link to all cruises index page

The Port Everglades cruise terminal is alive with activity every day of the year. As one of the largest cruise ship ports in the world, the Port Everglades cruise terminal sees more than 5,000 cruise ships depart each year. Whether you’re taking a simple day cruise or you’re venturing to the exotic islands of the Caribbean, the Port Everglades Pier is one of the most popular ports in America and is a convenient option for Florida cruises.

The Port Everglades cruise terminal is located in Fort Lauderdale, minutes from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and within 30 miles of Miami. Fort Lauderdale is often known as the Venice of America, with 300 miles of navigable waterways and more than twenty miles of beach. If your flight arrives the night before your cruise departs, there are several hotels near the Port Everglades terminal that offer complimentary transportation to the port.

Embarkation


Special entrance for suite passengers

Oasis waited to sail till 9 p.m. so European passengers (some 450, we’d heard) could make it past the Iceland ash to embark.

Loading was fantastically well arranged. We all had a nice light and airy place to wait. Suite passengers and Diamond Plus (and maybe Diamond, we were in the Suite area, so we didn’t find out) had refreshments. The ship was opened to boarding by 11 a.m. (albeit the cabins weren’t available till 1 p.m.).


Just after I took this pic, the cops chased me away – said I could take
all the pix of the ship I wanted in other ports, just not here.

The view from the passenger ramp

The 17th Street Bridge the evening before we sailed.

First view of Boardwalk

Click for full picture of the inlet to Port Everglades

Eleven major cruise ship lines and more than 30 cruise ships operate out of the Port Everglades terminal. Many Port Everglades cruise lines offer discounted cruises geared toward families and honeymooners that sail every winter and spring to various destinations in the Caribbean Sea, such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Aruba. Cruises can range from three days in length to fifteen days or more. While most cruises are family oriented, several Port Everglades cruise lines offer couples-only cruises designed specifically for honeymooners or those in need of a vacation away from the kids. There are even a few cruise lines that venture across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Cruisers departing from Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal depart from Port Everglades. The cruise terminal is located on the Intracoastal waterway just a few minutes from the downtown area. It’s an extremely convenient terminal in terms of location. The cruise terminals are only a few minutes ride from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport and taxis are readily available right in front of all baggage claim areas. Port Everglades, conveniently located on the Intercostal waterway, is very close to Fort Lauderdale International Airport and the downtown area of Fort Lauderdale. It is the second busiest cruise terminal in the world. There are 12 terminals accommodating cruise ships including ample signage for the respective terminal/cruise ship as you enter the port.


The Star Princess sails away

Port Everglades inlet at dusk

Shortly past sundown

Oasis sails


Looking over the hot tub of the Oasis to the 17th Street Bridge

Most wonderfully, as the Oasis finally sailed, people living on the inlet, in houses and condos both,
sounded boat and car horns, and flashed house lights and spotlights – and yelled cheers at us.

We finally sailed at 9 p.m., most of the Europeans having made it to the ship. You can see
the 17th Street Bridge, the condos on the inlet, and a navigation light close to the ship.

Final night


Oasis slipped into Port Everglades at around 0400 (yes, I was up prowling the ship, camera in hand).
The blue-lit building is Terminal 18 , rebuilt to suit the huge numbers of passengers:
two complete shiploads – one embarking, one disembarking – at the same time!

Easing up to the dock

The Star Princess followed us in at aroud 5:30 a.m. Another RCCI ship came in after her.

Here’s the Star Princess sailing in the inlet. Click for full picture.

Driving to the Airport – Bye-bye!

Fort Lauderdale is located in the east-central portion of Broward County, Florida approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. The City shares boundaries with nine other municipalities, as well as unincorporated areas of the County. Encompassing more than 33 square miles, Fort Lauderdale is the seventh largest city in Florida and the largest of Broward County’s 30 municipalities.

From the sky