For 25 years, Royal Caribbean Group has used Port Everglades as a homeport for its cruise ships. The partnership is set to continue following the Broward County Board of Commissioners' approval of an extension to the company's Passenger Terminal and Berth User Agreement. This extension will last until September 30, 2030, with an option for an additional five-year term.
Port Everglades and Royal Caribbean Group are considering upgrades to Cruise Terminal 29 to accommodate newer ships in the fleet. Joseph Morris, CEO and Port Director of Port Everglades, expressed gratitude towards the County Commissioners for their support. "I thank the County Commissioners for helping us move forward on our commitment to attract and retain customers like Royal Caribbean Group that provide a substantial lift to our local economy," he stated.
An analysis by Martin Associates, a national maritime economic consultancy, predicts that this agreement will significantly benefit the local economy. It is expected to generate $581.9 million in business revenue annually from increased cruise activity between 2027 and 2030. The port anticipates welcoming at least 1.3 million guests each year along with 355 vessel calls annually. This activity is projected to support approximately 4,095 jobs in the region each year, including direct local jobs, indirect jobs, and induced jobs.
Royal Caribbean Group owns three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea – all of which operate out of Port Everglades.