By
Elizabeth Robinson |
PortMiami hosted more than five million passengers for the first time in the 2016-2017 financial year.
In total, 5.3 million cruise guests visited the Florida port – a record number that no other cruise port in the world has ever reached.
“Miami remains the centre of cruising in the world,” said Miami-Dade’s county mayor Carlos Gimenez. “Our seaport generated an estimated 5.3 million visitors, a tremendous milestone not only for PortMiami, but for Miami’s travel and tourism community. Cruise passengers come from virtually all over the world contributing economic growth for our cruise line partners, our hospitality and entertainment industry, as well as generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for the citizens of Miami-Dade County.”
PortMiami is currently upgrading its infrastructure to enable it to accommodate additional cruise ships in future. Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean International and Miami-Dade County broke ground on the cruise line’s new Cruise Terminal A, which will open in late 2018. Meanwhile, Cruise Terminal F, recognised for its signature sails, is undergoing renovations and expansion in preparation for the arrival of MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside in late 2017.
Miami will also welcome Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sky and Viking Sun this November.
The expansion continues for 2018 with the arrival of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon and Carnival Magic; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss; and Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia will also be joining the Miami fleet in 2019 and Virgin Voyages will debut its first vessel at the port in spring 2020.
“There is no other destination in the world that delivers modern cruising including the industry’s leading cruise brands and new build ships, beautiful beaches, dining, shopping, art and entertainment the way that PortMiami does,” said Rebeca Sosa, Miami-Dade Commissioner, and chairwoman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. “We want to attract and encourage cruise passengers to continue selecting Miami as a destination in efforts to support economic opportunities and growth in our community.”