PortMiami announced another bumper year of cruise traffic, recording a record 4.8 million multi-day cruise passengers for the year ending September 30.
After receiving an average 167,000 passengers a day last year, officials are hopeful the port can break through the 5 million barrier in 2015, handling 34 ships from 15 cruise lines, a slight increase from 2014.
In late 2015, PortMiami will welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 4,300-passenger Norwegian Escape cruise ship.
The Escape will start sailing year-round Caribbean cruises from November.
Other cruise lines expanding capacity for 2015 include Costa Cruises, which will base a second seasonal ship, the Costa Mediterranea, for sailings to the Caribbean.
"Cruise passengers are essential to the continual growth and development of the tourism industry in Miami-Dade County," said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.
"Cruise passengers contribute millions of dollars to our local economy annually including air travel, hotel nights, entertainment and shopping," he added.
January is Miami Cruise Month and the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau this week launched a website showcasing cruise deals this month along with pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodation offers.
Cruise Line offering special deals departing from Miami this month include Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
