MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

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

The document is a legislative record for a resolution 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, 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 resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on 7/21/2026. 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 has reassignment rights for Force Majeure events, construction activities related to the North Bulkhead Rehabilitation Project and Berth 10 Project, and governmental directives. The agreement is the first preferential berthing agreement with a new cruise line partner since the Port's 2019 agreement with Virgin Voyages. The document does not state a specific street address, parcel, or acreage for the project. The document includes public comment from Commissioner Milan Orbis who expressed appreciation for the revenue, noted she was glad the County was bringing another cruise line into the port, and wished to proceed with caution given issues facing the port. She asked whether it was advisable to enter into long-term agreements and grant berthing rights to new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained 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 a five-year term with two five-year renewal options, 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 hesitation regarding the grant of berthing rights to a new cruise line, and Mr. Wong confirmed he did not. The Committee forwarded the resolution to the Board with a favorable recommendation.