Considered one of Florida’s East Coast ports is having fun with a triple-digit surge in cruise passenger site visitors, and it’s not Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral. And it’s largely due to a single vessel with a distinctively Jimmy Buffett really feel to it.
Cruise Visitors at Palm Seashore Soars in 2023
The Port of Palm Seashore noticed cruise passenger site visitors skyrocket 183% in 2023 from 2022’s degree. As well as, the port was utterly full on February 1, 2024, with all berths occupied that day by a cruise ship, cargo ships and personal yachts.
“This achievement is unprecedented in my 22-year tenure as a Port Commissioner,” stated Wayne Richards, Port of Palm Seashore Board of Fee chairman.
Web working income in 2023 rose 11 %, leading to $3.3 million in internet revenue. Cruise trade adjustments and enhancements to the cargo areas of the port drove the outcomes, Richards stated.
“Underneath the route of Govt Director Michael Meekins, port workers recognized progressive methods to additional increase the port’s income and make sure the Port of Palm Seashore stays a main financial engine in Palm Seashore County, the state of Florida and the area,” Richards stated.
Jimmy Buffet-Themed Ship Driving Visitors at Palm Seashore
Whereas Palm Seashore doesn’t see the cruise site visitors of different East Coast ports in Florida – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral are the highest three homeports on this planet – it does play host to the Margaritaville at Sea cruise line.
Previously often known as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Margaritaville at Sea operates one vessel – Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. The ship was initially constructed for Costa Cruises and named Costa Classica.
By way of a partnership with the Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville Resorts & Motels group, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sails 2-night cruises between Palm Seashore and Freeport within the Bahamas. Visitors can lengthen their holidays by staying at companion accommodations on Grand Bahama Island.
The ship was in-built 1991 and might accommodate a most of 1,680 company. In Might 2023, she underwent a sequence of renovations in dry dock so as to add a pickleball courtroom, outside lounge area, a dueling piano bar, and a brand new burger restaurant.
Cruise Passenger Visitors in Florida Units Report in 2023
The Port of Palm Seashore is definitely positioned simply north of town in Riviera Seashore alongside the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Greater than 30 tenants make use of the port’s 165 acres. Cruise passenger site visitors is estimated at 400,000 per yr.
By comparability, PortMiami welcomed 7.3 million cruise passengers in 2023. Port Canaveral reported 6.9 million, and Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades hosted 3 million.
In whole, seven Florida ports reported 19.4 million cruise passengers in 2023, besting the earlier document set in 2019 by 1 million company.
Along with Margaritaville at Sea, SeaDream Yacht Membership has beforehand used the Port of Palm Seashore for crusing constitution and frequently scheduled cruises to the Bahamas.
Learn Additionally: High 10 Busiest US Cruise Homeports
SeaDream II is scheduled to renew 7-night cruises from Palm Seashore to the Bahamas in April 2025. The three-deck vessel can accommodate 110 company.
