PortMiami sets new records as the world’s top cruise hub

Last year, PortMiami consolidated its status as Cruise Capital of the World with a record breaking year, welcoming its highest ever number of passengers. PortMiami’s cutting edge cruise terminals ensure that passengers begin their holiday the minute they step on-port. Known as the gateway to the Americas, the port is home to some of the newest and most innovative cruise ships on the seas today offering vacations to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond.  Most recently, PortMiami set a new world record welcoming a staggering ten cruise ships, which were all docked in the seaport at the same time on February 8, 2025.

Greater Miami & Miami Beach is easily accessible to all through a variety of convenient travel options, including Tri-Rail, Brightline, Metrorail, ride-sharing services, taxis, and car. This means passengers eager to explore can easily make the most of Miami before or after a voyage, whether that’s for a few hours or a few days.

In 2025 the port will look to build on this progress with the development of new terminals, including what will be the largest cruise terminal in the world, groundbreaking sustainability initiatives and a host of exciting new cruise ships. Here’s everything you need to know about the Cruise Capital of the World:

How did PortMiami perform last year?

PortMiami achieved another record-breaking year with its highest-ever cruise passenger total of 8,233,056 travellers in Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024). The Port experienced a 12.79% increase in cruise passenger totals compared to its previous record of 7,299,294 passengers in Fiscal Year 2023.

The Port is among Miami-Dade County’s largest economic engines contributing $61 billion annually to the economy and supporting 340,078 jobs.

What’s new at PortMiami?

Dedicated partnerships and the development of new business have contributed to PortMiami’s post pandemic recovery. Since the pandemic, the port has 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.

A big historic milestone for the port was the June 17, 2024 launch of the most transformative project in PortMiami’s history, shore power. Shore power allows cruise ships to turn off their engines and plug into landside electrical power 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 have joined a partnership, making PortMiami the first major cruise port on the U.S. eastern seaboard that offers shore power capability at five cruise berths. This highlights Miami’s commitment to sustainability ensuring that, as the port grows, its environmental impact is minimised.

What’s still in the works for 2025?

Currently under construction, MSC Cruises’ new Cruise Terminal AA will open this cruise season. Once completed, it will be the largest cruise terminal in the world.

On the west end of the port, construction will begin on the new Cruise Terminal G for Royal Caribbean International in summer 2025 (expected to open in late 2027).

PortMiami and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced this week that the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners has approved for NCLH to assume responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the existing Cruise Terminal B Garage, as well as the development of a new Multipurpose Parking Facility at PortMiami. This pivotal milestone underscores the commitment and partnership between Miami-Dade County and NCLH to address its growing passenger volumes and existing and future parking needs at PortMiami.

NCLH has also committed to increase its guaranteed passenger movements at PortMiami from an approximately 50 million to nearly 75 million passengers during the initial 30-year term of this agreement – an increase of ~25 million passengers over its existing commitment.

What new ships are set to homeport in Miami in 2025?

Among the new lineup of ships which will begin departing 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)

Are there any cruises for LGBTQ+ passengers?

Greater Miami & Miami Beach is the perfect starting point for LGBTQ+ travellers with its stunning beaches and welcoming atmosphere. There is also a wide range of LGBTQ+ cruises setting sail from PortMiami in 2025 including:

• MSC Seaside’s Pied Piper Cruises (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)

The article PortMiami sets new records as the world’s top cruise hub first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.