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, and 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 based on approximately 170 confirmed vessel calls, a unitary fee per passenger aligned with PortMiami tariff equivalency subject to 3% annual escalation, and limited 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 item was introduced on 5/18/2026, forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation by the Aviation and Seaport Committee on 6/8/2026, and adopted on 7/21/2026. Public comment: 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, asking whether it was advisable to enter into long-term agreements and grant berthing rights to new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained barriers to entry in the cruise industry were significant, noted the last major cruise line to begin operating at the seaport was Virgin Voyages, stated negotiations spanned nearly a year, described the agreement as notable in structure with a five-year term and two five-year renewal options, and confirmed 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 entering into the agreement was advisable. Commissioner Milan Orbis asked if he had any hesitation regarding the grant of berthing rights to a new cruise line, and Mr. Wong confirmed he did not.