By
Laura Hyde |
Port Everglades in Florida is poised to welcome a record-breaking 4.4 million cruise passengers during the 2024-2025 cruise season, which will also see three cruise ships make inaugural visits to the US port.
The port is expecting one ferry and 45 cruise ships from 10 different brands, including Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Viking Cruises.
Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, the line’s largest and first LNG-powered ship, is scheduled to make its debut in southern Florida in October. Sun Princess is the first Sphere-class ship and can accommodate more than 4,300 guests.
Crystal, the newly rebranded luxury cruise line, will begin homeporting its refurbished Crystal Serenity at Port Everglades in November. The brand’s owner, A&K Travel Group, carried out a €150 million ($164 million) refurbishment onboard Crystal Serenity, and its sister Crystal Symphony in 2023, after saving Crystal Cruises from liquidation in June 2022.
On 11 December, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma, which means water in Maltese, will be christened at the port, following its maiden call on 27 November. The luxury line’s second yacht will feature the highest space and staff-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruise sector, according to the cruise line.
Silversea’s second Nova-class ship, Silver Ray, will arrive in Port Everglades on 19 December after spending the summer season in the Mediterranean. The ship’s panoramic windows and expansive decks offer 270-degree views for its more than 700 guests.
The Baleària Caribbean ferry also sails year-round from Port Everglades to Freeport and Bimini in The Bahamas.
The port is close to three international airports, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport less than two miles away, which gives cruise guests the option to add a pre- or post-cruise stay in Florida to their holiday.
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