Port Everglades hits record 4m cruise passenger moves

Port Everglades bested its own cruise passenger record with a preliminary count of 4,010,919 travelers embarking and disembarking during fiscal  2024, which ended Sept. 30.

This new record is expected to be short-lived, however, as 4.4m passenger moves are anticipated during fiscal 2025.

Boost from Disney and summer sailings

'We expected to do well with the addition of Disney Cruise Line to our fleet and a mix of short and weeklong cruises throughout the summer. As the year progressed, it became evident that a near-record 4 million guests was within reach,' CEO/Port Director Joseph Morris said. 'Cruising is in high demand, and our cruise line partners are poised for greater gains with new itineraries and a variety of sailing dates.'

YoY 39% increase

In just one year, from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024, cruise passenger counts grew 39% and cruise calls rose 23% as lines fully recovered from the pandemic.

Port Everglades' original record was set in fiscal 2014 with 3,880,033 cruisers. In 2014, it took 887 calls to set the port's passenger record compared to 648 calls for this new record, because the ships are larger.