Cruise: Miami, Tampa, Valparaiso

PortMiami and Partners Kick-off Cruise Terminal F Expansion

 
Cruise Terminal F as it will look after modernization
Source/PortMiami

A groundbreaking on November 30 marked the beginning of a $37.5 million expansion of PortMiami’s Cruise Terminal F. The facility will be used mainly by MSC Cruises, including its newest vessel, MSC Seaside. Now under construction in Italy, the 5,170-passenger vessel is scheduled to begin sailing Caribbean cruise itineraries from Miami in December 2017.

The three-phase construction project will reconfigure the three-story passenger building with a secure embark baggage x-ray and holding area, a large waiting room, and updated fire alarms and restroom facilities. Subsequent phases will add construct a three-story addition for offices, waiting rooms, and restrooms and a concrete corridor connecting the existing building with the new one. The work is due for completion a year from now.

Carnival Extends Its Tampa Bay Commitment Through 2021

Carnival Paradise docked at its Tampa Bay homeport.
Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line has extended its commitment to Port Tampa Bay through 2021. Carnival Cruise Line, a division of Carnival Corporation, is the only cruise line to base two ships year-round in Tampa. The agreement applies to all Carnival Corporation brands operating at the port, including Holland America, which will based a larger ship in Tampa on a seasonal basis.

Carnival has been sailing year-round from Tampa since October 1994. Beginning in January 2018, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle will join the 2,052 Carnival Paradise in offering four-, five- and seven-day Caribbean itineraries year round from Tampa to an estimated 320,000 guests annually.

"I would like to express our gratitude to the Carnival organization for their continued support at Port Tampa Bay, and we deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment to the strong cruise market that our region offers to this important cruise partner," said Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson.

Valparaiso Inaugurates New Cruise Passenger Terminal

 
Passenger reception area of Valparaiso’s new cruise terminal
Photo/Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso

A new cruise passenger terminal is in operation at the Port of Valparaiso. Dedicated in an official ceremony last month, the US$8 million structure occupies an 8,500 square meter site and can process up to 6,000 simultaneously embarking and debarking passengers from two large cruise ships.

he basic structure consists of concrete pillars and steel steels beams with an overlay of laminated wood. The spacious and tastefully appointed passenger hall is located a few steps from kiosks and souvenir stands. Parking is available for 26 busses and up to 50 automobiles. Passengers are shuttled the short distance between the terminal and the nearby cargo complex where cruise ships are berthed.

The new terminal has been operating since the October startup of Valparaiso’s 2016-17 cruise season. The port is expecting 108,000 passengers and 37 ship sailings through April. They include vessels homeported in Valparaiso by Celebrity, NCL, Princess and Holland America as well of port of call visitors, such as Hapag-Lloyd’s Haneatic, Cunard’s Queen Victoria, and Seven Seas Mariner. Valparaiso is a turnaround port for cruises sailing via Cape Horn between Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.  

The facility will be available for conventions and other public events when not in use for cruise passenger operations.

Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso will be hosting the AAPA Convention in 2018. 

Valparaiso Terminal de Pasajeros
Photo/Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso