Royal Caribbean breaks ground on Miami terminal

MIAMI — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. executives joined PortMiami and
Miami-Dade County officials on Wednesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking on RCCL’s
new terminal at the easternmost point of the port’s cruise ship row.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the project will create
4,000 jobs and push the port past the 6 million level for annual passengers
after it opens in November 2018.

The 170,000-square-foot terminal was designed by Singapore-based
architectural firm Broadway Malyan and will be the most expensive terminal in
North America.

RCCL chairman Richard Fain joked with Gimenez about the
price tag. “I was feeling quite good until you reminded me we’re spending
$200 million,” Fain said. “It takes some of the shine off.”

Earlier in the day, Royal Caribbean International president
Michael Bayley announced the terminal will be home to the Allure of the Seas
and the Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class Royal Caribbean ship. The
Symphony is scheduled to begin service in the summer of 2018 in the
Mediterranean before shifting to Miami in November.