Guide To Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port

Fort Lauderdale sits on the Atlantic coastline in southeast Florida. With a substantial canal system, and lots of river boats, it is sometimes referred to as the 'Venice of America'.

Fort Lauderdale gets its name from a fortress dating back to the Seminole Indian War, constructed beside the New River around 1840. In the years after the Indian war, eastern Florida continued as a virtual wilderness, due to the lack of connecting roads in the area. But the arrival of the East Coast railroad saw a substantial population increase, and in 1915, Broward County was created. The mild climate was very welcoming to newcomers, and the settlement’s population grew rapidly in the first decades of the 20th century.

However the two disasters of a terrible hurricane in early 1926 followed by the great depression through 1929 were a complete blow to the region’s fortunes. In 1935 the city council in an effort to stimulate growth established the National Collegiate Aquatic Forum to attract students to the area for vacations, establishing the tradition of spring breaks. Fort Lauderdale began to regain its popularity, and growth continued strongly in the years following World War 2.

Today Fort Lauderdale has become a favorite destination for retirees and families, with inviting restaurants, cultural events, lively bars, lovely beaches and several historical sites of interest.

Port Everglade’s cruise terminals are separated between Northport and Midport.

For the port's website see Port Everglades.

Cruise terminal buildings no 2 and no 4 are at Northport. They possess basic facilities including restrooms, passenger seating areas, vending machines, luggage handling, a passenger loading bridge plus check-in area. Car parking is offered at the large several storey Northport garage.

Cruise terminal buildings no 18, no 19, no 21, no 25, no 26 and no 29 are at Midport. All the terminals possess basic facilities including baggage handling, bathrooms, vending machines, an automated shore to ship passenger bridge, air-conditioning and access for the disabled. Terminal 18 has its own parking area, and terminals 19 through 29 have parking at the Midport long stay parking garage.

Fort Lauderdale offers a wide range of cruises, with enough variety to keep even the keen cruiser happy for several vacations.

Cruises available comprise the Eastern Caribbean (Tortola, St Thomas, San Juan and St Maarten), the Western Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan and Cozumel), the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), or the Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, St Kitts and St Johns). More extensive trips are occasionally available, examples would be Central America, through the Panama canal to the west coast of the USA and the Amazon.

For a calendar/schedule of cruises see cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

Stranahan House

This great House was Fort Lauderdale's first private residence to be built. At first it was a trading and commerical outpost for interactions with Seminole Indians, though it also was put into use as a bank, a school and a post office. You can find the house on Southeast 6th Av.

Riverwalk

This is a pleasant one mile long wander along the Arts and Entertainment District straddling central Fort Lauderdale following along the north bank of the New River. Follow the path as it weaves between verdant landscaping, fashionable shops and friendly eateries and high end cultural attractions including Fort Lauderdale History center, the Museum of Art, Stranahan House and the Museum of Discovery.

Fort Lauderdale History Center

This collection of old buildings chronicles a historical narrative from the first arrivals to the city to the inhabitants of the 21st century. Important parts of the center date from the early 1900s and include the Acetylene building, the King Cromartie Building and the Philemon Bryan House.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

You'' find this State Park behind popular Fort Lauderdale beach. There's lots to do including canoeing, hiking the nature trail, fishing and cycling. The park is easily to get to via bus #11, from Broward Central Terminal in downtown.