MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

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

The document is a legislative item 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 agreement includes a Minimum Annual Guarantee derived from MVAS's commitment to 100% vessel occupancy for approximately 170 confirmed vessel calls. The resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on 7/21/2026. The Aviation and Seaport Committee forwarded it to the BCC with a favorable recommendation on 6/8/2026. 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 and asked about the advisability of long-term agreements and granting berthing rights to new cruise lines. Mr. Wong explained the barriers to entry, noted the last major cruise line to begin operating at the seaport 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 any hesitation, and Mr. Wong confirmed he did not.