Work Begins on New Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal in PortMiami

Posted on 15 July, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Work Begins on New Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal in PortMiami

Work has begun on the new cruise terminal being developed by the Royal Caribbean Group in PortMiami.

According to The Next Miami, the new facility will replace the current Terminal G as part of a $345 million project.

The first stage of the development project includes the demolition of the structures of the current terminal building, which first opened in 1999.

Targeting a LEED Silver certification, the new single-berth facility will be able to host up to 7,000 passengers per call.

In addition to a new building for guest operations, the project also includes the construction of a multi-story parking garage with ground-level bus parking and designated passenger drop-off areas.

According to the NV2A Group, which is working on the construction in a joint venture with Lemartec, the main building features a design that strategically separates passenger flow by floor, optimising circulation and reducing congestion throughout embarkation and disembarkation.

“This approach minimises wait times, eliminates bottlenecks and ensures a streamlined process for cruise passengers, crew and transportation services,” the company stated.

The terminal is also said to feature an architectural design aimed at contributing to the evolving skyline of PortMiami.

“The project adds significant value to the port’s existing terminal infrastructure and delivers a product that inspires civic pride and strengthens Miami’s position as a premier cruise capital,” the NV2A Group added.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate Icon-class vessels and is set to open by the fall of 2027.

Royal Caribbean also operates PortMiami’s Terminal A, which was built by the company and opened in late 2018.

The facility currently hosts the company’s largest vessels, including Oasis- and Icon-class ships, welcoming over 10,000 guests per call.

In related news, Royal Caribbean is also building a new ten-story office campus at PortMiami as part of a deal that was first announced in 2019.

Located near the company’s current headquarters on Dodge Island, the new office buildings are expected to be completed by 2026.

MSC Poesia to Offer Longer Cruises from Miami in 2026-27

Posted on 21 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The MSC Poesia is set to offer a series of ten- and 11-night cruises from PortMiami during the 2026-27 winter season.

According to published deployment, the 2009-built ship is scheduled to offer longer itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

The MSC Poesia is set to arrive in South Florida in mid-October, following MSC’s first-ever season in Alaska.

After a 19-night repositioning voyage via the Panama Canal, the vessel embarks on a five-night cruise to Grand Cayman and Jamaica before kicking off a series of ten- and 11-night sailings.

The longer cruises visit destinations around the region, including Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean; Roatán, Colón and Puerto Limón in Central America; as well as St. Thomas, St. John’s and St. Kitts in the Eastern Caribbean.

The deployment also includes visits to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, Montego Bay in Jamaica, and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic.

With sailings currently scheduled through late March, the ship’s winter season includes nearly 20 cruises.

The Poesia joins two other ships scheduled to sail from PortMiami in 2026-27: the new MSC World America and the MSC Seaside.

While the World-class vessel offers seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the Seaside is set to operate three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas.

All itineraries onboard the two ships include visits to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island destination near Bimini.

In addition to the three ships sailing from Miami, MSC is deploying four vessels in other homeports across the United States in 2026-27.

The MSC Meraviglia is set to return to New York City for the season, while the MSC Seascape continues to sail from Galveston. Port Canaveral will welcome two vessels: the MSC Seashore and the MSC Grandiosa.

NCLH Reveals Development Plans for Great Stirrup Cay

Posted on 15 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has announced plans to build new amenities and enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay.

The company said in a press release that the enhancements include a new welcome center and pool area with a swim-up bar, family splash pad and poolside cabanas. An island-wide tram system will also be added. These will debut along with a multi-ship pier later this year.

During the company’s christening ceremony for the Norwegian Aqua in Miami, David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “We are unveiling that Great Stirrup Cay is getting even greater with more to do! Later this year, we will launch new experiences for our guests to enjoy on this already incredible private island.”

These, according to the company, include a relaxation area with hammocks and other Tiki-inspired amenities and experiences.

The company said in a press release that several onboard premium concepts featured on Norwegian Cruise Line ships will also come to the island, including the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and Horizon Park, a recreation and lawn games area.

“These newly announced enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay will further improve the guest experience on the island, which is already one of our top-rated destinations worldwide,” said Sommer.

“Along with completing a new multi-ship pier later this year, we’re improving both access and amenities on the island. As we anticipate annual guest visits to exceed one million by 2026, we are actively evaluating additional investments in the island to support that growth and expand the amenities our guests can enjoy,” added Sommer.

“Great Stirrup Cay has long been a guest favorite. These new additions will take the private island experience to the next level by offering our guests even more and the continued freedom and flexibility to design their best vacation,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“We look forward to adding more exciting and guest-centric experience on Great Stirrup Cay in the future,” added Herrera.