PortMiami is the busiest cruise port in the country
http://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/cruise-main.asp
Serving nearly 5 million cruise passengers each year. Thirteen cruise lines provide service out of PortMiami, with three brands joining the port’s stable in the past couple years.
Henry Flagler built the first port of Miami in 1900. Upon Flagler’s death in 1913, ownership of the port passed to the city of Miami. The main operations of the port were moved to Dodge Island in the main channel in 1960. That year, PortMiami handled nearly 137,000 cruise passengers. Norwegian Cruise Lines became the first cruise operator at PortMiami in 1966, when SS Suward began offering 3-day and 4-day cruises. By 1976, the port was handling more than a million cruise passengers each year. In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.In 1966, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) establishes their base of operations on the Port of Miami and their SS Sunward, a one-class ship offering 3- and 4-day cruises, is the first passenger vessel to utilize the new port facilities.
Today, nearly 30 cruise ships are based out of PortMiami. Last year MSC Cruises joined the fold. In 2013, Disney Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises took residence at the port. Five cruise lines at the port, including heavyweights Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are based in Miami.
Passengers can visit Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico on round-trip voyages from PortMiami. The port recently welcomed Norwegian Getaway, the newest cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Lines. The ship, which sails 7-day cruises to the Caribbean this season, features Miami-themed bars, restaurants and artwork throughout the vessel. In 2013, three new ships moved to PortMiami: Carnival Breeze, Celebrity Reflection and Oceania Riviera.
Seven passenger terminals service cruise travelers at PortMiami. Terminal D and Terminal E are massive, three-story buildings that serve mega-ships capable of carrying more than 5,00 passengers each. The recently remodeled terminals come complete with VIP lounges. Terminal J, which recently received a $3 million renovation, is designed to service the ports smaller cruise lines, such as Azamara Cruise Lines and Crystal Cruises.
PortMiami also is one of the dozen largest cargo container ports in the country. As the largest container port in Florida, PortMiami accounts for more than 170,000 jobs and contributes nearly $20 billion to the local economy.
Cruise Lines at PortMiami (13
Aida Cruises http://www.aida.de/en/aida-cruises/company.19043.html
Azamara Cruises http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/
Carnival Cruises http://www.carnival.com/
Celebrity Cruises http://www.celebritycruises.com/
Costa Cruises http://www.costacruise.com/
Crystal Cruises http://www.crystalcruises.com/
Disney Cruise Line http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/
MSC Cruises http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/homepage.aspx
Norwegian Cruise Line http://www.ncl.com/
Oceana Cruises http://www.oceaniacruises.com/
Regent Seven Seas Cruises http://www.rssc.com/
Resorts World Bimini Cruises http://rwbimini.com/
Royal Caribbean International http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do