<P> In the early 1900s, Government Cut was dredged along with a new channel to what now is known as Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami . This new access to the mainland created the Main Channel which greatly improved the shipping access to the new port . From these original dredging spoils which were disposed on the south side of the new Main Channel, new islands were inadvertently created which later became Dodge, Lummus and Sam's Island along with several other smaller islands . </P> <P> As the port grew through the years as a result of the improved shipping access and growth of the South Florida community, it also needed additional lands to expand its operation . As such, on April 5, 1960 the Dade County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution No. 4830, "Joint Resolution Providing for Construction of Modern Seaport Facilities at Dodge Island Site" which on April 6, 1960 the City of Miami approved the same as City Resolution No. 31837 to construct the new Port of Miami . Soon thereafter, work began on constructing the new port on Dodge Island by expanding the island and joining it other islands in the general vicinity . Then upon construction of the new seawalls, transit shed' A', the administration building and a new vehicle and railroad bridge, the operations were transferred from the mainland port to the new port on Dodge Island . Thereafter through the years, additional fill material from dredging enlarged the islands of Lummus and Sam's along with the filling of the North, South and NOAO slips, creating the new port which is built on a completely man made island . </P> <P> PortMiami boasts the title "cruise capital of the world", and is the busiest cruise / passenger port in the world . It accommodates the operations of such major cruise lines as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line . It was home of the largest cruise ships in the world until 2009, when Port Everglades became home to Oasis of the Seas and its sister ship, Allure of the Seas . Currently the following ships are based in Miami: Carnival Vista, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Glory, Carnival Victory, Carnival Splendor, Enchantment of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Sky, Disney Magic . </P> <P> In 2018, PortMiami became homeport for five more modern megaliners: Mariner of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Carnival Horizon, and Norwegian Bliss . </P>

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