Exploring the Port City: Beyond the 23 miles of Blue Wave beaches (among the country's cleanest and safest) and 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, the no. 1 attraction for families is Wannado City, America's first indoor role-playing park. At this 140,000 square foot park, children can pretend to take on any of hundreds of careers, such as a TV reporter, hairdresser or dentist, by donning costumes and using props. For example, they not only can don firefighters' uniforms, but they can also ride in kid-sized fire trucks driven by adults.
Another family attraction is the Museum of Discovery & Science and IMAX Theater. And at Butterfly World, which claims to be the world's largest butterfly park and was the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere guests can walk among thousands of butterflies that flit and flutter around them.
Fishing is world-class in Fort Lauderdale and is available via charter or party boats. The sport is even honored with its own museum, the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, where visitors can see a huge blue fin tuna and a white shark.
Cruise ship passengers also can wander along Riverwalk, located beside the New River Downtown, and perhaps catch a performance at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Another attraction is the Museum of Art, which exhibits the works of world renowned artists and which recently hosted the King Tut exhibit.
Shoppers looking for high fashion can stroll down Las Olas Boulevard and perhaps dine at an outdoor cafe, while bargain hunters can head to Sawgrass Mills, home to 350 stores, including some factory outlets. Sawgrass Mills recently opened The Colonnade Outlets section hosting names such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade and Burberry.
And to see the unique Everglades nearby, guests can enjoy airboat rides via Loxahatchee Everglades Tours.
Port Everglades
Florida's Port Everglades Boasts 11 Cruise Terminals And Hosts Myriad Ships Each Year
Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades is a major cruise port, known for its convention center, dozens of hotels, miles of famous beaches, and proximity to the airport. The port has 11 cruise terminals and plans to open a 12th in 2008. At times, Port Everglades berths 12 ships at once.
Port Everglades boasts more air-conditioned waiting areas, baggage space and terminals than any other port. Its location in South Florida provides ships with easy access to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal and South America.
Port Everglades has a long history. It is situated on Lake Mabel, which was connected to the Atlantic Ocean in 1928 and the port began serving cruise ships in 1931. Since then, 50 million cruise passengers have passed through the port.
Home Base: Two, three, five, seven and 11 day cruises, primarily to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, are available from practically every major cruise line and many niche operators. Some operate from Port Everglades year-round, while others head to Alaska or Europe during the summer, via the Panama Canal or transatlantic routes.
Calling at or seasonally sailing from Port Everglades are ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruise Line, Holland America, Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silversea Cruises.
Getting There: The port complex is located adjacent to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (less than two miles away) - a five minute taxi ride. Additionally, the possibility of constructing an automated people mover that will connect the port and the airport is being studied.
Passengers who buy air-sea packages usually receive ground transportation from the cruise line. Those booked at pre-cruise hotels often receive shuttle transportation from the hotel.
Guests driving to the port can take Florida's Turnpike
or I-95 to I-595 eastbound, and then follow the large green signs to the port and specific signs denoting which ships are docked at which terminals.
Designated parking garages for specific terminals are illuminated and patrolled by security personnel. Passengers sailing from Terminals 18 and 29 receive complimentary shuttles to the ships. Short term parking fees begin at $2 per hour, increasing to a maximum of $12 daily. Parking for disabled passengers is available.
Early Arrivals: The port itself looks very industrial and offers few onsite attractions. However, a small park offers benches and picnic tables. And while passengers may spot adorable manatees during the winter, they must not feed them.
In early October, the port added snack shops, called the Jerk Machine, to all of its terminals except Terminal 29; although on busy days, the Jerk Machine will sell food from a cart in this terminal. The snack bars offers everything from candy bars, pastries and hot dogs to Jamaican favorites such as jerk chicken, rice and peas and even curry goat. The snack bars do not offer seating, but cruise passengers can buy food and eat in the terminal waiting areas. However, seating might be added in terminals with enough space.
Nearby is the 1950's style Lester's Diner dishing up home-style goodies such as meat loaf and apple turnovers at yesterday's prices. Lester's is open 24/7, although most ships provide lunchtime spreads for arriving passengers.
Dozens of U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels call at Port Everglades, a favorite of troops for rest and relaxation. Port Everglades hosts an annual Fleet Week during the first week in May. Former naval types might enjoy seeing the behemoths if their cruises coincide.
With a few hours to spare, guests might take advantage of Fort Lauderdale's water taxi. One fee provides on and off privileges, with access to numerous eateries and sights, including a stop on 17th Street Causeway near the port.
Those with a bit more time can take a three-hour cruise aboard the Jungle Queen along the New River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The ride takes passengers along canals to peek at the $7 million mansions and outrageous yachts of some of Fort Lauderdale's industrial giants and celebrities who spend a few winter months here. The boat stops for an island sight-seeing experience of caged tropical birds and monkeys, plus alligator wrestling.
This emphasis on watery transportation is only natural in a city that claims that one-tenth of its surface is water. Composed of many islands connected by 300 miles of waterways, it has frequently been dubbed the Venice of America.
Port Everglades Information:
www.broward.org/port
