PortMiami Opens World's Largest Cruise Terminal for MSC
Terminal AA can process as many as thirty-six thousand passengers a day and has two operating berths, with infrastructure for three ships at once.
PortMiami’s Terminal AA, designed by Miami architecture studio Arquitectonica for MSC Cruises, is the world’s largest cruise terminal by area, with capacity to process as many as 36,000 passengers a day. The approximately 490,000-square-foot, four-level complex opened in April 2025 and serves MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
The terminal currently has two operating berths, with marine infrastructure for three ships simultaneously. Its passenger flows are vertically separated so embarkation and disembarkation can take place at the same time.
Passenger flows shape the terminal
The elongated building occupies the eastern end of Dodge Island between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Its western end rises to create the main lobby, while another elevated section contains VIP lounges and the narrower eastern portion houses embarkation and disembarkation gates.
Arquitectonica said the arrangement allows the two passenger processes to operate “simultaneously with minimal overlap or delay.” The studio shaped the terminal’s linear profile around the movement of passengers, baggage and ships along the waterfront.
Inside, the building reaches four stories at its highest point. Wooden wall finishes, terrazzo flooring and blue carpeting run through an open interior. Seating areas and public artwork share the space with a large screen showing an underwater scene.
Passenger processing equipment includes biometric face pods, electronic gates and luggage screening systems. An adjacent garage provides more than 2,400 parking spaces.
The project also includes shore-power connections and infrastructure intended to support future LNG-fueled ships. It is pursuing LEED Gold certification.
Added capacity at a growing cruise port
The port handled 8,564,151 cruise passengers in fiscal 2025, up from 8,233,056 in fiscal 2024.
The facility handles Caribbean departures as well as passengers visiting Miami during port calls. Arquitectonica previously designed PortMiami’s Terminal V for Virgin Voyages, which was completed in 2022.
Royal Caribbean shifts departures to the MSC terminal
Royal Caribbean has temporarily directed passengers from Terminal A to the MSC facility while renovations are underway at its usual PortMiami terminal.
The line has told passengers assigned to Terminal AA to drive past Terminal A, follow the port’s blue “AA” signs and use the parking assigned to the MSC facility. It also advised guests to expect substantial walking inside the terminal and to arrange mobility assistance when needed.
Royal Caribbean did not disclose the scope of the Terminal A work, how long the closure would last or all departures affected by the temporary arrangement. The line previously used MSC’s facilities for Freedom of the Seas in October 2025 during the demolition of Terminal G.
Royal Caribbean’s separate $345 million terminal planned for the former Terminal G site is expected to open in 2027.
See cruises departing PortMiami on Cruise Lookup.
