Fort Lauderdale - The City
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
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
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.
Port Everglades Cruise News
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