PORT EVERGLADES GUIDE
Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port & Terminals Guide
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is one of the busiest and most important cruise ports in the United States.
Millions of passengers sail from here each year, with major lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and others using the port as a home or embarkation point.
This guide provides practical, up-to-date information for cruise passengers, including terminal layouts, how to get to and from the port, embarkation and disembarkation tips, parking overview, and nearby transport options.
Our focus is on real cruise-day logistics and preparation rather than hotel marketing or general tourism.
For accommodation before or after your cruise, see our seperate guides on where to stay in Fort Lauderdale and hotels offering shuttle service to Port Everglades.
Port Everglades in Florida
Overview of Port Everglades
Port Everglades is a deep-water port located on Florida’s southeastern coast in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach. It’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world and a major gateway to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and beyond.
The port is also used for cargo operations, but the cruise terminals are located in clearly designated areas designed for passenger embarkation and disembarkation with efficient access roads, parking, taxis, ride-shares, and shuttle services.
Cruise Terminals & Cruise Lines
Port Everglades is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports and serves multiple major cruise lines across several modern terminals. Unlike some ports where terminals are clustered together, Port Everglades is spread across different sections, which makes knowing your assigned terminal especially important on embarkation day.
Terminal assignments can vary by sailing date and ship, so passengers should always confirm their departure terminal with their cruise line shortly before arrival.
Below is an overview of the main cruise terminals at Port Everglades and the cruise lines they typically serve.
Cruise Terminals at Port Everglades:
- Terminal 2 – Princess Cruises (Carnival Corporation)
- Terminal 4 – Disney Cruise Line (distinctive “Finding Nemo”–themed terminal)
- Terminal 18 – Royal Caribbean International (serves the largest cruise ships in the world)
- Terminal 19 – Holland America Line
- Terminal 21 – Carnival Cruise Line (also used by Holland America and Princess on select sailings)
- Terminal 25 – Celebrity Cruises
- Terminal 26 – Holland America Line
- Terminal 29 – Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean
Practical Terminal Tips for Cruise Passengers
Terminal locations matter
Port Everglades terminals are spread across different port sections. Travel time within the port can vary, so following port signage once inside is more reliable than relying on GPS alone.
Arrival flow is similar, layout is not
Most terminals follow the same process; curbside drop-off, luggage handling, security screening, check-in, and waiting areas. But the size, parking proximity, and traffic flow differ by terminal.
Larger ships mean busier terminals
Terminals serving the largest ships (such as Terminal 18) can feel noticeably busier during peak embarkation windows. Arriving earlier in the day often results in a smoother experience.
Parking and drop-off vary by terminal
Each terminal has designated drop-off lanes and nearby parking garages or surface lots. Parking availability and walking distances differ, so checking your terminal in advance helps avoid last-minute confusion.
Official Port Everglades Terminal Map
For the most up-to-date terminal layouts, access roads, and parking locations, consult the official Port Everglades cruise terminal map provided by Broward County.
👉 View the official Port Everglades cruise terminal map (PDF)
Getting to Port Everglades
Port Everglades is located just south of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, between Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and the coastline. The port is well connected to major highways and is generally easy to reach by car, taxi, or ride-share.
Driving to Port Everglades
If you’re driving yourself or being dropped off, use the official port address for navigation:
Port Everglades
1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Clearly marked road signs guide vehicles to the correct terminal once you approach the port. The main access route is via Interstate I-595 East, which leads directly to the port entrance.
Practical tip:
Once inside the port, follow overhead terminal signage rather than GPS instructions. Terminals are spread out, and GPS directions can be less reliable within port grounds.
From Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is the closest airport to Port Everglades.
- Distance: approx. 3 miles (5 km)
- Typical travel time: 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic
Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are readily available at the airport. For most cruise passengers, ride-share services offer the best balance of speed and convenience.
From Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport is located south of Fort Lauderdale.
- Distance: approx. 30 miles (48 km)
- Typical travel time: 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic
Most travelers use I-95 North followed by I-595 East to reach Port Everglades. Traffic can be heavy during weekday rush hours and on peak cruise weekends.
Taxi, Uber & Lyft
Taxi and ride-share services are widely used for travel to Port Everglades.
- Pricing varies based on distance, time of day, and demand
- Ride-share services are charged per vehicle, making them cost-effective for couples or small groups
- Surge pricing may occur on busy embarkation mornings
For most cruise passengers, Uber or Lyft is the most flexible and predictable option.
Cruise Line Transfers
Many cruise lines offer airport-to-port transfer services on embarkation day.
- Must be booked in advance through the cruise line
- Usually charged per person
- Operate only on embarkation or disembarkation day
While convenient, cruise line transfers are often more expensive than taxis or ride-shares, especially for families or groups.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is available in Fort Lauderdale, but it is not ideal for cruise passengers with luggage.
Reaching Port Everglades by bus typically requires multiple transfers and additional walking. Public transit is best suited for light luggage or budget-focused travelers familiar with the area.
From our experience
We’ve reached Port Everglades using different transport options across multiple cruises. Arrivals early in the morning tend to be smooth, while traffic can build quickly mid-morning, especially on weekends when several ships embark at the same time.
Allowing extra buffer time, particularly if traveling from Miami or during peak cruise season, makes embarkation noticeably less stressful.
Transportation on Cruise Day
On embarkation day, most cruise passengers reach Port Everglades by taxi, ride-share, or cruise line transfer. The port is compact but busy, and traffic patterns can change quickly depending on sailing schedules.
Taxi, Uber & Lyft
Taxis and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are the most commonly used transport options on cruise day.
- Available throughout Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach
- Charged per vehicle, making them cost-effective for couples and small groups
- Drop-off takes place directly at your assigned cruise terminal
Good to know:
Ride-share pricing can increase during peak embarkation windows, especially mid-morning on weekends. Leaving earlier than your check-in window often results in a smoother arrival.
Cruise Line Transfers
Most major cruise lines offer airport-to-port transfer services on embarkation day.
- Must be booked in advance through the cruise line
- Charged per person
- Coordinated with ship departure times
These transfers are convenient for first-time cruisers but are usually more expensive than taxis or ride-shares, particularly for families.
Hotel Shuttles
Some hotels offer shuttle service to Port Everglades, either included or for a small fee.
- Typically operate on fixed schedules
- Seats may be limited
- Often require advance sign-up at the front desk
Shuttle services can work well for budget-focused travelers but offer less flexibility than taxis or Uber, especially if your embarkation time changes.
Timing Tip
Port Everglades handles multiple large ships on the same day. Early mornings are typically reserved for disembarkation (around 7:00–9:30 a.m.), while new cruise passengers usually begin arriving from late morning onward.
The busiest traffic period often occurs between approximately 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., when departing passengers, arriving guests, taxis, shuttles, and cruise staff overlap.
Arriving earlier than your assigned check-in window or allowing extra buffer time can make embarkation noticeably smoother.
Port Everglades Parking (Overview)
Port Everglades offers official on-site parking for cruise passengers, with garages and surface lots located near the cruise terminals.
Official Cruise Parking
Parking facilities are operated by Broward County and are located inside the secure port area.
- Daily rate: typically around $25 per day
- Charged per calendar day, not per 24-hour period
- No reservations required
- Credit cards accepted
Parking areas are divided between Northport and Midport, depending on your cruise terminal.
Where You’ll Park
- Northport Parking Garage – serves Terminals 1, 2, and 4
- Midport Parking Garages & Surface Lots – serve Terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29
Walking distances vary by terminal. Some garages are directly adjacent, while others require a short walk.
Accessibility & Security
- Designated accessible parking spaces are available
- Elevators and crosswalks connect parking areas to terminals
- Parking facilities are within the secured port perimeter
Alternative: Hotel Cruise Parking
Many cruise passengers choose hotel-based cruise parking instead of port parking.
- Often includes parking for the duration of the cruise with a one-night stay
- Can be more cost-effective for 7-night or longer cruises
- Requires advance booking and confirmation
👉 We cover these options in detail in our dedicated guide to Miami & Fort Lauderdale hotels with cruise parking
From our experience
Parking at Port Everglades is straightforward and well organized, but costs add up quickly on longer cruises. For short sailings, port parking is convenient. For longer itineraries, hotel cruise parking often provides better value, as long as details are confirmed in advance.
Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.
