Cruising

By 2011, Port Everglades is expected to become the world's top cruise port with Royal Caribbean International homeporting its two new 5,400-passenger Oasis-class vessels at the Port on a year-round basis. Each Oasis-class ship is projected to generate approximately 584,000 passenger movements annually at Port Everglades. The first of the 220,000-gross-registered-ton ships, Oasis of the Seas, is scheduled to begin sailing year-round from Port Everglades this fall, with the second sister-ship, Allure of the Seas, beginning year-round sailings one year later.

The Port's ever-expanding fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale area including everything from sampler-size day cruises to around-the-world cruises.

Extend Your Stay
One of the best things about cruising from Port Everglades is the convenience.  Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is less than two miles away.  This means that travelers often find themselves with time to spare after debarkation.  Some choose to head directly to the airport and wait -- in some cases for hours.  Instead, why not stay and enjoy the "Venice" of America?

Greater Fort Lauderdale has evolved into a world-class travel destination.  Luxury hotels and resorts have arrived.  Dining options have expanded to suit any palate.  Incredible arts, entertainment and shopping opportunities are within minutes of the airport.

Fort Lauderdale and surrounding Broward County cities offer:

• Water sports such as swimming, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and deep sea fishing
• Water parks, amusement parks, sports parks
• Outlet shopping, flea markets, malls
• Major league sports events: football, hockey, basketball, baseball
• Concerts, museums, theater, art galleries
• World-class restaurants, exciting nightlife
• Aquariums, zoos and much more!

To find out more, visit Sunny.org or call (800) 22-SUNNY.

Less Waves. More Convenience.
Getting passengers where they want to go smoothly is something Port Everglades has down to an art. We're poised to handle over 3 million passengers annually, and we're expecting to more than double the amount of passenger traffic in the next 20 years .

One of the more memorable days in port history occurred on March 20, 2010. That's when Port Everglades broke its own world record with more than 52,000 guests passing through the Port in a single day.  The previous record was set on January 3, 2009 with 49,234 passengers.

With Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport less than two miles from the cruise ship docks, passengers can take advantage of the closest airport/seaport connection in the world. Easy access by road to three major interstates and Florida's Turnpike System makes Port Everglades the preferred gateway for passengers cruising from South Florida. Cruise lines find Port Everglades convenient because it's a mere half hour from the turning basin to the sea.

A World-Renowned Location for Cruising
Florida is the number one source market for cruise passengers. It's also a top draw for international visitors. And Port Everglades is in the middle of a South Florida population center consisting of more than 5 million people, many of whom are the most avid cruisers anywhere. Little wonder the Port plays host to 14 cruise lines, with nearly 2,000 cruises annually. The world's most recognized cruise lines traditionally choose Port Everglades to debut their newest, largest and most spectacular cruise ships.

Service is a Top Priority
Customer service and first-class facilities have been the driving force behind Port Everglades' success at building a reputation for superior service. An ongoing capital improvements program and planned expansion effort virtually ensures the Port's ability to maintain a level of superior service.

The cruise lines that call Port Everglades home benefit from access to two full-time Cruise Service Managers who serve as on-site liaisons between port operations and cruise lines. No other port provides this service. One call to the harbor master takes care of requests for tugs, line handling and marine services.

As busy as the Port is, there's still plenty of room to grow, especially in mid-week slots. That's why the Port is aggressively seeking short-cruise operations as well as European ships not tied to the standard 7-day U.S. cruise rotation. Being the straightest and deepest port in the Southeast United States also has its advantages. It makes Port Everglades the gateway to a lot of places for a lot of people, and a Port with a vision in place that truly holds water.

Port Everglades Cruise Destinations

• Caribbean
• Bahamas
• Mexico
• Bermuda
• Panama Canal
• South America
• Transatlantic
• Transcanal

TRAVELER'S HEALTH ALERT NOTICE
Risk of Swine Flu Associated with Travel to Affected Areas

Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world are investigating outbreaks of swine influenza (swine flu).

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.

The outbreak is ongoing and additional cases are expected. For more information concerning swine flu infection, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.

For specific information on travel precautions and an update on the affected areas, please visit: www.cdc.gov/travel.