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 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 agreement has an anticipated positive fiscal impact to the County of $23,148,594.00, with approximately one million passenger movements and at least $23.15 million in guaranteed revenues over the five-year term. 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 with a favorable recommendation by the Aviation and Seaport Committee on June 8, 2026, and adopted by the Board on July 21, 2026. 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 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, 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. Following a point of order, 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.