Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Port Everglades and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Port Everglades To Move Into No.1 Cruise Port Spot As Royal Caribbean
Reveals Genesis Homeport Plans
December 04, 2007
Broward County’s Port Everglades is expected to become the world’s top
cruise port within the next five years with confirmation today that
Royal Caribbean International, a cruise brand owned and operated by
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), will be homeporting its
two new 5,400-passenger “Project Genesis” vessels in Greater Fort
Lauderdale.
The agreement between Royal Caribbean and Broward County is expected
to be finalized by the cruise line company’s Board of Directors and
the Broward County Commission on or before December 19, 2007.
Royal Caribbean’s Project Genesis ships will be the largest cruise
ships ever constructed. The first of the 220,000-gross-registered-ton
ships is scheduled to begin sailing year-round from Port Everglades in
fall 2009, with the second sister ship to begin year-round sailings
one year later. Each Project Genesis ship, being constructed at Aker
Yards in Turku, Finland, is projected to generate approximately
584,000 in passenger traffic annually at Port Everglades.
”We look forward to growing our outstanding relationship with Port
Everglades,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean
International. “It’s very exciting to see our plans come together for
these two amazing ships. The bold designs, daring innovations and
technological advancements planned for these ships will thrill our
loyal guests and help generate new devotees to our brand.”
As part of the agreement, Royal Caribbean will reimburse up to $37.4
million in capital expenditures for expansion and related
infrastructure needs of Terminal 18, which is already one of the
largest cruise passenger terminals worldwide. Along with sister
brands Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, Royal Caribbean
International will generate approximately 17 million in passenger
volume (embarking and disembarking) at Port Everglades during the
first 10-year term of the contract.
“Royal Caribbean has achieved great success with its year-round
sailing schedule at Port Everglades,” said Port Everglades Director
Phillip C. Allen. “Now we can expect an average of 3.6 times more
Royal Caribbean passengers, which is phenomenal.”
An economic impact study conducted by Martin and Associates as part of
the Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan, projects that homeporting the
Genesis ships at Port Everglades will create more than 3,844 jobs,
generate $172 million in personal income and $15.9 million state and
local taxes. In addition, the analysis anticipates that more than 858
new construction jobs will be created during Terminal 18 expansion.
ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY’S PORT EVERGLADES
At 40 ships, more cruise ships are homeported at Port Everglades than
any other port worldwide with an array of cruise vacation choices from
the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale area including everything from
sampler-size day cruises to around-the-world cruises. Details on the
latest cruise offerings are available on the Internet at
www.broward.org/port.
ABOUT ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships
currently in service and three under construction. The line also
offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada,
Europe, South America and New Zealand through its cruisetour division.
For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel
agent. |