Port Canaveral and PortMiami, among the busiest cruise locations in the world, set passenger records in 2025, reflecting higher cruise demand than ever.
PortMiami, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, set passenger records for fiscal year 2025, which ran from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, Miami officials said.
The Miami cruise port welcomed 8,564,225 cruise passengers, which is a 4.02% increase in cruise passenger totals compared with 2024's record of 8,233,056.
This doesn't come as a huge surprise, though. Miami is home to some of the world's newest and largest cruise ships, including Icon of the Seas, MSC World America, and Carnival Celebration. All offer weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean year-round.
Moreover, MSC Cruises opened the world's largest cruise terminal in March. The 492,678-square-foot Terminal AA was designed to accommodate up to three ships from MSC’s World, Seaside, and Meraviglia Classes simultaneously — up to 36,000 embarking and disembarking passengers daily.
The strong passenger growth also coincides with PortMiami’s booming cargo operations. During the 2024 fiscal year, PortMiami welcomed 1,115,058 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking the port's 11th consecutive year exceeding 1 million TEUs.
"PortMiami’s dual achievements highlight its dynamic role as both a cruise and cargo powerhouse, contributing billions to the local economy while advancing a future-ready vision of innovation, resiliency, and global connectivity," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb noted that the record-breaking numbers showcase "the dedication of [its] entire team and the strength of [its] partnerships with the cruise industry, cargo carriers, and the business community."
Meanwhile, Port Canaveral's numbers are even more impressive. During the 2025 fiscal year, the port welcomed a staggering 8,602,047 cruise passengers, up from 7,592,535 in 2024.
This secured Port Canaveral's spot as the busiest cruise port in the world. Port Canaveral previously earned the record in 2022 but lost it the following year to PortMiami.
Like PortMiami, some of the world's newest, largest ships homeport in Port Canaveral, including Utopia of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Carnival's Mardi Gras.
Fiscal year 2026 kicked off on Oct. 1
It's poised to be an exciting one, too. Although neither Port Canaveral nor PortMiami is welcoming a new Royal Caribbean ship (Legend of the Seas is heading to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale), a slew of newer vessels will sail from Florida for the first time.
For example, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady embarked on a series of Caribbean cruises from PortMiami starting on Oct. 16. Additionally, Norwegian Luna, NCL's newest 3,571-passenger ship, will begin offering sailings from Miami in March 2026.
