Port Everglades Background Information

• Port Everglades Cruise port is about 30 miles north of Port Miami in Fort Lauderdale and short drive to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 4 is located at 1800 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 with secured parking in the Heron Parking Garage.

• The inaugural sailing from the port will be on the Disney Dream on November 20, 2023, with a 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise. After the Disney Dream the Disney Magic on May 9, 2024, will sail next from the port. As mentioned in the original port discussion sailing from the port will be 3-, 4- and 5-night sailings. The agreement provides for one ship to homeport in Port Everglades year-round starting Nov 2023 and then a second seasonal ship will join on March 1, 2025. 

• Disney Cruise Line will use port terminal 4 and Berth No. 4, for a 15-year term ending in 2038 with the ability to extend the agreement up to 3 additional 5-year terms.

• The agreement supports an estimated 1,111 direct local jobs generating $31.6 million in wages and $12.3 million in state and local taxes over the 15-year term, according to a study by nationally recognized maritime research company Martin Associates.

• Disney Cruise Line is initially guaranteeing Broward County a minimum of 400,000 passengers, before increasing the minimum guarantee to 750,000 passengers in the 3rd fiscal year and through the duration of the contracts. If Disney Cruise Line exceeds annual billable passenger movements the county will issue a volume incentive payment.

• Marine infrastructure and Terminal Improvements

  • On the marine side at Berth No. 4, there will be an installation of new bollards and upgrading of certain existing bollards, as well as installation of new fenders and upgrading of certain existing fenders, necessary to accommodate the berthing demands for all Disney Vessels, including, without limitation, the Magic Class, and Dream Class Vessels, and the three new Disney Vessels to be delivered through 2025.

  • As for the improvements to Cruise Terminal 4, the renovations will consist of interior and exterior modifications to meet Disney Cruise Line’s operating standards and meet Disney’s guest experience standards for a 4,000-passenger vessel. Some examples of the changes at the terminal include the incorporation of Disney theming and familiar design elements and colors.

  • Embarkation Area 

    • Installation of Disney validation stations at entry of Cruise Terminal 4

    • Repositioning of X-Ray scanners and guest walk through scanners

    • Removal of existing Check-In counters and walls to create more open space for guest waiting area

    • Construction of additional office space hidden from guest view with new walls to keep administrative areas “backstage”

    • Office space will include cast member break room, IT room, restroom, administrative offices for day of and full-time cast members and changing room for cast members

    • Construction of Assisted Check-In area to support embarkation operations.

    • Installation of mobile device charging stations in guest waiting area

    • Installation of digital monitors for displaying critical information and providing entertainment to guests waiting to board

    • Installation of new audio system to support guest communications and experience in waiting area

    • The digital monitors will be supported by a new audio system. There will also be 1,000
      seats for guest to utilize. Signage will be visible in all areas for the purposes of way finding

    • Construction of new permanent walls to seal off crew and vendor security screening and entry

    • Installation of Disney intellectual property throughout 1st Floor of Cruise Terminal 4 embarkation area

    • Incorporation/Installation of Disney Vacation Club desk/kiosk

    • CCTV network

    • Telecommunication and bandwidth upgrades (i.e., phone, cellular and WIFI connectivity)

  • Debarkation Area

    • Luggage hall area will be enhanced with incorporation/installation of Disney intellectual property

    • Installation of 35 luggage tables to support debarkation operations and provide greater luggage laydown space. 

    • Construction of new office space for port agents, as well as crew mail storage space

    • Expansion of existing luggage sorting and scanning capabilities

    • CCTV network

  • Interior

    • Installation of Disney gangway stations at entry of the gangway area

    • Construction of concierge lounge

• The substantial completion date is listed as October 15, 2023, with final completion date penciled in for November 30, 2023. It is estimated, the marine infrastructure improvements for Berth No. 4 will cost approximately $2,000,000, and the terminal improvements to Cruise Terminal 4 will cost approximately $12,000,000. Both estimates are the high-end cap. Disney will share the costs associated with the design and construction for both the marine and terminal side of the project, splitting down the middle at 50% with the county.