What Metro Cruise Services does

Metro Cruise Services is a Long Beach, California-based B2B provider of all-inclusive cruise port services operating across 11 major U.S. cruise ports spanning California, Florida, Texas, Washington, New Jersey, and Alabama. Founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of Nautilus International Holding Corporation, the company delivers six integrated core service lines: Cruise Terminal Management (guest flow and terminal operations), Ship's Agency (customs clearance, supplies, and regulatory coordination), Stevedore Services (vessel operations, passenger flow, and stores handling), Ground Guest Services (airport/hotel transfers and concierge), Shore Excursions (curated local tours), and Terminal Security Services (screening and detection). Operations are conducted through three wholly-owned subsidiary brands: Metro Shore Services (ground handling), Terminal Security Solutions/TSS (security and MTSA/ISPS consulting), and Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals/PCST (terminal management).

The company's revenue model is built on managed services and professional services contracts negotiated directly with cruise lines, terminal operators, and port authorities, with pricing structured per vessel call, per service bundle, or per passenger rather than on standardized public pricing. Customer concentration is centered on major cruise operators including Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, with the firm leveraging its coast-to-coast multi-port presence as a key competitive differentiator. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise sales with no channel intermediaries, supported by a website and LinkedIn presence. The company claims 150+ years of operational heritage though the current corporate entity was established in 2006, suggesting heritage carried over from predecessor maritime operations absorbed by Nautilus International Holding Corporation.

Metro Cruise Services has no disclosed proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or software products. The business is operationally intensive, relying on physical port infrastructure, trained maritime labor, and relationships with port authorities. Recent strategic activity includes executive leadership additions (National Director of Cruise Operations in 2024, VP Operations in 2019, Senior Director of Shore Operations in 2020), capital investment of over $2 million in the Mobile, Alabama cruise terminal, and the integration of terminal security services into the all-inclusive portfolio via the TSS brand.

Name

Metro Cruise Services

Legal name

Metro Cruise Services

Website

https://metrocruiseservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Metro Cruise Services is a B2B provider of all-inclusive cruise port services including terminal management, stevedoring, ship's agency, ground guest services, shore excursions, and terminal security, serving cruise lines and port authorities across 11 U.S. ports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cruise Port Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Cruise Terminal Operations & Management (TLAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Line Turnaround Coordination & Port Call Passenger Services (TLAHAEAL), Cruise Terminal & Passenger Services (Check-in, Baggage, Meet & Greet) (THAEAFAF), Port Agents & Ground Handling Services (THAEAFAE), Passenger Terminal Facilities Management (Cleaning, Maintenance, Utilities) (TLAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Cruise terminal management
• Ship agency services
• Stevedore services
• Port ground handling
• Terminal security services

Headquarters

HQ city

Long Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cruise Terminal Management Services: Full-service cruise terminal operations including guest flow management, terminal management, and port operations. This is a managed services revenue model with ongoing contracts with cruise lines and terminal operators.
2. Stevedore Services: Vessel stevedoring, passenger flow management, stores handling, and technical support services for cruise vessels. Revenue generated through service contracts with cruise lines at various ports.
3. Ship's Agency Services: Agency services including customs clearance, supplies, waste removal, medical services, and coordination of pilots, tugs, and line handlers. B2B services to cruise line operators.
4. Ground Guest Services: Guest transportation, airport/hotel transfers, and concierge services for cruise passengers. Service fees from cruise lines and cruise passengers.
5. Shore Excursions: Curated local tours and experiences for cruise guests. Partnership-based revenue model with local tour operators and cruise line commissions.
6. Terminal Security Services: Terminal security, screening, and detection services. Provided through termsec.com brand. Managed services contracts with terminal operators.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Metro Cruise Services provides all-inclusive cruise terminal management and port services to cruise lines, terminal operators, and port authorities across 11 U.S. ports (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Long Beach, Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, Ft. Lauderdale, Galveston, Seattle, Bayonne, and Mobile). The company's portfolio spans six core offerings: Cruise Terminal Management, Ship's Agency, Stevedore Services, Ground Guest Services, Shore Excursions, and Terminal Security Services, delivered under a single integrated service model via subsidiaries Metro Shore Services, Terminal Security Solutions (TSS), and Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals (PCST).

Product overview

Metro Cruise Services is an all-inclusive cruise industry service provider offering a portfolio of six integrated core services: Cruise Terminal Management (nationwide port operations and guest flow management), Ship's Agency (vessel support including clearance, supplies, and customs processing), Stevedore Services (passenger flow, stores handling, and technical support with state-of-the-art equipment), Ground Guest Services (transportation, concierge, and passenger experience management), Shore Excursions (curated local cultural experiences), and Terminal Security Services (security screening and detection). The company operates across multiple U.S. cruise ports including California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Long Beach, Catalina Island, Santa Barbara), Florida (Ft. Lauderdale), Texas (Galveston), Washington (Seattle), New Jersey (Bayonne), and Alabama (Mobile). The services work together as a unified all-encompassing service model for cruise line client satisfaction and seamless brand representation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Metro Shore Services: Ground handling and port agency operations division providing services nationwide
• Terminal Security Solutions (TSS)
• Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals (PCST)

Products and services

• Cruise Terminal Management Nationwide cruise terminal operator providing all-encompassing port operations and guest services to manage the flow of thousands of cruise guests through terminals in a safe and efficient way; delivered for cruise lines, terminal operators, and port authorities.
• Ship's Agency Ship's agency services including ship's clearance, supplies of fresh water and bunkers, garbage removal, hazardous waste management, medical services, customs processing, and coordination of pilots, tugs, and line handlers, provided to cruise vessels in port.
• Stevedore Services Stevedoring services managing vessel operations with refined planning matrices for passenger flow, stores handling, and technical support, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and a professional labor force.
• Ground Guest Services Ground guest services including guest transportation to and from airports, hotels, and ships, with concierge services providing customer service and organized client and guest experiences for cruise passengers.
• Shore Excursions Curated shore excursions featuring customized events and activities introducing the local culture, history, and lifestyle of various destinations for cruise guests.
• Terminal Security Services Terminal security services integrating seamlessly with cruise operations, featuring guest-facing presentation and strict security, screening, and detection standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seamless operations for cruise lines with commitment to customer service excellence
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Nautilus International Holding CorporationcoreOthersParent company of Metro Cruise Services. Nautilus International Holding Corporation is the holding company that owns Metro Cruise Services, providing strategic direction and organizational oversight for the cruise services subsidiary.
• Terminal Security Solutions (TSS)coreOthersAffiliated company providing terminal security services. Mike Lee, VP of Business Development, oversees both Metro Cruise Services and TSS, demonstrating integrated service delivery across security and cruise operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Global Ports Holding plc: Largest independent cruise port operator globally with concessions in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia-Pacific; directly competes with Metro for cruise-line terminal management mandates at the homeport level.
• VEMA (cruise terminal services): Cruise terminal management and ground handling provider serving cruise lines at multiple homeports; overlaps directly with Metro's ship agency and ground guest services at competing ports.
• Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services: Direct global competitor offering cruise port agency, ground handling, and shore excursion services; Metro's current President Anthony Newman previously held leadership roles at Intercruises, underscoring the close comparability in services and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• International Transportation Service (ITS): Long Beach-based marine terminal operator providing stevedoring and terminal services; competes with Metro at the Long Beach port and shares labor pools, with Metro's Director of Operations having previously led teams there.
• Ports America: Largest U.S. marine terminal operator; competes for stevedoring and terminal operations at multi-purpose ports that also handle cruise traffic, and is an established competitor where Metro's Director of Operations previously worked.
• SSA Marine: Large diversified marine terminal operator with extensive U.S. port footprint; competes with Metro for terminal concessions and stevedoring contracts at cruise-served facilities, though not exclusively focused on cruise.
• APM Terminals: Global container and multi-purpose terminal operator owned by Maersk; competes for terminal management contracts at ports that also serve cruise traffic and could expand into cruise-dedicated terminal concessions.

Others

• Medov Logistics Group: Logistics and cruise-services company where Metro's President Anthony Newman previously held leadership roles; an adjacent service provider that illustrates Metro's competitive labor pool for senior cruise-supply talent.
• Royal Caribbean Group: Named anchor customer of Metro Cruise Services providing a public testimonial; also self-operates cruise terminals at select homeports, positioning it simultaneously as Metro's largest account and an in-sourcing risk.
• Carnival Corporation & plc: World's largest cruise operator and a Metro customer; also operates its own terminals at several major homeports, making it both a buyer and a potential vertical-integration threat to Metro's terminal management revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-cruise-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro Cruise Services