From David Volz
Port Everglades newest ship, the Sun Princess arrived at her homeport during a traditional plaque and key ceremony on Monday.
Princess Cruises’ President John Padgett and the ship’s Captain Paolo Arrigo welcomed guests aboard the 4,300-passenger ship while Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris welcomed them both and the entire Princess Cruises’ team to their winter homeport in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale. Broward County Mayor Nan Rich presented Captain Arrigo with a key to the county.
“It is always an honor for us to welcome Princess Cruises and their new and existing ships to Port Everglades, and we look forward to our continued and prosperous partnership,” Mayor Rich said. “Of the more than 10,000 direct regional jobs supported by businesses at the port, about 4,000 local jobs are directly related to the cruise industry.”
The event took place aboard Sun Princess and was attended by port staff and stakeholders including Mayor Rich, County Commissioners Michael Udine and Hazelle Rogers, Seafarers’ House’s Father Sanford Sears and the port’s law enforcement partners from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The port and the cruise line share a long history with Princess Cruises being a key customer for more than 65 years. The cruise line’s largest and most innovative ship is the third to carry the Sun Princess name. The first Sun Princess was used in 1977 for the pilot TV show “The Love Boat.” The line’s second Sun Princess was named at Port Everglades in 1995.
“As we welcome Sun Princess to her homeport, we celebrate not just an extraordinary ship with an elevated design, but also the lovable legacy of Princess Cruises — especially to our Greater Fort Lauderdale community,” Morris said. “Sailing on Sun Princess is certain to be a SUNsational experience for cruise guests launching their travels from Port Everglades.”
Sun Princess is an integral part of the port’s 2024-2025 cruise season, which is expected to see a record 4.4 million cruise guests sail aboard 45 different ships from 10 different cruise lines. In addition, Baleária will be sail its ferry to Bimini and Freeport in The Bahamas.
