Port Everglades Gears Up for a Record-Breaking Cruise Season

It’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting month at Port Everglades, as the South Florida cruise hub prepares for a wave of new ships, more guests than ever before, and major infrastructure improvements to help keep everything running smoothly.

Busy Cruise Day Alert – November 7

Port Everglades has issued a travel advisory for Friday, November 7, 2025, when seven cruise ships will be in port at once — making it one of the busiest days of the year.

Travelers are advised to allow extra time for traffic, parking, and check-in. The port recommends using one of three main entrances, depending on your terminal:

• SE 17th St. and Eisenhower Blvd. – near the Broward County Convention Center (best for Terminal 2)

• US 1/Federal Ave. and Spangler Blvd. – also called SR 84, between berths 7 and 9

• I-595 and McIntosh Rd. – just north of the airport, closest to Terminal 26

The port suggests mapping your route before you go and arriving early to avoid delays — especially if using taxis, rideshares, or hotel shuttles.

Seven Ships, Four Cruise Lines

Friday’s lineup includes ships from Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises, offering everything from weekend getaways to longer Caribbean adventures.

• Island Princess – 14-night “Circle Caribbean” sailing

• Caribbean Princess – 10-night Caribbean itinerary

• Star Princess – maiden 3-night voyage to Princess Cays following her christening

• Liberty of the Seas – 3-night Bahamas cruise (Nassau & Perfect Day at CocoCay)

• Radiance of the Seas – 3-night getaway to Bimini & Nassau

• Rotterdam (Holland America) – 9-night “ABC” cruise visiting Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao

• Celebrity Xcel – in port for crew onboarding ahead of her official debut on November 16

Record Passenger Numbers & New Ships Arriving

Port Everglades recently announced it welcomed over 4.7 million cruise passengers in Fiscal Year 2025 — breaking its previous record and solidifying its place among the world’s top cruise homeports.

And it’s about to get even busier. Three brand-new cruise ships are homeporting from Fort Lauderdale this month:

• Celebrity Xcel – officially naming on November 16, the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge class.

• Star Princess – the latest LNG-powered ship from Princess Cruises, starting November 7.

• Disney Destiny – arriving November 20, featuring a unique “Heroes and Villains” theme.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas — an Icon-class ship — will begin sailing from Port Everglades in November 2026, becoming the largest ship ever to homeport in Fort Lauderdale.

Major Improvements at the Port

Broward County is also unveiling new infrastructure projects to keep up with the growing demand. These include:

• An expanded convention center

• The soon-to-open Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel

• A new elevated “Convention Center Connector” roadway, providing direct access from U.S. 1 and SE 17th Street to the convention center and cruise terminals — while bypassing port security checkpoints.

This new flyover helps reduce congestion and makes it easier for both locals and visitors to reach the port, beaches, and nearby attractions.

“Cruising is more popular than ever, and the cruise lines are exceeding guest expectations every time a new ship comes into the marketplace,” said Joseph Morris, Port Everglades CEO and Port Director. “The new ships coming to Port Everglades have more entertainment, dining options, and greener technology than ever before.”

The Cruise Capital of South Florida

Located just minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports — offering everything from Caribbean sailings to world voyages.

Visitors can enjoy easy access to beaches, shopping, dining, and entertainment before or after their cruise, making it a top destination for travelers from around the world.

For more details about upcoming sailings and port information, visit PortEverglades.net.