Introduction
Fort Lauderdale is located in the east-central part of Broward County, Florida, about 23 miles north of Miami, and 43 miles south of Palm Beach.
Fort Lauderdale is named after a Seminole War fort, built on the New River in 1838. The region was mostly farmland until the 1890s, when a road was made linking the area to Miami, a ferry service was established across the New River and the Florida East Coast Railway was extended further down the coast. The mild climate was attractive to new arrivals, and the settlement’s population increased dramatically in the early 20th century. But the two setbacks of a devastating hurricane in 1926 and the general depression of 1929 led to a complete reversal in the town’s fortunes. Like the vast majority of the US, Fort Lauderdale did not shake off the effects of the Great Depression until after World War II, at last returning to a period of strong growth.
Today more than 10 million tourists come to Fort Lauderdale every year to boat along its canal system, go to its large variety of family attractions and relax on its sparkling beaches.
Fort Lauderdale’s advancement owes a lot to its thriving port, Port Everglades. In 1928 a channel was cut from Lake Mabel to the Atlantic Ocean, creating the port. Having the deepest entrance channel of all port in Florida, the port was open to even the largest cargo ships, and trade through the port grew quickly. The first cruise ships arrived in the 1930s, with vessels from Chandris Line, Grace Line and Holland America Line calling at the port. Port Everglades has risen to be a major cruise hub, with ships from over 5 cruise lines homeporting from its modern cruise terminals.
You Choose The Cruise
Cruises available comprise the Eastern Caribbean (San Juan, St Maarten, Tortola and St Thomas), the Western Caribbean (Roatan, Belize, Cozumel and Grand Cayman), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (Bonaire, St Johns, Curacao and Aruba). Extended trips are also available, such as the Amazon, trans Panama canal to Florida and South America.
Cruises from Fort Lauderdale shows all the cruise departures from Port Everglades.
Cruise Terminals Map
Cruise Terminals
The northern end of Port Everglades is called Northport, and is the site of cruise terminals 2 and 4. The central part of Port Everglades is called Midport, and is home to cruise terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29.
Northport
The cruise terminals have the usual facilities such as full A/C, vending machines, seating areas, bathrooms, an automated passenger boarding bridge and check-in desks. In addition terminal 2 boasts faster embarkation/debarkation times by having an extra passenger boarding bridge. Terminal 2 and 4 share the car parking at the Northport garage. Terminal 2 is allocated to Princess Cruises, terminal 4 to MSC.
Midport
The terminals have the usual facilities like full A/C, check-in area, seating areas, luggage handling, vending machines and restrooms. In addition terminals 18 and 21 boast faster embarkation/debarkation times by having an extra passenger boarding bridge. Parking lot 18 provides parking for terminal 18, and the multi-deck Midport parking garage provides parking for terminals 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29. Terminal 18 is used by RCCI, 19 by Princess Cruises, 21 by Carnival Cruise Line, 25 by various cruise lines, 26 by Holland America Line, and 29 by several cruise lines.
For the port website see Port Everglades.
Sightseeing In Fort Lauderdale
Stranahan House
Stranahan House is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest house. It was built as a trading outpost for trade with the Seminole Indians, but also served as a school, post office and bank. The house can be found at 335 Southeast 6th Avenue, around 2 miles north west of the port.
Riverwalk
The Riverwalk offers a lovely one mile stroll in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District in downtown Fort Lauderdale by the banks of the historic New River. The route passes fashionable shops, friendly restaurants and lush landscaping and impressive cultural venues including the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Museum of Art, Stranahan House and Fort Lauderdale History center.
Museum Of Art Fort Lauderdale
Possibly the most memorable exhibit at the Museum of Art is the Indigo Room, a backlit installation by the Voodoo influenced artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. After taking in the art on show, be sure to browse the museum’s bookstore.
Fort Lauderdale History Center
The Fort Lauderdale History Center presents the story of the community's history from the pioneers of Fort Lauderdale to the citizens of today. Walk around the 1905 Acetylene building, a little shed which housed an acetylene gas generator, an 1899 replica school house, a rebuilding of Broward county’s first ever school, the 1905 New River Inn, the county’s oldest standing hotel and the 1907 King-Cromartie House, a private residence.
South Beach Park
At the southern end of Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful beaches sits South Park Beach, a popular stretch of white sand. There’s lots of things to do at South Beach including fishing, swimming, wind surfing, rollerblading, snorkeling and jet skiing. Many shops, restaurants and bars can be found on popular Las Olas Boulevard, which joins with Hwy 1A behind the beach.
Traveling To The Cruise Port
By Car
SE 24th street off US-1, the 17th street causeway entrance at Eisenhower Bvld and Eller Drive all have gates which access Port Everglades. It is mandatory to have valid identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, to be allowed into the port.
From I95
Follow exit 26 to I-595 East, signed Port Everglades. Keep going for a little more than a mile then take exit 12B. Keep going on Eller Drive to the I-595 East entrance to the port.
Traveling from West on I-75
Head off at exit #19 to I-595 East. Continue for 12 miles then take exit 12B for Port Everglades. Keep going on Eller Drive to the I-595 East port gate.
From The Airport
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport is sited little more than a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.
