MSC Cruises has opened what it dubs the largest cruise terminal in the world at PortMiami
The four-level building, unveiled April 5 at a public ceremony and developed in partnership with the port and Miami-Dade County, can serve up to 36,000 passengers a day.
Two ships can dock simultaneously at the moment. Miami-Dade County is responsible for completing a third berth, which should be finished by 2028. Then the terminal will be able to accommodate three ships at the same time.
MSC World America, the Geneva-based carrier’s newest ship, will call the new terminal home. That ship is set for its first cruise this week, to the Caribbean.
MSC Cruises said it will have a total of four ships sailing from the new terminal throughout 2025, as well as vessels from its luxury brand Explora Journeys.
The nearly 500,000-square-foot terminal — designed by Miami’s Arquitectonica, built by Fincantieri Infrastructure and under construction since 2022 — cost about $450 million. Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava attended Saturday’s unveiling.
What to know about the MSC terminal at PortMiami
▪ Check-in:Cruise passengers can check in from home online with MSC for Me app or MSC Cruises website, upload travel documents and receive a boarding pass in a few minutes.
▪ Parking:Six-level garage with over 2,400 spaces. Guests can reserve spot in advance via the app or website.
▪ Drop-off:Covered drop-off zone for buses, taxis and ride shares. All transport options have a covered path straight into terminal.
▪ Luggage: Passengers can leave bags at a drop-off point in the parking garage. There are 42 luggage screening machines.
▪ Security: Once arriving at terminal, people scan passport into one of 18 biometric face pods and look at camera. Then passengers go through one of 20 security lanes.
▪ Aesthetics: The terminal filled with natural light and has a view of Biscayne Bay. Artwork was commissioned through Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program.
▪ Ship access:22 biometric E-gates on the terminal side before guests enter the gangway. Once on ship, no more onboarding needed.
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