you are sailing from Port Canaveral and flying into Orlando, Brightline’s increased Orlando departures give you better flexibility for catching your ship or making it back for a flight home. But without that Uber credit, you will need to plan and budget for ground transfers more carefully.
At the end of the day, Brightline is still a fantastic way to move between Central and South Florida cruise ports, and the extra trains are a real improvement for cruisers. But losing the Uber credit takes away a convenience that made Premium fares especially appealing. If you have been a loyal Premium rider, you may want to weigh whether the new perks outweigh the extra expense of arranging your own ride to the ship.
My August Brightline Cruise Example
In August, I paid $59 each way for Premium from Boca Raton to Miami. Each leg came with a $10 Uber credit.
- Aug 24: 11:24 a.m. train. Uber to PortMiami was $17.66 → after credit $7.66.
- Aug 31: 9:45 a.m. train. Uber home was $20.07 → after credit $10.07.
For my upcoming Brilliant Lady cruise, Premium is now $43 each way. With no Uber credit, add ~$20 for rides.
The new fare looks cheaper, but once you include the Uber cost, the total ends up about the same – just without the convenience of that built-in credit.