by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:51 PM ET, Mon September 24, 2018
Port Tampa Bay officials announced the facility reached one million cruise passengers served so far this year, marking the first time the port ever achieved the milestone.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the port surpassed one million cruise visitors on September 17 when the total reached 1,000,524 for this fiscal year, which ends September 30. The number continues to rise as more ships call at the port each week.
"A fantastic moment for Port Tampa Bay and our cruise line partners," CEO Paul Anderson said in a statement.
In addition, Port Tampa Bay achieved several major accomplishments over the last year, including setting a single-weekend record during the Easter holiday, and the expansion of sailings to Cuba with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line all sail out of Tampa, with 4-, 5-, 7- and 14-day cruises to Mexico, Cuba, and the Caribbean.
Officials from Port Tampa Bay expect the numbers to continue rising, as the $3 billion Water Street Tampa project will transform the Channelside Bay Plaza into Sparkman Wharf, giving cruise passengers more dining, shopping, and touring options.
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