Carnival Cruise Line has received the Miami-Dade County Commission’s approval for the planned modernisation and expansion of Cruise Terminal F at PortMiami.
The revamped terminal is expected to have the capacity to accommodate Carnival’s new Excel-Class ships. The overhaul will allow Mardi Gras’ yet-to-be-named liquefied natural gas (LNG) sister ship to be homeported in Miami in 2022.
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The first Carnival Excel-Class vessel Mardi Gras is expected to be delivered next August.
Designed by Miami-based Berenblum Busch Architects, the refurbished terminal will have a range of modern features such as facial recognition technology.
The project is expected to be completed by October 2022.
Commenting on the expansion work, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: “Over the last several months, we have had very constructive discussions with PortMiami and Miami-Dade leaders about our plans for Miami and our goal to enhance and grow our capacity and operations in our hometown.
“Everyone is very excited about Miami being home to our next liquefied natural gas ship in North America and the sister ship to Mardi Gras, which arrives next August and is generating tremendous enthusiasm.
“Today’s vote assures that the new ship and terminal expansion will both arrive in time for Carnival’s 50th anniversary in 2022.”
Terminal F will be Carnival’s third cruise terminal at PortMiami and also its largest terminal in North America upon the completion of the project.
According to the contract, Carnival will keep ships at Terminal F for a period of 20 years, which also includes the option of two more seven-year extensions.
