Fort Lauderdale, FL - Cruise Port Embarkation
5 Things we learned
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, FL) is one of the biggest and most busiest cruise port in the world. We have embarked on many cruises from here and learned a few things that made our embarkation day easier. Here are 5 of our top tips.
Getting Oriented at Port Everglades
First, let’s get oriented! Port Everglades is a shared facility with heavy industry, particularly oil, so its 8 terminals are spread across a vast area. It’s huge! On the north end, via 17th Street and Eisenhower, you’ll find terminals 2 and 4, while the southern area near the airport includes terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29. On this trip, we sailed from terminal 26 with Holland America.
Resources and links:
Hotels near Tri-Rail station
Updates:
5 Key Takeaways
1. You Need Wheels
Everything is close—FLL airport is only 3 miles from the port. However, that doesn’t mean it’s walkable. I naively thought, looking at the map, that Fort Lauderdale was compact. In fact, it’s BIG and spread out with very long avenues and industrial sections. Taxi, rideshare, shuttle, car rental, or your own car—it’s all designed with cars in mind. While you can technically walk to terminals 2 and 4 from 17th Street via a narrow sidewalk, it doesn’t look welcoming. Public transport is available, but they can’t access the port.
We opted to rent a car since we were staying an extra day and wanted easy access to the area. From the airport terminal, it’s an easy walk to the huge car rental building, and the checkout process is pretty seamless. When we returned our car at Hertz, we were even offered a ride to the port in the same car! It’s a service provided if they’re not busy, so don’t count on it, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Either way, it’s an easy walk to the taxi or rideshare areas.
2. Stay at Least an Extra Day
It’s worth it! Since things are relatively close to each other, it’s tempting to fly in on embarkation day. We didn’t know much about the area and just assumed beach and bars. But we decided to stay an extra day before our cruise and were blown away by Fort Lauderdale! The canals are exciting to explore, especially along Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (which is amazing and inexpensive). Los Olas Beach is long and lovely, and the food scene—ranging from Cuban to Colombian—is awesome! This was just one day; we barely scratched the surface of what the area has to offer, including great art, architecture, and unique day trips. Plus, Miami is only a 30-minute drive south, making renting a car even more worthwhile.
3. Hotels and Parking Abound, But Do Your Homework
With a huge cruise market, there are tons of hotels and parking options, but you need to consider conditions carefully. For parking, there’s lot at the port itself on a first-come, first-served basis. The Heron Parking Structure serves terminals 2 and 4, while open parking lot C serves terminal 18, and the Palm Structure and lots A and B serve the others. However, you can’t reserve ahead of time or pre-pay. For updated conditions and rates, check the Port Everglades website.
Alternatively, you can reserve parking at independent lots like Park by the Ports and Tropical Airport Parking. They offer competitive rates, but some charge different rates for covered vs. uncovered spots, and you’ll need to take a shuttle to the port entrance, adding extra time. On a fun note, Park N Go has monkeys! No, seriously, check it out on Google.
You could also stay at a hotel that offers long-term parking, but this could increase your room rate. Plus, some may or may not offer a shuttle to the port.
Hotels vary widely. Staying near the North Harbor on 17th Street comes at a premium, especially during peak season. Conversely, hotels in other areas can be more reasonable. We drove to Plantation, about a 15-minute drive from the airport, to find cheaper rates. Hotels along Dania Beach, just south of the airport, are also reported to be more affordable. A quick hotel search reveals tons of options, so you’re not limited to 17th Street and Los Olas.
4. Security is Tight at the Port
Given the mixed-use and heavy industry in a gigantic port area, you can’t just waltz in. Here’s the drill: at the entrances, you’ll be stopped at the gate and officers will ask for your boarding pass and ID. Everyone needs to present this, whether you’re on foot or in a vehicle. Anticipate delays at the gates, especially when many ships are in port. However, once you’re inside, everything is designed for fast processing. There are plenty of staff to guide you to your ship efficiently.
The same goes for disembarkation. There are plenty of signs for taxis, rideshares, or personal pickups. It’s like a crowd of uniformed people just lifts you up and carries you to your ship. Inside terminal 26 for Holland America, there’s lots of seating, clean bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. Boarding groups are called, which appear to be assigned on a first-come basis, so it pays to arrive early.
5. You Can Fly to Miami to Get to Fort Lauderdale
If you need to land in Miami instead of Fort Lauderdale for your cruise, it’s not ideal, but it’s an option. You could take a taxi or Uber, costing about $70 to $100. The new Brightline rail service is available, but there are no stations at either airport. Alternatively, the local commuter train, Tri Rail, has a station at Miami airport and can connect you to Fort Lauderdale, where you’ll still need a taxi or rideshare. Here’s how it works: get off the plane in Miami, head to the connected train station, buy a ticket at the kiosks, and take the northbound train to the Fort Lauderdale airport station (which is next to, not at, the airport). From there, you can taxi or rideshare to a hotel or the port.
