By
Rebecca Gibson |
PortMiami handled around 4.8 million multi-day cruise passengers in 2014, breaking its own record.
During the 2014 financial year, which ended on 30 September, the US cruise port also welcomed 167,000 daily passengers and 32 ships from 13 brands.
Several ships made maiden calls at the port including one of MSC Cruises’ newest ships MSC Divina and Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship Norwegian Getaway. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Splendor also started sailing year-round from Miami.
“Cruise passengers are essential to the continual growth and development of the tourism industry in Miami-Dade County,” said Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “Cruise passengers contribute millions of dollars to our local economy annually including air travel, hotel nights, entertainment and shopping.”
Next year, the port is set to welcome Norwegian’s 4,300 passenger newbuild Norwegian Escape, which will be based year-round at PortMiami from November 2015. Meanwhile, AIDA Cruises is to add AIDAmar, AIDAvita and AIDAdiva to its line-up, while Costa Cruises will introduce a second seasonal vessel – Costa Mediterranea – to Miami.
“PortMiami offers passengers enticing vacations for every taste and budget,” said Juan Kuryla, the port’s director. “Additionally, our facilities are the most modern in the world. We want passengers to begin their vacation experience the minute they arrive to our Port. PortMiami’s number one priority is our customers.”
In 2015, PortMiami will handle 34 ships from 15 different cruise brands including AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Resorts World Bimini, and Royal Caribbean International.