Port Tampa Bay (Florida USA) anticipates surpassing its previous all-time high for cruise passenger traffic this year, reflecting the ongoing expansion of the cruise industry, officials have revealed.
Greg Lovelace (the Port’s VP of Business Development) remarked on the remarkable evolution of the cruise sector from a period of complete inactivity during the crisis to its current thriving state. He noted the resilient recovery of cruise lines in particular.
A recent report by the Florida Ports Council disclosed that the cumulative count of cruise passengers across all Florida seaports attained a new peak of 19.4 million in 2023.
Lovelace highlighted a notable surge in cruise passenger numbers at Port Tampa Bay from October to December 2023, with almost 20,000 more individuals embarking on cruises compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Furthermore, the trajectory of passenger growth shows no signs of deceleration. Lovelace indicated that an even more substantial increase is anticipated for the entire fiscal year 2025, potentially reaching up to a 30% uptick.
Adding to the cruise offerings from Tampa, the new Margaritaville at Sea Islander will commence departures from Port Tampa Bay starting in June, providing travelers with an additional ship option.