Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the country, and it doesn’t take long to understand why. It welcomes an unusually wide mix of itineraries, from quick Bahamas runs to Holland America’s round-the-world grand voyages, and it has long been a homeport of choice for premium and luxury guests. Fort Lauderdale itself tends to surprise first-time visitors. Nicknamed the “Venice of America” for its 165-plus miles of inland waterways, the city pairs wide, uncrowded beaches with a genuine yachting culture and a dining scene that rivals much bigger cities nearby.
Port Everglades at a Glance
Getting to Port Everglades
Getting to Port Everglades is about as easy as it gets. Most guests fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which sits just two miles from the terminals, making this one of the shortest airport-to-ship transfers anywhere in Florida. From there you can rent a car, arrange a shuttle or car service, or simply grab a taxi or ride-share for the short trip over.
Renting a Car
Renting a car makes sense if you’d like a day or two to explore the area before or after your cruise. Paid parking is available at the port in two covered garages and several open-air lots, with rates that shift depending on the season and how far in advance you arrive.
Shuttle Services & Car Services
If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, a number of reputable shuttle and car service companies run routes between FLL and Port Everglades. Many track incoming flights and quote a flat rate, so there are no surprises if your plane runs late.
Staying Overnight
We always recommend arriving in Fort Lauderdale at least the day before you sail. It takes the pressure off a delayed flight and gives you time to enjoy the beach, ride the Water Taxi, or have a proper dinner along Las Olas Boulevard. One nice bonus of staying here rather than Miami: hotel rates are often noticeably more reasonable for comparable properties.
Guest Recommendations
A selection of our guests’ favorite hotels, grouped by location.
Near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport (FLL)
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Near Port Everglades
Things to Do Near Port Everglades
A little pre-cruise sun is a fine way to ease into vacation mode, and Fort Lauderdale makes that easy. Whether you have a few hours before embarkation or a full day after you disembark, the beach, the waterways, and the local dining scene give you plenty to fill the time.
Fort Lauderdale Beach & Las Olas Boulevard
This is where most guests spend their pre-cruise day, and it rarely disappoints. Distance: minutes from the port. Highlights: a wide, clean beach that feels far calmer than South Beach, plus Las Olas Boulevard’s restaurants, galleries, and outdoor café culture just a short drive inland. Ideal For: anyone who wants a relaxed morning by the water followed by a proper dinner out. Plan For: a half-day, though it’s easy to fill a full one.
Riverwalk, the Water Taxi & Bonnet House
Distance: along the New River near downtown, with Bonnet House a few minutes north on the beach. Highlights: the Water Taxi connects restaurants, hotels, and attractions all day, the Riverwalk offers a lovely stroll along the water, and Bonnet House & Gardens adds a historic estate with subtropical gardens and resident wildlife. Ideal For: travelers who want to see the city from the water or explore something beyond the beach. Plan For: a few hours at either, or combine both into a relaxed half-day.
Danny’s Insider Tips
Las Olas Boulevard: “Fort Lauderdale has a genuinely great dining scene, and Las Olas Boulevard is the heart of it. Whether you’re after fresh Florida seafood, a great steakhouse, or a rooftop cocktail, Las Olas delivers. It’s the street I always point guests to when they arrive a day early and want a real dinner before the cruise.” The Water Taxi: “Skip the car for an afternoon and hop the Water Taxi instead. It’s the easiest way to see why they call this the Venice of America, and it drops you right at some of the best waterfront restaurants in town.”
Embarkation at Port Everglades
Port Everglades is a modern, well-run port that generally makes embarkation smooth, especially if you arrive at your assigned check-in time. Because cruise lines operate from multiple terminals, the single most important thing is knowing exactly which one you’re headed to before you arrive. Check your cruise documents ahead of time, or watch for the digital signage as you enter the port. Have your travel documents ready, including your passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any required health forms, and expect the process to move quickly once you reach the terminal.
Disembarking at Port Everglades
Disembarkation at Port Everglades follows the rhythm you’d expect at most major cruise ports. You’ll be assigned a disembarkation number or color and called off the ship in waves, usually starting with self-assist guests who carry their own luggage. If you’re catching a flight home, build in extra time for the roughly two-mile trip to FLL, and confirm your transportation, whether that’s a rental car, a shuttle, or a ride-share, before disembarkation morning arrives.
Cruise Lines Sailing from Port Everglades
Disney Cruise Line sails from Terminal 4 at Port Everglades, offering everything from short three- and four-night Bahamas getaways to longer, in-depth Caribbean itineraries. Families traveling with young children tend to gravitate here for the character experiences, themed dining, and the line’s signature blend of polish and whimsy.
Royal Caribbean primarily operates from Terminal 18 and sails a wide range of itineraries out of Port Everglades, from weekend Bahamas runs to longer Caribbean voyages and the occasional transatlantic crossing. Guests drawn to big-ship amenities and an active onboard pace tend to find their fit here.
Holland America has long called Port Everglades home, and the line’s presence here spans everything from short getaways to some of its signature round-the-world grand voyages. Guests who appreciate a more traditional, unhurried cruise experience, along with strong culinary and enrichment programs, often gravitate toward Holland America out of this port.
Port Everglades also welcomes a strong lineup of luxury and expedition brands, including Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Azamara, and Viking. These lines appeal to guests seeking a smaller, more intimate ship experience, all-inclusive luxury pricing, or destination-immersive itineraries that go beyond the standard Caribbean rotation.
Princess Cruises typically operates from Terminal 2 at Port Everglades, with ships sailing Caribbean itineraries alongside occasional longer voyages. Princess tends to suit guests who want a comfortable, mid-size ship experience with a strong mix of enrichment and relaxation.
Celebrity sails primarily from Terminal 25 at Port Everglades, offering 7-night and longer itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas along with occasional longer voyages. The line tends to appeal to guests who want a more modern, design-forward ship experience with an elevated culinary program.
Your Fort Lauderdale Questions, Answered
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