Who Owns the Cruise Ship Docks in Key West?

By Alice Nichols

The cruise ship docks in Key West, Florida are owned and operated by a variety of different companies. Key West is a popular cruise destination, and the docks provide an important gateway for the city’s tourism industry.

The most prominent owner of the cruise ship docks is Miami-based Royal Caribbean International. Royal Caribbean has owned and operated the Key West cruise ship docks since 2011, when they purchased it from Carnival Corporation. Royal Caribbean owns two main piers in Key West, Pier B and Pier E. The company also operates two smaller piers in the area – Pier C and Pier D.

Carnival Corporation still owns several smaller piers in Key West, including Mallory Square, along with small facilities at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Smathers Beach. Carnival also operates a private terminal at the port which is used exclusively for their ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line owns one pier in Key West – Pier A – which it acquired from the city of Key West in 2018. Norwegian also operates a facility at Mallory Square which is used primarily by their vessels.

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line are currently the three major owners of cruise ship docks in Key West. Each company has its own individual facilities around the city that provide access to both their own vessels as well as those of other companies.

In conclusion, who owns the cruise ship docks in Key West? The answer is that three major companies own them: Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line.