Port Everglades' first two-ship day includes Odyssey of the Seas inaugural

On July 31 Royal Caribbean International’s new Odyssey of the Seas will embark on its inaugural cruise while Celebrity Edge will depart on its sixth voyage since kicking off US cruising's restart June 26.

In addition, Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to sail on its second voyage Aug. 1, for a total of three ships sailing during the off-season summer months.

'Starting to look like a cruise port again'

'It’s starting to look a lot like a cruise port here again,' Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Jonathan Daniels said. 'After no passengers or revenue for at least 15 months, and significant job loss, it is a greatly welcome restart. The cruise lines and the port are doing all they can to enforce safe protocols to continue sailing.'

Economic impact

Cruises generated nearly $60m in revenue annually at the port prior to the pandemic.

'The vaccine is a game-changer that will inject tourism dollars into our community,' Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said. 'Approximately 6,000 local workers have been directly impacted by the cruise shutdown and another 84,000 residents were employed in the local hospitality and tourism industry. Those jobs have been severely impacted by the virus and the pause in cruise travel.'

Port Everglades was the world's third busiest cruise port pre-pandemic, hosting nearly 4m passenger movements annually.