cruise terminal fort lauderdale

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda Cruise Ports

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-04-19 08:15

Port Fort Lauderdale cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale's cruise port) is a major seaport in Broward County (Florida USA), and currently ranked the world's 3rd-largest cruise port - after PortMiami and Port Canaveral . Port Everglades (locode USFLL) is one of Florida's largest economic hubs and South Florida's gateway for both international cargo- and passenger/cruise shipping traffic.

Annually, the port handles 4000+ vessels (passenger, bulk cargo, container ships), cargo tonnage 25,3+ million tons, TEU-containers 7,2+ million, passengers 3,86+ million. Port's annual revenue is ~USD 170 million, Net income ~USD 75 million, business activities ~USD 30 billion.

Port Everglades is one of the USA's main cruise departure (turnaround) ports for Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Fort Lauderdale is approx 50 km (30 mi) from Miami .

Since 2011, the cruiseferry company BALEARIA Caribbean provides daily crossings from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport (Grand Bahama Island) . In August 2019, the company started a fast-ferry service from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Island Bahamas (crossing time ~2 hours). The fat-ferry (catamaran ship) has passenger capacity 650, max speed 38 knots (70 kph / 44 mph) and offers 5 weekly crossings with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Port Everglades cruise port

Port Everglades' cruise ship tourism-related operations have a total annual economic value of nearly USD 30 billion. It is accounted for approx 160,000 jobs (port-related businesses), including ~11,400 jobs in companies directly providing services to the port. On average, each cruise vessel generates approx USD 2,2 million in revenue for local businesses.

Port Everglades is South Florida's main seaport for importing, storage and distribution of petroleum products and alternative fuels. The waterway's depth is 43 ft (13 m), ranking it USA's deepest seaport on the Atlantic coast (south of Norfolk VA , not on the US East Coast in general).

Cruise port's statistics for season 2014-2015 showed that:

• approx 50% of all cruise ship passengers/pax were East Coast USA residents. Most international passengers were flying from Toronto, Canada .
• 62% of all cruise tourists stayed in South Florida hotels overnight (prior departure), 21% stayed overnight after the voyage, 46% stayed in Fort Lauderdale hotels.
• 51% of all pax had Fort Lauderdale hotel booked (prior departure).
• 21% of all pax arrived from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is conveniently located next the cruise port.
• 31% of all pax booked cruises online (through port's website).
• 63% of all pax flying in Ft Lauderdale booked cruises separately from airfare.
• The average age of once-a-year cruising tourists was 55-64 yo, twice-a-year ones were 65-74 yo.

In 2014, the seaport generated USD 28+ billion and was accounted for over 224,000 jobs throughout Florida. In 2015, the cruise port was ranked world's 3rd busiest for handling 877 ship calls and over 3,4 million passengers. In 2016, Port Everglades handled almost 3,9 million passengers served by 9 different cruise lines with a total of 39 different vessels.

Among cruise port's new technology implementations are new CBP programs (US Customs and Border Protection), including the "Global Entry" program (allowing expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the USA) and MPC (Mobile Passport Control, authorized smartphone app to expedite travelers entry process into the USA). Port Everglades is the ever first seaport offering this app. Travelers can use the MPC app to provide biographic info prior to speaking with Customs officers. Since summer 2015, the port gives preferential processing to cruise passengers with Global Entry cards.

In 2016, the cruise port completed pilot testing of APC kiosks (abbrev "Automated Passport Control") in 2 terminals. This is yet another CBP initiative to fasten the passenger inspection process. In 2017, port's "Navigation Improvements Project" received federal authorization for the US Army Corps of Engineers to dredge (deepen and widen) its navigational channels The project is anticipated to create around 2200 construction jobs plus around 1500 permanent local jobs as result of the increased cargo shipping traffic.

On November 4, 2016, world's largest cruise ships ( Royal Caribbean 's Oasis-class vessels Allure , Oasis and Harmony ) came together off Port Everglades for the first time. Carrying together over 16,000 passengers, the three liners joined up to celebrate the USA-homeporting of Harmony of the Seas (newest Oasis ship) in Fort Lauderdale. Of the three ships, Harmony was the newest but also the biggest - even though by only 1 ft (30 cm) and 1700 tons. Harmony OTS was finishing her inaugural Transatlantic repositioning crossing.

During season 2016-17, the world's top-three largest cruise homeports/turnaround ports handled the following numbers of passengers - PortMiami (4,98M), Port Canaveral (4,248M), Port Everglades (3,826M).

Following President Trump's executive order on immigration, in the end of January 2017 Port Everglades officials reported cruise tourists being detained by US Customs and Border Protection. All detainees had to provide background info about them, their families and also their past life in their native countries. The new President's order was signed on Jan 27, and included a 90-day ban on travel to the USA by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

Starting December 22, 2017 (through April 2018), HAL Holland America Line ( Carnival Corporation brand) scheduled cruises to Cuba roundtrip from Port Everglades on MS Veendam . HAL's 7-, 11-12-days long Cuban itineraries from Fort Lauderdale also visited other Caribbean ports. HAL's prices started from USD 900 per person (double occupancy inside cabin rates). Bookings opened on May 26, 2017. The 210-passenger ship Pearl Mist became the ever-first to operate roundtrip Fort Lauderdale to Cuba cruises, with 10-day itineraries (January through April 2017).

For FY2019 (fiscal year) the cruise port handled ~3,892 million tourists (1% increase over FY18). On December 1st, Port Everglades reported a new "One Day World Record" with handled 55964 cruise passengers (arriving and departing). The previous single-day record was also in Port Everglades and reported on March 13, 2016 (55885 passengers).

On March 15, 2022, Broward County and Port Everglades signed a USD 495,000 agreement with FPL (Florida Power & Light Company/1925-founded, the state's largest power utility, subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc) to explore providing shore-power supply/city-grid electricity to all cruise berths.

• The shoreside-power technology allows the docked vessels to switch off their diesel engines and use the city grid's electricity for all onboard operations and services. By the agreement, FPL will construct a new power substation and distribution facilities/infrastructure upgrades at the cruise port.
• In January 2023 was completed the study (conducted by Moffatt & Nichol/ Long Beach CA -based infrastructure advisory firm) for adding shorepower to Port Everglades' all 8 cruise terminals. The project is a cooperation between FPL and the shipowners (with homeporting operations in Fort Lauderdale) Carnival Corporation, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, and DCL-Disney Cruise Line.
• The study assessed the Port's existing power grid's capacity, identified the needed infrastructure upgrades and also recommended a plan for installing the required equipment for a total of 16 MW of electricity to be delivered simultaneously to all passenger terminals.

The shore-power project's cost was estimated at ~US$20 million per terminal. The total ~US$160 million investment is expected to be financed through federal and state grants, plus contributions from Broward County , FPL, and the three participating cruise companies. Construction works are scheduled to start in 2024-Q2 and be completed in 2027-Q4.

Port Everglades

As container shipping (cargo) port, in 2013 Port Everglades was ranked Florida's 1st and USA's 10th busiest, handling over 1 million TEUs.

In 2015, the Port received its LEED certification (abbrev "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design") for Cruise Terminal 4. Following a renovation project, Terminal 4 received major energy-efficient improvements. The features that made the Terminal 4 facility eligible for LEED certification include:

• use of regionally produced materials (within 500 mi / 800 km of the terminal)
• use of recycled asphalt and concrete in construction works
• use of natural light within the building
• use of low VOC products (abbrev "volatile organic compounds") for coating, flooring, paints, adhesives
• low-water usage toilets
• energy-efficient windows, air-conditioning, lighting (inside / outside)

In June 2017, the port invested USD 38,4 million for purchasing 3x container-handling gantry cranes (serving the world's largest Super Post-Panamax container carriers/boxships ) priced USD 13,8 million each. This class of cargo vessels can carry up to 10,500 TEU-containers each. Port Everglades' capacity improvements project was budgeted USD 437,5 million, and included construction of new berths (for larger cargo vessels) and installing a new rail infrastructure for new gantry cranes.

For FY17 (fiscal year 2017 / ending on September 30) Port Everglades reported increased cruise passenger shipping volumes as well as a record year for container shipping volumes.

• In 2017 it handled a total of 1,076893 million TEUs or an increase of 4% over FY16. The last record year was FY15 (1,060507 million TEUs). Petroleum shipping volumes (FY17 over FY16) increased by 1% - from 121,068561 million to 122,267524 million barrels.
• There was also an increase in reefer volumes (refrigerated containers) carrying produce from Central America. This containerized cargo segment represents over 50% of all perishable cargo shipped to Florida. The other major containerized import cargoes are apparel, tiles, beverages, machinery, auto parts.
• The increase in passenger shipping numbers (FY17 over FY16) was 1% as the port handled a total of 3,863662 million pax. Multi-day cruise ship tourists increased by 2% (3,680549 to 3,738252 million pax). Among the largest newcomers in 2017 were the liners Harmony of the Seas ( RCI ) and MS Koningsdam ( HAL ).
• Port's FY17 operating revenue was USD 163 million. The port's total economic value was nearly USD 30 billion, with 222,000+ local (Florida) jobs impacted, of which ~13,000 employed by companies providing direct services to the port.

On May 10, 2018, USCG Cutter James offloaded in Port Everglades approx 6 tons of cocaine (street value USD 180 million) interdicted in international waters in the Pacific Ocean. Drugs were seized by 3 USCG cutters (Bertholf, Bear, James) and from 6 separate drug smuggling ships navigating off Central and South America and Mexico in the period February-April 2018. In June-July were seized over 7 tons of cocaine by cutters Mohawk (3395 kg), Tampa (1363 kg), Venturous (741 kg), Alert (981 kg).

In June 2018, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) installed an advanced sensor system designed for real-time monitoring of tides, water currents, sea levels and other meteo information at Port Everglades. The new "Port Everglades Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System" provides online data accessible to private boaters and commercial users.

In early-December 2018, Port Everglades and Empresa Nacional Portuaria de Honduras (Honduras Port Authority) signed an MOU as part of the Sister Seaports Program. Honduras is Port Everglades' largest trade partner by shipping volume, including total TEUs. Over USD 2,12 billion worth of goods are annually shipped through the seaport.

In 2020-2025, at Port Everglades will be conducted major infrastructure development works (~USD 1,6 billion) including navigation channels dredging (deepening from 42 to 50 ft / 13 to 15 m) and widening (to allow access to Neo-Panamax ships), building a new facility at USCG Station Fort Lauderdale, building a new cruise parking garage (to serve Terminal 2 and Terminal 4).

• Southport's turning was extended/lengthened from 900 to 2400 ft (274 to 732 m). By the Southport Turning Notch Extension project (USD 471 million) were also added new cargo berths and includes the port's Crane Rail Infrastructure project.
• By the end of 2020 were scheduled for delivery and installation 3x Super Post-Panamax container cranes (ship-to-shore gantry cranes).
• In 2020, at CenterPoint Properties was completed the International Logistics Center (2-building complex sized 17 acres / 6,9 hectares).
• In 2020, cruise ship terminals 2 and 4 received a new parking space (Heron Garage, with capacity 1818 vehicles), elevator banking, an air-conditioned passenger boarding bridge (mobile walkways link to Terminal 2).
• In December 2016 (by the Harbor Navigation Improvement project) the US Army Corps of Engineers deepened and widened the port's shipping channels. In 2020, the US Army Corps of Engineers received federal funding (USD 29,1 billion) to widen the Intracoastal Waterway (USA's Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts).
• Road improvements will reduce traffic congestion. An APM (Automated People Mover) will link directly Port Everglades with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale (1950 Eisenhower Blvd).

On April 26, 2021, DCL-Disney Cruise Line requested the Port to negotiate for homeporting at "Cruise Terminal 4" and the adjacent "Berth 4" to move its operations from Miami to Port Everglades.

• The deal (signed in December) allows DCL to homeport for year-round roundtrips.
• The 15-year agreement (thru 2038) requires DCL to provide a minimum 10,6 million passenger movements. Three optional extensions (5-year each) will add another 11,25 million movements.
• Disney's Terminal 4 design (provided by "Bermello, Ajamil & Partners Inc" (1939-founded, Miami-based) was officially approved by the Broward County Commission on April 5, 2022.

The Port's investment into Disney's "Cruise Terminal 4" was ~US$ 35 million.

The first ship ( Disney Dream ) started year-round homeporting here on November 20, 2023. A second DCL vessel ( Disney Magic )  was scheduled to homeport only seasonally (starting on May 9, 2025). The new Disney terminal was officially opened/inaugurated on November 13th. The ceremony was attended by Sharon Siskie (DCL's Senior VP and General Manager).

Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal

The northern part of Port Everglades is called Northport (with terminals 2 and 4). The cruise port's central area is called Midport (terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 29). All cruise terminals (8 total) are located in Hollywood Harbor.

Port Everglades's address is "1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316". Cruise tourists usually arrive via flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport but also to MIA-Miami Airport (approx 29 mi / 47 km from Port Everglades). The driving time Miami-Fort Lauderdale is ~45 min.

Next map shows all berths locations.

In December 2020 was completed the new cruise parking garage (Herron Garage) that serves Terminal 2 and Terminal 4.

• Herron Garage has capacity 1818 vehicles and features an air-conditioned bridge (with autowalks linking directly to Terminal 2 Ocean Medallion Terminal), solar power (generated by 360x photovoltaic panels), 9 elevators, touchless parking management systems (entry and payments), dedicated drop-off/pick-up level.
• At the garage's corner (that faces the roadway) was painted a 3D-optical illusion mural (height 70 ft / 21 m).
• For the construction works were contracted two local companies ("Stiles Construction" and "Pirtle Construction"). For the facility's design and engineering was contracted "Cartaya & Associates Architects PA".

Herron Garage project cost USD 120 million.

Northport Cruise Terminals

Both Northport cruise ship terminals are provided with standard services and amenities, such as disabled access, check-in desks, full-served A/C, free seating areas, baggage handling areas. These terminals are utilized by MSC Cruises (Terminal 4) and Princess Cruises (Terminal 2).

Port Everglades' "Northport Terminal 2" and "Northport Terminal 4" share a car parking (a multi-story garage) with capacity thousands of cars. Parking prices are USD 15 daily.

Cruise Terminal 2 (Princess Cruises)

On November 10, 2017, Carnival Corporation completed Cruise Terminal 2's reconstruction and upgrade. This facility is used exclusively by Princess Cruises ships.

• Following the modernization, the terminal now features an optimized design, interactive experiences, indoor movie theater, re-designed pre-embarkation area.
• The project also included adding Carnival's xIoT network (serving the Ocean Medallion gadgets) which allows passengers on Medallion-equipped vessels expedited boarding (as soon as they enter the facility). The new interactive experience includes personal "Ocean Tagalongs" (serving as guests' digital avatars) displayed on a large LED screen surrounding the "Ocean Portal" (where passengers enter after security clearance and check-in). Ocean Tagalongs are created and personalized via the SocialOcean mobile app.
• The refurbished Terminal 2 now has Carnival's MedallionNet - top-quality Wi-Fi connectivity service.
• Regal Princess was the first cruise ship departing from the modernized Terminal 2 on NOvember 13, 2017.

Midport Cruise Terminals

All cruise terminals at Midporth provide usual facilities like disabled access, luggage handling, free areas for seating, automated gangway bridge (for passenger embarkation/disembarkation), restrooms, vending machines.

• Port Everglades' Midporth Terminal 18 has a large car parking. Midporth Terminals 19 through 29 all offer parking at the Midport's garage.
• Terminal 18 and Terminal 29 are utilized by various cruise ship companies and operators.

Exclusive cruise terminals are Terminal 26 ( Holland America Line ), Terminal 21 ( Carnival Cruise Line ), Terminal 19 ( Princess Cruises ), Terminals 18 and 25 ( Royal Caribbean ).

There are also plans for future using of Terminal 29. By the signed agreement, Carnival Corporation ships will use exclusively the facilities on terminals 2, 21 and 26. By the previously signed 15-year agreement (1995-2010), Port Everglades invested USD 54+ million in facility renovations and infrastructure improvements to the 4 terminals. Among the enhancements were 2 new mobile gangways (passenger bridges), separate (enlarged) baggage storage facilities, improved ground transportation.

T25 - Terminal 25 (Celebrity Cruises)

In early-June 2017 was announced that Port Everglades invests USD 114+ million in Terminal 25's renovations. This is the preferential berth for RCG-Royal Caribbean Group ships.

The agreement's period is through 2026, with optional extension until 2030, followed by additional 5 years.

Terminal 25 was redesigned and rebranded by Celebrity Cruises. The expansion project included larger luggage area, new VIP reception (The Retreat - exclusive lounge), private rooftop terrace, dedicated crew lounge (industry's first), elevator lobbies, screening areas, 136 m2 (1463 ft2) GKD Mediamesh-produced LED sign (interactive light wall wrapping building's exterior). For Terminal 25's new design was contracted the company "Bermello Ajamil and Partners". The new T25 offers expedited arrival with seamless check-in.

RCG (which also owns Celebrity Cruises ) homeported Celebrity Edge here, starting turnaround operations in 2018 (on December 1st). The new T25 terminal (in Hollywood FL) was officially inaugurated with the ship's arrival (on November 20th). The grand ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCG's President and CEO) and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (Celebrity's President and CEO), plus key cruise brand executives and local officials. An exclusive event was hosted at NSU's Oceanographic Center.

Northport Cruise Terminal 4

Northport Terminal 4 was reopened in 2015 following a USD 24 million renovation and modernization project for greater efficiency and passenger convenience.

In mid-2017 were completed the works on Cruise Terminal 4's extensions (project cost USD 13,6 million) which allows now docking of larger vessels.

In August 2016, the port signed with Carnival Corporation an extension to their agreement to the year 2030. Plans for Cruise Terminal 21's expansion were included. The renovation and extension allow the handling of larger-sized (including Carnival's newest) vessels. As part of the addendum, Carnival Corporation receives preferential berthing at Terminal 4.

Since October 2017, larger vessels (LOA length up to 1100 ft / 335 m) can dock at Cruise Terminal 4 without extending into the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway - 3000 mi / 4800 km long inland waterway along USA's Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts). The USD 18 million "Slip 2" project lengthened the slip from 900 ft (274 m) to 1125 ft (343 m). The extended berth now meets the needs of most modern cruise vessels, many of which were for the first time homeported in Port Everglades in 2017. For the slip extension project the port didn't use local taxes.

In December 2021 the Port signed with DCL-Disney a 15-year agreement (2023 thru 2038) for upgrading Terminal 4 (US$35M investment) to allow homeporting a larger liner (max passenger capacity 3500) for year-round roundtrips. This followed Disney's decision to change homeporting to Port Everglades from Miami.

Riverwalk is a paved riverside path on the banks of New River in Fort Lauderdale.

Stranahan House is the city's earliest residence built by the “father of Fort Lauderdale,” Frank Stranahan in 1901.

Fort Lauderdale History Center is themed on the city's history.

Bonnet House Museum And Gardens were built in 1920s by Frederick Clay Bartlett as winter residence to get away from Chicago.

Forth Lauderdale’s South Beach Park is the nearest to downtown beach. It is lifeguarded and unique as it borders a paved promenade street.

Fort Lauderdale tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Gastrointestinal illness/Norovirus affects 28 passengers on Silversea's ship Silver Nova

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness affected over two dozen passengers aboard a Silversea Cruises voyage. According to the CDC/Centers for...

Hannah Waddingham named Godmother of Princess Cruises' Sun Princess

Renowned actress and performer, Hannah Waddingham, is set to partake in the esteemed maritime tradition as the official Godmother of Princess Cruises...

Princess Cruises and Brightline introduce Rail & Sail (train+cruise) program

Princess Cruises and Brightline/BLFX (high-speed intercity passenger railway in Florida connecting Miami with Orlando) have collaboratively...

HAL-Holland America changes World Cruise 2025 itinerary (ship Zuiderdam)

HAL-Holland America Line has announced a revised itinerary for its 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Zuiderdam, aiming to enhance safety and provide...

Celebrity Cruises introduces short Caribbean voyages for 2025-2026 season

Celebrity Cruises has unveiled its newly announced 2025-2026 cruise season, catering to guests seeking short Caribbean getaways on Celebrity...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries, promising families unforgettable voyages to beloved destinations worldwide. Among...

HAL-Holland America unveils Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises for 2025-2026 season

HAL-Holland America Line has commenced bookings for its 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii voyages, offering departures from 5 USA homeports across a...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line brings back Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Dream ship in 2025

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has announced the return of Marvel Day at Sea aboard the Disney Dream in 2025. Departing from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades...

HAL-Holland America opens bookings for 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises

HAL-Holland America Line, renowned for its premium and destination-focused voyages, has commenced bookings for its 2025-2026 Panama Canal and Hawaii...

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries

RCI-Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its latest offerings of 3- to 6-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises for the 2025-2026 season. These...

•   show more news

Fort Lauderdale - user reviews and comments

Complete guide to cruising from Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades

Editor's Note

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Port Everglades, in Florida's Fort Lauderdale, is one of the country's major gateways to cruise vacations -- only Port of Miami and Port Canaveral are busier. Some 3.86 million cruisers passed through Port Everglades in 2018. The port is conveniently located near both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Miami International (MIA) , making it easy to fly in, stay a night or two in any of the many points hotels in the area and then board a cruise ship to the Bahamas, Caribbean and beyond.

Sign up for the TPG Cruise newsletter and learn more about cruise lines, ships, itineraries, ports and more.

Port Everglades

1850 Eller Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Tip: Download the CruiseSchedule Port Everglades App for searchable cruise schedules, port-of-call itinerary lists with maps and turn-by-turn GPS navigation for terminals and parking.

Click the square on the upper-right edge of the map to zoom in and see points of interest in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Who sails from Port Everglades?

Port Everglades is a home port for ships from many of the industry's major cruise lines. In 2021, lines with a presence at the port will include Carnival Cruise Line , Celebrity Cruises , Cunard , Holland America Line , Princess Cruises , The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection , Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises . (Note that the coronavirus pandemic continues to shake up the industry with cruise cancellations , and home ports, ships and itineraries may shift as sailings resume.)

What kind of itineraries will you find from Port Everglades? Look for three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and plenty of Caribbean sailings ranging from five to 21 nights on some of the world's hottest ships such as Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex; Holland America's Nieuw Statendam; Sky Princess ; Carnival Sunrise ; Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas; and Silversea's Silver Moon. There's also a wide range of sailings to Mexico and the Panama Canal from the port.

In addition to the cruise lines that make Port Everglades home, the fast ferry Balearia Caribbean transports passengers from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island.

Note that Port Everglades does not offer wheelchair service. If you need a wheelchair from the curb to ship, or parking lot to ship, contact your cruise line to make arrangements.

Disembarking from Port Everglades is also a breeze since it participates in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program . Be sure to pack your Global Entry card and you'll zip through the immigration process so you can quickly make your way to the airport or your hotel.

Related: The 8 most exciting new cruise ships of 2020

Nearest airports

Port Everglades, the only U.S. cruise port adjacent to an international airport, is easily accessible and just 10 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest, Spirit and United all fly here from gateways across the U.S.

Farther away but still accessible are Miami International, just under 30 miles south, and Palm Beach International (PBI), which is 50 miles north. If you're traveling to Miami, look for flights on American, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country and United. From Palm Beach, fly Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southern Airways Express, Southwest, Spirit and United.

No matter which airport you pick, you can leverage airline programs to save money on airfare. Headed to MIA? Two airlines -- Alaska and Delta -- offer companion certificates as perks of their cobranded credit cards. Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and receive a companion certificate on the card's anniversary. The certificate allows a companion to fly with you for $121 ($99 fare and the cost of taxes from $22). And, several Delta credit cards offer a similar companion certificate . Finally, you can bring a companion along for free (actually, just the cost of the ticket's taxes) if you have the Southwest Companion Pass .

If you're flying to MIA or PBI instead and are a member of Frontier's Discount Den , look for Friends Fly Free and Kids Fly Free offers, which the airline sells periodically. You can also check American's Reduced Mileage Awards to see if FLL, MIA or PBI are on the current list, and watch for JetBlue flash sales.

Related: Best airline credit cards

As your packing for your trip, don't forget to bring any credit cards that confer lounge benefits. For example, while FLL doesn't have a Priority Pass lounge, it does offer a credit at Kafe Kalik in Terminal 4. Your Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card come with a Priority Pass membership (enrollment required) — as do many other credit cards .

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you carry The Platinum Card® from American Express, you have access to the Delta Sky Club at FLL, MIA and PBI.

Related: The ultimate guide to getting Delta Sky Club access

How to get to the port

Cruise line transfers.

Many times, it makes sense to buy the cruise line's bus transfer from the airport to port and vice versa. Flying into FLL isn't one of those times. The airport is so close to Port Everglades -- a 10-minute drive -- that it makes sense to simply grab a taxi or Uber. It will cost less, and you won't need to wait around as the cruise line fills the bus with passengers.

If you're flying into MIA, however, which is about an hour's drive to Port Everglades, you should price out the cruise line's transfer option and see what's a better deal.

Related: Best credit cards for booking a cruise

Hotel shuttles

If you plan to spend the night in Fort Lauderdale before your cruise, look for a hotel that offers a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel as well as a free or paid shuttle from the hotel to the cruise port the next morning. These three points properties fit that bill:

• Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port has a free airport shuttle and paid shuttle to the cruise terminal. Rooms range from 26,000 to 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
• SpringHill Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port has a free airport shuttle and a $10 one-way shuttle to the cruise terminal. Rates start at 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night on standard dates.
• Ramada Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port has a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to Port Everglades. Rooms start from 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night.

Independent van and car services

There are several van services from FLL, too. GO Airport Shuttle costs $11 per person to Port Everglades, and vans hold a maximum of 10 people. Alternatively, you can book a luxury sedan seating up to four through GO Airport Shuttle for $40 per person.

Metro Shuttle Service costs $8 to $15 per person for the ride from FLL to Port Everglades, depending on the number of people in your group. The more people on your reservation, the lower your per person rate.

Related: The ultimate guide to GroundLink's car service

Taxi and ride-hailing services

The average one-way metered taxi fare from FLL to Port Everglades is between $15 and $17. The fee jumps to $75 if you're taking a taxi from MIA and it's $130 to $160 for a taxi ride from PBI, which is about an hour from the port. Most cabs accept credit cards, but always ask before getting in.

Uber and Lyft also serve FLL, MIA and PBI. The average rate from FLL to Port Everglades is between $10 and $15.

Related: Best credit cards for Uber

Public transportation

While there are public buses in Fort Lauderdale, there's no easy or convenient way to transit from the airport to the port.

Port parking

Port Everglades offers secure, well-lit parking in two garages and three gated surface lots with patrols. You can park your car within walking distance of nearly all the terminals. Cruise terminals 2 and 4 share the 2,500-space Northport Garage, though a new 1,888-space parking garage is under construction to serve both terminals. Terminals 18 and 19 each have their own surface lots named after them; the Terminal 19 Parking Lot is shared between the two. Four terminals -- cruise terminals 19, 21, 25 and 29 -- share the 2,000-space Midport Garage, but only cruise terminal 29 has a complimentary shuttle service between the parking spots and terminal.

There's a $15 daily maximum charge for standard vehicles, while oversized vehicles that exceed the width and/or height of a parking space (think: RVs) have a $19 daily maximum fee.

Port Everglades also provides parking for people with disabilities with unimpeded access to crosswalks and elevators. Parking is free for anyone who:

• has a Florida Toll Exemption Permit
• drives a vehicle modified with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts or foot/hand controls
• displays the Florida "DV" license plate -- Disabled Veteran -- or an equivalent license plate from another state

Where to stay near the port

Fort Lauderdale is a major vacation destination in its own right, so there are plenty of hotels from which to choose. There are a lot of points hotels -- close to the port, near the beaches and at the airport -- as well as other boutique-style and luxury resorts. Here are some of our favorite places to stay before after a cruise.

Hotels closest to the port

Several good points properties are less than a 10-minute drive from Port Everglades. They include:

Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale (455 FL-84): Book a room from 20,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night (1.9 miles from the port).

Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise-Airport (1500 SE 17th Street Causeway): Rooms are available from 15,000 IHG points per night (1.9 miles from the port).

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (1851 SE 10th Avenue): This is one of the most popular pre-cruise hotels with travelers who often book cruise itineraries embarking from Port Everglades. Rooms are available from 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Don't forget, you can also transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Hyatt account on a 1:1 basis. (2.3 miles from the port).

Stay on the cheap

These hotels are also less than 10 minutes from the port but are a great value -- on both points and in cash -- most nights of the year. Be sure to price out both the cash and points price to find the best value. During certain times of the year, the cash prices are so low, it simply doesn't make sense to spend your hard-earned points.

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port (1800 South Federal Highway): Get a room from 35,000 points per night on standard dates or use a 35,000-point award night certificate like the one you'll get on the anniversary of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card. Just note that, depending on the season, cash prices may be a better value. (2.4 miles from the port)

Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street (1100 SE 17th Street): Spend between 33,000 and 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night (2.5 miles from the port).

Ramada by Wyndham Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port (2275 W SR 84, Marina Mile Boulevard): Rooms from 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night (4.1 miles from the port).

Related: How to get free hotel breakfast

Full-service hotels

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (1881 SE 17th Street): Stay here for between 27,000 and 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (1617 SE 17th Street): This Category 5 Marriott property that costs 35,000 points per night on standard dates (or use a 35,000-point award night certificate).

Luxury hotels

If you'd prefer staying at a luxury property, look to the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach (available from 66,000 to 95,0000 Hilton Honors points per night); The Pillars Hotel , which you can book with your Chase Ultimate Rewards points; or The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale (a Marriott Category 7 property available from 50,000 points per night on off-peak dates or using a 50,000-point award night certificate).

Where to shop near the port

Within Port Everglades, you'll find Seafarers' House. Its mission is simple: to be a "welcoming place where mariners can connect with their communities and families, seek guidance and get emergency help if needed."

While the 4,200-square-foot facility is designed to provide services to crewmembers, cruisers are also welcome. You can shop at the on-site convenience shop, access free Wi-Fi and visit the chapel.

If Seafarers' House doesn't have what you need before embarkation, there's a CVS at 1700 Federal Highway, about a 10-minute drive from port and close to the hotels we mentioned above. There's also a Publix grocery store (1940 Cordova Road) and Total Wine (1906 Cordova Road) in that area in the Harbor Shops plaza.

Where to eat

Fort Lauderdale is a cosmopolitan city with all types of restaurants, from casual diners to fine dining. You can find everything from Southern comfort food and local seafood dishes to Caribbean and Latin American cuisines, Asian fusion and more.

If you arrive at FLL early in the morning and need breakfast before heading to the port, try The Floridian Diner (1410 East Las Olas Boulevard). Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can order your favorite egg dishes, pancakes, waffles, breakfast wraps and more. At dinnertime, they serve pork chops, country-fried steak, St. Louis ribs and fried chicken, among other hearty plates.

Lester's Diner (250 FL-84), just 10 mins from Port Everglades, is another favorite spot for all-day and all-night dining. It's been in business for more than 40 years and is a terrific place for a quintessential diner breakfast. Try the breakfast skillets, Belgian waffles and omelets. At lunch and dinner, order Greek and Italian specialties as well as burgers, deli-style sandwiches and roast chicken.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lester's Diner (@lesters.diner) on Oct 15, 2019 at 4:01am PDT

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant (128 S Federal Hwy, Dania Beach) makes its frozen dairy treats on-site every day from fresh ingredients. Pick your favorite flavor and then take a look at the largest collection of rural American memorabilia in the country. This local legend is about 15 minutes from the port.

Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Q (1236 S. Federal Highway, about 10 minutes from port) is a Southern-style restaurant known for its ribs and barbecue sauce. If you don't have time to taste its classic soul food dishes, you can still take home a bottle of its famous barbecue sauce.

Seafood restaurants abound, leading among them is 15th Street Fisheries at the Lauderdale Marina (1900 SE 15th Street), with amazing waterfront views. Other popular spots include the Rustic Inn Crabhouse (4331 Anglers Avenue) and Islamorada Fish Company (220 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach). All of these restaurants are within a 20-minute drive from the port.

For brew fans, the Ale Trail awaits. Greater Fort Lauderdale's thriving beer culture encompasses many nano- and micro-breweries that offer over 500 beers. How about a Hefeweizen made with Florida-grown mangos? New to the Ale Trail are 3 Sons Brewing Co. in Dania Beach as well as American Icon Brewery Kitchen and Taproom, Sistrunk Marketplace and Brewery and Dangerous Minds Brewing Company, all in Fort Lauderdale.

TPG also reached out to a local and cruise industry insider -- Mark Conroy, managing director of the Americas for Silversea Cruises and a Broward County resident -- to get his take on the best places to eat in Fort Lauderdale. He singled out Rainbow Palace (2787 E Oakland Park Boulevard) for "the best Chinese meal in South Florida." He said it's "not inexpensive" but serves "great food," adding, "It tastes like you are in Hong Kong, not Fort Lauderdale."

He also suggests Fort Lauderdale's Greek Islands Taverna (3300 N Ocean Boulevard) with "amazing flavors" and "reasonable prices." No reservations are taken, though, so visitors might have to go early and wait in line. "It's definitely worth the wait," Conroy promised.

Conroy also is a fan of Coconuts (429 Seabreeze Boulevard), on Route A1A adjacent to the Swimming Hall of Fame on Fort Lauderdale Beach. "It's a typical beachy seafood hang-out," he said, "with beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway with a casual, relaxed vibe."

Sights to see

There are plenty of things to see and do when in Fort Lauderdale. Here are a few of our favorite recommendations for cruise passengers passing through town.

Las Olas Boulevard

We love shopping along this 2.5-mile avenue that stretches from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the ocean. It's the city's premier shopping venue and the ideal place to stroll and people-watch. Just a few miles from Port Everglades, the promenade along New River features high-fashion boutiques, sidewalk cafes and bars, along with multiple art and entertainment venues and nearby attractions. If you're looking for somewhere to eat, you'll find a plethora of options here, including Greek, Peruvian, French, Italian, Mexican, Asian, Kosher and more.

The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, with multiple stops and commentary, provides easy access to the promenade. Other stops include the Hilton Marina and Convention Center, Beach Place and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Water Taxi tickets cost $28 for adults, $23 for seniors 65 and older and military personnel, and $14 for kids ages 5 to 11.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi (@fortlauderdalewatertaxi) on May 21, 2020 at 2:29pm PDT

Sawgrass Mills

In Sunrise (12801 W. Sunrise Boulevard), this mall offers 350 name-brand outlets and value shops -- everything from Nike to Kate Spade to Gucci, Lululemon, Tory Burch and Tommy Hilfiger. There's also a movie and IMAX theater as well as a variety of restaurants. Paul Maison de Qualite and SushiGami are two of our favorites. The mall is a 25- to 35-minute drive from Port Everglades.

Dania Beach Ocean Park and Pier

Locals adore Dania Beach, a 20-minute drive from FLL or Port Everglades, because it's one of the least-crowded stretches of sand in the area. Yet, it even has a marina and pier from which you can fish. If you just want to enjoy the views, grab a bite to eat at Quarterdeck Restaurant (300 N. Beach Road, Dania Beach), which is right on the pier itself. At the beach, there's a playground, restrooms with showers and lifeguards on duty. You can also rent kayaks from area vendors.

Jungle Queen riverboat tours

A visit to the "Venice of America" won't be complete without taking a trip down its beautiful waterways lined with landmark homes. A local institution since 1938, Jungle Queen Riverboats (Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Boulevard) takes you on a 90-minute guided sightseeing tour up and down Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway. The ship also offers a tour with dinner and show on a private island. (Tour tickets are about $24 for adults, $21 for seniors, $14 for children and free for infants.)

Museums and gardens

Historic home fans might tour Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (900 N. Birch Road; $20 for adults and $16 for kids ages 6 to 12) on Fort Lauderdale Beach or Historic Stranahan House Museum (335 SE 6th Avenue; $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for students), particularly lovely when it's decorated Victorian-style for the winter holidays.

Offering a robust "look back" into Fort Lauderdale's early days are several museum buildings of History Fort Lauderdale (231 Southwest Second Avenue; access to all three museums is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students). Located in the former 1905-era New River Inn is the History Museum with exhibits covering prehistoric times through the modern era. The 1907-era Pioneer House Museum is set up with period furnishings, antique dolls and toys, much as it was back in the day, while the 1899 Schoolhouse Museum has period wooden desks and textbooks.

Hollywood Beach Boardwalk

This 2.5-mile promenade (101 S. Broadwalk) along the Atlantic Ocean is a wonderful place to stroll. The boardwalk connects three parks, 50 restaurants and dozens of shops. You can walk the boardwalk or rent a bike, and there are benches and public restrooms along the way.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Clocking in at 180 acres, the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (3109 E, Sunrise Boulevard, between the Intracoastal Waterway and SR A1A) lets people leave the crowds of Fort Lauderdale behind for a more relaxed experience. Within the park, there's a concession stand where you can rent bikes, kayaks and book Segway tours. Or, just enjoy the walking trails at a leisurely pace. As you walk along the Intracoastal, keep your eyes peeled and you may spy manatees. There's also a Water Taxi stop here.

Related: The 12 state parks that will make you fall in love with Florida

Bottom line

Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant vacation destination on its own, but it's also one of the easiest home ports for embarking on a cruise. Port Everglades is so close to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport; it's a breeze to make your way from your flight to ship. The array of cruise ships and itineraries available out of Port Everglades is also impressive, which is one reason why it's one of the most popular home ports in the state for Floridians driving to their cruise vacation. Check out upcoming cruise itineraries and see if it's the right embarkation port for you.

With additional reporting by Susan Young

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Traffic Alert – Monday, April 22

Port tenants and visitors may experience heavy traffic and delays Monday, April 22 from 6AM to 2PM due to four cruise ships in port. Motorists are encouraged to include additional time to their commute. The port’s entrances are located at Federal Hwy (US1)/ State Road 84 (Spangler Blvd.), Eisenhower Blvd./SE 17 th St., and I-595/Eller Dr. 

• Contact Us |
• Privacy Policy

Cruise Terminal 2

1801 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL  33316

Amenities include Carnival Corporation's Ocean Medallion service -- a wearable technology that enables passengers to connect to enhanced services before and after their cruise.

Total Square Footage: 85,504 sq. ft. Baggage Laydown:  35,956 sq. ft.  Passenger Waiting Area: 20,720 sq. ft. Berth Length: 1,602 ft./488.1 m. Berth Depth: 31 ft./9.5 m. Simultaneous Embark/Debark  2 Elevators, 3 Escalators 30 Check-In Stations VIP Area Free Wi-Fi Vending Machines Secure, Covered Parking in the 1,818-space Heron Parking Garage. An air-conditioned, elevated passenger bridge with moving sidewalks connects Terminal 2 and the Heron Garage, and can be accessed from the 5th floor of the Heron Garage or the elevators on the outside of Cruise Terminal 2.

Public Art Installations:

• Luminous wall sculpture Rays of Light by Carrie Jadus and Mark Aeling
• Exterior entry mural Nice'n Easy by Allision Matherly and Jeffrey Noble

First Floor

Second floor