Sarah Bretz, ContributorPortMiami in Miami and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida have both announced that they have achieved their highest-ever cruise passenger totals in fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30th.
PortMiami
PortMiami had a cruise passenger total of 8,233,056 in fiscal year 2024, a 12.79 percent increase in cruise passenger totals compared to its previous record of 7,299,294 passengers in fiscal year 2023.
The upcoming 2024-2025 season is filled with both new cruise ships and terminals for the port. Among the new lineup of ships that will be sailing from PortMiami include Explora II and Resilient Lady this month, MSC World America and Norwegian Aqua in April 2025, Brilliant Lady in October 2025, and Oceania’s Allura in November 2025.
As well, 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.
“PortMiami continues to break records and uphold its status as the Cruise Capital of the World©. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire PortMiami team and our valued cruise line partners on reaching this extraordinary achievement,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “PortMiami has not only transformed our iconic skyline and bolstered our economy, but its ongoing commitment to creating more sustainable development ensures that our port remains a forward-thinking, future-ready gateway to the world.”
Port Everglades
Port Everglades bested its own cruise passenger record with a preliminary count of 4,010,919 guests embarking and disembarking during this fiscal year. The new record is expected to be short lived, though, as 4.4 million guests are anticipated for fiscal year 2025.
“We expected to do well with the addition of Disney Cruise Line to our fleet and a mix of short and week-long cruises throughout the summer. As the year progressed, it became evident that a near-record 4 million guests was within reach,” said CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris. “Cruising is in high demand, and our cruise line partners are poised for greater gains with new itineraries and a variety of sailing dates.”
In just one year — from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024 — cruise passenger counts grew 39 percent and cruise ship calls rose 23 percent as cruise lines fully recovered from the pandemic. The port’s previous record was set in fiscal year 2014 with 3,880,033 guests. In 2014, it took 887 cruise ship calls to set that record. This year, it only took 648 calls to set the new record because cruise ships are so much larger overall now than they were ten years ago.
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