Miami port officials say more than 4 million cruise passengers used the facility in the most recent fiscal year, cementing its status as the world’s busiest cruise port, according to Jason Clampet and Associated Press.

Costa Cruises is launching a major international advertising campaign on TV, in print media and on the Web. After the domestic launch in Italy on December 29, it will be broadcast in France and Germany, starting mid-January 2014, and then extended to other European countries. 

As Port Canaveral heads into the new year, big changes are underway to establish the port as a cargo destination and to draw more cruise ships. In January, the port will begin work on deepening its channel to make room for cargo vessels and on widening it to accommodate ever-larger cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Lines said its 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor will launch seasonal Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in November. Carnival Splendor will be the seventh Carnival Cruise Lines ship to be based in South Florida.