MIAMI (WSVN) - Royal Caribbean Cruises and Miami-Dade County announced on Tuesday an agreement to build and operate a new cruise terminal at PortMiami.
The new terminal, called “Terminal A” by officials, will be built on land leased from the county. The $200 million project will allow the company to welcome the newest, 5,400 passenger Oasis-class mega-ships, to the port. “We’re adding this wonderful new terminal, and it’s really gonna be, I think, one of the more spectacular buildings,” said Royal Caribbean CEO Richard D. Fain.
It’s expected to become a reality in about two years. “We will be more than doubling our capacity. We’re bringing an extra million guests here every year,” Fain said shortly after making the announcement at the Pérez Art Museum in Downtown Miami.
The announcement included a video animation showing a graphic depiction of the proposed terminal. The terminal will also feature technology to allow passengers to move through more quickly.
It’s not too shabby on the eyes either, with 200,000 square feet of glass and chrome. “It’ll be a beautiful addition to the port skyline,” Fain said.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez said the project will have benefits stretching beyond the port. “Four thousand direct and indirect jobs, that’s an impact for anyone in this county,” Giménez said.
Officials expect one million new passengers per year. “It’s going to be very iconic. It’s going to be the largest and the best cruise terminal in the United States,” Giménez said, “and possibly the world.”
The county is putting about $15 million into the project and infrastructure improvements.
The agreement will go before the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners on July 6. Gimenez said he expects the board to approve it.
For more information on Terminal A, visit this link: www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/newcruiseterminal.
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