By
Alex Smith |
Port Everglades has opened the 2025–2026 cruise season following a record year for passenger volumes and with several major infrastructure projects nearing completion.
Broward County officials reported a preliminary total of more than 4.7 million cruise guests during the 2025 financial year, marking the highest number in the port’s history. The new season will see the arrival of three recently built ships – Celebrity Xcel, Disney Destiny and Star Princess – while further expansion works continue, including an upgraded convention centre, the forthcoming Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel and a new elevated road designed to improve traffic flow and access to the port.
“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, chief executive and port director of Port Everglades. “The new ships coming to Port Everglades have more entertainment and dining options and feature the latest technology, with greener fuels and improved connectivity.”
Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, the line’s second LNG-powered Sphere-class ship, will begin its inaugural season from Port Everglades on 7 November 2025. The 4,300-passenger vessel and its sister ship Sun Princess will both homeport at the port this year. Star Princess will feature a glass-enclosed central Piazza known as The Sphere and The Dome, the first geodesic dome at sea.
Disney Cruise Line will debut Disney Destiny on 20 November 2025, the newest ship in its Wish class and the third in its fleet. The 4,000-passenger LNG-powered vessel will operate four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, joining seasonal sailings by Disney Dream. Port Everglades serves as Disney’s second Florida homeport, with its Cruise Terminal 4 being redesigned in 2023 by Walt Disney Imagineering to provide a dedicated embarkation experience.
Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge series, will be named at Port Everglades on 16 November 2025. With capacity for 3,250 guests, Xcel will feature several new amenities introduced across the Edge-class fleet, including an expanded pool deck, arcade lounge and new spa concepts. Celebrity’s first Flagship Store will also open onboard, offering branded merchandise and souvenirs.
Royal Caribbean International has confirmed that its third Icon-class vessel, Legend of the Seas, will homeport at Port Everglades in November 2026. With a passenger capacity of more than 5,600, it will become the largest cruise ship ever to sail from the port.
The port’s infrastructure programme also includes the new Convention Center Connector, an elevated bypass road linking U.S. 1, State Road 84 and SE 17th Street directly to the expanded Broward County Convention Center and the future Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel. The project is designed to reduce congestion, improve logistics and provide easier access to the beaches and local businesses. The new route will also facilitate travel to Cruise Terminals 2 and 4, the Convention Center and nearby hotels and attractions.
“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 Commissioner Lamar Fisher during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.