Disney Cruise Line, along with port and community leaders, celebrated the opening of a new dedicated cruise terminal in Port Everglades at Ft. Lauderdale this week, which marks Disney Cruise Line’s second year-round homeport in Florida.
The Details
The more than 104,000-square foot terminal was reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineering exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests to provide a seamless embarkation experience.
A black-and-white homage to Steamboat Willie can be seen on the walk-in from the parking garage.
Once guests arrive to the terminal to embark on their voyage, they will “dive” into the world of Disney and Pixar’s film, “Finding Nemo,” with some of their favorite friends from the film displayed on colorful murals.
As part of Disney Cruise Line’s expansion, it and Broward County previously announced a 15-year agreement that includes a minimum 10.6 million passenger movements, and three 5-year extension options that could add another 11.25 million passenger movements. The agreement provides for one ship to homeport in Port Everglades year-round beginning this fall 2023, joined by a second, seasonal ship in 2025.
The Disney Dream will begin sailing from Port Everglades on November 20, 2023, followed by the Disney Magic on May 9, 2024, offering guests the opportunity to sail on a mix of three-, four- and five-night cruises to tropical destinations in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
In recognition of Disney’s arrival to Port Everglades, the cruise line announced new community investments in Junior Achievement South Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. The donations will support a variety of initiatives, including programs that inspire career exploration, innovation, and storytelling.
“The grand opening of our new dedicated terminal is an incredible milestone as we embark on the largest expansion in our cruise line’s history,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line. “Now our guests will have even more options to experience the magic of a Disney vacation at sea and can begin creating lifelong memories with their loved ones from the moment they arrive.”
“This is a complete reimagineering and rebranding,” said Port Everglades CEO and port director Jonathan Daniels. “It’s a different agreement than any agreement that we’ve had with any of the any of the lines in the past. … Because of all the intellectual property that they have in here — the branding that has occurred — this is Disney’s terminal.”
At the grand opening (L to R): Lamar P. Fisher, Broward County Mayor, Sharon Siskie, Disney Cruise Line Senior Vice President & General Manager, Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie, Thomas Mazloum, President New Experience Portfolio & Disney Signature Experiences, Monica Cepero, Broward County Administrator, and Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades CEO and Port Director.
Book Your Cruise
If you’d like to check out this new Disney Cruise Line terminal in person, now is the time to book your cruise.
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