Key West is one of the busiest cruise ports in the nation, with approximately 393 ships and 913,323 passengers visiting during the 2018-19 season. Things are about to change. Voters in Key West approved measures to cap the number of cruisers allowed ashore and the size of the ships allowed to dock. Priority will be given to ships based on their health and environmental records. Ships carrying more than 1300 people will be banned. Only 1500 cruise passengers per day will be allowed to disembark in Key West. Berthing priorities will be given to cruise companies based on their scores with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program and their record of environmental violations.
According to a former mayor of Monroe County, larger cruise ships make Key West uncomfortably crowded and attract merchants with the same shops in every port. This takes away from the uniqueness of Key West. Before the large cruise ships visited, the water was crystal clear. There is a significant difference now that the cruise ships have stopped coming to Key West due to COVID-19. The water is once again much clearer.
The Key West Committee for Safer, Cleaner Ships say the larger cruise ships are at a higher risk of carrying COVID-19 and cruise ship traffic causes chronic water- quality issues in the Florida Keys. Smaller ships are safer and cleaner, attracting higher-spending customers. The smaller ships have less impact on the marine environment.
This won’t bring cruising to a complete stop to Key West, but it will take a huge hit. The Florida Ports Council stated that the Port of Key West has an annual economic impact of $85 million, providing 1240 direct and indirect jobs to the 25,000 citizens of Key West while contributing 15% of the city’s total tax revenue. Cruise ship visitors, as opposed to those who drive in, don’t contribute vehicular traffic to the overburdened US 1 corridor.
Premium cruise line, Oceania Cruises occasionally stop in Key West and they have 6 ships that carry from 688 to 1,250 passengers. Crystal Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, and Silversea Cruises also have options to stop there as well.
Related cruise posts that may interest you:
Oceania Cruises 2022
Regent Cruises Cancellation Policy & COVID Safety Protocols
Virgin Cruises Health Screening Technology
