FORT LAUDERDALE - FLORIDA - USA
PORT INFORMATION
photo courtesy Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
Fort Lauderdale is Florida's fastest growing, most diverse and dynamic vacation and business travel destination.
Apart from the 300 miles of navigable inland waterways, earning Greater Fort Lauderdale its reputation as the "Venice of America", Fort Lauderdale also offers its visitors a wealth of museums, wildlife from butterflies and alligators, natural wonders, sports, dining, entertainment, shopping and more ...
Brief History of Fort Lauderdale
Founded by Major William Lauderdale during the Seminole War of 1837-1838, Fort Lauderdale began to grow from the very first days and Port Everglades was initially established for local farmers to ship their produce. The town of Fort Lauderdale really flourished during the land boom of the 1920s and a need for a more more efficient port began to emerge. In 1927, an artificial harbor was created out of 1440 acres and the growth of Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale was set in motion.
Today, Port Everglades is the deepest harbor south of Norfolk, Virginia (MAKE LINK) and is the third-busiest cruise port in the world, processing more than three and a half million cruise passengers every year.
By 2011, Port Everglades is expected to become the world's top cruise port.
Cruise Terminals in Fort Lauderdale
Port Everglades, the deepest harbor south of Norfolk, Virginia (MAKE LINK) is the third-busiest cruise port in the world, processing more than three and a half million cruise passengers every year.
All of the cruise terminals are located in Northport at the north end of Port Everglades (Cruise Terminals 1, 2 and 4) and in Midport at the midsection of the port. (Cruise Terminals 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, and 29).
Port Everglades is a mere 12 minutes from Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport and only 30 minutes from Miami International Airport.
Northport Cruise Terminals
Built in 1958, Terminal 1 is primarily used by Discovery Cruise LIne and features the usual cruise terminal facilities. Long-term parking is available at the Northport parking garage.
Built in 1958 Terminal 2 is primarily used by Princess Cruises and features among the usual facilities the unique collage of neon and fibre optics by artist Toby Archer. Long-term parking is available at the Northport parking garage.
Built in 1987, Terminal 4 is primarily used by MSC Cruises and features the usual facilities. Long-term parking is available at the Northport parking garage.
Midport Cruise Terminals
Opened in November 2009 in time for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International's 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ships, Terminal 18 is now the largest cruise terminal in the world built to serve a single ship. Terminal 18 is primarily used by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Parking is available at the terminal and at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 1966, Terminal 19, later renovations include large Caribbean-themed murals by artist Mimi Botcheller. The primary user of Terminal 19 is Carnival Cruise Line. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 1967, Terminal 21 has enjoyed radical renovations including works carried out in a $9 million project in 2000. New features include a 32 feet high sculpture called “Fata Morgana” by artists Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schecter of a mid-twentieth century ocean liner and its reflection on the sea. Primary user of Terminal 21 are Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 1968, but extensively renovated since then, Terminal 22 features the usual cruise terminal facilities. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Also built in 1968, but extensively renovated since then, Terminal 24 features the usual facilities. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 1992, Terminal 25 was designed as a mirror image of award-winning Terminal 26 complete with the same open, light and airy spaces and panoramic view of Intracoastal Waterway and cruise ship operations. Primarily used by Royal Caribbean International, the terminal also features "Dockside", by artist Kyle Barnette – a large scale artwork featuring images of the Fort Lauderdale, foreign ports of call, and daily operations at the Port. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 1988, Terminal 26 is primarily used by Holland America Line and features open, light and airy spaces with panoramic views of Intracoastal Waterway and cruise ship operations. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Built in 2002, and extensively renovated in an $8 million project, Terminal 29 features among the usual facilities two floors of window views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Long-term parking is available at the Midport parking garage.
Cruise Lines using Fort Lauderdale Cruise Terminal as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
More than 10 major cruise lines use Fort Lauderdale / Port Everglades to start and end their cruises. These include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises offering cruises to the major cruise destination in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Panama Canal, Europe and South America.Must See Attractions in Fort Lauderdale
Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District: About 15 minutes from the cruise terminals, the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to cultural attractions, galleries, shops, parks and restaurants and is well worth a visit to stroll about and enjoy the mood.
Las Olas Boulevard: Another area worth taking the time to stroll around, and even closer to the cruise terminals, Las Olas Boulevard with its brick walkways and narrow alleyways offers more than a hundred shopping and dining opportunities, sidewalk cafés, art galleries and antique stores.
The Museum of Discovery and Science: Less than 10 minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal, The Museum of Discovery and Science featuring the Blockbuster 3D IMAX Theater, entices children of all ages explore science, space, and the environment. It is the most visited museum in Florida.
Museum of Art: Located in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale across from Huizenga Plaza and the New River, The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale offers a wide range of exhibits and more than six thousand works of art. It is one of South Florida’s leading cultural attractions and has hosted more than one million visitors since 2003.
Butterfly World: 30 minutes north of Port Everglades, Tradewinds Park Butterfly World features a specially designed, screened enclosure that lets thousands of butterflies fly free in their native habitats. A hummingbird exhibit and a hatchery complete this unique "world."
Other attractions in Fort Lauderdale include the Bonnet House Museum and Tropical Gardens, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Buehler Planetarium and Observatory, Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Old Dillard Museum, Seminole Oaklee Indian Village and Stranahan House.
