Introducing Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is positioned in southeast Florida. With an intricate canal system, and many small boats, it has the nickname the Venice of America.
The Fort Lauderdale region was thinly populated until the 1890s, when the Florida East Coast Railway was lengthened down the coast, a road was built linking the area to Miami and a ferry was started across the New River. The mild climate was appreciated by the many new arrivals, and the town’s population increased dramatically in the early 20th century. Then, just when the town had nearly obtained stable prosperity disaster struck in 1926 in the shape of a deadly hurricane which left thousands of residents homeless, depopulating the area and leading Fort Lauderdale into economic recession. In 1935 the city council took a big step towards revival by beginning the National Collegiate Aquatic Forum to attract college students to the area, starting the yearly tradition of spring breaks. Fort Lauderdale began to become popular again, and growth carried on even more strongly after WWII.
Today over 10 million tourists come to Fort Lauderdale each year to cruise along its canal system, relax on its wonderful beaches and enjoy its wide variety of family friendly attractions. The city’s Port Everglades has for many years played a vital function in its progress. The port has grown into a major cruise departure port, with vessels from over 5 cruise lines homeporting out of its busy cruise terminals.
Touring Fort Lauderdale
Stranahan House
Stranahan House is the city’s oldest house. It was built to serve a outpost for trade with the Seminole Indians, and it also served as a school, post office and community center. The house can be found at Southeast 6th Avenue, about 2 miles west of the cruise port.
Fort Lauderdale History Center
The Fort Lauderdale History Center tells the history of the local community from the pioneers of the city to the inhabitants of today. Structures that form the center are over 100 years old and include the Philemon Bryan House, the Acetylene building and the School House.
Bonnet House Museum And Gardens
Constructed in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House evokes a bygone time of grandeur. As well as the impressive main house, the visitor can stroll around the gorgeous subtropical gardens. Bonnet House is located between the Atlantic and intracoastal waterway on North Birch Road, around 4 miles from the cruise port.
South Beach Park
Fort Lauderdale boasts over 7 miles of wide sands, lapped by the South Atlantic ocean. South Beach Park is the nearest beach to the city center. Visitors to the beach can participate in a wide range of activities such as wind surfing, snorkeling, rollerblading, basketball, swimming and fishing. The other side of Hwy 1A plentiful bars and fooderies serve great food and drink.
John U Lloyd Beach State Park
The John U Lloyd State Park beach is perfect for a family away day. Activities include swimming, surfing, beachcombing and volleyball. The only downside is the beach’s closeness to both the airport and the port can be the cause of some intrusive noise. John U Lloyd Beach State park is sited 3 miles from the port.
Cruise Ideas
Typical itinerarys include the Eastern Caribbean (St Maarten, San Juan, Tortola and St Thomas), the Western Caribbean (Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (Bonaire, Curacao, St Johns and Barbados). More extended voyages are available, such as South America, the Amazon and through the Panama canal to Florida.
For a full calendar of cruises see cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
Port Everglades Cruise Terminals
Port Everglade’s cruise terminals are divided into two areas, Northport and Midport. Terminals 2 and 4 are positioned at Northport, and terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29 are sited at Midport.
Northport
All the terminals possess basic services including luggage handling, full A/C, seating areas, check-in desks, restrooms and vending machines. Terminal 2 boasts more efficient embarkation/debarkation times by having a second passenger boarding bridge. The multi-level Northport garage provides car parking for terminals 2 and 4. Terminal 2 is utilized by Princess, terminal 4 by MSC Cruises.
Midport
All terminals possess basic services including access for the disabled, restrooms, passenger seating areas, full A/C, a passenger boarding bridge and luggage handling. Terminals 18 and 21 boast more efficient embark debark times by providing an extra passenger boarding bridge. Parking lot 18 provides parking for terminal 18, and the multi-storey Midport parking garage supplies parking for terminals 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29. Terminal 18 is contracted to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, 19 to Princess, 21 to Carnival, 25 to several cruise ines, 26 to HAL, and 29 to a range of cruise lines.
For the port authority website see Port Everglades.
Traveling to the Cruise Terminals
By Car
Port Everglades has three road entrances, at State Road 84 off US-1, Eisenhower Bvld and Eller Drive. Don’t’ forget to have your ID ready so you can present it at the Port Everglades security gate.
From The Airport
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport is is located just over a mile from Port Everglades. Transfer is easy by taxi or shuttle bus.