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Best US Ports Of Departure - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Fort Lauderdale is positioned close to the southern tip of Florida by the Atlantic coastline, forming part of the South Florida metropolitan area.

The city of Fort Lauderdale is named after a Second Seminole War fortification, constructed beside the New River in 1838. The region was thinly populated until the 1890s, when a road was constructed connecting the area to Miami, a ferry was started across the New River and the Florida East Coast Railway was extended further down the coastline. The warm climate proved attractive to newcomers, and the town's population grew rapidly in the 20th century.

Today more than 10 million tourists visit Fort Lauderdale each year to cruise along its canals, enjoy its wide variety of family friendly attractions and play on its 23 miles of sparkling beaches.

Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades has for many years played a significant part in its progress. In 1928 a waterway was cut from Lake Mabel to the Atlantic Ocean, creating the port. Exports from the port expanded rapidly, as goods were traded with Europe, Latin America and Cuba. Cruise ships arrived in the 1930s, with ships from Holland America Line, Chandris Line and Grace Line calling at the port. Port Everglades has expanded into a center of cruising, fighting Miami for the title of the globe's top cruise port.

Things To Do Near Port Everglades

Stranahan House
Constructed in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, the 'father of Fort Lauderdale', and his wife Ivy, the city's firstschool teacher, Stranahan House is Fort Lauderdale's oldest residence. The house has been furnished with antiques from the time to give a glimpse into Florida's pioneer life. The house is located at 335 Southeast 6th Avenue, about 2 miles west of the cruise port.

Museum Of Art Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Art is the custodian of many paintings by the renowned early 20th century artist William Glackens. After taking in the art displays, be sure to browse the museum's inviting bookshop.

Fort Lauderdale History Center
Fort Lauderdale History Center was set up in 1962 to collate, look after and tell the history of Fort Lauderdale. Walk around the 1907 King-Cromartie House, a domestic home, the 1905 Acetylene building, a small shed which housed an acetylene gas generator, the 1905 New River Inn, the county's oldest remaining hotel and the 1905 Philemon Bryan House, which features Classical Revival architectural detailing.

Museum of Discovery and Science
Put aside a day to inspect exploring over 200 fascinating displays at Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Discovery and Science. Check out Otters at Play, Storm Center and Florida Water Mysteries at the EcoDiscovery Exhibition. Gain knowledge about the important role of metals in our everyday life at the Minerals Rock exhibit. Watch an IMAX film adventure on the giant screen at the IMAX Theate.

Bonnet House Museum And Gardens
Built in 1920 and included in the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House brings to life a past time of luxury. On top of the marvelous house, the visitor can enjoy the verdant subtropical gardens. The house is located between the Atlantic and intracoastal waterway on North Birch Road, around 4 miles north east of the cruise port.

South Beach Park
At the southern end of Fort Lauderdale's lovely beaches sits South Park Beach, a favorite expanse of golden sand. Visitors to the beach can take park in a wide range of activities like snorkeling, swimming, volleyball, basketball, fishing and wind surfing. The other side of Hwy 1A plentiful restaurants and bars provide great food and drink.

John U Lloyd Beach State Park
The long beach at John U Lloyd State Park is perhaps the most undeveloped in Broward County. It's 2 miles long, stretching from the Port Everglades inlet to the Dania Beach pier, and has outdoor showers and clean restrooms. The beachside restaurant offers a wide range of tasty seafood. John U Lloyd Beach State park is 3 miles from the port.

Recommended Cruises

Cruises available feature the Eastern Caribbean (St Thomas, Tortola, St Maarten and San Juan), the Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Grand Cayman), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (Curacao, Barbados, St Johns and Aruba). Extended trips are also to be had, like Central America, the Amazon and through the Panama canal to the west coast of the US.

For a complete listing of cruises see cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

Port Everglades Cruise Terminals

Cruise terminals at Port Everglades are split between two sections, Northport and Midport. Terminals 2 and 4 are at Northport, and terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29 are positioned at Midport.

All terminals possess basic services including check-in area, vending machines, disabled access, full A/C, restrooms and seating areas.

Terminal 2 and 4 share the car parking at the multi-level Northport garage, terminal 18 has a dedicated parking area, and terminals 19 through 29 use the parking at the Midport garage.

Terminal 2 is utilized by Princess, terminal 4 by MSC, 18 is contracted to RCCI, 19 to Princess, 21 to Carnival Cruises, 25 to several cruise companies, 26 to Holland America, and 29 to several cruise lines.

For the port website see Port Everglades.

Map of Port Everglades Cruise Terminals

Traveling to Port Everglades

By Car

SE 24th street off US-1, the 17th street causeway entrance at Eisenhower Bvld and Eller Drive all have gates which give access to Port Everglades.

From I95
Follow exit #26 to I-595 East, signed Port Everglades. Keep going for 1½ mile next take exit 12B. Continue along Eller Drive to the I-595 East port entrance.

Traveling from West on I-75
Take exit 19 signed to I-595 East. Continue for 12 miles then take exit 12B signed to Port Everglades. Continue along Eller Drive to the I-595 East port security gate.

From The Airport

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport is is positioned just over a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.