
Everglades Tours from Fort Lauderdale
Here’s what you need to know about exploring this vast, wet, and wild “river of grass” on a tour from Fort Lauderdale.
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the home port for many Caribbean and Atlantic cruises, one which welcomes over four million passengers each year. One of the largest and busiest cargo and container docks in the US, it’s also the jumping-off point for visits to some of South Florida’s best beaches and the so-called “Venice of America.”
Known for its miles of sandy shores and waterways that landed it the title of the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is a sunny destination popular with families thanks to attractions such as Butterfly World. Head straight to the beaches; take to the water for dolphin-spotting boat rides, cocktail cruises, or water sports lessons; or tour the city by boat, Segway, or on foot.
Shore excursions to glitzy Miami and the Everglades National Park are also popular options for first-time visitors or those short on time. With so much to see and do, staying a few days on either side of your cruise is recommended.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is 4 miles (7 kilometers) north of Port Everglades and taxis are plentiful at the dock. Some hotels provide complimentary pickup and drop-off services, while select cruise lines offer shuttles to and from the nearby airports.
Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, so allow yourself plenty of time before your ship’s departure. The currency is the US dollar and the main language is English, although you may also hear Spanish and French Creole.