Cruises From Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The main inlet at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Venice Of America
Fort Lauderdale's port is called Port Everglades, which is a misleading name, as it is not in fact located near the Florida Everglades. The port is situated on the coastline of the city of Fort Lauderdale, about 25 miles north of Miami.
Ft. Lauderdale is often referred to by its tagline, the 'Venice of America', because of its 270 miles of canals and waterways. The city was founded by Major William Lauderdale during the Seminole War of 1837-1838. The city grew rapidly during the land boom in Florida during the 1920s. Ft. Lauderdale has continued to grow, and its metro area now has over 4.5 million residents.
Port Everglades itself is a largely artificial harbor, built in the early 20th century. Joseph Young, the founder and mayor of Hollywood, bought a large plot of land with the ambition of creating a port. Next he started the Hollywood Harbor Development Company, and building began soon after, with the intention of creating a deep harbor to accommodate larger ships. In 1927 President Calvin Coolidge was invited to open the harbor, by detonating a part of the inlet channel. Things went wrong though when the detonator failed, and the port was officially opened without any spectacular explosions. Thanks to its deep-water inlet channel and moorings, the port developed rapidly into a busy hub of trade.
Today Port Everglades is used by several cruise lines as a departure point for Caribbean cruises. The port is the third-busiest cruise port in the world, drawing almost 3 million cruise passengers to its 11 cruise terminals. Currently the port holds the world-record for the number of cruise ships at harbor in a day, with 15 ships. Currently cruises from Fort Lauderdale are operated by several cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean.
Port Everglades Cruise Ship Terminals
The northern part of Port Everglades is named Northport, and is the site of terminals 2 and 4. The central part of Port Everglades is named Midport, and is the site of cruise ship terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29.
Northport
Northport's two terminals have the usual services like check-in desks, disabled access, seating areas, full A/C, vending machines and luggage handling. Terminal 2 and 4 share the car parking facility at the multi-storey Northport garage. Terminal 2 is utilized by by Princess Cruises, terminal 4 by Disney Cruise Line.
Midport
All Midport's cruise terminals have basic facilities such as baggage handling, disabled access, an automated passenger loading bridge, seating areas, vending machines and restrooms. Terminal 18 has a dedicated parking lot, and terminals 19 through 29 offer parking at the large Midport garage. Terminal 18 is utilized by Royal Caribbean, 19 by Princess, 21 by Carnival Cruise Line, 25 by various cruise lines, 26 by Holland America Line, and 29 by various cruise lines.
Cruises available out of Fort Lauderdale include the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), the Eastern Caribbean (St Thomas, Tortola, San Juan and St Maarten), the Western Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan and Belize), and the Southern Caribbean (Barbados, Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba). Other cruises from Fort Lauderdale on offer include extended trips, examples would be a voyage through the Panama Canal to the west coast of the USA, a cruise up the Amazon or an extended itinerary following the coast of South America.
Things To Do Near Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port
Riverwalk
At the heart of Fort Lauderdale runs the attractive Riverwalk, a boarded and paved path which hugs the banks of New River. Riverwalk North begins at Stranahan House, continues westwards to pass the Museum of Art, Bubier Park, and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, to end up at the Museum of Discovery and Science.
Stranahan House
Built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, the ‘father of Fort Lauderdale’, and his wife Ivy, the city’s first school teacher, Stranahan House is the city’s earliest residence. The house has been preserved to offer an insight into Florida’s pioneer life. The house is positioned at 335 Southeast 6th Avenue, around 2 miles north west of the cruise port.
Fort Lauderdale History Center
Fort Lauderdale History Center was founded in 1962 to collect, look after and interpret the history of Fort Lauderdale. Walk around an 1899 replica school house, a reconstruction of Broward county’s first ever school, the 1907 King-Cromartie House, a private residence, the 1905 Acetylene building, a little building which contained an acetylene gas generator and the 1905 New River Inn, the county’s oldest remaining hotel.
Bonnet House Museum And Gardens
This magnificent estate has its origins in the 1920s, when Frederick Clay Bartlett, an artist from Chicago, constructed the house as the perfect winter residence to get away from the northern chill. As well as the impressive house, the visitor can walk around the gorgeous subtropical gardens that extend more than 35 acres. The house is positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and intracoastal waterway on North Birch Road, about 4 miles north east of Northport.
South Beach Park
Fort Lauderdale has over 7 miles of broad sands, with lovely views over the Atlantic Ocean. South Beach Park is the closest beach to downtown. The lifeguard monitored beach is bordered by an artistic whitewashed wall, and paved promenade. The beach is perfectly suited for surfing, swimming, picnicking and relaxing. Many shops, restaurants and bars line popular Las Olas Boulevard, which intersects with Highway 1A near by the beach.
Getting To Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port
By Air
The majority of passengers booked on cruises from Fort Lauderdale fly in to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport, which is sited slightly more than a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.
By Car
Port Everglades has three road entrances, at SE 24th street off US-1, Eller Drive and the 17th street causeway entrance at Eisenhower Bvld. You must have proper identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, to gain entry to the port.
Traveling North or South on I-95
Take exit #26 to I-595 East, signed Port Everglades. Carry on for just over a mile next take exit 12B. Follow Eller Drive to the I-595 East port entrance.
From West on I-75
Follow exit #19 to I-595 East. Continue for 12 miles then take exit 12B for Port Everglades. Carry on along Eller Drive to the I-595 East port security gate.
Cruise Port Map (click on image for larger image)
Cruise Port Location(s) @ googlemaps.com Port Everglades
Port Authority Broward County Port Everglades Department
Port Website Port Everglades
Currency USD
Timezone EST/EDT
Riverwalk
At the heart of Fort Lauderdale runs the attractive Riverwalk, a boarded and paved path which hugs the banks of New River. Riverwalk North begins at Stranahan House, continues westwards to pass the Museum of Art, Bubier Park, and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, to end up at the Museum of Discovery and Science.
Stranahan House
Built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, the ‘father of Fort Lauderdale’, and his wife Ivy, the city’s first school teacher, Stranahan House is the city’s earliest residence. The house has been preserved to offer an insight into Florida’s pioneer life. The house is positioned at 335 Southeast 6th Avenue, around 2 miles north west of the cruise port.
Fort Lauderdale History Center
Fort Lauderdale History Center was founded in 1962 to collect, look after and interpret the history of Fort Lauderdale. Walk around an 1899 replica school house, a reconstruction of Broward county’s first ever school, the 1907 King-Cromartie House, a private residence, the 1905 Acetylene building, a little building which contained an acetylene gas generator and the 1905 New River Inn, the county’s oldest remaining hotel.
Bonnet House Museum And Gardens
This magnificent estate has its origins in the 1920s, when Frederick Clay Bartlett, an artist from Chicago, constructed the house as the perfect winter residence to get away from the northern chill. As well as the impressive house, the visitor can walk around the gorgeous subtropical gardens that extend more than 35 acres. The house is positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and intracoastal waterway on North Birch Road, about 4 miles north east of Northport.
South Beach Park
Fort Lauderdale has over 7 miles of broad sands, with lovely views over the Atlantic Ocean. South Beach Park is the closest beach to downtown. The lifeguard monitored beach is bordered by an artistic whitewashed wall, and paved promenade. The beach is perfectly suited for surfing, swimming, picnicking and relaxing. Many shops, restaurants and bars line popular Las Olas Boulevard, which intersects with Highway 1A near by the beach.
Getting To Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port
By Air
The majority of passengers booked on cruises from Fort Lauderdale fly in to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport, which is sited slightly more than a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.
By Car
Port Everglades has three road entrances, at SE 24th street off US-1, Eller Drive and the 17th street causeway entrance at Eisenhower Bvld. You must have proper identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, to gain entry to the port.
Traveling North or South on I-95
Take exit #26 to I-595 East, signed Port Everglades. Carry on for just over a mile next take exit 12B. Follow Eller Drive to the I-595 East port entrance.
From West on I-75
Follow exit #19 to I-595 East. Continue for 12 miles then take exit 12B for Port Everglades. Carry on along Eller Drive to the I-595 East port security gate.
Cruise Port Map (click on image for larger image)
Cruise Port Location(s) @ googlemaps.com Port Everglades
Port Authority Broward County Port Everglades Department
Port Website Port Everglades
Currency USD
Timezone EST/EDT
