Broward County’s Port Everglades welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunrise on her first call to the Port at a ceremony held on board Monday (Oct 28). The Carnival Sunrise, which will be homeported at Port Everglades for the winter season, will offer 4- and 5-day itineraries to the Bahamas, as well as the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Port Everglades Welcomes Carnival Sunrise to Her New Winter Homeport
Caption: Passenger (Cruise) Ship Carnival Sunrise - Image courtesy of Tony Roberts

Recently completing a $200 million transformation, the Carnival Sunrise can now accommodate 2,984 passengers (based on double-occupancy) with the addition of new suites and staterooms. Other amenities added included an adults-only retreat, an exciting waterslide complex and multiple new dining and entertainment venues. Carnival Sunrise’s transformation is part of a much bigger project, Carnival Cruise Line’s $2 billion fleetwide enhancement program. 

The cruise industry is a major contributor to the economic health of Broward County’s tourism-based community, accounting for nearly 6,000 jobs and contributing nearly $2 billion in local economic activity.

Caption: Far left: Carlos Estrada, Director of Port Operations for Carnival Cruise Line Far right: Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief Second from right: Glenn Wiltshire, Acting Chief Executive and Port Director, Port Everglades

Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes us one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world, hosting nearly 4 million passengers annually. Guests enjoy the Port’s proximity to three international airports including and 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 our namesake, the Florida Everglades.

Nine cruise lines, one ferry service and roughly 40 cruise ships sail from Port Everglades including: Balearia’s Bahamas Express (ferry), Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises. The Port's wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of itineraries from the Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach area.

Source: Port Everglades (Additional information about the Port of Everglades at CruiseMapper