BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. - Port Everglades' cruise business line is on course for a buoyant fiscal year based on double-digit growth during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024).

Multi-day cruise ship calls increased by 25%, with 235 calls compared to 188 calls in the same period of the previous year. The wave of growth is also seen in the port's cruise passenger traffic, which is up by 27% to 1,349,313 guests versus 1,064,998 compared to the same period in FY24. The uptick in ship calls and guests resulted in part from Disney Cruise Line establishing homeport operations at Port Everglades, joining industry leaders Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Viking Cruises.

"While we continue to navigate the year ahead, this strong first quarter is a promising indication of smooth sailing for our customers and the broader economy," said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris. "These numbers not only highlight our steady course of growth but also position us to achieve new heights this fiscal year." 

The port anticipates setting a new cruise passenger record in FY25 with a forecasted 4.4 million guests.

 

About Port Everglades
Port Everglades offers everything under the sun from Caribbean cruises to world voyages to fast ferry getaways -- all from the vacation paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades' enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes it one of the three busiest cruise homeports in the world with nearly 4.4 million passengers anticipated this cruise season. Guests enjoy the port's proximity to three international airports including rapidly growing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) less than two miles away. For pre- and post-cruise stays, Port Everglades is a short drive to sweeping beachfronts, a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, craft breweries, entertainment, shopping, casinos, and family-friendly activities -- including the area's namesake, the Florida Everglades. View details on the latest cruise offerings at PortEverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.

Feb. 5, 2025

Media Contact:
Joy Oglesby, Public Information Officer
joyoglesby@broward.org
954-468-0195