Port Everglades cruise port
CruiseDayGuide/Port Everglades

Port Everglades Cruise Guide

Restaurants, activities, hotels, terminal tips, and boarding advice.

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Port
Restaurants
Hotels
Activities

Quick Pick

Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Port Everglades.

Want more options? Browse all restaurants and activities below.

1Where to Stay

Hotels near Port Everglades for the night before

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port

Half mile from port with free breakfast and pool — families love the location

$$
5 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port

Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port

Family suites with pool and on-site restaurant — reliable choice for families

$$
8 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port

Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port

Marriott property with pool, bistro, and daily port shuttle — solid family choice

$$
8 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Comfort Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport Cruise Port

Comfort Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport Cruise Port

Budget-friendly suites with free breakfast — good value for families

$
10 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Rodeway Inn & Suites Cruise Port

Rodeway Inn & Suites Cruise Port

Park, Stay & Cruise package with 10 days free parking — best deal for driving families

$
5 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale

Oceanfront luxury with complimentary port shuttle — start your vacation in style

$$$$
10 min driveDirections
Check Availability
Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

One block from the port with free breakfast — seriously convenient

$$
2 min driveDirections
Check Availability

2Where to Eat

Every restaurant worth eating at near Port Everglades

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour

Old-fashioned ice cream parlor with carnival vibes — burgers, dogs, and big sundaes

American
10 min from port$-$$Directions
Pirate Republic

Pirate Republic

Pirate-themed waterfront restaurant with seafood and a resident macaw

Seafood
12 min from port$$Directions
Lester's Diner

Lester's Diner

24-hour diner with huge portions — familiar food at family-friendly prices

Diner
7 min from port$Directions
Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Old Florida seafood spot famous for garlic crabs

Seafood
8 min from port$$Directions
Wine Garden

Wine Garden

Italian eatery with a tree-covered garden and s'mores by the firepit

Italian
15 min from port$$Directions
YOLO

YOLO

Las Olas hotspot with contemporary American fare and popular weekend brunch

New American
10 min from port$$$Directions
Louie Bossi's Ristorante

Louie Bossi's Ristorante

High-energy Italian with house-made pasta and wood-fired pizza on Las Olas

Italian
10 min from port$$$Directions
15th Street Fisheries

15th Street Fisheries

Waterfront seafood institution with yacht views and tarpon feeding

Seafood
8 min from port$$-$$$Directions
The New Lighthouse Cafe

The New Lighthouse Cafe

Charming breakfast spot with scratch-made dishes and serious coffee

American Breakfast
12 min from port$$Directions

3Things to Do

Things to do near Port Everglades before you board

Museum of Discovery and Science

Museum of Discovery and Science

Hands-on science exhibits and a massive IMAX theater — kids learn without realizing it

Families with curious kids who need to burn energy
12 min from port2-3 hours$30 adults, $24 kids (includes IMAX)Directions
Get Tickets →
BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

Interactive pirate cruise where kids hunt treasure and battle Barnacle Bill

Kids who love pirates, imaginative play, and adventure
15 min from port1.5 hours$30-35 per personDirections
Book Adventure →
Butterfly World

Butterfly World

20,000 live butterflies in a 3-acre paradise — the largest butterfly house in the US

Nature-loving families, kids who love animals
25 min from port1.5-2 hours$35 adults, $25 kids (3-11)Directions
Get Tickets →
Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Wide sandy beach with calm water and family-friendly amenities

Families wanting outdoor time, kids who need to run
12 min from port1-2 hoursFree (parking $2-3/hour)Directions
Find Tours →
Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens

60-acre wildlife sanctuary with flamingos, alligators, and a narrated tram ride

Families who love animals and outdoor exploration
25 min from port2-3 hours$24 adults, $15 kids (3-11)Directions
Get Tickets →
Las Olas Boulevard

Las Olas Boulevard

Shopping, food, and people-watching on Fort Lauderdale's main strip

Teens who want to shop, eat, or just walk around
10 min from port1-2 hoursFree to exploreDirections
Find Tours →
Everglades Airboat Ride

Everglades Airboat Ride

High-speed airboat through the Everglades — alligators, birds, and Florida wilderness

Adventure seekers, nature lovers, anyone wanting a thrill
30 min from port2-3 hours (including travel)$35-50 per personDirections
Browse Airboat Tours →
Sawgrass Mills Mall

Sawgrass Mills Mall

Massive outlet mall with 350 stores — serious shopping before the cruise

Shoppers, anyone needing cruise essentials, or just killing time
25 min from port2-3 hoursFree to enterDirections
Find Tours →
Water Taxi

Water Taxi

Hop-on-hop-off boat tour through the 'Venice of America' canal system

Couples wanting a scenic, relaxing way to see the city
Multiple stops throughout the city1-2 hours$35 all-day passDirections
Get Tickets →
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Historic estate with eclectic art and lush tropical gardens — a hidden gem

Art lovers, couples, nature enthusiasts
15 min from port1.5-2 hours$25 adultsDirections
Get Tickets →
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Vegas-style gaming and entertainment in a guitar-shaped tower

Adults wanting entertainment, gamblers, nightlife seekers
20 min from port2-3 hoursFree to enter (gaming costs vary)Directions
Find Tours →

4Getting to Your Ship

Terminal 2 (Princess Cruises)

Terminal 2 (Princess Cruises)

Drop-off: Terminal 2 is in the Northport area. Follow orange Heron signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), then drop off passengers at the terminal entrance before parking in Heron Garage.
Parking: Park in Heron Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge directly to Terminal 2. No reservations needed — pay when you return.
Terminal 4 (Disney Cruise Line)

Terminal 4 (Disney Cruise Line)

Drop-off: Terminal 4 is Disney's dedicated terminal in the Northport area. Follow orange Heron signs from any port entrance. Look for Disney signage and cast members ready to help. Drop off luggage curbside — Disney handles it from there.
Parking: Park in Heron Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. Short walk to Terminal 4. The garage has 1,800 spaces and serves both terminals 2 and 4.
Terminal 18 (Royal Caribbean)

Terminal 18 (Royal Caribbean)

Drop-off: Terminal 18 is Royal Caribbean's main terminal at Port Everglades. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), then drop off passengers before parking.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has 1,900+ spaces and serves terminals 18-29. Reasonable walk to Terminal 18. No reservations needed.
Terminal 19

Terminal 19

Drop-off: Terminal 19 is in the Midport area. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), then drop off passengers at the terminal entrance before parking.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has 1,900+ spaces and serves terminals 19-29. Short walk to Terminal 19.
Terminal 21 (Holland America Line)

Terminal 21 (Holland America Line)

Drop-off: Terminal 21 is Holland America Line's primary terminal in the Midport area. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), then drop off passengers before parking.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has 1,900+ spaces and serves terminals 19-29. Terminal 21 is a short walk from the garage.
Terminal 25 (Celebrity Cruises)

Terminal 25 (Celebrity Cruises)

Drop-off: Terminal 25 is Celebrity's premium terminal, redesigned and rebranded with an expansion including a larger luggage area and interactive LED signage. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has 1,900+ spaces and serves terminals 19-29. Convenient walk to Terminal 25.
Terminal 26

Terminal 26

Drop-off: Terminal 26 is in the Midport area. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), then drop off passengers at the terminal entrance before parking in Palm Garage.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. The garage has 1,900+ spaces and serves terminals 19-29. Reasonable walk to Terminal 26.

Terminal 29

Drop-off: Terminal 29 is in the Southport area — the furthest terminal from the main entrance. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance. Drop off luggage curbside with porters, then use the free shuttle from Palm Garage on cruise days.
Parking: Park in Palm Garage — $20/day for cars, $25/day for oversized vehicles. Important: A free shuttle runs between Palm Garage and Terminal 29 on cruise days due to the distance.

Passport & Documents

Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.

Need to apply? The nearest passport acceptance facility is the Cocoa Main Post Office (2000 State Road 524, Cocoa) — appointments recommended, call 321-632-7190.

Last-Minute Stops

Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.

Publix — Cape Canaveral

Groceries, snacks, water, sunscreen — closest grocery to the port

5645 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Directions

Walgreens — Cocoa Beach

Pharmacy, Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries

4150 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Directions

Walmart Supercenter — Merritt Island

Everything last-minute — cheapest sunscreen and snacks

1500 E Merritt Island Cswy, Merritt Island, FL 32952

Directions

USPS — Cocoa Beach

Post office — drop mail before you sail

500 N Brevard Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Directions

5Getting There & Parking

How to get to Port Everglades — from the airport and beyond

From Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)

Most cruisers flying in

Uber/Lyft: $15-22 depending on terminal. Taxi: ~$18-21 flat rate. Shared shuttle: $11-19 per person.

From Miami International Airport (MIA)

Cruisers who found significantly cheaper flights to MIA

Uber/Lyft: $40-60 depending on traffic. Taxi: ~$75-85.

Driving & Parking at the Port

Cruisers driving from Florida or nearby states

Port parking: $20/day cars, $25/day oversized vehicles. No reservations or pre-payment accepted.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Cruisers who want to bundle hotel + parking + transport

Usually included in park & cruise packages ($100-200 total for night + parking + shuttle)

Uber/Lyft from Anywhere

Flexibility and door-to-door service

From FLL: $15-22. From downtown: $10-15. From beach hotels: $8-12. From Miami area: $40-60.

Taxi

Cruisers who prefer fixed pricing over surge-based rideshare

FLL to port: ~$18-21 flat rate. Downtown to port: ~$15-20.

6What to Pack

The essentials you'll actually need — plus a few things most people forget

Carry-On Day Bag

Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm

  • Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
  • Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
  • Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
  • Sunscreen (reef-safe) — The pool deck sun is intense — apply before you even get on the shipAmazon
  • Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
  • Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
  • Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready

Cruise Essentials

Things that make the whole trip better

  • Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
  • Power strip (non-surge, cruise-approved) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. A cruise-approved strip lets you charge everything overnightAmazon
  • Packing cubes — Cabin drawers are small — cubes keep things organized in tight spacesAmazon
  • Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
  • Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
  • Night light — Cabins are pitch black. A small night light prevents midnight stubbed toesAmazon

Easy to Forget

The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop

  • Motion sickness remedy — Even experienced cruisers can get queasy on rough sea daysAmazon
  • Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
  • Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
  • Waterproof phone pouch — Pool photos, water slides, port excursions — protect your phoneAmazon
  • Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon

7Boarding Tips

1. Download the Royal Caribbean app and complete online check-in

You'll get your boarding group assignment and can set up your on-board spending account ahead of time. This alone can save you 30+ minutes at the terminal. Upload your photo for facial recognition boarding — it makes the security line faster.

2. Arrive at your assigned boarding time — not earlier

They've gotten strict about this. Showing up early means waiting in the terminal with no access to the ship. Your assigned time gets you on the ship fastest. If you have Crown & Anchor status, you may have priority boarding — check the app.

3. Pack a carry-on bag with swimsuits, meds, and essentials

Your checked luggage won't reach your cabin until 3-4pm. Pack a day bag with swimsuits, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and your phone charger so you can start enjoying the ship immediately.

4. Head straight to the pool deck or Windjammer for lunch

The main dining room is packed right after boarding. The Windjammer buffet and the pool deck grill have shorter lines, and you'll snag a good lounge chair while everyone else is still exploring.

5. Book specialty dining and shows on Day 1

Popular restaurants and shows fill up fast. Open the app as soon as you board and reserve your top picks. The chef's table and specialty dinner shows sell out first.

Download the Royal Caribbean app before you arrive — you'll need it for check-in, daily schedules, restaurant reservations, and as your digital key to your stateroom.

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