Norwegian Cruise Line will build a futuristic new terminal at PortMiami

See renderings of what’s being called the “pearl” of Miami

By Adele Chapin Mar 8, 2018, 5:05pm EST

In 2019, vacation-goers on Norwegian Cruise Line will depart Miami from a futuristic new terminal at PortMiami. That’s the plan for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., which just unveiled the design for its dedicated Norwegian Cruise Line terminal at the port.

Miami-based firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc. dreamed up a LEED-Silver design for the project inspired by a nautilus, with a spiraled, multi-level facade. Construction is expected to start this May and the Norwegian Cruise Line terminal is slated for completion by the fall of 2019.

Miami-Dade County will invest $100 million to build the new terminal, with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. augmenting the county’s allocated funds with its own contribution to PortMiami.

“Norwegian has been sailing from Miami for over fifty years, longer than any other cruise line, and we are honored to be partnering with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County to construct an iconic terminal that will contribute to Miami’s world famous skyline and strengthen its position as the Cruise Capital of the World,” Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, said in a press release.

The release dubs the project the new “pearl” of Miami. So PortMiami will soon have a “pearl” and a “crown” — that would be the new terminal for Royal Caribbean Cruises nicknamed the “crown of Miami,” which is slated for completion this fall.

As of April 27, 2018, the article has been updated to include the terminal’s groundbreaking.