Port Everglades Welcomes Three Cruise Ships
Port Everglades Sets New Passenger Record as Three Major Cruise Ships Join Fleet
This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.
Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is having its best year ever. The busy cruise port just broke its own passenger record and welcomed three exciting new ships in 2025.
More than 4.7 million cruise passengers passed through Port Everglades during Fiscal Year 2025. The fiscal year started on October 1, 2024. This number beats all previous records for the popular Florida port.
Three New Ships Call Port Everglades Home
The port welcomed three brand-new vessels this year. Celebrity Xcel, Disney Destiny, and Star Princess all chose Fort Lauderdale as their home base.
Each ship brings something special to the table. They offer more dining options, better entertainment, and newer technology than older vessels.
“Cruising is more popular than ever, and the cruise lines are exceeding guest expectations every time a new ship comes into the marketplace,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris.
Star Princess Launches Caribbean Adventures
Princess Cruises’ Star Princess began sailing from Port Everglades on November 7, 2025. The ship joins its sister vessel, the Sun Princess, which entered service earlier this year.
Star Princess offers cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas. The ship features the latest Princess amenities and modern design elements.
Disney Destiny Brings Magic to Fort Lauderdale
Disney Cruise Line launched Disney Destiny from Port Everglades starting November 20, 2025. The new ship uses cleaner LNG fuel technology.
Disney Destiny sails four- and five-night cruises from Cruise Terminal 4. Disney redesigned this terminal in November 2023 with help from Walt Disney Imagineering.
The ship offers Disney’s signature family entertainment and character experiences. Shorter cruise lengths make it perfect for families with young children.
Celebrity Xcel Joins the Edge-Class Fleet
Celebrity Cruises officially named Celebrity Xcel at Port Everglades on November 16, 2025. The ship can carry 3,250 guests in modern luxury.
Celebrity Xcel is the fifth Edge-class ship in the Celebrity fleet. All five Edge-class vessels were named at Fort Lauderdale, showing the port’s importance to Celebrity.
The ship features Celebrity’s latest innovations in dining, entertainment, and stateroom design.
Looking Ahead: Icon-Class Giant Coming Soon
Port Everglades has even bigger news on the horizon. Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas will sail from the port starting in November 2026.
This Icon-class ship will be the largest vessel ever to sail from Fort Lauderdale. Legend of the Seas will offer seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.
New Infrastructure Improves Port Access
Port Everglades didn’t just add ships in 2025. The port also opened major infrastructure improvements to help handle more passengers.
The new Convention Center Connector creates an elevated bypass road. This roadway connects U.S. 1, State Road 84, and SE 17th Street directly to the Convention Center and new Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel.
The bypass eliminates the need for most vehicles to pass through port security checkpoints. This change speeds up traffic flow significantly.
“When you look at the big picture, this connector is a crucial piece of infrastructure that will ease congestion, improve access and support the continued growth of our Convention Center district,” said Broward County Mayor Beam Furr.
Better Experience for Cruise Passengers
The new roadway makes getting to cruise terminals much easier. Passengers heading to Cruise Terminals 2 and 4 can use the faster route.
The infrastructure improvements also benefit the expanded convention center. More event space means Port Everglades can host larger conferences and trade shows.
Port Everglades continues investing in improvements that benefit both cruise passengers and local residents. The elevated roadway even provides a quicker route to the beach for tourists and locals.
Why This Matters for Cruise Travelers
Port Everglades’ growth shows how popular cruising has become. More ships mean more cruise options for travelers from South Florida and beyond.
The newer ships offer better technology and environmental features. Morris noted that new vessels use “greener fuels and impressive connectivity.”
Fort Lauderdale’s location makes it perfect for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. The port’s continued expansion ensures it will remain a top cruise destination for years to come.
Whether you’re planning a short Disney cruise or a week-long Caribbean adventure, Port Everglades offers more choices than ever before.
