The magic of Disney Cruise Line has officially arrived at its new cruise terminal at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Disney Cruise Line and port and community leaders dedicated the new cruise terminal on November 13, 2023, a week before the first official sailing from the new terminal.
“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.”
Port Everglades in South Florida offers beautiful beaches, world-class entertainment, shopping, dining, and family activities that cruisers can enjoy before or after their cruise. Additionally, with the port being located near major airports and roads, cruisers can travel quickly and easily to and from the port.
The 104,000 square foot terminal was reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineering specifically for Disney Cruise Line guests in order to make embarkation an streamlined process. Guests will “dive” into the Pixar film “Finding Nemo” when they find their favorite friends as murals on the terminal walls.
On hand for the dedication were port leaders including Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades CEO and port director, who said, “Disney Cruise Line is adding a new dimension to the Port Everglades experience. Our staff is looking forward to this new journey with Disney Cruise Line and further diversifying our cruise portfolio to reach a broader audience.”
Also in attendance was Broward County Mayor Lamar P. Fisher, along with other federal, state and local leaders. Mayor Fisher stated, “Dream vacations start here in Broward County. The addition of Disney Cruise Line in our community provides travelers with more vacation options at Port Everglades, while boosting our local economy and creating more than 1,100 direct local jobs.”
Disney Cruise Line is committed to the region and also announced two community investments in Junior Achievement South Florida and Boys & Girls Club of Broward County. The cruise line’s donations will support these organizations and the programs they implement for the youth in the area. The cruise line’s community partnerships will also provide Disney Cruise Line cast and crew an opportunity to mentor and work with local students through educational programming.
Siskie said, “Being a good steward in the port communities where Disney Cruise Line operates is so important to us. We’re proud to continue to invest in local youth programs that help empower and inspire the next generation of dreamers in Broward County.”
Disney Dream will begin sailing from its new cruise terminal on November 20, 2023 with Disney Magic to follow on May 9, 2024. The ships will sail a variety of three-, four-, and five-night cruises to destinations in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.