Posted on October 7, 2026
Palm Beach officials have long raised concerns about expansion plans at the Port of Palm Beach near the northern tip of the island. And they continue to cast a wary eye, as the port begins moving ahead with a $43 million project aimed at bringing in more cruise passengers and accommodating longer ships.
Port commissioners voted Sept. 24 to seek bids for the project, which includes a new parking garage, passenger loading bridge and expanded security screening and baggage areas, along with new mooring structures that could be used by larger cruise ships.
Most of the port’s project is on the land side of the Riviera Beach facility, Town Manager Kirk Blouin told the Daily News. But Palm Beach officials remain concerned about the potential effects of increased port activity on the town and about the possibility of future changes to the Lake Worth Inlet.
“The town understands the need to upgrade the landward facilities of the port,” Mayor Danielle Moore said. “However, increased traffic at the port may have a detrimental effect on the quality of life on the island of Palm Beach.”
Moore said she plans to discuss the issue with the Town Council at its next meeting on Oct. 13.
“Because prior inlet-alteration proposals have introduced substantial environmental, safety and quality-of-life concerns, the town remains vigilant,” Blouin said. “Palm Beach’s position is grounded in longstanding protections for the ecological health of Lake Worth Lagoon, the stability of our shoreline and the well‑being of residents living closest to port activity.”
He said the town will continue to monitor port planning and participate in its public-comment processes, regulatory reviews and intergovernmental discussions. Any future proposal involving dredging or channel changes, he added, should include comprehensive scientific analysis, extensive public engagement and measures to address environmental, safety and community impacts.
“Our goal is to bring more cruise passengers to Palm Beach County and the City of Riviera Beach, creating greater economic benefits to our community,” Port Commission Chair Blair Ciklin said in a news release. “By expanding our cruise offerings, we have the opportunity to encourage longer stays, support local restaurants and businesses, and continue to contribute to the growth of tourism throughout our region.”
The port currently is home to one cruise ship, the 1,680-passenger Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which has sailed in an out of Riviera Beach since 2022.
The port temporarily halted work on a proposed 20-year master plan in 2022 after Palm Beach officials sharply criticized elements of the plan, including proposals to widen and deepen the inlet. Moore said the earlier expansion proposal could have meant more vessel traffic in Palm Beach’s North End, as well as increased noise and pollution. She also raised concerns about potential flooding and environmental effects.
“If you deepen and widen the channel coming into the port, it allows an inflow of larger boats,” she said in 2022. “But in a storm event, it also will allow more water to come in from the ocean side. More water will cause more flooding, not only to the Town of Palm Beach and Palm Beach Shores (on the southern tip of Singer Island), but to Riviera Beach.”
The port later revised its master plan, but Palm Beach’s concerns about the effects of port expansion have continued.
“The Town of Palm Beach remains committed to protecting our coastal environment, preserving resident quality of life, and ensuring that any regional infrastructure planning respects the unique character and needs of our community,” Blouin said.
Town Council Member Lew Crampton said keeping up with the port’s plans is vital.
“We’re watching what’s going on over there like a hawk,” Crampton said.
