Disney Cruise Line has launched its new cruise terminal in Port Everglades in greater Fort Lauderdale, its second year-round homeport in Florida.

The more than 104,000-square foot terminal was reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineering exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests and is themed around Disney and Pixar’s film, “Finding Nemo,” with some of their favorite friends from the film displayed on colorful murals.

Disney Dream began sailing from Port Everglades on November 20th, 2023, followed by Disney Magic on May 9th, 2024, offering guests the opportunity to sail on a mix of three-, four- and five-night cruises to tropical destinations in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.    

“The grand opening of our new dedicated terminal is an incredible milestone as we embark on the largest expansion in our cruise line’s history,” said Sharon Siskie, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Cruise Line. 

“Now our guests will have even more options to experience the magic of a Disney vacation at sea and can begin creating lifelong memories with their loved ones from the moment they arrive,” she added.   

As part of Disney Cruise Line’s expansion, Disney Cruise Line and Broward County previously announced a 15-year agreement that includes a minimum 10.6 million passenger movements, and three 5-year extension options that could add another 11.25 million passenger movements. 

The agreement provides for one ship to homeport in Port Everglades year-round beginning this fall 2023, joined by a second, seasonal ship in 2025. 

The opening of the new cruise terminal comes amid major expansion for the cruise line, which recently took delivery of Disney Wish, the first in its new Triton class, with her sister ship Disney Treasure due for delivery in December this year.

The cruise line has also acquired the partially-built Global Dream following the collapse of Hong Kong-based Dream Cruises, and has announced plans to homeport the massive vessel (the largest it has ever operated) in Asia.

The expansion of the Disney Cruise Line brand comes amid major growth plans for Disney in its parks divisions (under which Disney Cruise Line operates). Disney group has announced plans to invest upwards of $60 billion in its parks division amid 98% occupancy on average for Disney Cruise Line.