BROWARD COUNTY, FL -- Today, Port Everglades welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas to her homeport for the first time. Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship to sail in the United States when it begins sailing with passengers on Saturday, July 3.

“What a way to start the day with the arrival of the newest, most innovative ship on the ocean, Odyssey of the Seas. Port Everglades is ready for cruising to start again, and we are thrilled to welcome guests and crew back to Broward County and Port Everglades,” said Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Jonathan Daniels. “We all want to see cruising come back, and first and foremost, we want it to come back in a safe and secure manner.”

The 169,000-ton ship is preparing for its first cruise since Royal Caribbean took delivery on March 31, 2021. Odyssey of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Port Everglades on 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises through April 2022.

The innovative ship’s highlights include the next-generation SeaPlex, the largest indoor and outdoor activity center at sea; a variety of dining options, such as the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar; a vibrant, two-level pool deck inspired by the Caribbean; the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator; bumper cars; FlowRider surf simulator; and dedicated kids and teen spaces that offer interactive, personalized experiences. And for sights unlike any other at sea, there is Odyssey’s iconic North Star all-glass observation capsule touts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.

About Port Everglades

Port Everglades has everything under the sun from Caribbean cruises to world voyages to fast ferry getaways -- all from vacation paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes us one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world, hosting nearly 4 million passengers annually. Guests enjoy the Port’s proximity to three international airports including and 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 our namesake, the Florida Everglades. View details on the latest cruise offerings at porteverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ellen Kennedy
Port Everglades Business Development/Communications
PHONE: 954-468-3508
EMAIL: ekennedy@broward.org