You're standing in the middle of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), luggage in hand, and you can practically see the giant white smokestacks of a cruise ship peeking over the horizon. It looks so close you could walk, right? Honestly, don’t.
The biggest mistake travelers make when looking for where is the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale FL is assuming it’s just one simple building with a "Cruise Ship This Way" sign. In reality, Port Everglades—the actual name of the port—is a massive 2,190-acre beast of a complex that straddles three different cities: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Dania Beach.
If you just type "Port Everglades" into your GPS, you might end up at a cargo crane or a security gate three miles away from your ship. That’s a stress level nobody needs before a vacation.
The Physical Location and How to Actually Get Inside
Basically, the port is tucked right between the airport and the Atlantic Ocean. It has three main entrances, and which one you use depends entirely on where you’re coming from and how you’re getting there.
The main administrative address is 1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, but that’s just a general landmark.
The Three Gates
- The North Entrance (17th Street): This is the one you’ll likely use if you’re staying at a hotel on the "strip" or coming from downtown. It’s located at Eisenhower Boulevard.
- The Midport Entrance (State Road 84): Found just off U.S. 1 at Spangler Boulevard. It’s usually the quickest way if you’re driving in from further north or south on Federal Highway.
- The South Entrance (I-595): This is the "expressway entrance." If you’re coming straight from the airport or taking the highway, you’ll likely hit this gate at Eller Drive.
Once you hit any of these gates, you’re going to run into a security checkpoint. Have your ID and cruise documents ready. They don’t mess around here. Every adult (18+) needs a government-issued photo ID—usually a driver's license or passport—to even get past the gate.
Finding Your Specific Terminal (Because One Size Does Not Fit All)
There are eight active cruise terminals at Port Everglades. They aren't all lined up in a row like a shopping mall. They are spread out into "Northport" and "Midport."
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Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 are in the Northport area. Terminal 2 is the home of Princess Cruises, while Terminal 4 is the dedicated home for Disney Cruise Line. If you’re looking for the Finding Nemo themed terminal, that’s Terminal 4. It’s hard to miss.
The rest—Terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29—are in the Midport area.
Terminal 18 is famous for being huge because it was built specifically to handle the Oasis-class ships from Royal Caribbean. If you're on one of those floating cities, you're almost certainly going to Terminal 18. Terminal 25 is the high-tech, futuristic home for Celebrity Cruises, specifically the Edge-class ships like the Celebrity Beyond or Celebrity Xcel.
Terminal Cheat Sheet for 2026:
- Princess Cruises: Mostly Terminal 2.
- Disney Cruise Line: Exclusively Terminal 4.
- Royal Caribbean: Often Terminal 18 (but check your docs).
- Celebrity Cruises: Usually Terminal 25.
- Holland America Line: Frequently Terminal 26 or 21.
Seriously, check your e-boarding pass. Terminal assignments can change overnight based on ship schedules or maintenance.
The Airport-to-Port Dash
The proximity of FLL to the cruise port is world-famous. It’s about three miles. In a perfect world, that’s a 10-minute drive. In South Florida traffic? Give it 20.
If you're flying into Miami International (MIA) instead, you're looking at a 45-minute to an hour-long trek depending on how much the I-95 gods hate you that day.
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For transportation from FLL, you've basically got four choices. Taxis are the old-school reliable option, usually costing around $18–$21. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous, but the "priority pickup" at the airport can get pricey during peak cruise windows.
Then there are the hotel shuttles. Some hotels near the port, like the Rodeway Inn & Suites, offer "Park and Cruise" packages where you can leave your car and they’ll van you over. Honestly, if you can find a hotel with a free shuttle, take it. Just know that on "Cruise Days" (usually Saturdays and Sundays), those shuttles fill up fast.
Parking: The $20 Question
If you're driving your own car, you're going to pay. As of 2026, the standard daily rate for parking at Port Everglades is $20 per day. If you have an oversized vehicle like an RV or a big van, expect to pay $25.
There are two main garages:
- Heron Garage: Services Terminals 2 and 4.
- Palm Garage: Services Terminals 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29.
Terminal 18 has its own dedicated surface lots (Lot C) because the ship is so large that a garage just wouldn't handle the volume of people.
Pro tip: Drop your luggage and your family at the terminal curb first. Then go park the car. Dragging three suitcases and a grumpy toddler across a hot asphalt parking lot is a terrible way to start a vacation.
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What’s Nearby if You’re Early?
If you get to the port at 10:00 AM but your boarding time isn't until 1:30 PM, don't just sit on your suitcase.
The Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel is actually located right on port property now, which is a game-changer for people who want to wake up and see their ship out the window. If you want to head off-property, 17th Street is lined with shops, restaurants, and a Total Wine where you can pick up your "allotted" bottles of wine to carry on (check your cruise line's policy first!).
The 17th Street bridge also offers one of the best views of the port. If you’re a ship-spotter, it’s the place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
Misconceptions and Nuances
A lot of people confuse Port Everglades with PortMiami. They are not the same. They are about 30 miles apart. If you tell an Uber driver "Take me to the port," and you don't specify, you might end up in the wrong city.
Also, the port is a "green" port. You'll notice a lot of shore power stations and wildlife preservation efforts. It's actually a pretty cool feat of engineering how they manage to fit all those massive ships into such a tight inlet.
Your Pre-Cruise Action Plan
To make sure your arrival is smooth, follow these steps:
- Download the App: Most cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess) have apps that will update your terminal number in real-time.
- Print the Tags: Put your luggage tags on before you leave the house or hotel. It saves five minutes of fumbling at the curb.
- ID at the Ready: Keep your passport or birth certificate and your driver's license in your "personal item" bag. Do not pack them in the luggage you hand over to the porters. You will need them to get past the gate and into the building.
- Entry Strategy: Use the I-595 entrance if you are coming from the airport. Use the 17th Street entrance if you are coming from a hotel or the beach.
The cruise port in Fort Lauderdale is incredibly efficient, but its sheer size is what trips people up. Just remember: it’s Port Everglades, check your terminal number, and have your ID ready. Do that, and you'll be on the Lido deck with a drink in your hand before you know it.
Next Steps for Your Trip
Check your cruise line’s specific boarding pass for the most current terminal assignment. If you're driving, verify the gate hours—most open at 6:00 AM, but you won't be able to drop bags until at least 9:30 or 10:00 AM. For those flying into FLL, look for the "Ground Transportation" signs at baggage claim to find the taxi and rideshare zones.