PortMiami racks up record 8.2m cruise passenger moves

PortMiami achieved its highest-ever cruise passenger total of 8,233,056 in fiscal 2024, a 12.79% gain on its prior record of 7,299,294 in 2023.

The recent fiscal year stretched from October 2023 through September 2024.

Economic impact and sustainability

'PortMiami continues to break records and uphold its status as the "Cruise Capital of the World,"' Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said. She congratulated the 'entire PortMiami team and our valued cruise line partners on reaching this extraordinary achievement,' adding the port had transformed the skyline and bolstered the economy.

Plus, its commitment to 'creating more sustainable development ensures that our port remains a forward-thinking, future-ready gateway to the world,' Levine Cava said.

For her part, PortMiami Director/CEO Hydi Webb thanked the mayor, the Board of County Commissioners and cruise partners for their 'unwavering support to ensure PortMiami is the departure choice for cruise passengers.'

New ships and terminals this season

The upcoming 2024-25 season is filled with new cruise ships and terminals. Among the new ships set to sail from PortMiami are Explora Journeys' Explora II and Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady, both this month; MSC Cruises' MSC World America and Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Aqua in April, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady in October 2025 and Oceania Cruises' Allura in November 2025.   

Related:PortMiami chalks up record 7.29m cruisers in fiscal 2023

MSC Cruises’ new Cruise Terminal AA is planned to open this cruise season. On completion, it will be the world's largest cruise terminal. At the port's west end, construction will begin on the new Cruise Terminal G for Royal Caribbean International in summer 2025. 

Shore power milestone

A milestone which during the 2024 fiscal year was the June 17 inauguration of shore power. This partnership between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corp. & plc, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages and Florida Power & Light Co., made PortMiami the first on the Eastern Seaboard that will offer shore power at five cruise berths.