Ft. Lauderdale is a major departure port for Caribbean sailings, with Port Everglades about 15 minutes from FLL and Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity home porting there, concentrated from fall through spring.
Fort Lauderdale sits along Florida's southeastern coast, where an extensive network of inland waterways has earned it the nickname "Venice of America." Beyond Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise embarkation points in the world, the city offers a walkable downtown, the shops and cafés of Las Olas Boulevard, and a broad public beach lined with palms. Its canals once supported a modest trading post that grew into a major yachting and boating hub.
The port's location makes it a practical starting or ending point for a cruise, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport just a short drive away, easing transfers before or after a voyage. Travelers with extra time can explore the nearby Everglades on an airboat excursion or head south to Miami's Art Deco district, making Fort Lauderdale both a comfortable arrival city and a worthwhile stop in its own right.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Ft. Lauderdale.
Cruise the Canals by Water Taxi
Hop the water taxi along the Intracoastal to see waterfront mansions and yachts that give the city its 'Venice of America' name; a single loop runs about 90 minutes and stops near Las Olas.
Stroll Las Olas Boulevard
Walk this palm-lined strip of boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafés just minutes from downtown; an easy way to fill a couple of hours before or after sailing.
Relax on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Settle onto the wide public beach along the paved promenade for a swim or a walk; it's a short taxi ride from Port Everglades, ideal for a pre-flight morning.
