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Topic: FFL now the biggest cruise ship base?

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 01-17-2011 02:03 PM

Is Fort Lauderdale now the World's largest cruise ship base? Sure seems like a lot of ships depart from there now. Your thoughts/comments.
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-17-2011 02:25 PM

Ft. Lauderdale is indeed looking to be the larger cruise port of the two, by next year (2012). This is based upon the number of multi-day cruise passengers embarked and disembarked. The numbers for 2010 and 2011 still give the edge to Miami, but not for long.

FLL has lots more ships during the Winter weekends than Miami, but that only lasts for a few months, with Miami's fleet being more year-round-based.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-17-2011 04:07 PM

The one advantage that the Port of Miami has over Port Everglades, is a few year round 3 and 4 day cruise ships. The fact they turn around twice each week in Miami really helps to inflate those passenger numbers. Port Everglades has no 3 and 4 day cruise ships, but it does have the small day ship to the Bahamas and a few ships offering 5 and 6 day cruises.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Beezo
First Class Passenger
Member # 1505

posted 01-17-2011 08:24 PM

Just curious...is their a major reason for this?

Is it accessibility from the airport to seaport?
Is it the facilities (even though Miami has been rebuilding some)?
Or, just does it come down to the port charges to the cruise lines?

Thanks,

Brian

Posts: 865 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI2
First Class Passenger
Member # 35998

posted 01-17-2011 10:25 PM

I know getting to PE is a lot closer from FLL airport than to and from Miami's airport. Even when FLL expanded, it's still the quicker one to get to the port.

Posts: 687 | From: Olney, IL, Move to FL 02/2015, Sailed SS NORWAY 3 xs. /May '99 Orig. Reg. | Registered: Aug 2010 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 01-18-2011 12:08 AM

Dosen't Ft Lauderdale also have more berths then Miami? That would help boost numbers.

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-18-2011 06:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Beezo:
Just curious...is their a major reason for this?
Is it accessibility from the airport to seaport?
Is it the facilities (even though Miami has been rebuilding some)?
Or, just does it come down to the port charges to the cruise lines?
Thanks,
Brian

One of the major factors in the boost of pax at PEV is having both OASIS and ALLURE on line there year-round. That has added literally thousands more people per week.

But Miami has seen some business come their way from PEV, as well; Costa has returned to Miami this season, and Celebrity has based their new ECLIPSE there. The addition of NORWEGIAN EPIC also contributed to pax numbers at Miami.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 01-18-2011 09:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Beezo:
Just curious...is their a major reason for this?
Is it accessibility from the airport to seaport?
Is it the facilities (even though Miami has been rebuilding some)?
Or, just does it come down to the port charges to the cruise lines?

It sure isn't the facilities -- Miami's are much, much nicer.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 01-18-2011 03:30 PM

I just spoke with the Port Director for Port Everglades, Mr. Allen, and he said they just signed a deal to take on more of the Carnival ships and they will be creating another terminal to accommodate more Carnival ships. Port Everglades is an amazing port and the logistics seem like it would be a HUGE challenge, but they seem to manage the volume they currently have so my hat goes off to them.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 01-18-2011 03:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I just spoke with the Port Director for Port Everglades, Mr. Allen, and he said they just signed a deal to take on more of the Carnival ships and they will be creating another terminal to accommodate more Carnival ships. Port Everglades is an amazing port and the logistics seem like it would be a HUGE challenge, but they seem to manage the volume they currently have so my hat goes off to them.

PEV signed a 15-year agreement with Carnival Corporation, which is slated to bring millions to the Port. I haven't heard that they are building an additional terminal, but one of the prerequisites to the contract was updating 4 existing terminals.

See news story about it here:

Carnival / Port Everglades Agreement

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 01-18-2011 04:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dougnewman:
It sure isn't the facilities -- Miami's are much, much nicer.

I agree Miami has the much better terminals. The exception is perhaps Royal Caribbean's terminal 18 at PEV.

Miami also has the better infrastructure. Cruise passengers are not required to wait at a check point as they must in PEV. Miami has successfully divided the cargo traffic and only cargo vehicles go through a check point. In addition they are building a tunnel under the channel that will link the port's cargo area with I-395 and I-95. This means all the trucks will no longer have to go over the bridge, and thus eliminate truck congestion on surface streets in downtown Miami.

The only real advantage PEV has is that the airport is closer. Miami is also a much more scenic port, where as PEV is quite industrial looking.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 01-19-2011 11:14 AM

Here is the Audio from my interview with Phillip Allen the Port Director of Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

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