South Florida Ports Mark Record Days as Leaders Eye New Caribbean Cruise Season
South Florida’s two cruise hubs just wrapped a record-setting weekend. Port Everglades CEO Joseph Morris said the port moved an estimated 57,000 passengers in eight hours. He added that Star Princess, Celebrity Xcel, and Disney Destiny were inaugurated at Port Everglades as part of the port’s new season launch. PortMiami CEO Hydi Webb announced the port’s first 10-ship day and highlighted Miami’s growing lineup of new ships. Miami also hosted the christening of Oceania Allura, along with a star-filled celebration for Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady in October.
Webb and Morris shared the updates during Brightline’s first Connecting Conversations panel at Miami’s Central Fare Food Collective, moderated by PPI Group Chairman Bill Panoff. They were joined by Javier Del Rio, Senior Director of Analytics at Royal Caribbean International; Elizabeth Fettes, Senior Vice President of Commercial for Cunard North America and Australia; Nathan Hickman, Chief Commercial Officer at Oceania Cruises; and Marie Lee, Chief Marketing Officer at Princess Cruises.
The panel focused on three major themes. South Florida is re-entering a new-ship boom. Ports are becoming more resilient and sustainable. And Brightline is emerging as a major regional connector for cruise travel.
A surge of new ships is reshaping South Florida cruising
Royal Caribbean’s Javier Del Rio said the brand expects moderate growth next year due to new ships and added capacity. He said Royal Caribbean will add 40 more ship turns at PortMiami, bringing 300,000 additional passengers through the port in 2026. This reflects only one line’s added capacity. Combined with all the ships that will turn or call in South and Central Florida ports, people have more departure dates and more ways to sail on newer ships.
Cruise lines are using varied strategies to appeal to new travelers. Cunard’s Elizabeth Fettes said Miami is helping the brand reach luxury travelers seeking classic style with modern touches. Oceania’s Nathan Hickman said more travelers want enrichment and longer, culture-focused itineraries. He described older travelers as more active and curious. Princess Cruises’ Marie Lee said new ships and balanced experiences continue to draw people seeking variety without feeling overwhelmed.
Ports push ahead with cleaner, faster terminal upgrades
Webb said PortMiami has built five new cruise terminals in seven years, including several LEED-certified facilities. She said shore power, also known as cold ironing, is available at five terminals. It lets up to three ships plug in and shut off their engines, which reduces emissions and creates cleaner air around the terminal for passengers. Morris said Port Everglades is preparing for shore power and has redesigned its traffic patterns to handle peak mornings with less congestion.
The port leaders agree that these updates will make embarkation days faster and cleaner. Travelers should see smoother drop-offs, clearer walking paths, and reduced emissions as more ships plug into local power.
Brightline steps into a central role in cruise travel
Brightline earned strong praise throughout the panel. CEO Patrick Goddard said the train is creating a clear link between Florida’s major cities and cruise ports. Brightline now connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, giving passengers rail access to PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral. He added that a new stop planned for Cocoa will strengthen Port Canaveral access even more.
Goddard said Brightline is hosting these discussions to bring regional leaders together. He said the train is helping Florida think more like a connected region, with counties and cities working across shared travel corridors.
AI nudges the conversation toward the future
The most interesting moment came during the Q&A, when an attendee asked how AI is shaping cruise planning. Del Rio said AI and analytics help cruise lines understand what travelers want with more precision. These tools make it easier to predict demand and design itineraries that feel relevant to different travel styles, he added. Hickman said the same technology guides decisions on enrichment, dining, and trip length. He described today’s travelers as more curious and more active, which makes accurate planning even more important.
Port leaders added that they use AI behind the scenes to manage traffic, speed decisions, and keep terminal operations running smoothly. Together, the comments point to a growing trend. All are using data to create smoother, more intuitive trips, from the shoreside experience to the pace of each itinerary.
The session closed with broad agreement. South Florida’s cruising scene is set for continued growth. Ports are upgrading terminals for cleaner, smoother operations as traffic rises. Brightline is widening access across the region. And AI is helping all players deliver more personalized experiences as a new generation of travelers enters the market.
