Last year, PortMiami solidified its status as the Cruise Capital of the World with a record-breaking year, welcoming the highest number of passengers in its history. Its state-of-the-art cruise terminals ensure that passengers begin their vacation the moment they step into port. Known as the Gateway to the Americas, the port is home to some of the newest and most innovative cruise ships sailing the seas today, offering vacations to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond.
More recently, PortMiami set a new world record by receiving ten cruise ships, all docked at the port at the same time on February 8, 2025.
Greater Miami and Miami Beach are easily accessible to everyone through a variety of convenient travel options, including Tri-Rail, Brightline, Metrorail, rideshare services, taxis, and cars. This means that travelers eager to explore can make the most of Miami before or after a trip, whether for a few hours or a few days.
In 2025, the port will seek to build on this progress with the development of new terminals, including what will be the world's largest cruise terminal, pioneering sustainability initiatives and a host of exciting new cruises.
PortMiami achieved another record year with its highest total cruise passengers ever, 8,233,056 travelers in Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024). The port experienced a 12.79% increase in total cruise passengers compared to its previous record of 7,299,294 passengers in Fiscal Year 2023.
The port is one of the largest economic engines in Miami-Dade County, contributing $61 billion annually to the economy and supporting 340,078 jobs.
Strategic partnerships and new business development have contributed to PortMiami's recovery after the pandemic. Since the pandemic, the port has opened three new cruise terminals:
- Norwegian Cruise Line's Terminal B (Pearl of Miami).
- Carnival Corporation's Cruise Terminal F.
- Virgin Voyages Cruise Terminal V (Palm Grove).
A significant milestone for the port was the launch of shore poweronJune 17, 2024. Shore power allows cruise ships to shut down their engines and connect to the land-based electrical grid while docked, resulting in reduced emissions and noise. Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation & plc, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light Company partnered to make PortMiami the first major cruise port on the U.S. East Coast to offer shore power capacity at five piers. This underscores Miami’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that as the port grows, its environmental impact is minimized.
Currently under construction, MSC Cruises' new AA Cruise Terminal will open this cruise season. Once completed, it will be the world's largest cruise terminal.
At the western end of the port, construction will begin on the new Cruise Terminal G for Royal Caribbean International in the summer of 2025 (it is expected to open in late 2027).
PortMiami and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced this week that the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners has approved NCLH assuming responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the existing parking lot at Cruise Terminal B, as well as the development of a new Multipurpose Parking Facility at PortMiami. This significant milestone underscores the commitment and partnership between Miami-Dade County and NCLH to address the growing passenger volume and current and future parking needs at PortMiami.
NCLH has also committed to increasing its guaranteed passenger traffic at PortMiami from approximately 50 million to nearly 75 million passengers over the first 30 years of this agreement, an increase of approximately 25 million passengers over its current commitment.
Among the new fleet of ships that will begin sailing from PortMiami in 2025 are:
- MSC Cruises' World America (April 2025)
- Norwegian Cruise Line's Aqua (April 2025)
- Cunard's Queen Elizabeth (September 2025)
- Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady (October 2025)
- Oceania's Allura (November 2025)
In addition, Greater Miami and Miami Beach are the perfect starting point for LGBTQ+ travelers, with their stunning beaches and welcoming atmosphere. There is also a wide range of LGBTQ+ cruises departing from PortMiami in 2025, including:
- Pied Piper Cruises aboard the MSC Seaside (March 2025)
- Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas (April 2025)
- Virgin Voyages' Dominican Daze (April 2025)
- Celebrity Cruises' Pride Month at Sea (June 2025)
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