Not far north of the busiest cruise port in the world (Miami) is another cruise port that’s more than worthy of a cruiser’s attention: Port Everglades. Not only is it another extremely well-trafficked cruise destination — it’s actually the 7th busiest cruise port in the world. If you’re planning to cruise from this Fort Lauderdale port, here’s our 2024 guide to Port Everglades. This helps to answer many frequently asked questions.

Our Guide to Cruising Out of Port Everglades Cruise Port (2024)

Which cruise lines sail out of Port Everglades?

There are eight cruise terminals at Port Everglades. Terminal 2 is home to Princess Cruises, and is equipped with the line’s Ocean Medallion technology which helps expedite the check-in process. Terminal 4 is Disney Cruise Line’s new terminal, which opened in fall 2023. It features a colorful ‘Finding Nemo’ theme.

If you’re sailing from Terminal 18, chances are you’re taking a cruise on Royal Caribbean. Terminal 19 is home to Holland America Line, while Terminal 21 hosts both Holland America and Princess Cruises.

Celebrity Cruises‘ home is Terminal 25, and Terminal 26 is a third terminal that’s used by Holland America. Terminal 29 is a bit of a catch-all, with Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean all having used it.

Other cruise lines that sail from Port Everglades include Crystal, Cunard, Silversea, Viking, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Fast-ferry company Balearia Caribbean also operates ferry rides to Grand Bahama and Bimini from Port Everglades.

Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity make up the majority of cruise calls at Port Everglades. Ships from those lines sailing from Fort Lauderdale this year include Celebrity Beyond, Apex, and Reflection; Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam; and Enchanted and Sky Princess.

Disney Magic and Dream; Oasis, Freedom, Grandeur, and Liberty of the Seas; several Viking ocean and expedition ships; and ships from Ritz-Carlton and Silversea are also calling on Port Everglades this year.

Which airport is closest to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port?

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is by far the closest and most convenient airport for those cruising from Port Everglades. It’s just a three-mile, 10-minute drive from the airport to the cruise port. All main U.S. airlines service FLL including Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Allegiant, Southwest, and others.

Those who are flying to get to a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale but don’t arrive into FLL are probably flying into Miami, which is a 29 mile drive to Port Everglades. The length of time it takes to get from Miami International Airport to Port Everglades can vary widely — from a quick 45 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.

Palm Beach International Airport is also an option, though less convenient as it’s about a 49-mile, 45-50 minute drive to the cruise port.

How do you get to and from the Port Everglades cruise terminal?

Port Everglades has three entrances:

• SE 17th St., located at Eisenhower Blvd.
• State Road 84, located just east of U.S. 1, located at Spangler Blvd.
• I-595 East, located at Eller Dr.

Each entrance has a security checkpoint where passengers and visitors ages 18 and older are required to show a government-issued photo ID and their cruise documents.

If you’re driving in, Port Everglades is easily accessible from major highways:

• From I-95 south: take Exit #26 to I-595 East. Take exit to Port Everglades.
• From I-95 north: take Exit #24 to I-595 East. Take exit to Port Everglades.
• From I-75 north or south: take Exit #19 to I-595 East. Take exit to Port Everglades.
• From Florida’s Turnpike north or south: take Exit #54 to I-595 East. Take exit to Port Everglades.

If you’re already in the area, the SE 17th St. or State Road 84 entrances may be more convenient. Colorful signage points guests towards the parking garages and terminals.

Additional Transportation Options

Rideshares (such as Uber and Lyft) and taxis are a popular option for cruisers getting from FLL to Port Everglades — especially given the fact that the airport and the port are so close together, meaning the ride will be quick and inexpensive. The average taxi fare is about $20. For an UberX, expect to pay around $10 to $15. For an UberXL (good if you have several people and several suitcases), expect to pay around $15 to $25.

Shuttles are also an option, both to and from FLL and Port Everglades. Many cruise lines offer shuttle transfers between the airport and the cruise port that you can book ahead of time; once you arrive just look for someone holding a sign or a kiosk with your cruise line’s name on it in the baggage area. Independent shuttles are also available, and many hotels offer their own shuttles to the cruise port for guests who stay with them pre or post-cruise.

Lastly, if you live in Florida or are visiting another part of the state before or after your cruise, consider the Brightline train. It connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach (along with other cities along the way) on the east coast of Florida before turning inland to a station at Orlando International Airport. Thus, if you’re in Orlando, West Palm Beach, or Miami, you can conveniently get to Brightline’s station in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. From there, it’s an easy 15-20 minute ride in a taxi or rideshare to get to the port. Because of the convenience of Brightline, flying into MCO and taking the train down to Fort Lauderdale is also a transportation option.

Is there parking at the Port Everglades cruise port?

Port Everglades offers both surface parking lots as well as two parking garages for cruise passengers. Parking is charged on a daily basis for every day your car is on the lot or in the garage. This means it will include both the day you park the car and the day you get off the ship. The maximum daily charge is $20, with oversized vehicles paying a daily maximum of $25. This means that for a weeklong cruise from Saturday to Saturday, it will cost a maximum of $160 to park a standard vehicle at the port.

Most of the port’s parking areas are within easy walking distance of the cruise terminals. Complimentary shuttle service is available between Palm Garage and Cruise Terminal 29.

Off-Site Parking Options

You can also park at an off-site parking lot. Options include:

• Park By The Ports: Located inside the Dania Beach Casino 3.1 miles from the port, $7.99 per day. Shuttle service is complimentary for up to four passengers, $8 per person for additional passengers
• Q&S Cruise & Airport Parking: .5 miles from the port, $6 per day. Shuttle service is complimentary.
• Quick & Safe Parking: 1.3 miles from the port, $6 per day. Shuttle service is complimentary.
• Park ‘N Go: 1.2 miles from the port, $10.50 per day. Shuttle service is complimentary.

Parking at Nearby Hotels

Another option for parking is to stay at a nearby hotel that offers a ‘park and stay’ package. This means that you’ll be able to stay at that hotel pre-cruise and then keep your car parked there for the entire duration of your sailing at a lower price than it would cost you to park at the port. Many hotels that offer this type of package also include a free shuttle to the port. Some of these hotels include:

• Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel
• Holiday Inn Express Cruise Airport
• Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
• Hilton Garden Inn Fort Lauderdale
• Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port

Which hotels are closest to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port?

When cruising from Port Everglades, there’s a plethora of hotel options nearby. You can choose to stay near the port, head north to a hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach, or stay downtown to enjoy the restaurants and nightlife on Las Olas Boulevard.

The closest hotels physically to Port Everglades are the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Fort Lauderdale Cruise Airport, and Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Fort Lauderdale.

Other very nearby options include the Crowne Plaza Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port & Convention Center, Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale.

Beach options include Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, W Fort Lauderdale, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. There’s also the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, which is the only hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach that has direct beach access with no road in between.

If you’re looking to stay downtown, good options include Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, Riverside Hotel Fort Lauderdale, The Dalmar Fort Lauderdale, Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Downtown/Las Olas, and Element Fort Lauderdale Downtown.

Do you need a passport to sail from Port Everglades?

If you’re a U.S. citizen taking a roundtrip voyage from Port Everglades (meaning it both starts and ends in Port Everglades), you don’t actually need a passport to sail. You should absolutely use your passport to sail if you have one. If you don’t, you’ll need to provide the following documents: a government-issued photo ID (such as your driver’s license) and your original birth certificate (or a certified birth certificate).

Note that this option ONLY applies to roundtrip voyages to/from a U.S. port and only applies to U.S. citizens. We still strongly encourage everyone to sail with a passport because it provides more security and convenience if something were to happen during the voyage and you were forced to fly home from a foreign country.

Top Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for a convenient way to get around Fort Lauderdale and see some of the most popular sights, consider taking the Fort Lauderdale water taxi. This relaxing mode of transportation on Fort Lauderdale’s waterways provides an opportunity to hear expert commentary from the vessel’s crew on what you’re sailing past and gets you to spots such as the vibrant Las Olas Boulevard lined with stores, restaurants, and bars, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. There’s also a complimentary river shuttle from Riverwalk Laura Ward Park up the New River to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

If you’re looking to take a stroll through Florida’s idyllic past, consider a visit to the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. You can choose to walk around the grounds, which features lush gardens, multiple ponds, native foliage, and even peacocks. For the full experience, you can also tour the house via both guided and self-guided tours, which offers a peek into one of Florida’s oldest residences filled with art and history. We recommend bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy a meal in the inviting gardens before touring the property.

For some more adventure, you could head further inland to Everglades National Park and take a fanboat ride. You can also rent a bicycle and take a ride on one of the park’s five biking trails.

Comments

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