PortMiami remains World's Busiest Cruise Port with more than 4 million passengers last year
(MIAMI, December 19, 2013) – PortMiami, the world’s busiest cruise port, again surpassed the four million mark for cruise passengers traveling through its facilities in the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2013.
PortMiami processed 4,030,356 multi-day passengers last fiscal year. Additionally, 48,173 single-day passengers traveled between PortMiami and the Bahamas on daily service.
Port Director Bill Johnson said the 2013 cruise season was one of PortMiami’s best with the addition of two new cruise brands—Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Disney Cruise Line—and the arrival of three new build ships including: the Carnival Breeze, Celebrity Reflection and the Oceania Riviera.
“Last year marked our greatest fleet expansion ever in a single cruise season,” Johnson said. “Looking ahead, 2014 promises to be yet another banner year. We are anticipating a surge in cruise traffic with close to five million cruise passengers traveling through PortMiami in the coming year.”
New for the 2014 Cruise Season is MSC Cruises; the Mediterranean brand, which began sailing one of its newest ships, MSC Divina, from Miami last month. Additionally, PortMiami will welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Getaway, in February.
Both the MSC Divina and the Norwegian Getaway will homeport year-round at PortMiami adding an important boost to the cruise schedule.
“PortMiami is proud to be known worldwide as the "Cruise Capital of the World,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We look forward to continued growth and expansion of the cruise industry, which contributes significantly to the local economy.”
PortMiami contributes $27 million annually to the local and state economies and supports more than 200,000 jobs.
Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, joined with Vice-Chairwoman Lynda Bell, in congratulating PortMiami on again surpassing the four million mark for cruise passengers.
“With 13 cruise lines sailing from our Port, offering an exciting array of diverse itineraries that fit any budget or taste, we can proudly say that cruising from Miami has never been better,” Sosa said. Commissioner Bell said “PortMiami’s new advertising campaign sums up PortMiami’s success."
“PortMiami Cruise Capital of the World — always was, always will be,” Bell said. “You cannot say it better.”
Miami is home to the world’s leading cruise lines: Aida Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Resorts World Bimini, and Royal Caribbean International.
About PortMiami
PortMiami is among America's busiest ports and recognized across the globe with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. PortMiami contributes more than $27 billion annually to the South Florida economy and helps provide direct and indirect employment for more than 207,000. For more information please visit www.miamidade.gov/portmiami.