SeaPort Manatee Wants to get into Passenger Business with a Cruise Line

SeaPort Manatee Wants to get into Passenger Business with a Cruise Line

Carlos Buqueras the CEO and president of SeaPort Manatee is seeing record numbers in the cargo business at SeaPort Manatee.

However, he would love to offer services for cruise or ferry passenger as well.

His idea to start, a fast ferry between SeaPort Manatee and the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, and then maybe perhaps some day Cuba,

Mr. Buqueras says he is always looking for those opportunities.

One company that could be possible is Baleària Caribbean which provides ferry service between Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas, on Florida's east coast.

Baleària Caribbean carried over 110,000 passengers on its Bahamas routes in 2022,

A possible Baleària ferry from SeaPort Manatee could carry between 800 and 1,000 passengers, and it could pass easily under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, according to SeaPort Manatee.

SeaPort Manatee has in the past had cruise service, but it’s been 20 years.  From 1993-2003, the Regal Empress offered cruises to destinations in Mexico and the western Caribbean from SeaPort Manatee, The cruise line went into bankruptcy.

As you are probably aware, on Florida’s east coast there are several cruise ports to choose from: Cape Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami and Palm Beach.

As of now… On Florida's West Coast there is currently only one, Tampa.

However, SeaPort Manatee thinks we’re ready for a 2nd cruise port, right here in Palmetto.

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