MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · resolution

The Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution R-630-26 approving a Preferential Berthing Rights Agreement between Miami-Dade County and Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. d/b/a Margaritaville at Sea (MVAS). The agreement grants MVAS preferential berthing rights at Cruise Terminal C at PortMiami, with a five-year term commencing upon the first vessel call on January 9, 2027, through April 30, 2031, with two optional five-year renewal terms. The anticipated positive fiscal impact to the County is $23,148,594.00. The agreement includes a Minimum Annual Guarantee derived from MVAS's commitment to 100% vessel occupancy for approximately 170 confirmed vessel calls, a unitary fee per passenger aligned with PortMiami tariff equivalency subject to 3% annual escalation, and incentives for parking, marketing, non-peak day calls, and evening calls. The County retains reassignment rights for Force Majeure events, construction activities related to the North Bulkhead Rehabilitation Project and Berth 10 Project, and governmental directives. The agreement was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation by the Aviation and Seaport Committee on June 8, 2026, and adopted by the Board on July 21, 2026. During committee discussion, Commissioner Milan Orbis expressed appreciation for the revenue and noted she wished to proceed with caution given issues facing the port, asking whether it was advisable to enter long-term agreements and grant berthing rights to new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained the barriers to entry were significant, noted the last major cruise line to begin operating was Virgin Voyages, described the agreement as unique in structure, and confirmed entering into the agreement was advisable. Commissioner Gilbert III restated the question, and Mr. Wong confirmed he had no hesitation regarding the grant of berthing rights. The agreement is the first preferential berthing agreement with a new cruise line partner since the Port's 2019 agreement with Virgin Voyages.