Port of Palm Beach Enhances Cruise Experience with New Improvements 

Cruising aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise from the Port of Palm Beach just got a whole lot smoother with both self-parking and facial recognition technology now in place. 

The first use of the facial recognition technology on January 3rd, marked a historic milestone for the Port of Palm Beach. More than 1,400 cruise passengers were successfully off the cruise ship before 10 AM on a record-setting day. This is a significant improvement that allowed embarking guests on the following sailing to get aboard even faster. Now that passengers are moving through customs quicker than before, the Port has also introduced self-parking to further expedite passenger flow.

“We are excited about the partnership with both the Port of Palm Beach and U.S. Customs & Border Protection to help significantly improve the experience for cruise guests.” said Margaritaville at Sea Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Anthony Stice. “We look forward to continuing to find ways to elevate the experience for our guests to make their sailings as easy-breezy as possible.”

In keeping with its commitment to safety, the Port has also established a temporary pedestrian walkway between vehicles and the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship. This walkway, designed for both ease and security, will eventually be replaced with a permanent structure that will feature an overhead canopy for added comfort and protection from rain and other weather element.

Click Here to Watch Video

“Additionally, we have even more improvements planned, including the installation of sidewalks, signage, pavement resurfacing, striping, minor landscaping, and new fencing,” said Meekins. 

The improvements make Port of Palm Beach one of the quickest ports to cruise from in Florida. For more information on parking rates and acceptable forms of payments, visit Port of Palm Beach Cruise Parking Information.

Construction on Port Infrastructure Development Program

The Port of Palm Beach is currently in the middle of our $30M Port Infrastructure Development Program also known as the PIDP.

With phase 2 fast approaching, the main security gate, located on MLK Blvd and President Barack Obama Highway, temporarily closed on Wednesday, January 15^th.

The closure will make way for a redesign that includes additional lanes and a new trucking check-in system to make cargo handling even more efficient.

Visitors who do not have a TWIC, will continue to use the Visitor Gate (gate 2) located adjacent to the main gate on the southside. Everyone delivering cargo in the restricted area, is required to enter the restricted area using the security entrance near 301 Broadway Avenue. 

Here’s how you can get there from the intersection of President Barack Obama Highway and MLK Jr. Blvd. 

Option one: Turn right heading south on President Barack Obama Highway. As you near St. Mary's Hospital, turn left onto 45th Street. Drive east, then turn left on Broadway Avenue. Continue until you reach 59th Street, which is right before the Sky Pass Bridge. Take a right onto Access Road and follow it around to the left. 

Option two: Turn left heading north on President Barack Obama Highway. Turn right on 13th Street and head east. When you reach Broadway Avenue, make a right. Continue over the Sky Pass Bridge, slow down, and take the first left at the bottom of the bridge. That’s Access Road. Follow the signs to your designated entry point.

Watch Video Here

The PIDP design is completed and has been submitted to the City of Riviera Beach. 

The PIDP is set to enhance the Port's infrastructure and boost its operational efficiency. 

Key Enhancements:

• Revamped Main Port Gate: The redesign of the main port gate off MLK Blvd. will introduce additional lanes, streamlining truck entry and improving cargo transport efficiency within the Port.
• Advanced Truck Processing System: A new system will cut incoming container truck wait times by 50%, significantly reducing emissions and enhancing overall port operations.
• Expanded Freight Rail Capacity: The project will boost annual freight rail capacity by 116%, increasing it from 44,000 to nearly 100,000 TEUs. The addition of new rail tracks will also provide increased storage for rail cars within the port.

• Reduced Truck Traffic: By expanding intermodal rail capacity, the project will eliminate 29,000 truck trips annually from the congested Interstate 95 corridor and surface transportation network.
• Job Creation: At least 105 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase, providing a boost to the local economy

The design build project is a collaboration between the Port, Gonzalez & Sons Equipment Inc., HDR, PSA Management, Transystems and Moffatt and Nichol. 

The project is divided into four phases. 

Phase 1: rail tracks west of Slip 2, a parking lot west of the molasses tanks and the refrigerated container area just east of the Port's main entrance.

Phase 2: Open South Gate to traffic, construct south track area and section of South Port Road 

Phase 3: Open Main Gate to traffic, close old interchange, and construct North Port Road and Avenue E

Phase 4: Complete remaining items

Click Here to Learn More About Ongoing Port Projects

Access to Maritime Office Complex

All tenants, port employees, Global Entry visitors and non-cruise passengers must enter the MOC parking lot through the Avenue C gate (located in between the Cracker Boy Boatyard and our chiller plant). 

Below is a map that shows the entrance and exit gate. With self-parking in effect, there has been a change in the traffic pattern. You cannot drive into the main entrance where the cruise passengers enter. 

 Cargo Tonnage Reports

                                                            Actual            Prior Year Actual

TEUS                                      23,187           23,399                          

Rail Cars                                1,186              1,261

Raw Sugar                             33,700            29,100 

Liquid Asphalt                       452                 15,398

Molasses                                23,558            0

Recyclable Steel                    11,292            11,346

Break-bulk                              16,051           13,538

Two Port Commissioners Sworn-in 

Free Human Trafficking Awareness Training

To recognize National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Port of Palm Beach has partnered with the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches to provide a free one hour training to the port community. The training will be held on Friday, January 31st at 11 AM in our Boardroom on the 6th floor of Maritime Office Complex. 

The training will be tailored to the port community. If you plan to attend, please accept the calendar invite that will be sent in early January. 

Margaritaville at Sea Claims Three Top Spots in USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

The results of the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are in; Margaritaville at Sea was awarded the No. 1 “Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers.” Launched in 2022, the young cruise line was also named the No. 2 “Best Ocean Cruise Line” and the No. 3 “Best Cruise Line for Families.” Nominated by an expert panel of judges and voted on by USA Today readers, the dynamic cruise line shares top spots with some of the largest, most established cruise lines in the industry. The full list of winners for Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers, Best Ocean Cruise Line, Best Cruise Line for Families, and other categories is available online. Margaritaville at Sea was also recently awarded No. 1 “Cruisers’ Choice” in Cruise Critic’s 2024 “Best in Cruise” Awards. 

 “To be No. 1, 2, and 3 in three different ‘best of’ categories in just our first few years of operation is a testament to our entire team, but especially our amazing crewmembers who deliver exceptional experiences for every type of guest and occasion,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “Whether solo travelers, groups, or families, we’ll continue to innovate and deliver fun and escapism for everyone. As we celebrate this ‘full podium’ of awards, we’re looking forward to welcoming new and returning guests to experience Margaritaville’s iconic hospitality at sea through 2025 and beyond.” 

Margaritaville at Sea brings the Margaritaville brand’s iconic hospitality to the open ocean for a one-of-a-kind offshore vacation experience. The cruise line’s maiden vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, offers easy-breezy getaways from Palm Beach to the Bahamas. The line’s new flagship vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, set sail June 2024 out of Port Tampa Bay on four- to 10-night adventures to Key West, Aruba, Curaçao, Montego Bay, Mexico, and New Orleans. 

 Margaritaville at Sea guests can relax and unwind in casual-luxe comfort, choosing from a range of staterooms and suites, all dressed in nautical details and colors inspired by the sea, sand, and sky. While on board, guests enjoy endless live entertainment across numerous themed shows, dining venues, bars, and lounges. Both ships also feature the St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, Pickleball at Sea, Fin City Arcade, kid’s clubs and play areas, Margaritaville Casino, and more.

 For more information on Margaritaville at Sea, call 1.800.814.7100 or visit MargaritavilleatSea.com

Social Media Buzz

Margaritaville at Sea's Special Offers

Margaritaville at Sea is currently sailing to Nassau, Bahamas from the Port of Palm Beach. The new itinerary includes the first-ever ship-to-resort experience through an exclusive partnership with Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau. The new Sail and Splash: Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau experience provides guests aboard Paradise with priority access to the stunning resort, including the Fins Up! Water Park, ensuring a seamless, start-to-finish Margaritaville island escape.

“Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau boasts exceptional amenities, including private access to a spectacular beach on turquoise waters, the thrilling Fins Up! Water Park, FlowRider®, lazy river, multiple pools, and a variety of dining and bar options. We’re excited to expand our offerings and give both new and loyal guests a reason to return to Paradise.”

Margaritaville at Sea’s new two-, three-, and four-night Sail and Splash getaways to Nassau allow guests to enjoy a curated resort experience at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, located just a 10-minute walk from the cruise port. With priority access to the resort’s many offerings, passengers aboard Paradise are first in line to enjoy the destination’s relaxed island lifestyle. Guests can add the new Sail and Splash: Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau experience during booking for only $99 per person. Other excursion options include tours of Nassau’s iconic highlights, rich culinary traditions and music heritage, trips to Paradise Island, boating, snorkeling, and more.

Job Opportunities

Palm Beach Parking

Tropical Shipping

CEMEX

Operator Truck Lift

Technician Block Production

SSI Petroleum

Mechanic Helper 

Dispatcher

For more information, please contact SSI's Human Resources Manager Vivian Prescott by phone at 863-508-1406 or email vprescott@ssipetro.com.

            

About SSI Petroleum 

Ozinga

CDL Ready Mix Driver

E.N. Bisso & Son Inc.

Service Technician

SMS International Shore Operations

Pier Agent- Margaritaville at Sea Cruise

Upcoming Commission Meetings

You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings.  

• February 20 
• March 20
• April 17

View agendas and minutes 

January Workiversaries For 

Port Employees 

Congratulations to the following employees who is celebrating a workiversary:

Director of Contract Compliance Tacaria Anderson Jones- 

January 4th (26 years)

Facilities Worker Francisco Miranda- January 22nd (1 year)

Holiday Closure

Port of Palm Beach administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume regular business hours Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

For immediate assistance call the Main Security Gate at 561-383-4144.

The Port of Palm Beach Board of Commissioners and its staff wish you a meaningful Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day filled with reflection, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to justice.