by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Tue April 21, 2015
PHOTO: Port Canaveral, one of Florida's three most booming ports for the cruise industry. (TravelPulse file photo)
Florida is considered by many travelers to be one of the best spots in the United States for vacation, and one research group is reporting that the state is a Mecca for cruise passengers.
According to The Associated Press, the business research group Florida TaxWatch claims nine million cruise passengers traveled to Florida in 2013, spending an astounding $7.3 billion on the cruise industry.
The business of running cruise ships in Florida truly is strong, as Florida TaxWatch is reporting the state is responsible for over a third of the United States' spending in the industry. Add in the fact that Florida is home to more than half of the cruise-based employment in the country, and there is no denying the economic impact the vacation business has on the state.
As if being the top spot in the United States for the cruise industry wasn't enough, Florida also holds the distinction of having three of the most-visited cruise terminals in the world, according to Florida TaxWatch.
The three top terminals include Port Everglades, Port Miami and Port Canaveral.
One of the most popular destinations for tourists on cruise ships is the beautiful islands of the Caribbean, and there is no easier way to get to the region than by traveling to Florida in order to board one of the many ships that dock in the area.
With Florida also being the operational headquarters for many of the industry's top companies, including Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line and more, there is an argument to make that Florida is the ultimate cruise haven in the world.
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