Ft. Lauderdale lies along
the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the New River, 25 miles north of Miami. Its
warm tropical weather attracts many people throughout the year. For
sun-worshippers, the city has 6 miles of beaches. There are also many
recreational waterways with extensive boating facilities, access to every
conceivable watersport, and a variety of fascinating museums.
Ft. Lauderdale sits in the middle of the burgeoning megalopolis known as South
Florida, which hugs the Atlantic coast from Miami in the south (a 35-minute car
ride away) to Palm Beach in the north. It is the principal city in huge Broward
County, two-thirds of which is swampland in the Everglades. What isn’t swampy
includes 23 miles of beaches and 28 municipalities. And plenty of water—within
the Ft. Lauderdale city limits alone there are more than 165 miles of navigable
waterways (and more than 42,000 registered yachts).
Downtown Ft. Lauderdale is peppered with high-rise buildings; sidewalk cafes and
shops line the New River; the Arts and Science District, anchored by the Broward
Center for the Performing Arts, lures the culturally minded. Las Olas Boulevard
is best known for its relaxed alfresco shopping and its people watching in the
heart of downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The street is lined with boutiques, bars and a
shaded walkway for strolling. And getting around the city is part of the sport:
Water taxis now ply the maze of waterways that link residential neighborhoods to
sights, restaurants, shops and Port Everglades.
The Tequesta Indians were the city’s original inhabitants. After the Spanish
took Florida as their own, the Seminole Indians, who lived in the northern
reaches of the state, started moving southward. In 1837, during the Seminole
Wars, the city’s namesake, Major William Lauderdale, built a fort at the mouth
of the New River, which now snakes through the city center.
Cruise ships dock at Port Everglades, which is about 3 miles southeast of
downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The port is convenient to downtown Ft. Lauderdale, the
beaches are about 3 miles north, and the airport is just 2 miles southwest of
the port.
Driving Directions - Port
Everglades is 23 miles north of Miami on Florida's southeast coast within the
three cities of Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood and in unincorporated
Broward County. From the Ft Lauderdale Airport. Take the left lane (US 1 North
as you depart from the airport). Get into the right lane (I-595 East) to
continue to Eller Dr. 8 minutes without traffic.
There are three passenger entrances to the
Port: Spangler Boulevard, which is an extension of State Road 84 east;
Eisenhower Boulevard, which runs south from 17th Street Causeway (A1A); and
Eller Drive, which connects directly with Interstate 595. I-595 runs east/west
with connections to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, I-95, State
Road 7 (441), Florida's Turnpike, Sawgrass Expressway and I-75.
Parking Fees -
Convenient parking for cruise passengers and Navy ship visitors is available in
the Northport or Midport Parking Garage. Garages are well-illuminated,
security-patrolled, designed to accommodate RVs and buses, and provide
handicapped parking with unimpeded access to crosswalks and elevators. Both
garages charge $2 for the first hour, $5.00 for 2-5 hours and an additional
$1.00 per hour thereafter, with a maximum of $10.00 daily rate. Fees are
collected
by friendly gate attendants upon departure.
Transfers from the
Airport - The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is less than
two miles from Port Everglades and is served by most airlines. The Miami
International Airport, served by all major airlines, is 30 minutes from Port
Everglades via I-95. Proceed to the baggage claim area on the day of departure
and look for the appropriate cruise representative for transfers to the cruise.
If you bought airfare from the cruise line your transfers are including in your
cruise package. If you bought your own air transportation you may be able to
purchase transfers from the cruise representative. Otherwise proceed outside
where you will have the choice of a taxi or super shuttle. Public transportation
service via taxi and bus is available between the seaport and airport, local
hotels, attractions and shopping areas. Air/Sea passengers are provided
transportation between the airport and seaport. Several area hotels provide
transportation between the seaport and the hotel for pre-booked reservations.
Independent taxis and tour trolleys are accessible on site at the port. Most
cruise lines will offer transfers from both the Miami and Ft Lauderdale
airports.
Passenger Drop Off -
Signage at the port will direct vehicles to the passenger drop off area nearest
your ship. At the passenger and baggage drop off, the driver of the vehicle will
be instructed by cruise representatives with information on how to exit the
terminal area or proceed to the parking lots.
Traffic Flow - This
system is similar to remote parking arrangements in airports and cruise ship
terminals throughout the U.S. |
