PortMiami welcomes record 10 million cruise passengers in single year
Key Points(5)
- PortMiami has welcomed 10 million cruise passengers in a single fiscal year for the first time, setting a new annual record as cruise traffic continues to grow at the South Florida port.
- The port welcomed its 10 millionth passenger on September 14, more than two weeks before the end of its 2026 fiscal year on September 30.
- The milestone puts PortMiami well above its previous annual record of 8,564,225 cruise passengers, representing an increase of at least 16.8 percent with two weeks of passenger traffic still to be counted.
- Miami-Dade County officials attributed the growth to strong demand for cruises departing from Miami, investments in new and upgraded terminals, and an expanding range of cruise offerings.
- “Breaking the 10 million passenger threshold is a testament to PortMiami’s unwavering dedication to service, sustainability and economic vitality,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
PortMiami has welcomed 10 million cruise passengers in a single fiscal year for the first time, setting a new annual record as cruise traffic continues to grow at the South Florida port.
The port welcomed its 10 millionth passenger on September 14, more than two weeks before the end of its 2026 fiscal year on September 30.
The milestone puts PortMiami well above its previous annual record of 8,564,225 cruise passengers, representing an increase of at least 16.8 percent with two weeks of passenger traffic still to be counted.
Miami-Dade County officials attributed the growth to strong demand for cruises departing from Miami, investments in new and upgraded terminals, and an expanding range of cruise offerings.
“Breaking the 10 million passenger threshold is a testament to PortMiami’s unwavering dedication to service, sustainability and economic vitality,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
“This extraordinary milestone underscores our port’s role as a global gateway and a driver of job creation, tourism and local business growth.”
PortMiami Director and CEO Jonathan Daniels credited port employees and cruise industry partners for reaching the milestone.
“Reaching 10 million passengers reflects our focus on innovation, efficiency and superior passenger experience, as we continue to modernize PortMiami’s infrastructure and expand our capacity for future growth,” Daniels said.
PortMiami has invested in new and upgraded cruise terminals capable of accommodating some of the world's largest cruise ships. County officials said the infrastructure has helped increase capacity while improving passenger movement during embarkation and disembarkation.
The record comes amid continued expansion of Miami's cruise industry, which supports businesses across the tourism, hospitality, transportation, retail and maritime sectors.
County officials said cruise passengers contribute billions of dollars to the regional economy through hotel stays, restaurants, entertainment and transportation.
PortMiami, which bills itself as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” will record its final passenger total for fiscal year 2026 after the reporting period ends September 30.
