Miami is gearing up for another year of intense activity in the cruise industry, driven by the growing interest of Americans in traveling by sea and the forecasts of a new record number of passengers in 2027, during a season that will have South Florida among its main departure points to the Caribbean.
According to a forecast published by the American Automobile Association (AAA), approximately 22.4 million residents of the United States will take ocean cruises in 2027, representing a 3.6% increase from the estimates for 2026 and marking the fifth consecutive year of record figures for this segment of tourism.
The forecast includes trips made by Americans from both domestic and international ports, so it does not mean that all those passengers will be boarding in Florida.
However, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale are among the top three busiest cruise ports in the world, according to AAA.
The growth also reflects the recovery of an industry that surpassed its pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
In 2019, about 14.2 million Americans traveled on ocean cruises, while for 2027, a number approximately 57% higher is projected.
One of the main reasons is the possibility of visiting different destinations without constantly changing hotels, combining accommodation, meals, and entertainment within the same trip.
“Cruises offer a unique type of vacation because you unpack just once and visit multiple destinations, with meals and entertainment included,” explained Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in the organization's statement.
The executive noted that choosing the right ship and itinerary is crucial, as companies offer very different experiences based on the ages, preferences, and budgets of the passengers.
The Caribbean continues to be the main focus of this activity. According to AAA, it is expected that 71% of U.S. cruise passengers will choose this region in 2027, drawn by its beaches, stops at various islands, and the proximity of numerous destinations to Florida's ports.
Shipping companies have responded to that demand with larger capacity ships, new facilities, and private destinations that include beaches, restaurants, pools, and other attractions.
Some of these megaships can carry at least 4,500 passengers and offer a wide variety of activities that allow for an enjoyable vacation even on sea days.
For residents of Miami-Dade and Broward, the proximity of the terminals offers an additional advantage, as they can start their vacation without needing to take a flight to another city.
The growth forecasts for the sector for 2027 come after an exceptional year for PortMiami, which in September surpassed 10 million cruise passenger movements within the same fiscal year for the first time.
The Miami-Dade Government officially confirmed that the port welcomed its 10 millionth passenger on September 14, 2026, with two weeks still remaining in the fiscal period.
The figure significantly surpassed the previous record of 8,564,225 passengers recorded during the 2025 fiscal year.
The historic record achieved by PortMiami reflected an increase of at least 1.4 million passenger movements compared to the previous year, even before accounting for the activity of the last two weeks of September.
The county attributed this growth to international demand, investment in terminals, and the expansion of operations by various shipping companies.
The mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, emphasized that surpassing 10 million passengers demonstrates the importance of the port for the local economy, tourism, and job creation.
Growth is also observed in Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades closed fiscal year 2026 with over 5.38 million cruise passenger movements, compared to approximately 4.77 million during the previous year.
According to the historical records of the port and the report published on Friday by Seatrade Cruise News, this marks the third consecutive year of record highs for this terminal in Broward County.
Port Everglades began its new season with nine shipping companies and a schedule that includes around 40 vessels, establishing itself as one of the main entry and exit points for maritime tourism in South Florida.
The growing demand is also changing the length of vacations. While seven-night cruises remain the most popular, an increasing number of travelers are choosing shorter getaways.
AAA revealed that in 2025, 45% of American passengers booked cruises of six nights or less, compared to 39% recorded in 2019.
These itineraries allow for a few days at sea without being away from work, school, or family responsibilities for too long.
Options include trips to the Bahamas and various Caribbean destinations, with durations depending on the company, the ship, and the scheduled stops.
Another factor that contributes to the popularity of cruises is the satisfaction of those who have already experienced them. According to AAA, more than 90% of American passengers rate their vacations as good or very good, while 93% go on to book another cruise.
However, the organization recommends carefully comparing the included services before booking a trip, as some beverages, specialty restaurants, excursions, internet packages, and other activities may incur additional charges.
It is also advisable to book in advance to have more options for cabins and itineraries, especially during peak seasons.
In Miami, growth has already necessitated strengthening the planning for land access to the port. On October 16, PortMiami announced new measures to reduce traffic congestion during the 2026-2027 season.
The port anticipates 81 days where between seven and ten cruise ships will coincide, a volume of operations that could result in a significant flow of passengers, private vehicles, taxis, and app-based transportation services.
Among the announced measures are new guidelines on the entry routes to the terminals, campaigns encouraging passengers to arrive at their designated boarding times, and the use of technology to identify potential congestions.
A free transportation service to Miami International Airport will also be tested for passengers of the Carnival Celebration on select dates, while similar initiatives aimed at travelers of the Icon of the Seas de Royal Caribbean will continue.
The PortMiami schedule for the 2026-2027 season includes the addition of new vessels from companies such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and other international cruise lines.
The arrival of the Carnival Firenze is scheduled for February 2027, while the Norwegian Aura will join in June and the Royal Caribbean Hero of the Seas in August, according to the official port schedule.
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