There has been a love/hate relationship with the Cruise Ships in Key West. Hotels hate them because they take business away and block the views for the waterfront resorts. Businesses and vendors love them because they bring in thousands of people spending money. Boats love them and hate them. They block the easy access to and from the marinas but they bring a lot of customers/passengers. The restaurant owners love them because they bring people who go to lunch at a "Local Restaurant". The servers and bartenders hate them because, in general, they are poor tippers.

My opinion, for what it's worth is we need the Cruise Ships.. All the above negative factors are very much true but they bring a lot of money into a community and our main economy is tourism.

The information below was copied and pasted directly from the City of Key West website regarding the Cruise Ships.

Cruise Ships / Marine Services

There have been some exciting changes to the City’s approach to managing our waterfront. The concept of these changes called for the consolidation of City waterfront responsibilities. This includes the deep-water port activities of Cruise Ships and of Navy vessel activity coordination.

The objective of the Plan is to make our City waterfront operate more efficiently, as well as effectively. As the City’s mission statement states, we are " to maximize services to our customers in the most cost effective way." Not only does the consolidation make for a more efficient and effective operation, it also provides for better accountability and a more consistent approach in the interpretations of policy and procedures affecting the waterfront environment.

Vision

The City’s Vision states " We will strive to be a user-friendly city, establishing an atmosphere of trust and confidence by providing quality, professional services." The recent realignment of responsibilities reinforces that thought and direction.

The waterfront is yours, to some the waterfront is our heritage, to others it is what has drawn us here, whatever the reason - protect and enjoy it!

Port of Key West Mission

A public benefit City department providing maritime, real estate services, and management of infrastructure to enhance the local economy, providing recreational opportunities for its citizens, and at the same time protecting both our heritage and the marine environment for future generations.

History of Port of Key West

In 1969 the Port of Key West received its first regularly scheduled cruise ship; it was the SUNWARD. She called on Key West once a month. The Sunward moored at either the Navy’s Mole or Pier B facility. Records indicate that between 1969 and 1984 the Port of Key West received 266 port calls. In 1999 fiscal year 415 cruise ships called on the Port of Key West allowing 597,009 passengers to experience Key West’s charm, many making return trips to complete their Key West experience.

It wasn’t until 1984 that the City Commission, at the recommendation of City staff, made improvements to the City-owned Mallory Dock, making it a full cruise ship docking facility.