Cruises to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

2,207 Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) (Photo:pisaphotography/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

The "middle city" of Florida's Gold Coast, Fort Lauderdale sits between Miami to the south and Palm Beach to the north. The city blends nicely with its metropolitan neighbors, and elements of Miami's chic vibe and the affluent nature of Palm Beach are recognizable. But Fort Lauderdale is a destination itself. Operating one of the busiest cruise ports in North America -- more than three million people pass through each year -- helps define Fort Lauderdale as a robust tourism spot.

Fort Lauderdale started out as a swampy outpost with a fort, built to protect against the Seminole Indians. The swamps were transformed in the late 1800s into a series of canals by scooping out parallel waterways and creating long peninsulas between them. This created more than 300 miles of navigable waterways (twice that of Venice) -- hence the city's nickname "Venice of America." The abundance of waterways that wind up and down the coast make Fort Lauderdale a boating hot spot, with 42,000 registered yachts.

The community gained fame and a measure of disrepute when it was featured in the 1960s movie "Where the Boys Are," causing legions of college-aged boys (and, not coincidentally, girls) to descend for raucous spring breaks. For decades, Fort Lauderdale was synonymous with spring break -- and the giddy wildness that accompanies this rite of passage -- until an effort by city leaders in the 1980s went into effect, in earnest, to tone it down. These days, the fastest-growing market for Fort Lauderdale is the trendy high spenders who at one time might have gone south -- or north. Area hotels include Ritz-Carlton, Trump International Hotel and Tower and W Fort Lauderdale.

Since shedding its "rowdy, college spring break" reputation, the city has grown into a more genteel community that's family- and boater-oriented. Beyond the canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway that runs through the city, major development projects have been redefining Fort Lauderdale. Downtown -- especially around the hub of Las Olas Boulevard, with its cafes, galleries and boutiques - gives off a Miami Beach vibe.

Greater Fort Lauderdale's 23-mile beachfront has also received a major overhaul, with lush landscaping and vivacious lighting complementing the expansive stretches of sand. In fact, since 1999, the beaches of greater Fort Lauderdale have earned "Blue Wave Beach" certification from the Clean Beaches Council, a designation awarded to the nation's cleanest and safest beaches.

Beyond surf, sand and Fort Lauderdale's role as cruise embarkation central, there are enough activities to entice travelers to spend a few days there before or after a voyage.

  • More about Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

  • Why Cruise to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)?

  • Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 783 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Caribbean Princess
Caribbean Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

6 Night
Caribbean - Eastern Cruise

2,769 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Enchanted Princess
Enchanted Princess (Image: Princess Cruises)

10 Night
Caribbean - Eastern Cruise

144 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Holland America Rotterdam
Holland America Line's Rotterdam at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

9 Night
Southern Caribbean Seafarer

112 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Holland America Rotterdam
Holland America Line's Rotterdam at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

9 Night
Southern Caribbean Seafarer

112 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

7 Night
Eastern Caribbean Cruise

1,947 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

17 Night
Panama Canal & Inca Discovery

1,087 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

10 Night
10 Nt Ultimate Southern Caribbean

1,947 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

15 Night
Cultural Crossing With Paris And London

267 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

10 Night
Ultimate Southern Caribbean

1,947 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Southern Caribbean

1,028 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,873 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

11 Night
Eastern Caribbean Wayfarer

1,200 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

12 Night
Portugal & Bermuda

2,313 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

11 Night
Canal & S. Caribbean

160 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Atlantic Sunsets And Exotic Isles

112 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

More about Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

Why Cruise to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)?

Pros:

Port Everglades offers tons of cruise choice close to major airports and hotel chains

Cons:

Constant construction in the area sometimes leads to serious traffic jams

Bottom Line:

The port is a perfect jumping-off point for family vacations or getaways on a wide variety of ships

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) Cruise Port Facilities?

Cruise ships share Port Everglades with all of the port's commercial shipping traffic. It's an enormous and heavily guarded complex. Cruise terminals are located at the complex's Midport and Northport sections; several signs throughout the port point you in the right direction.

From the entrance at 17th Street, the Northport terminals can be accessed on foot in about 10 minutes, but with heavy bags, that isn't ideal. The port facility offers no snacking or shopping facilities, but most of the terminals contain vending machines. All nine of the cruise terminals offer free Wi-Fi access.

At berth 18, a $75 million terminal was built to accommodate Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. This expanded terminal has designated 16,500 square feet of space to handle baggage for the passengers of these 220,000-ton ships. The terminal was designed with maritime influences -- 90 ticket counters were constructed to resemble the bow of a ship, and the floor is inlaid with a 3,000-square-foot epoxy and bronze art design of the earth. the terminal also includes a kids' play area and free Wi-Fi.

Cruise terminal four was redesigned in January 2015 to make it faster for cruise lines to process passengers by adding 50 check-in counters, 172 additional parking spaces and rearranging passenger drop-off zones to less congested areas. It is also the first terminal in Port Everglades to be LEED certified for reaching energy-efficient standards.

Good to Know?

Cab drivers in Fort Lauderdale are notorious for claiming the credit card machines don't work (they prefer cash) -- after you've taken the ride. Ask whether the driver takes cards before hopping in and confirm that the machine is fully functional.

Getting Around?

To the Pier:
By Shuttle: Cruise lines typically provide shuttle service between Port Everglades and the two airports that serve Fort Lauderdale (Miami and Fort Lauderdale), but you must sign up -- and pay for them -- in advance. Check with your cruise line for its transfer program. If you're flying into Miami, the airport provides taxi and shuttle transportation to Port Everglades. Shuttles are about $37 per person, and taxis run about $77 for up to five people.

Another good option, whether you're traveling to or from the cruise port, is shared shuttles like SAS Transport Service (954-600-0240; $15 per person), Go Airport Shuttle (1-844-787-1670; $12.65 including gratuity) or Port Everglades Shuttle Service (954-822-8106; $11 with a two-person minimum).

Some hotels offer shuttle service to and from Port Everglades. Check with your hotel to see what's available. Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express and Suites are among those that provide free transportation to the cruise terminal.

By Bus: A public bus (No. 40) stops in front of the 17th Street entrance, just north of the Convention Center and goes to the beaches or downtown. Fares are $1.75 per ride. The Sun Trolley also stops there on the "Beach Link" for a $1 charge.

Parking, for those who drive to port, is available at Port Everglades for $15 per day and can be paid by cash or credit card.

By Rental Car: Several of the major car rental agencies -- Hertz (800-654-3131), Avis (800-352-7900), Budget (800-218-7992) and Thrifty (800-847-4389) -- operate out of Fort Lauderdale's airport, and Sixt (888-747-7498) has a location at Port Everglades. Free shuttle service is offered from the cruise terminal to the rental agency on days when ships are in port.

By Car Service: If you want to arrange private transportation to or from your ship, USA Transportation (800-872-1130) provides luxury ground transportation in South Florida and is equipped with a fleet of executive sedans, SUVs, limousines, vans and mini-buses.

In Fort Lauderdale:
By Water Taxi: The water taxis that ply Fort Lauderdale's canals, are a great way to see the best of Fort Lauderdale while getting around town. With 19 stops near many of the area's hotels, water taxis drop visitors off at popular shopping and dining sections -- including Las Olas Boulevard -- and beaches. Plus, guides give a history of the storied mansions along the way. An all-day pass is $26, and taxis operate from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and run every 15 to 30 minutes during peak periods.

By Trolley: The Sun Trolley (954-761-3543) is a unique and inexpensive method of transportation in Fort Lauderdale -- when you see the trolley coming, just wave, and it will pick you up! Six routes, which cover Las Olas Boulevard, the beaches, downtown, airport and the convention center (cruise port) area, are available for $1 per boarding.

By Pedicab: Pedicabs (human-powered bicycle taxis) are widely available for transportation between the beaches, downtown and Las Olas Boulevard. (Ocean View Rickshaw; 954-561-2808)

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

ATMs are readily available to get your U.S. dollars.

Language?

English is primarily spoken in Fort Lauderdale, but you probably will encounter Spanish-speaking residents.

Where You're Docked?

Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Address:

1850 Eller Dr., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Port Everglades is located 10 minutes by cab or shuttle from the Fort Lauderdale Airport and about 10 minutes from downtown. One of the cruise port's entrances is on the 17th Street Causeway, the yachting hub of Fort Lauderdale with several restaurants and hotels.

Editor's note: Port Everglades offers an app with maps, parking, a guide on where the ships are docked and more helpful information.


Related Cruises

Cruises to Virgin Gorda

Cruises to Virgin Gorda

77 Reviews
Cruises to Fanning Island

Cruises to Fanning Island

14 Reviews
Cruises to Montreal

Cruises to Montreal

94 Reviews
Cruises to Amsterdam

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews
Cruises to Rouen

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews
Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews
Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews
Cruises to Marseille

Cruises to Marseille

936 Reviews
Cruises to Izmir

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews
Cruises to Adelaide

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews
Cruises to Lima

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews
Cruises to Rangiroa

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews
Cruises to Positano (Amalfi)

Cruises to Positano (Amalfi)

87 Reviews
Cruises to Buzios

Cruises to Buzios

27 Reviews
Cruises to Hakodate

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews
Cruises to Picton

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews
Cruises to Speyer

Cruises to Speyer

48 Reviews
Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews
Cruises to Kinderdijk

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews
Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)

Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)


Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.