Carnival Corp has purchased a property in Miami’s Waterford Business District just south of Miami International Airport, which will be developed into its new global headquarters.
The purchase reinforces Carnival Corp’s long-standing commitment to South Florida and Miami-Dade County, a place it has called home for more than 50 years, the company said.
Carnival plans to build a multi-building complex, which will initially be designed to house over 2,000 employees.
When complete in 2028, the new global headquarters will become the company’s main North America office and will for the first time unite in a single location most of its North America shoreside team members from across the corporation and its cruise line brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard and Costa Cruises.
In addition to the existing team members working in the company’s Miami-Dade office, the combined North America operations will bring together people previously dispersed throughout other locations and regions, adding hundreds of additional high-paying jobs to Miami-Dade County.
“Co-locating our North America shoreside team members on a shared campus—designed from the ground up to support how we work and what we do—will foster even greater knowledge sharing, innovation, efficiency and career growth,” said Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corp CEO.
“We look forward to further leveraging our scale by bringing our teams closer together to supercharge collaboration and support our delivery of unforgettable happiness to our over 13 mill guests by providing extraordinary cruise vacations, while honouring the integrity of every ocean we sail, place we visit and life we touch,” he said.
The bespoke complex will be customised to meet the cross-functional needs of Carnival Corp and its cruise line operating units and will initially include 600,000 – 700,000 sq ft of workspace across the building, plus on board entertainment training and a rehearsal facility.
Buildings will be designed to feature a variety of versatile work areas, including open collaboration zones, individual workplaces, and ample meeting rooms, along with a flexible technological infrastructure, designed to keep up with new and emerging technologies and evolving ways of working.
The development will harmonise with the surrounding natural environment, providing a generous green space and showcasing the property’s adjacent lagoon to blend functionality and well-being to create a holistic work-life space.
“As the world’s largest cruise company, there is no better place for us to be based than Miami—the cruise capital of the world. Plus, with decades of history here, this move enables us to seamlessly build on our success here to continue growing our global operations and deepening our community ties,” Weinstein added.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s pro-business mindset and strategic location as a gateway to important international markets have made our state the ideal home base for international businesses like Carnival Corporation,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce, J Alex Kelly.
“Carnival Corporation’s investment in a new headquarters campus in Miami is a win for Florida generated through partnerships with private sector partners like the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, reinforcing Florida’s position as number one in the global cruise industry—underscoring how Florida’s robust infrastructure, skilled workforce and resilient economy instills confidence in job creators and job seekers,” he said.
“I’m proud to celebrate Carnival Corporation’s decision to expand their headquarters right here in Miami-Dade County. This significant investment deepens their decades-long commitment to our community and reinforces their role as one of our largest private sector employers. It also sends a powerful message: Miami-Dade is a premier global hub for business, top-tier talent, and strategic growth,” commented Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor.
“My Office of Innovation and Economic Development worked collaboratively with the Beacon Council and the Florida Department of Commerce to support this exciting expansion—which includes a state-of-the-art headquarters, increased opportunities for local vendors and small businesses, and even more economic momentum for our region.
“This announcement also reaffirms the strength and global standing of PortMiami—the Cruise Capital of the World. We’re honoured to be Carnival Corporation’s home port and proud to stand behind their continued success,” she said.
