Complete Guide to Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Port Everglades)

Fort Lauderdale is a bustling city with a major airport and a world-renowned cruise port. This east coast destination has so many wonderful cruise opportunities and attracts millions of visitors a year. In fact, we've sailed from the port and appreciate how central it is in the city.

We're taking the guesswork out of Port Everglades for you with our guide to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port. We'll help you figure things out for your South Florida visit, including the closest airports and hotels to stay at before or after your cruise.

We will also share what cruise lines leave from Port Everglades and how to find last-minute Fort Lauderdale cruise port deals. 

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Overview of Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Port Everglades): All You Need to Know

Fort Lauderdale is a hot spot in Florida — literally and figuratively! The city attracts nearly four million cruise passengers annually and millions of more visitors who are not going on a cruise. The official name of the cruise port is “Port Everglades.” It's in the best location for travelers.

Several terminals and parking lots are near the cruise port, which is next to the Fort Lauderdale airport.

✦ Closest Airport to the Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port

Depending on your travel needs and budget, there are four airports you can choose from when planning your cruise from Fort Lauderdale. The closest is certainly Fort Lauderdale Airport.

✧  Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Airport Code: FLL) 

Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is the closest airport to Port Everglades. It is only 2.7 miles away, and it's incredibly easy to get to the cruise terminals. This is the best airport to fly to and from for easy access to Port Everglades.

✧ Miami International Airport (MIA)

The next closest major airport is in Miami, which is about 30 miles away from Port Everglades. Paid shuttles, ride shares like Uber and Lyft, and private transportation are all options here.

Beware that the drive from the MIA airport to Port Everglades can take between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic. It may be best to pre-arrange a private car service so the cost doesn't vary based on traffic, which can add up.

✧ Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

A bit further out, at 50 miles away, is the Palm Beach International Airport. This may be a good option if you plan to do some sightseeing first. It's a small airport, so it's not overwhelming like FLL, MIA, or MCO; cars easily get in and out of this airport, and it's easy to navigate for people walking through the terminals.

✧ Orlando International Airport (MCO)

If you have your heart set on visiting Orlando to go to the world-famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal, then Orlando International Airport could be a more budget-friendly option despite its distance, at over 200 miles away.

The drive from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale is usually two-and-a-half to three hours, depending on traffic and how often you stop. 

This is the closest major airport to the Cape Canaveral area, where many cruises leave from Port Canaveral, on Florida’s Space Coast. There are also a ton of great things to do in the Cape Canaveral area.

✦ Top 3 Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotels

Enjoy a post-cruise or pre-cruise stay in one of the many Fort Lauderdale hotels before or after your vacation. Stay at resort-like Port Everglades hotels near the terminals because the options are plentiful. Our favorite brand of hotels is Marriott because they offer the best perks for loyalty, including room upgrades depending on your loyalty level and free wi-fi for all Marriott Bonvoy guests. We also find their customer service to be the best out of any hotels we stay at time and again.

We have indicated which hotels offer shuttles to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port, but if a hotel you’re interested in does not offer one, know that it’s easy to take Uber or Lyft to Port Everglades or ask the hotel to call a taxi.

✧ Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel (Also Known As Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel) 

Located in the bustling yachting area of 17th Street, this beautiful hotel is popular amongst cruise guests.  It's also a short walk to Broward County Convention Center, which you can reach on foot in less than 10 minutes.

In addition to its great location, you can unwind in one of the resort-style poolside cabanas or take advantage of Fort Lauderdale's Sun Trolley, which is next to the hotel and offers free city transfers. Ride to the luxurious Galleria Mall, the pristine beaches, or the chic Las Olas Boulevard for dining and shopping. 

Another perk of staying here is that it's within walking distance of several restaurants and cafes, including Einstein Bagels, a personal favorite spot for breakfast, coffee, and lunch.

Though it doesn't offer a complimentary shuttle service, it's available for a low cost per person.

✧ Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Enjoy luxurious beachside living along a quarter-mile length of immaculate private beachfront at this high-end hotel.

Take advantage of being a 10-minute drive from Las Olas Boulevard stores, restaurants, and nightlife. Unwind in one of the newly renovated rooms or suites, many of which have private balconies with water views. Swim in the lagoon-style outdoor pool, enjoy jet skiing and snorkeling, the fitness center with beachfront views, or treat yourself to the opulent spa. 

✧ The Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale

This oceanfront Fort Lauderdale hotel is a sought-after hideaway that is rich with nautical themes and elegant design. It offers modern amenities, like a 29,000-square-foot tropical sundeck with an infinity pool and private cabanas.

This Ritz Carlton luxury hotel is known for its welcoming, laid-back, and beachy vibe, on-site spa, and guest rooms with Atlantic Ocean views. What's more is that if your room isn't looking east to the ocean, it's looking west to the great view of the intracoastal waterway. Even the heated outdoor pool overlooks the water!

Getting to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale

✦ Driving to the Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Port

If arriving at the port by car, you can easily access Port Everglades via major highways such as Interstate 595, U.S. Route 1, and Interstate 95. 

Signs are well-posted and help guide you. Once you arrive in the area, follow the signs to your specific cruise terminal for drop-off points. Onsite parking is also available.

Here are the suggested driving directions from Port Everglades authority:

✧ From I-95: 

• From the south: Take Exit #26 to I-595 East
• From the north: Take Exit #24 to I-595 East

Once on I-595 East from either direction, follow signs to the Port Everglades exit. 

✧ From I-75 north or south:

Take Exit #19 to I-595 East, then take the exit to Port Everglades.

✧ From Florida Turnpike North or South

Take Exit #54 to I-595 East, then take the exit to Port Everglades.

✦ Parking at Port Everglades

Onsite Parking Garages and Parking Costs 

Parking at the Fort Lauderdale cruise port is on a first-come, first-served basis and is the best option if your budget allows. Parking fees start at $15 per day.

The Port has two parking garages with nearly 4,000 spaces and several lots: 

• Palm Parking Garage is the largest covered parking lot with 1,966 spaces and serves terminals 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29. 
• Heron Parking Garage is another covered lot with over 1,800 parking spots and serves terminals 2 and 4. 
• The surface lots are not covered (AKA: exposed to the Florida heat!). Lots 18 and 19 offer 600 and 400 spaces if you want to park outdoors. Truthfully, though, if you park at Port Everglades, they’ll likely direct you to the open lot that day closest to the embarking cruise ships. That's what they did when we sailed with Celebrity Cruises.

✧ Parking Offsite Near Port Everglades

If you want reassurance that you will have parking, choose privately run lots such as Park By The Ports, located in Dania Beach, where the Fort Lauderdale airport is; it's right next to the cruise port. A shuttle will take you to your cruise terminal, and you can reserve a spot in advance. Other options are Park N’ Go, and Parkway Parking, which offer the best prices. 

✧ Airport Shuttle Option 

If you’re flying into an airport to board your cruise, you can take a third-party shuttle from either Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Airport or Miami Airport (MIA), which includes the shuttle price, driver's gratuity, and Port Fees. There is no free shuttle service.

✧ Uber/Lyft

Taxis and rideshares are available to get to Port Everglades. Expect to pay between $15-$20 from FLL and between $80 and $120 to the port in Fort Lauderdale from MIA.

✦ Getting to Port Everglades via Public Transportation 

✧ By Bus

Though it’s not very direct, it's possible to get to the port by bus if you’re up for a bit of a trek. Local bus service stops at the Northport section of Port Everglades on SE 17th S. Look for scheduled bus routes 1 or 40 for more details.

✧ By Train

If you’re traveling to Fort Lauderdale from Miami or Orlando, the Brightline train is a good option. You take the train to Fort Lauderdale, then can hop in a taxi, Lyft, or Uber to get to the cruise port, which is only 4 miles away.

Brightline tickets are as low as $10 each way for adults, depending on the route and day of the week.

✦ Getting to Port Everglades with Cruise Line Transfers

Cruise lines often provide port transfers between airports and hotels, and hotels and cruise ports. Be sure to inquire with your cruise line to see if this is an option. Some cruise lines include it, while others offer it at an additional cost. 

If there is an additional cost, compare it to the options we list here — like a paid shuttle or taxi — to see which is the best choice.

Who Sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale? 

Many familiar cruise lines call on Port Everglades, such as:

• Celebrity Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Cunard
• Silversea Cruises
• Balearia Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean International
• Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Please note that the cruise lines with options from Port Everglades may change slightly each year.

✦ Port Everglades Cruise Port Terminals: Where Do Cruise Lines Dock?

Knowing where to embark on your cruise is an important piece of info. Docking terminals are assigned based on the type and size of the vessel. Be sure to check your booking information, but don’t worry if you don’t have it on hand upon arrival; the staff at the terminal will be happy to direct you to your ship and its specific terminal when you arrive. 

Below are terminal designations up to date as of 2023:

• Princess Cruise Line: Port Everglades Terminal 2, 19, 21
• Celebrity Cruises: Port Everglades Terminal 25, 29
• Disney Cruise Line: Port Everglades Terminal 4
• Carnival Cruise Lines: Port Everglades Terminal 4
• Royal Caribbean: Port Everglades Terminal 18, 25, 29 
• Carnival Cruise Line: Port Everglades Terminal 21
• Holland America Line: Port Everglades Terminal 21, 26, 29