Carnival Cruise Line and PortMiami held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Terminal F, which will serve as the homeport for the Carnival Celebration, the line's next Excel-class ship. The Carnival Celebration, currently under construction in Finland, will debut in 2022 as part of the line's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Carnival President Christine Duffy, along with county commissioners and construction partners, used ceremonial shovels to officially mark the start of construction on the sprawling facility, which will be Carnival's third terminal at the port and the largest in South Florida.
Carnival Cruise Line began its journey when the original “Fun Ship,” the TSS Mardi Gras, departed on its maiden voyage from PortMiami in March 1972, initiating a nearly 50-year relationship that has seen Carnival grow into the world’s most popular cruise line and PortMiami earn the title of Cruise Capital of the World. “I thank Carnival Cruise Line and Lemartec for their partnership with Miami-Dade County,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Despite the global pandemic, today’s opening is yet another example of the growth taking place in PortMiami—the Cruise Capital of the World—and how together we can and will continue to thrive.”.
“We are proud of Carnival’s role in making Miami the Cruise Capital of the World, and today marks the continuation of an incredible 50-year partnership with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County. This terminal, specifically for the Carnival Celebration, will be an amazing addition to the existing facilities at our largest embarkation port. My sincere thanks to Mayor Levine Cava and all the Miami-Dade officials who made this day possible,” said Duffy.
“We are proud to have been chosen by PortMiami and Miami-Dade County to build this iconic terminal,” said Manny Garcia-Tuñón, president of Lemartec Corporation, which is acting as the general contractor.
The terminal's design will allow for exceptional efficiency and flexibility to accommodate Carnival's newest class of ships, maximizing the use of technology in the boarding process.
