Port Everglades bested its own cruise passenger record with a preliminary count of 4,010,919 guests embarking and disembarking during Fiscal Year 2024, which ended September 30, 2024. However, the new record is expected to be short-lived, as 4.4 million guests are anticipated during FY2025.

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

In just one year, from FY2023 to FY2024, the number of cruise passengers increased by 39%, while cruise ship calls rose by 23%, as the cruise lines fully recovered from the pandemic. The original record for the turnaround port was established in FY2014 with 3,880,033 guests. In 2014, setting the port’s passenger record required 887 cruise ship calls, whereas this year, the new record was achieved with only 648 calls due to the larger size of the ships.In just one year, from FY2023 to FY2024, cruise passenger counts grew by 39%, and the number of cruise ship calls increased by 23% as cruise lines fully recovered from the pandemic.

The previous record for the turnaround port was set in FY2014 with a total of 3,880,033 guests. In 2014, it took 887 cruise ship calls to establish the port’s passenger record, while this year’s new record was achieved with only 648 calls, thanks to the larger size of the ships.

About Port Everglades
Port Everglades offers everything under the sun from Caribbean cruises to world voyages to fast ferry getaways — all from the vacation paradise of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes it one of the three busiest cruise homeports in the world. Guests enjoy the port’s proximity to three international airports including rapidly growing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) less than two miles away. For pre- and post-cruise stays, Port Everglades is a short drive to sweeping beachfronts, a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, craft breweries, entertainment, shopping, casinos, and family-friendly activities — including the area’s namesake, the Florida Everglades. View details on the latest cruise offerings at PortEverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.