Another ‘first’ is on the horizon with the March 2022 deployment from Port Everglades of the world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas
Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL (September 15, 2021) – Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge set sail out of Port Everglades on June 26 as the first ship to sail from the United States with passengers after a 15-month national hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Port Everglades lost more than 50 percent in revenue in Fiscal Year 2020 primarily from the cruise shutdown, which typically generates nearly $60 million in revenue annually for the port.
Celebrity Cruises is homeported at Port Everglades – the third busiest cruise port in the world – sailing primarily from Terminal 25. The ultramodern cruise terminal opened in November 2018 following a $120 million renovation to expand the square footage by 83 percent to 157,800 square feet and transform the warehouse into a sleek, contemporary embarkation center with a VIP lounge, a rooftop viewing area, interactive art and a designated crew lounge.
Now another prominent first has been announced for Port Everglades. Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, will begin sailing weeklong cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean on March 4, 2022, instead of the previously announced port in Shanghai, China.
“We are thrilled that Royal Caribbean has selected Port Everglades and Greater Fort Lauderdale to deploy Wonder of the Seas,” says Tracy Vaughan, Senior Vice President Global Trade Development for Visit Lauderdale. “Since this is the new world’s largest ship there will be an international media spotlight on the port and our destination that will help raise awareness of the capabilities and support systems at Port Everglades, and on Greater Fort Lauderdale as a favored destination for cruise passengers.”
In addition to Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, lines currently sailing from Port Everglades include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises, as well as ferry service to the Bahamas on Balearia Caribbean.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima will begin sailing from Port Everglades in winter 2023. Talks are underway between Disney Cruise Lines and Port Everglades to home port at Port Everglades to allow the line year-round use of a terminal and corresponding berth. Further information is expected to be announced soon.
About Port Everglades
Cruise vacations and international trade are what makes Port Everglades an economic powerhouse for Greater Fort Lauderdale (Broward County), Florida and one of the most diverse seaports in the United States. Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach area and the neighboring Caribbean, makes it one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world, hosting nearly 4 million passengers annually pre-pandemic. More information about Broward County’s Port Everglades is available at porteverglades.net or by calling toll-free in the United States 1-800-421-0188 or emailing PortEvergladesCargo@broward.org.
About Greater Fort Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts an average year-round temperature of 77˚F and has 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine and is known as the Venice of America and Yachting Capital of the World. Explore 4,000+ eateries, 300+ miles of navigable waterways, eight distinct beaches, a thriving arts and culture scene, craft breweries, rooftop bars, diving, fishing and other outdoor adventures, world-class shopping and boats, yachts and superyachts moored at the area’s many marinas – all conveniently located in the center of South Florida. Made of up 31 municipalities, the destination boasts more than 37,000 lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts and boutique properties, reflecting a cosmopolitan vibe. Upon arrival at FLL Airport (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport), it is just five minutes to the beach, Port Everglades, the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and downtown. Find trip planning inspiration at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
About Visit Lauderdale
Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area’s 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers as the ideal place for Everyone Under the Sun in recognition of the area’s diverse and welcoming vibe, and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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