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. The agreement grants preferential berthing rights at Cruise Terminal C at PortMiami for 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 based on 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 into long-term agreements with new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained the barriers to entry were significant, noted the last major cruise line to begin operating was Virgin Voyages, stated negotiations spanned nearly a year, and described the agreement as unique among the port's cruise agreements, operating 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.