World of Cruises | Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Guide

Stretching along Florida shores,
Fort Lauderdale is located just 30 minutes north of Miami.

The city with 265 km of canals is called the Venice of America, although its past is closer to Spain than to Italy after the arrival of Spanish explorers in 1513.

By the 1700s, most of the country’s indigenous people, the Tequesta, had died fighting the Spanish, contracted European diseases, or fled to Cuba.

The Spanish also won battles against the Seminole tribe in the 1800s before being defeated by the United States, although Spanish influence is still evident today in people and place names.

The establishment of the Florida East Coast Railroad in the late 1800s marked the beginning of an era of prosperity before a period of decline following the 1926 hurricane and the Great Depression of the 1930s.

But the Sunshine State’s beaches and canal network have lured visitors back, and today cruise industry organization CLIA ranks the city’s Port Everglades as the world’s third-busiest cruise port.

If you’re planning a visit, this is your chance to meet the residents and learn why they love their city and what you can see and do there.

Three things you can’t miss

Go to the beach

The city has many beaches, from Las Olas north of the cruise terminal to Denmark and Hollywood in the south.

Only have time for one? Make it Fort Lauderdale Beach, a five-kilometer strip lined with palm trees. Rent a kayak under the supervision of a lifeguard, or ride rental bikes along the adjacent trail.

Note the pedestrian tunnel that leads to Hugh Taylor Birch Park, popular with picnickers and roller skaters. Park Manager Shane Ziegler says, “This freshwater lake between the famous beach and the Intracoastal Waterway is a haven of tranquility.”

Boulevard Las Olas

Fort Lauderdale’s answer to Rodeo Drive, Las Olas Boulevard, extends four kilometers west of the coast, which is fitting since its name means “waves” in Spanish.

Take time to explore the city’s oldest surviving home, the historic Stranahan House Museum, and the New River Museum of Fine Art, which displays the work of established and emerging artists.

Graphic designer Isaiah Etienne says: “Las Olas Boulevard is known for its vibrant atmosphere, scenic canal views and charming streets, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.”

House Museum and Gardens Bonnet

Built in 1920 for the creative daughter and son-in-law of lawyer Frederick Bartlett, this plantation-style villa is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

General manager Patrick Schawloske says: “It was designed as a seaside retreat for artists, as well as a home. The studio is my favorite room. Yes, there is a marble fireplace, but you can still imagine Frederic at his easel, and the room is illuminated by light from a north-facing window.”

After browsing the collection, stroll through the estate looking for raccoons and monkeys in the woods and manatees near the water.

Three events for regular visitors

unusual

Why go to bars when you can hop into a bar? That’s the slogan for Cruisin’ Tikis, a floating tiki bar floating on the New River.

The bar, surrounded by a palm-fringed roof, features six bamboo stools and a wooden steering wheel in the style of a captain and pirate ship.

Bring drinks, throw on a floral shirt, and relax on a scenic stroll from the Historic Downtowner, a riverside terrace with live music, DJs, and trivia nights. Swim, watch dolphins, stingrays and turtles, or enjoy an evening charter with music.

Unique

Flamingo Gardens, a former orange grove, was founded in 1927 as a home to rare and native plant species such as champion trees, which can reach 40 meters in height.

Spanning over 25 hectares – the same size as the grounds of Hampton Court Palace in Surrey – there is plenty of space for pristine tropical deciduous forests, cacti and orchid gardens.

It also has a bird of prey center, a butterfly conservatory, and a sanctuary for injured wildlife like its namesake, as well as alligators, panthers, peacocks, and lynx.

Open

Trade your cruise ship for a smaller vessel to explore the city’s waterways.

Budget? Then take the free LauderGo water taxi! from the historic Stranahan House Museum on the north bank of the New River to the Tarpon River on the south bank.

If your cruise allows time in port after dusk, board Flamingo Yacht Charters. Monterey at sunset, you can see the pier, 1930s riverboats and houses along Millionaires’ Row, or relax under the full moon on the Venetian Las Olas Gondola.

Four activities for curious travelers

Individual researchers

Traveling alone? Then you will be able to spend as much time as you want at the NSU Art Museum. Founded in 1958 in a modernist building, the gallery specializes in 20th-century and contemporary art, especially black, Latino and women’s artists such as Frida Kahlo, Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman.

Don’t miss Jen Stark’s psychedelic mural Acidless (2011), which resembles paint dripping down the side of a building. After checking out the exhibits, linger in the 256-seat auditorium, café and shop, all within walking distance of Las Olas Boulevard and the waterfront.

Couples

Dress up for a date night at the Broward Performing Arts Center, where the bustling calendar is filled with everything from Broadway musicals and stand-up comedy to opera and classical ballet.

Recent shows include an Abba tribute, an orchestral performance accompanied by a 2023 animated film.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseand a performance by the great modern jazzman Herbie Hancock.

Come early for dinner at the riverside bistro, which serves a three-course prix fixe menu, then stay for post-show drinks at the bar with panoramic river views.

Teenagers

Your teens are sure to gain likes and followers on their social media after a day at Everglades Holiday Park, as the estate offers exciting airboat rides through the Florida Everglades.

As you zip past the cypress trees, keep your eyes peeled for the alligators. Isaiah Etienne recommends this experience for close-up encounters with a variety of animals, including baby Al the alligator. “In a private area of ​​the park,” he says, “you can enjoy personal interactions with wildlife and learn from experienced trainers in a relaxed environment.” You can also go canoeing or hiking in the area.

Multigenerational families

A Jack Sparrow replica with Marine arm tattoos can board a Bluefoot Pirate Adventures pirate ship to listen to legends, go on a treasure hunt and follow nautical charts to find landmarks.

People of all ages can chat with the captain and learn about the yachts off the coast. Isaiah adds: “Kids can enjoy face painting and learn pirate slang before setting sail. Fun includes finding a message in a bottle, searching for lost treasure and fighting Shell Bill with water cannons. Every young pirate leaves with a bag of treasure, a pirate certificate and unforgettable memories.”

Three places to eat

Budget

A Fort Lauderdale institution, Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant has been serving hot dogs and hamburgers to the Dania Beach area since 1956.

From the red and white striped awning and miniature carousel for three kids outside to the walls covered in license plates inside, it has everything you could want from a diner.

Order ice cream to share and it will be decorated with paper stars and stripes protruding from mounds of whipped cream topped with hundreds and thousands. The signature dessert comes complete and is served in the kitchen sink.

Intermediate level

Cap’s Place Island Restaurant, located on the shores of Lake Placid, is named after its first owner, Captain Theodore Knight.

Built in 1928, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt met here during World War II, and Al Capone, the Beatles’ George Harrison and Mariah Carey dined here.

Bamboo bars, net curtains and original paneling hung with curiosities found at sea make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Order the crab cakes, grouper soup or his signature dish, heart of palm salad.

Premium

The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside has been attracting the rich and famous since 1930, and its converted restaurant, The Surf Club, still attracts foodies today.

Pull up a stool at the gold-lit bar or sink into velvet banquettes in soft pinks and blues, adorned with beach murals that trick the eye.

Dine on signature dishes such as Maine Lobster Thermidor and Coconut Chiffon Pie prepared by multi-Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, winner of the Culinary Institute of America’s Chef of the Year award.

How to Travel Responsibly

As a cruise lover, your choices impact the areas you visit, so consider giving back with a meal at a nonprofit.

Chef Regina Silva raises funds for her community by inviting guests to dine under the stars at Regina’s farm, surrounded by roaming chickens and bunnies.

Take a tractor ride, chat with other guests and sip coffee or sugar cane while Regina serves you homemade Brazilian cheese bread, bacon corn soup and wood-fired flans from her home state of Minas Gerais.