The Port of Palm Beach commissioners have voted to seek competitive bids for a proposed US$43 million upgrade to the Florida port’s cruise terminal and berth.
The port said the work will include the construction of mooring dolphins for longer ships and a new passenger loading bridge. Plans also call for a parking garage and more space for passenger screening and baggage laydown.
The vote took place at the commission’s monthly meeting, and the port announced the decision on Friday, September 25. No construction contract has yet been awarded.
The improvements were identified as a priority in the port’s 2023 master plan.
The port said the proposal will improve cruise facilities while making greater use of its existing footprint.
The port’s master planning materials describe a 165-acre (67-hectare) site where cruise and cargo services are offered to more than 30 tenants and users located on-site.
The wider plan considers growth within the existing footprint as well as possible boundary expansion, and addresses cargo facilities and transport within the port.
The Port of Palm Beach is currently the homeport for one cruise ship, the 1,680-passenger Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. She has operated from the port since April 2022.