FT LAUDERDALE | Port Everglades

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by UrbanImpact

^ 17st Causeway is a main road and has a great view of Port Everglades at the bridge over the inter-coastal .

Yep. Was just on that bridge Wednesday and it is a fantastic view of the port and its size.

Made the drive up A1A to Delray for the first time in years. Really great to see how Delray Beach has evolved and all the activity on Atlantic Avenue.

[ftlauddude]

That bridge is the longest bascule bridge (drawbridge) in the State of Florida

That view is amazing of not only PE but Dtwn FtLAud as well. PE is def the new cruise capital of the world and with this FEC facility we might as well catch with POM. There's actually a project, Sunport People Mover, to connect FLL with PE with train like the one in Dtwn Miami or @ MIA due to the amount of passengers who fly to Broward just to catch a cruise.

[Obfuscatus]

...

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by Obfuscatus

PE was #1 for cruise passengers in 2004/05, but has been surpassed by POM every year since then, including this year.

Really? Even though they now have the two largest cruiseships in the world berthing there?

TRAVELMARKETreport
Port Everglades Develops Into Premier Port Facility
by Harvey Chipkin

July 21, 2011

Port Everglades’ reputation as a premier international cruise port has skyrocketed in recent years, boosted by infrastructure developments and homeport status for two of the world’s biggest cruise ships.

“We have become the cruise capital of the world,” said Fernando Harb, director of sales for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

While Harb is understandably biased about the port, numbers bear him out. For one, Port Everglades now handles more passengers than any other cruise port in the world, he said.

The numbers were achieved partly as a result of two of the world’s largest cruise ships – Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas – home porting in a new terminal the port opened two years ago. One ship arrives at the terminal on Saturday and the other on Sunday; each discharges and boards up to 6,000 passengers per week.

http://www.travelmarketreport.com/fo...leID=6101&LP=1

[ftlauddude]

Originally Posted by Obfuscatus

PE was #1 for cruise passengers in 2004/05, but has been surpassed by POM every year since then, including this year.

Originally Posted by QuantumX

Really? Even though they now have the two largest cruiseships in the world berthing there?

It has 'cause that's when PE started its expansion plan increasing their fuel reserves to receive all the oil we use here in South Florida (last year 109,380,437 barrels of oil came to PE)

Here's a vid of the expansion plan, which is ongoing right now.

[Miami High Rise]

So they scrapped the Sunport people mover for the parking garages and new overpass?

[Miami High Rise]

Originally Posted by QuantumX

Show us why Port Everglades is the cruise capital of the world. DUH!

Originally Posted by QuantumX

I thought it already was the new Cruise Capital of the World with Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. I was hoping Mr. Jones would get us some photos of all that stuff.

[zach7795]

boo FLL sucks. Its all about MIA POM!!!...JK just a little friendly rivalry.

[FTL Beach Bum]

Originally Posted by Miami High Rise

That's a great angle.

Was that Sunday? I caught a glimpse from 17th Street as she was backing out of the berth.

[Miami High Rise]

That little gated private community on the east side of the bridge has an automatic gate. It's not really gated. People go back there and park streetside by the condos all the way to the east every Saturday to watch Oasis of the Seas and Sunday to watch Allure. This was yesterday. Walk to the public beach and go south to the rocks. Both ships arrive at 7 am and leave at 5. It was slightly raining yesterday; stil about 10-15 people watching it. It took off late, a little after 5:30. You really have to see it live. It's passes close by. After 6 you're not supposed to be parked on the divided north/south road running the east side of the point, really you're not supposed to anytime, but they let you get away with it to see the ships.

[FTL Beach Bum]

Originally Posted by Miami High Rise

That little gated private community on the east side of the bridge has an automatic gate. It's not really gated. People go back there and park streetside by the condos all the way to the east every Saturday to watch Oasis of the Seas and Sunday to watch Allure. This was yesterday. Walk to the public beach and go south to the rocks. Both ships arrive at 7 am and leave at 5. It was slightly raining yesterday; stil about 10-15 people watching it. It took off late, a little after 5:30. You really have to see it live. It's passes close by. After 6 you're not supposed to be parked on the divided north/south road running the east side of the point, really you're not supposed to anytime, but they let you get away with it to see the ships.

Very cool. I watched Oasis come in on her first crossing from John Lloyd. The damn thing spans from the beach to the mouth of the ICW.

[ftlauddude]

New ferry service will connect Fort Lauderdale, Grand Bahama

BY DANIEL CHANG, The Miami Herald

8:38 p.m. EST, November 29, 2011

Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama Island will be connected by overseas ferry once again beginning Dec. 9, three months after the last carrier at Broward County's Port Everglades went out of business shuttling passengers on the same route. This time, though, the trip promises to be faster, and cheaper for passengers.

Balearia, a Spanish shipping company that transports passengers and goods in the Mediterranean Sea, announced Tuesday the launch of Bahama Express — a fast ferry service that will operate daily, except for Wednesdays, and complete the journey in about 2 1/2 hours in calm seas. Passenger fares start at $49 each way for a one-day trip.

"This is a bridge from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas,'' said Carlos Buqueras, director of business development for Port Everglades. "Tourism and the residents need this.''

Waterway and Maritime Transportation Industry Bahama Express will replace the daily route run by Discovery Cruise Line for nearly 20 years before the company went out of business in September, said Phil Allen, port director.

"They had problems with older vessels,'' Allen said of Discovery, which operated a cruise ship that could carry about 800 people but took about 5 hours to sail from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. "They were more set up for daily gaming services.'' Allen said he did not recall the cost of a fare on Discovery, but adde, "this is by far more cost efficient.''

The Bahama Express's route will be run by a 242-foot-long catamaran dubbed Pinar del Rio. The 20-year-old ship sails at a speed of 32 knots and has a capacity for 450 passengers, but there are no cabins or gaming machines. There are three bars, first class and economy sections, and a duty-free store.

The ferry will depart from Terminal 1 at Port Everglades at 10 a.m. and arrive in Grand Bahama at 12:30 p.m. It will be scheduled to depart Grand Bahama at 7:30 p.m. and return to Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m., allowing passengers a full day to visit the island, said Pilar Lecha, area manager for Balearia.

Lecha said a new ferry service connecting Fort Lauderdale and Bimini will come "soon, soon, soon.''

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,6890595.story

[theEmbarcadero]

Originally Posted by ftlauddude

New ferry service will connect Fort Lauderdale, Grand Bahama

BY DANIEL CHANG, The Miami Herald

8:38 p.m. EST, November 29, 2011

Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama Island will be connected by overseas ferry once again beginning Dec. 9, three months after the last carrier at Broward County's Port Everglades went out of business shuttling passengers on the same route. This time, though, the trip promises to be faster, and cheaper for passengers.

Balearia, a Spanish shipping company that transports passengers and goods in the Mediterranean Sea, announced Tuesday the launch of Bahama Express — a fast ferry service that will operate daily, except for Wednesdays, and complete the journey in about 2 1/2 hours in calm seas. Passenger fares start at $49 each way for a one-day trip.

"This is a bridge from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas,'' said Carlos Buqueras, director of business development for Port Everglades. "Tourism and the residents need this.''

Waterway and Maritime Transportation Industry Bahama Express will replace the daily route run by Discovery Cruise Line for nearly 20 years before the company went out of business in September, said Phil Allen, port director.

"They had problems with older vessels,'' Allen said of Discovery, which operated a cruise ship that could carry about 800 people but took about 5 hours to sail from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. "They were more set up for daily gaming services.'' Allen said he did not recall the cost of a fare on Discovery, but adde, "this is by far more cost efficient.''

The Bahama Express's route will be run by a 242-foot-long catamaran dubbed Pinar del Rio. The 20-year-old ship sails at a speed of 32 knots and has a capacity for 450 passengers, but there are no cabins or gaming machines. There are three bars, first class and economy sections, and a duty-free store.

The ferry will depart from Terminal 1 at Port Everglades at 10 a.m. and arrive in Grand Bahama at 12:30 p.m. It will be scheduled to depart Grand Bahama at 7:30 p.m. and return to Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m., allowing passengers a full day to visit the island, said Pilar Lecha, area manager for Balearia.

Lecha said a new ferry service connecting Fort Lauderdale and Bimini will come "soon, soon, soon.''

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,6890595.story

Named Pinar Del Rio, because it will provide ferry service to Cuba soon....!

[FTL Beach Bum]

Originally Posted by ftlauddude

New ferry service will connect Fort Lauderdale, Grand Bahama

BY DANIEL CHANG, The Miami Herald

8:38 p.m. EST, November 29, 2011

Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama Island will be connected by overseas ferry once again beginning Dec. 9, three months after the last carrier at Broward County's Port Everglades went out of business shuttling passengers on the same route. This time, though, the trip promises to be faster, and cheaper for passengers.

Balearia, a Spanish shipping company that transports passengers and goods in the Mediterranean Sea, announced Tuesday the launch of Bahama Express — a fast ferry service that will operate daily, except for Wednesdays, and complete the journey in about 2 1/2 hours in calm seas. Passenger fares start at $49 each way for a one-day trip.

"This is a bridge from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas,'' said Carlos Buqueras, director of business development for Port Everglades. "Tourism and the residents need this.''

Waterway and Maritime Transportation Industry Bahama Express will replace the daily route run by Discovery Cruise Line for nearly 20 years before the company went out of business in September, said Phil Allen, port director.

"They had problems with older vessels,'' Allen said of Discovery, which operated a cruise ship that could carry about 800 people but took about 5 hours to sail from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. "They were more set up for daily gaming services.'' Allen said he did not recall the cost of a fare on Discovery, but adde, "this is by far more cost efficient.''

The Bahama Express's route will be run by a 242-foot-long catamaran dubbed Pinar del Rio. The 20-year-old ship sails at a speed of 32 knots and has a capacity for 450 passengers, but there are no cabins or gaming machines. There are three bars, first class and economy sections, and a duty-free store.

The ferry will depart from Terminal 1 at Port Everglades at 10 a.m. and arrive in Grand Bahama at 12:30 p.m. It will be scheduled to depart Grand Bahama at 7:30 p.m. and return to Fort Lauderdale at 10 p.m., allowing passengers a full day to visit the island, said Pilar Lecha, area manager for Balearia.

Lecha said a new ferry service connecting Fort Lauderdale and Bimini will come "soon, soon, soon.''

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,6890595.story

Looking forward to this. Sounds like a fun ride.

[CF221]

Originally Posted by FTL Beach Bum

Looking forward to this. Sounds like a fun ride.

I've heard by word of mouth this Pinar del Rio ship might later be expanded to Havana! That'd be awesome! I'd be so happy to go picturetaking at my country's capital someday

[HavanaMiami1977]

Originally Posted by CF221

I've heard by word of mouth this Pinar del Rio ship might later be expanded to Havana! That'd be awesome! I'd be so happy to go picturetaking at my country's capital someday

Hope could visit city of Havana entering the beautyfull Colonial Harbor.

[theEmbarcadero]

Curious to know...how many of you posters have been to Pinar del Rio....it is absolutely--by far--the most beautiful province of Cuba...

...so near the USA...and yet so far....looks like some place in Asia or something...very different!

google mogotes de vinales

[HavanaMiami1977]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

Curious to know...how many of you posters have been to Pinar del Rio....it is absolutely--byt far--the most beautiful province of Cuba...

...so near the USA...and yet so far....looks like some place in Asia or something...very different!

google mogotes de vinales

You are rigth, there is an splendid land scape, Viñales, Soroa, Levisa key, indeed is a very beautiful part of Cuba.

[ftlauddude]

New detour in effect for Port Everglades

By Michael Turnbell, Sun Sentinel
4:53 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2012

DANIA BEACH—Drivers heading to Port Everglades from the south or from the airport have a new detour to follow for the next year.

Northbound U.S. 1 traffic headed to the port now is detoured past the airport and Interstate 595 to Southeast Sixth Avenue via Southeast 30th Street.

From there, drivers follow Sixth Avenue south back under U.S. 1 to the Eller Drive extension. Drivers coming out of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport follow the same detour. Access from eastbound I-595 remains the same.

The detours are necessary for construction of the Eller Drive overpass, which is a little more than halfway complete. Crews this week opened one lane of the new westbound bridge to I-595 and are beginning demolition of the old bridge.

The $42.5 million project includes a new rail spur that will lead to a new train yard at the port. The spur is expected to relieve bottlenecks on the south side of Fort Lauderdale caused by slow-moving or stopped trains. Train operations that now occur by State Road 84 will instead occur at the port.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,5500553.story

[ftlauddude]

Downtown Fort Lauderdale drivers to get relief from stopped trains

Getting stuck by stopped or slow-moving trains on the Florida East Coast Railway is part of the daily grind for thousands of commuters in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

But relief should come in 2014.

There are two main reasons for the delays. One involves the 14-acre rail yard along South Andrews Avenue, which lacks room to stitch together long trains without blocking such crossings as State Road 84.

The other is that trains frequently get held up waiting to pass each other downtown. The stopped trains put a chokehold on rush-hour traffic on the busy six-lane roads they block.

Two separate initiatives should made a difference.

First, all train yard operations will move to a new facility in Port Everglades that is much farther away from crossings in the city.

Second, the FEC may get an additional tracks to accommodate both freight and a new high-speed passenger rail service.

In the South Andrews rail yard, the FEC has only two 1,200-foot long tracks to build trains that sometimes stretch more than two miles long. As cars are added, trains have no choice but to roll back and forth through the crossing at S.R. 84 and others on the city's south side.

Last August, Broward County agreed to lease public land at the port to the FEC so containers can be put on trains right after they're unloaded off ships. Right now, trucks must lug the containers from ships to the much smaller site to load train cars.

This fall, construction will begin on a railroad spur that will shoot off the main line just north of Interstate 595 and connect with the new train yard at the port. The yard will have six 3,000-foot long tracks plus an additional 3,000-foot "run-around track" so locomotives won't need to back out.

The rail spur and train yard are expected to begin operating in mid-2014.

The spur will pass under a new bridge being built to extend Eller Drive from I-595 into the port. The overpass should be completed in late 2013.

Separately, Florida East Coast Industries, the real estate arm of the conglomerate that owns the freight rail company, is planning a high-speed passenger service between Miami and Orlando scheduled to start in 2014.

As part of that $1 billion project, a second track may be added in stretches with only a single track, including in Palm Beach County. Sections with two tracks could get a third track.

The FEC has at least two tracks from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to just north of Northeast 13th Street. But immediately to the north and south, the line only has a single track.

When trains run in opposite directions at the same time, the two tracks through downtown Fort Lauderdale become the only area for trains to pass. Depending on the length of the trains and timing, one train might be stopped to wait for the other to pass.

The FEC currently runs 10 long-distance freight trains a day through South Florida, in addition to nine smaller, local freight trains that haul goods to businesses and warehouses along the corridor. The Miami-Orlando service would mean additional trains sharing the tracks.

"Our goal is to move trains and keep them moving at all times," said Husein Cumber, FEC's executive vice president of corporate development. "The freight folks have the same goal as the passenger company."