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Florida is experiencing a massive decline in passengers for cruises around the Caribbean. Have the “Pirates of the Caribbean” scared off summer families wanting to visitor the murky Atlantic? Maybe so.

Port officials say the fall-off could be traced to a decline in the day-cruise business, competition from gambling venues on land such as Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and consumers preferring to visit European ports of call, not Caribbean.

The Caribbean in the last 12 months has not been as attractive as it has been in the past,” said Carlos Buqueras, Port Everglades director of business development.

I’m actually rather surprised with all of the success of the movies. You’d think the “brand” of the Caribbean would be in the ears of cruise line seekers. I guess not. On the other hand…

Two big ships may have sailed away, but Port Everglades attracted three new big ships. The 3,114-passenger Emerald Princess arrived for the first time in October to sail to the Caribbean for Princess Cruises. In mid-November, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas and Costa Cruises Costa Fortuna will arrive at the port for the first time.

For the sake of the Caribbean cruise liners, let’s hope that Disney decides to make another one. And for my own self-enjoyment (I love Disneyland and Pirates of the Caribbean!)

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