Port Everglades on Dec. 12 welcomed Costa Cruises’ Costa Luminosa with a plaque & key exchange ceremony held onboard to celebrate her first season homeporting at the South Florida port.
In addition to representatives from Port Everglades, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Broward Sheriff’s Office and Seafarer’s House participated in the ceremony.
“Costa Cruises has been sailing from Port Everglades since the 1960s,” said Port Everglades Acting Chief Executive and Port Director Glenn Wiltshire. “We are excited to have Costa Luminosa joining the fleet of 40 ships sailing from Port Everglades to destinations throughout the Caribbean this winter season.”
Costa Luminosa replaces her sister ship, Costa Deliziosa, which had sailed from Port Everglades since 2015. The Italy-based and European-influenced Costa Cruises is part of the Carnival Corporation family of cruise lines.
Offering 8- and 11-day sailings from Port Everglades to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Coasta Luminosa’s theme of “light” can be seen in the ship’s many Murano glass chandeliers. Art is also a focal point aboard Luminosa. Among the ship’s impressive collection is the massive bronze sculpture “Reclining Woman 2004” by world renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, which is showcased in the ship’s 11-story atrium.
The 2,826-passenger Costa Luminosa offers a variety of entertainment options, including three pools, fitness center and spa, 4D cinema, Grand Prix and golf simulators, and five dining venues.
In Fiscal Year 2019, nearly 4 million cruise passengers passed through Port Everglades with an economic impact of $1.87 billion.
Port Everglades’ enviable location in the heart of South Florida and the neighboring Caribbean, makes us one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world. Guests enjoy the Port’s proximity to three international airports including and rapidly growing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) less than two miles away. For pre- and post-cruise stays, Port Everglades is a short drive to sweeping beachfronts, a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, craft breweries, entertainment, shopping, casinos, and family-friendly activities — including our namesake, the Florida Everglades. Ten cruise lines, one ferry service and 40 cruise ships sail from Port Everglades including: Balearia’s Bahamas Express (ferry), Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruiese, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises. The Port’s wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of itineraries from the Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach area.
