Directions to Ft. Lauderdale port

[waterbugohio]

Parents are sailing on the Radiance on 3/9. I will be in Ft. Lauderdale vacationing at the same time. I will have a rental car and will pick them up from the airport. How far is the pier and where can I get directions?? How about parking if I want to walk up to the ship with them.

 

Sorry if this is all on the RCI website, I have a really hard time getting on their website.

 

Also, is there anything to do near the port for a few hours. Plane lands at 8:45, what is the earliest they can board???

[BaumD]

Here is the link to the port:

http://www.porteverglades.org/directions-port-everglades.htm

 

The pier is only about 10 minutes from the airport

 

You may not be able to get to close to the ship. When you drop them off at the port check-in building, they will only let ticketed passengers in the building

[Sue L]

It is only about 10 minute ride.

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Port Everglades

1850 Eller Drive

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Port Everglades website

 

Directions:

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport:

Exit Airport and follow signs for US-1 North/ Port Everglades.

Exit leads into Eller Drive.

Follow the signs to your ships terminal.

 

 

they can board about 11 am or so, but YOU will not be allowed into the terminal

[waterbugohio]

Thanks for all the input.

 

So is there anything in the area to do within walking distance. What about eating places?

Is there short term parking? Will we be able to see the ship?? I will be taking my first cruise in November and this will be my first time seeing a ship up close. How near will I be able to get??

[OPSoccermom]

Port Everglades is a large commercial port. There are multiple cruise ships and commercial cargo ships berthed every day. Before you enter the port area, there are some restaurants, etc. that you might be able to grab something to eat at and some stores (Walgreens, etc.) that they could pick up some last minute items if need be. You have to go through a security gate to enter the port. I have cruised out of there a few times, but don't remember a short-term parking area for day visitors. As you reach the berth for your parents' ship, my guess is that the security guards there are going to tell you to unload your parents' things, say goodbye, and off you go. It is definitely not like the good old days where you see people all lined up at the pier waving you off.

 

If you have a few hours - your parents don't have to be onboard till afternoon - you could hit one of many wonderful restaurants in the beach area and give your parents a chance to unwind after their flight. I'd recommend the Ft Lauderdale port of call thread on these boards - they have a wealth of information from people who live in the area.

 

As far as getting to the pier from the airport, it is really close. You can actually see the ships form the airport. Just Mapquest it.

[Cruising89143]

Also, you and your parents will have to have proper ID to show security before being allowed in the port area. They also wanted to see our cruise documents in November.

[RADICALBURN]

Does anyone know if there is a place like in Miami. A Bayside market place or another pedris mall............................................RADICAL

[CHSCruizer]

What is the best way to get to the Carnival port parking in Ft.Lauderdale? Do you just get on Eller Drive, go to the port and look for the signs?:rolleyes:

[royalcruz]

What is the best way to get to the Carnival port parking in Ft.Lauderdale? Do you just get on Eller Drive, go to the port and look for the signs?:rolleyes:

Yup.

[royalcruz]

Does anyone know if there is a place like in Miami. A Bayside market place or another pedris mall............................................RADICAL

There is nothing like Bayside. Las Olas Blvd downtown is a great little neighborhood to stroll around. Beach Place is an outdoor mall but it just has casual restaurants, a CVS, a few kiosks, and beachy clothing shops.

 

Lester's Diner is near the port and airport (short driving distance) and is open 24hrs. Ships start check-in after 11 AM so this is a good place to go until late morning. If you don't have priority boarding you can get stuck in line outside at the terminal.

[Port Everglades Veteran]

Tip #1 - DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE NOON! There are tens of thousands of people coming off these ships and leaving the port in the morning and you will be swimming upstream at every turn!

 

Tip #2 - You can park in the nearby lots or garages at a reasonable hourly rate but you cannot go near the ship. A wave-off oppurtunity from behind a chain link fence is possible at every terminal except T #18 BUT your car must be legally parked in one of the garages or lots. The ships generally sail between 430 and 530.

[startwin]

Tip #1 - DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE NOON! There are tens of thousands of people coming off these ships and leaving the port in the morning and you will be swimming upstream at every turn!

 

Tip #2 - You can park in the nearby lots or garages at a reasonable hourly rate but you cannot go near the ship. A wave-off oppurtunity from behind a chain link fence is possible at every terminal except T #18 BUT your car must be legally parked in one of the garages or lots. The ships generally sail between 430 and 530.

 

#1 - We always arrive well before noon, and are usually onboard by then. It's very well organised.

[DanJ]

#1 - We always arrive well before noon, and are usually onboard by then. It's very well organised.

 

I agree. While we usually end up standing in line for a bit, we never find ourselves "swimming upstream" driving around the port after 1030am or so.

 

What is the best way to get to the Carnival port parking in Ft.Lauderdale? Do you just get on Eller Drive, go to the port and look for the signs?:rolleyes:

 

If you are looking to park for the cruise, the 2 lots outside the Eller gates (Park N Fly to the right and Park N Go to the left as approaching the port) are much cheaper than the port parking garage or lots. They also provide shuttles from your car to the luggage drop area at the terminals, while parking at the port entails you getting yourself to the terminal. If you do want to park inside the port, you will see signs just past security telling you which terminal each ship is at. Carnival is typically at 19 or 21, although that is subject to change. There is a parking lot at 19, which would be a left turn at the lights on Eller inside the gates. 21 is better served by the parking garage, which is on the left side of Eller, through the lights and around the curve.