Overview Because of it's very southern United States location, Fort Lauderdale is pretty close to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Panama Canal (from a cruising perspective). Because of this, Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular cruise departure cities in the world. Most of the world's major cruise lines, including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity (see full list below), offer cruises that depart from Fort Lauderdale.
Besides its popularity as a cruise departure port, Fort Lauderdale has become a popular destination for yacht-owners as well. In fact, Fort Lauderdale is often referred to as the "Venice of America." This is because it has 270 miles of natural and artificial waterways, some in which you can take a water taxi.
Fort Lauderdale is located about 45 minutes from Miami, Florida. Because of their relative close proximity to each other, many cruisers will fly into Miami if the airfare is better than that in Fort Lauderdale (and vice versa).
The actual port name of the Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal is Port Everglades. This cruise terminal is located only about 2 miles away from the airport, so it's quite convenient if you can fly in and out of there.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Bahamas
Caribbean (Eastern, Southern and Western)
Panama Canal
South America
Transatlantic
World Cruises
Currency The official currency of the United States is the dollar.
Language The official language is English.
Tourist Attractions Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Florida. There are many nice beaches and hotels in this area. Weather-wise, it's similar to Miami, but lacks the multitude of attractions that Miami has to offer.
Riverwalk is a downtown area in Fort Lauderdale which is a center for arts, entertainment, events, shopping, dining and nightlife. In particular, Las Olas Boulevard is a hot spot for high end shopping, art galleries, clubs and fine dining options.
Also located in the Fort Lauderdale area is Sawgrass Mills, the world's largest outlet mall. In this area you'll find a wide variety of factory stores, of many of the world's most popular brands. The Museum of Discovery & Science is popular too, featuring an IMAX theater.
Fort Lauderdale's past centers on the Seminole Indians, a Native American tribe considered to be the original settlers of Florida. Located about an hour away from the beach area, the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation and Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum are popular attractions focusing on their history.
Port Location & Parking Fees Port Everglades is located only 2 miles from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), which is about a 5 minute drive. Port Everglades is about 30 miles away from Miami International Airport (MIA), which can take about 45 minutes driving. Port Everglades is about 45 miles away from West Palm Beach (WPB) Airport, and is about a 1 hour drive. All driving times depend on traffic. Taxis are available to the cruise port from all of the airports listed. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line.
Address:
Northport Cruise Terminal
1850 Eller Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
