MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

Aviation and Seaport Committee · 2026-06-08 · 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 agreement is expected to generate approximately one million passenger movements and at least $23.15 million in guaranteed revenues over the five-year term, with additional upside from passenger volumes exceeding the Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG). The agreement includes incentives for parking, marketing, non-peak day calls, and evening calls. The anticipated positive fiscal impact to the County is $23,148,594.00. The resolution authorizes the County Mayor or designee to execute the agreement and exercise all rights contained therein. The item 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 the committee meeting, Commissioner Milan Orbis expressed appreciation for the revenue and noted she was glad the County was bringing another cruise line into the port, but wished to proceed with caution given issues facing the port, and asked whether it was advisable to enter into long-term agreements and grant berthing rights to new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained that barriers to entry in the cruise industry were significant, noted the last major cruise line to begin operating at the seaport was Virgin Voyages, advised that negotiations had spanned nearly a year, and described the agreement as notable in structure, consisting of a five-year term with two five-year renewal options, and stated it was unique among the port's cruise agreements and would operate out of Terminal C. Commissioner Gilbert III restated the question, and Mr. Wong confirmed that entering into the agreement was advisable. Commissioner Milan Orbis asked whether he had any hesitation regarding the grant of berthing rights to a new cruise line, and Mr. Wong confirmed that he did not.