Fort Lauderdale · Port Everglades · Boarding Tips
Provenance: 9 boarding tips · researched from public reviews and official sources
Follow your cruise line's current check-in documents, confirm your terminal at Port Everglades, keep required documents with you, and prepare for curbside bag drop.
Port Everglades has 8 cruise terminals, and your terminal decides your drop-off lane, your parking lot, and the check-in door you walk through. Start with yours, then use the cruise line tips below.
Flying in? Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is about 15-20 min away. Build that trip into your check-in window, not on top of it.
Drop-off: Northport area. Follow orange Heron signs. Drop luggage curbside with porters, then park.
Drop-off: Disney's terminal in Northport. Follow orange Heron signs to parking.
Drop-off: Royal Caribbean's main terminal. Follow green Palm signs from port entrance.
Drop-off: Midport area. Follow green Palm signs. Porter service available curbside.
Drop-off: Midport terminal used mainly by Princess Cruises. Follow green Palm signs.
Drop-off: Celebrity's premium terminal with The Retreat lounge. Follow green Palm signs.
Drop-off: Midport terminal. Follow green Palm signs from any port entrance.
Drop-off: Southport terminal with 80,000 sq ft, 50 check-in stations. Follow green Palm signs.
These are the lines with ships in our Port Everglades catalog. Check-in windows are set by the line, not the port.
Princess check-in typically runs through the Princess app (MedallionClass), where you complete your documents and select an arrival window ahead of the sailing. Finishing everything early typically puts you in the faster walk-through lane at the pier.
Royal Caribbean online check-in typically opens about 45 days before sailing, and you select your arrival time in the Royal Caribbean app as part of it. Earlier arrival slots typically fill first, so checking in the day it opens gives you the most choice.
Holland America assigns every guest a terminal check-in time, typically about 14 days before sailing, and shows it in the Navigator app. Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before that time.
Celebrity online check-in typically opens about 45 days before sailing in the Celebrity app, and you pick an arrival time as part of completing it. Earlier arrival times typically go first, so check in as soon as it opens if you want to board early.
Disney Cruise Line online check-in typically opens 30 days before sailing for first-time guests, and earlier for Castaway Club members depending on tier. Your Port Arrival Time is chosen during online check-in, and Disney typically asks guests to arrive within that window.
We have no check-in norm we can state confidently for Viking Ocean Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Silversea Cruises — follow the instructions those lines send you.
Windows and opening dates vary by ship, by the port you sail from, and by your status in the cruise line's loyalty program, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.
Bring the original documents your cruise line requires for your itinerary, plus your boarding pass. Keep them in your carry-on, not in a bag you hand to a porter.
Keep medication, valuables, charging cables and anything you will need straight away in your carry-on. Cabin access and checked-bag delivery times vary.
Once aboard, follow the crew’s instructions for the safety briefing and muster-station check-in before you settle in.
Use the Royal Caribbean app or website to complete check-in when it opens for your booking. Save your boarding pass and note your assigned arrival time.
If you use curbside porters and want to tip, our suggested cash budget is $2-3 per bag. Keep your travel documents, medication and valuables in the bag you carry aboard.
Download the Royal Caribbean app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
Check your booking for online check-in dates and your arrival window. Save your boarding pass and check the All Aboard Time in your guest documents.
Download the Celebrity Cruises app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
Complete online check-in through your Carnival booking. Note your Arrival Appointment and the Final Boarding time on your boarding pass. Print luggage tags and attach them as Carnival directs.
The Carnival HUB app works on the ship’s Wi-Fi without an internet plan for its included features; group chat costs extra. Cellular service at sea can incur maritime roaming charges. Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled if you do not want cellular roaming, and check your carrier’s terms.
Download the Carnival HUB app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.
Open your cruise line’s booking page to check in, confirm your required documents and find your terminal arrival instructions. Check the deadline for your own sailing.
Download the app recommended in your cruise line’s booking confirmation before you travel.
Restaurants, activities, hotels, terminal tips, parking, packing lists, and boarding advice — all in one page.
View Full GuideWe sail from Port Everglades. You can watch our ship leave on live cameras at the port.
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