Cruise: Miami, Port Everglades

Royal Caribbean Signs Agreement with Miami-Dade County to Build Cruise Terminal

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on June 28 announced an agreement with Miami-Dade County to construct and operate a 170,000-square-foot cruise terminal on land leased from the county at PortMiami. The $100 million facility wills homeport Royal Caribbean International ships, including one of the 5,400-passenger Oasis class. The agreement comes before the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners on July 6.

The terminal has been nicknamed ‘Crown of Miami’ because of its shape when viewed from the water. Opening is scheduled for December 2018.

Ian Simpson, director at the company contracted to design the building, said: "Our aim was to create an iconic destination and arrival experience for passengers, which provides a great experience from curbside to ship in an innovative and modern cruise terminal. The terminal extends along the waterfront to maximize views of the ships when docked, and the sides of the building have been angled to reflect the water and provide the terminal’s unique shape which echoes the Royal Caribbean brand."

"We are truly excited to be working with Miami-Dade County and PortMiami to create not just another cruise terminal, but a truly iconic building," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "This new terminal is a symbol of our commitment to Miami, the city where our company first started almost 50 years ago. We can’t wait to bring an Oasis-class ship to PortMiami."

"Miami-Dade County is happy to welcome Royal Caribbean’s expansion at PortMiami, and all the economic benefits that come along with it," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "This public-private partnership will have an estimated economic impact of $500 million and generate approximately 4,000 jobs. Royal Caribbean has been an important part of our world-class community for almost 50 years, and this expansion will once again make PortMiami Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise port in the world. I thank them for their continued investment in and commitment to Miami-Dade."

The company has also committed to add a 20,000-square-foot Innovation Lab to its corporate headquarters at PortMiami.

Currently, PortMiami welcomes approximately 750,000 Royal Caribbean passengers annually, representing about 15 percent of its overall passenger traffic. The new terminal is expected to handle at least 1.8 million passengers, or about 30 percent of the port’s projected passenger traffic.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s new terminal at PortMiami will be home to a 5,400 Oasis class ship.
Source/Broadway Malyan

 

Crystal Cruises Moving to Port Everglades in 2017

Crystal Cruises will be returning to Port Everglades after an 11 year hiatus. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will sail a total of eight sailings to and from Port Everglades beginning October 27, 2017.

"Fort Lauderdale is an ideal fit for our ships, itineraries and discerning guests, with its close proximity to an international airport and reputation for outstanding service that mirrors Crystal's own," said Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriguez. "With these things in mind, we are relocating select fall sailings and look forward to working with Port Everglades to expand our itineraries in this market."

Crystal Cruises last sailed from Port Everglades in 2006.

"We are already working with Crystal Cruises' outstanding team to ensure every sailing from Port Everglades is exceptional," said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak, PPM®.

Crystal Cruises has won "World's Best Cruise Ship" in Condé Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 22 years; been voted "World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years; and the "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Virtuoso for two-consecutive years.

Port Everglades ranks among the world’s three busiest cruise ports, with more than 3.7 million passengers in 2015. Nine cruise lines, one ferry and more than 40 cruise ships sail from the South Florida cruise port.