Despite the name, airboats are not required to reach Port Everglades. The top-tier cruise port sits on the Atlantic in Fort Lauderdale, about three miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Brightline high-speed trains connect Fort Lauderdale with Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, with a taxi or rideshare completing the trip to the terminal. Hotels, restaurants, and shops cluster around nearby 17th Street, making forgotten sunscreen or an extra pre-cruise night relatively easy to manage.

If your schedule leaves time to explore, follow the 17th Street Causeway toward the Intracoastal Waterway. Marinas, waterfront restaurants, and passing yachts provide an appropriate introduction to this part of South Florida. Settle in for peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked fish dip, or a grilled grouper sandwich while boats navigate the canals outside.

For more time in the sun, head to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park beside the Port Everglades inlet. The park offers an undeveloped Atlantic beach, fishing, swimming, and views of cruise ships heading out to sea. Whiskey Creek winds through the park’s coastal habitat, providing a sheltered route for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, and the city’s waterways are also within easy reach for guests arriving early or extending their stay. Just remember that Port Everglades is a secure working seaport, so taxis and rideshares are the practical way to move between the cruise terminal and surrounding attractions.

Port Everglades keeps the transition refreshingly simple. Travel day clocks out, and your Escape with EFFY Caribbean charter cruise takes over. Read more about what to do in the surrounding area in our Explore Fort Lauderdale spotlight.