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Carnival Expands Presence at Port Everglades

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Published Aug 16, 2016 9:37 PM by The Maritime Executive

Port Everglades, Florida has signed a five-year contract extension with Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise line, for the preferential use of five terminals. The agreement extends an existing contract out to 2030 and builds on Carnival's long-term presence at the Florida port. 

As part of the deal, Carnival Corporation will have preferential use of cruise terminal 4, which reopened last year after $24 million worth of renovations and upgrades. The port is undertaking a $14 million slip extension project for the terminal, which will allow it to accommodate larger ships. Completion is expected the middle of next year.

Carnival will also have preferential use of cruise terminals 2, 21 and 26, along with one additional terminal, making five in total. 

To put all of the capacity to use, Carnival will relocate the 3,000-passenger Carnival Splendor from Miami to Port Everglades next year, joining the Carnival Conquest. Carnival's Holland America Line will also be deploying its newest vessel, the Koningsdam, to Port Everglades this fall. 

Carnival says that its Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises UK, Princess Cruises and Seabourn brands already carry a million and a half passengers to and from Port Everglades each year. Its combined 28 ships sailing out of the port generate an average of more than 300 calls annually.

“Carnival Corporation is a critical Port Everglades partner,” said Steve Cernak, chief executive and port director of Port Everglades. “[The firm] has a strong, long-standing presence . . . and the additional five years included in the agreement reinforces that commitment."

The new deal expands on existing infrastructure agreements between the parties as well. As part the original agreement signed in 2010, the port spent $54 million to renovate four existing cruise terminals for Carnival-branded ships, including dual passenger loading bridges, larger baggage halls and improved ground transportation areas. Under the new extended contract, Carnival and Port Everglades will look at options to renovate Cruise Terminal 21 to accommodate Carnival's newest class of ships.

Carnival competitor Royal Caribbean will home port the world’s largest cruise ship, the 5,500-passenger Harmony of the Seas, in Port Everglades later this year.