Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announces busiest cruise year in the history of PortMiami

PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, welcomed 7,299,294 passengers and set a new record-breaking year in cruise activity for Fiscal Year 2023, which started October 1, 2022 and ended September 30, 2023. The Port experienced a 6.97% increase in cruise passenger totals compared to its previous record of 6,823,816 passengers in Fiscal Year 2019. On the cargo side, the Port recorded 1,098,322 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), surpassing the one million TEU mark for its ninth consecutive fiscal year.   

“Congratulations to the entire PortMiami team and its partners on its busiest cruise year ever,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “PortMiami continues to drive our economy forward, creating opportunities for residents and businesses across our county. The Port is an industry leader, which is future ready and committed to innovative, efficient, and sustainable growth.”

The 2024 Fiscal Year season is already an exciting one. Among the new lineup of ships which began departing from PortMiami are the Oceania Vista, Carnival Cruise Line Costa Venezia, Scenic Eclipse II, Crystal Cruises Serenity, MSC Cruises Explora I, Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian VIVA; and Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. In January 2024, Royal Caribbean Group’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, will set sail from the port.

Dedicated partnerships and the development of new business have contributed to PortMiami’s post-pandemic recovery. Since the pandemic, the port opened three new cruise terminals: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Cruise Terminal B, the Pearl of Miami; Carnival Corporation’s Cruise Terminal F; and Virgin Voyages’ Cruise Terminal V, the Palm Grove. Currently under construction are MSC Cruises’ Terminals AA/AAA, which will open in 2024. Recently, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved Royal Caribbean Group’s new Cruise Terminal G, which is expected to open in late 2027.

Shore power – a partnership between PortMiami, its cruise partners (Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, and Virgin Voyages) and Florida Power & Light Company – is under construction at the Port. Upon completion in 2024, shore power capability will be available at five cruise terminals with the ability to plug in three ships simultaneously. Shore power will allow a cruise ship to turn off their primary engines while docked, resulting in reduced air emissions.

About PortMiami
PortMiami is recognized as the Cruise Capital of the World and Global Gateway of the Americas. The Port is among Miami-Dade County’s most important economic engines contributing $43 billion annually to the local economy and supporting more than 334,500 jobs. For more information, please visit www.portmiami.biz.