NORTH AMERICA: INTERVIEW Record-breaking arrivals Port Everglades is upgrading facilities to accommodate larger ships and an unprecedented number of cruise guests with evolving expectations. Joseph Morris shares more with Laura Hyde Florida’s Port Everglades is preparing to welcome a record-breaking 4.9 million cruise guests during the 2026-2027 cruise season. CEO and port director Joseph Morris believes there are multiple factors driving this growth. “The strategic infrastructure investments we’re making, including the recent redevelopment of two of our eight cruise terminals, are improving the guest experience and attracting more people to our port,” he says. “As the world’s third-busiest cruise homeport, Port Everglades benefits from having cruise line partners who offer engaging itineraries and tailored experiences onboard and in port. Another factor is the increase in three- and four-day cruises sailing from our port, which also benefits from close proximity to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. There are also larger vessels being deployed by our cruise line customers and an uptick in the additional ships our partners are berthing.” In November 2026, Port Everglades will homeport Royal Caribbean International’s 5,610-passenger (double-occupancy) Legend of the Seas. To accommodate the increase in visitors sailing on the Icon-class vessel, port authorities have created a new parking lot with more than 850 spaces adjacent to the cruise terminal, which has been improved with “thoughtful upgrades”. Highlights include an updated suite guest experience, a refreshed waiting area and lounge with new furniture, and enhanced wayfinding signage, which Morris hopes will make travel from port entrances to the ship “easier and more inviting”. Morris and his team are focused on preparing the South Florida port “for tomorrow’s cruise vessels” as ships get larger and guests’ expectations evolve. “We have a major capital improvement project underway; over the next five years, we plan to invest in additional parking and our roadways,” he says. “We are also looking to improve the rideshare staging experience and continue upgrading our cruise terminals – from exterior paint refreshes to art installations to near-total remodels. We also have a bulkhead replacement project underway.” “ The strategic infrastructure investments we’re making are improving the guest experience and attracting more people to our port” Port Everglades is upgrading facilities to accommodate “tomorrow’s cruise vessels” Photo: Port Everglades 179
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