Port Everglades just had its busiest cruise year ever. The Fort Lauderdale port says more than 5.38 million cruise guests passed through in fiscal year 2026. That is the third record year in a row. It also beats the 4.77 million passenger moves the port logged in 2025, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
The port shared the numbers on Oct. 22 as its new cruise season got underway. It also named a new leader for its cruise business and showed off changes at one of its busiest terminals.
A new Cruise Services Division
Broward County approved the port's budget for fiscal year 2027. With that budget, Port Everglades created a new Cruise Services Division. Martin Jackson now runs it. He was the assistant director of the old Cruise Services Section and joined the port in January 2025.
CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris said the change is meant to give the cruise business "the focus and support it needs to excel." He said the division will handle day-to-day service for cruise lines and guests. It will also help the port grow with "both existing and new cruise brands."
Jackson said "operational consistency earns trust." He added that the division "remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences for all guests and clients of the port."
What changes at Terminal 18
If you sail from Cruise Terminal 18 this season, it will look different. The terminal opened in 2009, in time for the debut of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. It has now been painted ocean blue. The embark hall has more open space and more modern design. The VIP lounge area has new furniture and art.
Parking got a boost too. The port added more than 850 spaces next to Terminal 18. That brings the total to 6,386 spaces across two parking garages and several surface lots.
Who is sailing from Port Everglades this season
The port expects nine cruise lines and 40 different ships this season. The lines are Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Crystal, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Orient Express, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Viking. Baleària Caribbean's fast ferry, Jaume II, also sails from the port.
A few big arrivals stand out:
- Legend of the Seas. Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship arrives in November. It will homeport at Port Everglades for the 2027 season. The port calls it the world's largest cruise ship, with room for up to 7,600 guests.
- Orient Express Corinthian. This new sailing yacht can sail fully on wind power and carries up to 110 guests. The port says it is the world's largest sailing ship.
- Crystal Symphony. The 606-guest ship will homeport at the port too. It is back with refreshed public spaces after its 2025 drydock.
A new cruise guide with Romero Britto art
The port also released its 2027-28 Cruise Guide. Its cover shows "Florida Paradise," a work by South Florida artist Romero Britto. A huge print of the art now hangs on the southeast side of the Palm Garage. Cruisers who park there will likely see it.
What it means for cruisers
More guests means busier embarkation days, especially when Legend of the Seas starts sailing. The extra parking near Terminal 18 should help. Still, check your cruise line's arrival time and terminal before you go. Terminal assignments can change. The port's online Find-a-Cruise directory lists every sailing for the season.
Port Everglades has now set records three years in a row. With Legend of the Seas and new brands on the way, fiscal 2027 could push that streak to four.