PortMiami has reclaimed its position as the world’s busiest cruise port, taking the title back from Port Canaveral.  

PortMiami recorded nearly 7.3 million passengers in fiscal year 2023, shattering the port’s previous record of 6.8 million passengers in fiscal 2019. (A fiscal year stretches from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.) 

Meanwhile, Port Canaveral counted 6.8 million passengers in fiscal 2023, which also was a port record. Port Canaveral’s previous high was 4.7 million passengers in 2019. 

CLIA’s final 2023 ranking has yet to be released. CLIA ranks ports by passengers counted in a calendar year, and PortMiami is expected to top that list.

PortMiami had long held the title as world’s busiest cruise port, but that changed during the pandemic as cruise lines built back their operations. The drive-to market surged in 2022, giving Port Canaveral, about 55 miles from Orlando, an edge in attracting customers driving to the port. 

In 2022, Port Canaveral’s 4.7 million passengers exceeded PortMiami’s 4.03 million passengers.

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