Fort Lauderdale - The City
Fort Lauderdale is on the Atlantic coastline of southeast Florida. With a large canal system, and lots of boats, it has the nickname the Venice of America.
The Fort Lauderdale region was mostly agricultural land until the 1890s, when a road was built connecting the area to north Miami, the Florida East Coast Railway was extended further down the coastline and a ferry service was started across the New River.
The warm climate was appreciated by new arrivals, and the town’s size grew rapidly in the early 20th century. Then, just when the town was on the brink of stable prosperity disaster struck in 1926 in the form of a devastating hurricane which left thousands of citizens homeless, depopulating the area and plunging Fort Lauderdale into economic recession. In 1935 the city in an attempt to revitalize growth established the National Collegiate Aquatic Forum to attract students to the town, starting the tradition of spring breaks. Fort Lauderdale began to regain its popularity, and growth carried on strongly after WWII.
Today more than 10 million tourists visit Fort Lauderdale every year to cruise along its canal system, go to its wide variety of family friendly attractions and relax on its 23 miles of wonderful beaches.
Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades has for many years played a central function in its development. The port began in the late 1920s as a dock employed by local agricultural businesses to export their produce. The port developed quickly, with goods sent to the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America.
The first cruise ships arrived in the 1930s, with ships from Chandris Line, Grace Line and Holland America Line calling at the port. Port Everglades has grown into a major cruise port, with ships from several cruise lines homeporting out of its modern cruise terminal facilities.
The Fort Lauderdale region was mostly agricultural land until the 1890s, when a road was built connecting the area to north Miami, the Florida East Coast Railway was extended further down the coastline and a ferry service was started across the New River.
The warm climate was appreciated by new arrivals, and the town’s size grew rapidly in the early 20th century. Then, just when the town was on the brink of stable prosperity disaster struck in 1926 in the form of a devastating hurricane which left thousands of citizens homeless, depopulating the area and plunging Fort Lauderdale into economic recession. In 1935 the city in an attempt to revitalize growth established the National Collegiate Aquatic Forum to attract students to the town, starting the tradition of spring breaks. Fort Lauderdale began to regain its popularity, and growth carried on strongly after WWII.
Today more than 10 million tourists visit Fort Lauderdale every year to cruise along its canal system, go to its wide variety of family friendly attractions and relax on its 23 miles of wonderful beaches.
Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades has for many years played a central function in its development. The port began in the late 1920s as a dock employed by local agricultural businesses to export their produce. The port developed quickly, with goods sent to the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America.
The first cruise ships arrived in the 1930s, with ships from Chandris Line, Grace Line and Holland America Line calling at the port. Port Everglades has grown into a major cruise port, with ships from several cruise lines homeporting out of its modern cruise terminal facilities.
Port Everglades
Fort Laudedale's port is called Port Everglades. The port's cruise terminals are separated into two areas, Northport and Midport. Terminals 2 and 4 are sited at Northport, and cruise terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26 and 29 are at Midport.
Northport The cruise terminals have the usual services like full A/C, seating areas, baggage handling, disabled access, vending machines and bathrooms. Terminal 2 and 4 share the car parking facility at the Northport garage. Terminal 2 is given to Princess Cruises, terminal 4 to MSC Cruises.
Midport The cruise terminals have basic facilities including seating areas, vending machines, full A/C, disabled access, a passenger boarding bridge and check-in area. Terminals 18 and 21 offer more efficient embark/debark times by offering a second passenger boarding bridge. Terminal 18 has its own parking lot, and terminals 19 through 29 have parking at the Midport garage. Terminal 18 is operated by RCCI, 19 by Princess Cruises, 21 by Carnival, 25 by several cruise lines, 26 by HAL, and 29 by a variety of cruise lines.
For a complete calendar of cruise departures from Fort Lauderdale, see Cruises From Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale Shore Excursions
South Beach Park Fort Lauderdale offers over 7 miles of wide sands, offering panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. South Beach Park is the nearest beach to downtown. Visitors to the beach can take park in a wide range of activities like snorkeling, swimming, volleyball, basketball, fishing and wind surfing. The other side of Hwy 1A plentiful restaurants and bars provide great food and drink.
Museum of Discovery and Science Spend a couple of hours of discovery investigating numerous fascinating interactive displays at the Museum of Discovery and Science.
Learn how astronomers unravel the complicated mysteries of the universe in the recently expanded space hall. Investigate the important role of metals in our everyday life at the Minerals Rock display.
Learn how astronomers unravel the complicated mysteries of the universe in the recently expanded space hall. Investigate the important role of metals in our everyday life at the Minerals Rock display.
Fort Lauderdale History Center The Fort Lauderdale History Center was set up in 1962 to collect, look after and teach the history of Fort Lauderdale. Tour the 1905 New River Inn, the county’s oldest remaining hotel, the 1905 Acetylene building, a little building which contained an acetylene gas generator, an 1899 replica school house, a rebuilding of Broward county’s first school and the 1905 Philemon Bryan House, which has Classical Revival architectural features.
Riverwalk The Riverwalk offers a pleasant one mile stroll in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District in central Fort Lauderdale by the banks of the New River. The route passes fashionable shops, friendly eateries and verdant landscaping and prestigious cultural venues including Fort Lauderdale History center, the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Museum of Art and Stranahan House.
Port Everglades Cruise News
Useful To Know
Timezone ETZ
Currency USD
Language English
Currency USD
Language English