RSS
I take an unusually strong interest in cruising and the cruise industry. For one thing, I’ve been on many cruises all over the world as a travel writer. For another, I am a former contributing editor at Budget Travel magazine, where I wrote a column called “Savings at Sea” about cruising. So I’ve been fascinated to see the growth of Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades. Now the second largest cruise port in the world, in terms of number of passengers, Fort Lauderdale is expected to surpass Miami to become the top cruise port in the near future. That’s remarkable to me. It says a lot about Port Everglades, of course, but I think it also says a lot about Fort Lauderdale. Year by year, this city grows in stature as a major tourist destination.
Just this weekend, I drove over the 17th Street bridge and noticed a Royal Caribbean ship that seemed to be docking while another large ship – Celebrity, I think it was – began to head out to sea. Other cruise ships were tied up along the pier. I’m always impressed with the bustling pace of Port Everglades as a cruise port, especially at this time of year. I’m also impressed that so many world cruises will start, visit or end here in 2008. And at least one cruise line that’s about to send a ship around the world, Silversea, will both leave from Fort Lauderdale and return to Fort Lauderdale.
Wow, can you imagine? I looked it up and this voyage is 110 days long, departing this Wednesday through May 2. It includes the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Far East, Egypt, Spain, Italy and more. But it begins and ends right here. Regent’s 2008 world cruise will wind up in Fort Lauderdale and the QE2 pays us a visit on its travels around the globe. Among Holland America’s major voyages is a 73-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Africa and finally to Portugal. You see what I’m getting at. For so many major lines to make this South Florida community part of their world cruise itineraries, even circling the globe from and then back to Fort Lauderdale – well, there are reasons for that. I know enough about the industry to understand they don’t make these decisions lightly. The ease and quality of Port Everglades, the increase of high-end hotels for passengers to stay before or after voyages, the general ambience and vibe of this town – all that and more play into making Fort Lauderdale such a popular cruise port. It’s a great place to visit or live. Lots of us already know that. But, obviously, Fort Lauderdale’s assets are no secret in the cruise business either.
Just this weekend, I drove over the 17th Street bridge and noticed a Royal Caribbean ship that seemed to be docking while another large ship – Celebrity, I think it was – began to head out to sea. Other cruise ships were tied up along the pier. I’m always impressed with the bustling pace of Port Everglades as a cruise port, especially at this time of year. I’m also impressed that so many world cruises will start, visit or end here in 2008. And at least one cruise line that’s about to send a ship around the world, Silversea, will both leave from Fort Lauderdale and return to Fort Lauderdale.
Wow, can you imagine? I looked it up and this voyage is 110 days long, departing this Wednesday through May 2. It includes the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Far East, Egypt, Spain, Italy and more. But it begins and ends right here. Regent’s 2008 world cruise will wind up in Fort Lauderdale and the QE2 pays us a visit on its travels around the globe. Among Holland America’s major voyages is a 73-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Africa and finally to Portugal. You see what I’m getting at. For so many major lines to make this South Florida community part of their world cruise itineraries, even circling the globe from and then back to Fort Lauderdale – well, there are reasons for that. I know enough about the industry to understand they don’t make these decisions lightly. The ease and quality of Port Everglades, the increase of high-end hotels for passengers to stay before or after voyages, the general ambience and vibe of this town – all that and more play into making Fort Lauderdale such a popular cruise port. It’s a great place to visit or live. Lots of us already know that. But, obviously, Fort Lauderdale’s assets are no secret in the cruise business either.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 3:16 PM
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