Best Fort Lauderdale hotels near the cruise port

In:
21 Mar 2023

Planning a cruise from Fort Lauderdale? If so, you’ll need to book a hotel in the city the night before your cruise begins, and we’re sharing our top recommendations.

Fort Lauderdale at night

Port Everglades—Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port—is one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States. Nearly 4 million passengers sail from the port each year, the majority of whom cruise to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean.

Regardless of where your cruise visits, it’s important to allocate enough time to reach the cruise port before embarkation day. We always recommend arriving in Fort Lauderdale the day before your cruise begins, as this gives extra wiggle room in the case of any unexpected travel delays.

Related: Guide to cruises from Fort Lauderdale

Arriving a day early means booking a hotel near the cruise port. Luckily, Port Everglades is located just a few minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s main attractions, from Dania Beach to Las Olas Boulevard.

Here’s our list of the best hotels near Fort Lauderdale to book before your cruise.

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale before your cruise

Near the airport/Dania Beach

If your flight arrives anytime after 7PM the day before your cruise, we recommend staying near the airport. Although there are many activities and sights to see in Fort Lauderdale, arriving late means you just need a place to sleep, shower, and change before your cruise begins.

Luckily, there is an extensive selection of hotels to choose from near the airport. We recommend staying in the Dania Beach neighborhood, which is located near the airport and cruise port.

Many hotels in Dania Beach are situated along Dania Pointe, an outdoor shopping plaza with restaurants, bars, retail stores, and a movie theater. Due to its location and the variety of dining and shopping to enjoy near your hotel, Dania Beach is a great choice for a pre-cruise stay near the airport.

Las Olas

Las Olas is the downtown district of Fort Lauderdale. It’s an exciting place to spend the night before your cruise, as it’s lined with restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shopping.

The neighborhood is situated along Las Olas Boulevard, a major thoroughfare street which runs from downtown to the beach. The walkability of this neighborhood makes it an excellent place to spend the night before your cruise, as you can enjoy dining and entertainment options close to your hotel.

Not only that, but Las Olas Boulevard is near Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk, a district with ten parks and a walking path adjacent to the New River. If you stay in Las Olas, the Riverwalk makes a nice option for a morning stroll while waiting to head to the cruise port on embarkation day.

You should stay in Las Olas before your cruise if you arrive early the day before and want to enjoy dinner and drinks in an exciting, culturally-rich neighborhood.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Why not start your vacation early? Staying at Fort Lauderdale Beach is the perfect way to enjoy the city’s gorgeous beaches and resort atmosphere before your cruise.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is the center of tourism in the city. It’s lined with hotels, resorts, and restaurants and offers a relaxing pre-cruise stay. Many of the city’s most luxurious hotels are in this neighborhood, but you can find budget-friendly options as well.

You should stay in Fort Lauderdale Beach if you arrive in the city with enough time to enjoy the area. Many guests choose to stay at the beach for a multi-day stay before or after their cruise, thus extending their vacation by several days.

Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport

  • Average nightly price: $200 to $325
  • Address: 166 N Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004
  • Location: Near airport and Dania Beach

The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport is a new hotel within walking distance to the outdoor shopping center of Dania Pointe. Launched in 2021, the hotel boasts modern amenities and decor.

Related: Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel Review

Hotel amenities include a fitness center, outdoor pool, free wi-fi, convenience store, and an on-site bar and restaurant. The restaurant, Radiant 166, features an international menu with its own list of signature drinks.

Due to its proximity to the airport and variety of restaurants at Dania Pointe, the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel can be an excellent choice for those arriving the night before their cruise.

Crowne Plaza Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port

  • Average nightly price: $215 to $350
  • Address: 455 FL-84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
  • Location: Near airport

The Crowne Plaza at Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise hotel is one of the most convenient hotel options near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It's located less than ten minutes from both the airport and cruise port, making traveling to and from the hotel as easy as it can be.

Hotel amenities at the Crowne Plaza include an outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, and outdoor patio. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant, Kiki’s Restaurant, serving contemporary Latin and American fare.

This hotel is best for those with a flight arriving late in the evening. There are not a ton of options near the hotel for dining and activities and the hotel is not in the most walkable environment.

However, if you’re arriving late and need a convenient place to rest before ordering a Lyft to Port Everglades in the morning, the Crowne Plaza is a solid option.

Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport - South & Cruise Port

  • Average nightly price: $200 to $375
  • Address: 90 SW 18th Ave, Dania Beach, FL 33004
  • Location: Near airport and Dania Beach

Looking for more space? The Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport is an all-suite hotel with modern, spacious rooms. Studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom suites are available to book at the hotel, all of which feature a living room, fully equipped kitchen, and bedroom(s).

While such a large hotel room may seem like overkill for a pre-cruise hotel stay, the Hyatt House offers competitive pricing. It’s not uncommon to find nightly stays priced the same as nearby hotels with much smaller rooms. Plus, the Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport offers free breakfast, which is definitely a plus when waiting to head to the cruise terminal in the morning.

Other hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant, fitness center, outdoor pool, electric vehicle charging, and business services. The hotel is located in the Dania Beach neighborhood within walking distance to shopping and dining at Dania Pointe.

Wyndham Garden Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port

  • Average nightly price: $180 to $350
  • Address: 129 N Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33004
  • Location: Near airport

The Wyndham Garden Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port is an excellent pre-cruise hotel stay near Fort Lauderdale’s airport. The hotel is a five minute drive from the airport, yet it’s along the North Federal Highway with plenty of dining and shopping opportunities.

Amenities at the Wyndham Garden include an outdoor pool, fitness center, free parking, a convenience store, and an on-site restaurant and cafe.

The hotel isn’t in the most exciting area, especially when you could stay in Dania Pointe, Fort Lauderdale Beach, or Las Olas, but it’s a comfortable, clean, and relatively affordable place to spend the night before your cruise.

Fairfield Inn and Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port

  • Average nightly price: $150 to $330
  • Address: 2081 Griffin Rd, Dania Beach, FL 33312
  • Location: Near airport

The Fairfield Inn and Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport-Cruise Port is one of the most budget-friendly hotels on our list. When booking several months in advance, it’s possible to find nightly rates between $140 and $180.

Amenities at the Fairfield Inn include an outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, and convenience store. Free grab and go breakfast is available each morning as well.

The hotel is located just west of the airport and is a ten minute drive to Port Everglades. The Fairfield Inn is best for those arriving in Fort Lauderdale late at night who aren’t interested in the trendy restaurant, bar, and beach atmosphere elsewhere in the city.

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

  • Average nightly price: $375 to $600
  • Address: 321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale Beach

Starting your vacation early at the beach? The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort may be your best bet for a pre (or post) cruise stay.

The Westin offers both standard rooms and suites, the most coveted of which have sweeping ocean views.

Amenities at the hotel include the Heavenly Spa, an outdoor infinity pool, fitness center, and a skywalk bringing guests directly from the pool to the beach. The hotel’s resort fee includes additional amenities including bike rentals, non-motorized water sports, seaside yoga, and beach chairs.

Five dining venues are located at the restaurant:

  • Lona Cocina & Tequileria
  • Waves Bar & Drill
  • Tinta (breakfast)
  • Starbucks
  • Grab & Go Cafe

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a great hotel choice for those looking to splurge on their pre-cruise hotel stay. Because the hotel puts a focus on enjoying the beach, outdoor pool space, and on-site restaurants, you may want to book a stay longer than just one night.

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

  • Average nightly price: $335 to $650
  • Address: 505 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale Beach

The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, like the Westin, is another nice choice for those looking for a more elevated hotel experience on the beach. The property is an all-suite resort, and most suites have a kitchen, living room, and one or two bedrooms. Suites also feature private balconies with ocean views.

Amenities include a spacious outdoor pool, fitness center, spa, beach access, and electric vehicle charging. There are four dining venues at the Hilton, from the Le Marché Gourmet Market for casual fare to the Sun, Surf, and Sand Restaurant for seafood.

The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is one of the premiere hotel options for a pre-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale. If your flight doesn’t arrive until 10PM the night before your cruise, it’s probably not the best choice, but if you arrive with enough time to enjoy the hotel’s amenities, you can’t go wrong with a stay at the property.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale

  • Average nightly price: $230 to $400
  • Address: 100 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
  • Location: Las Olas

Near the hip neighborhood of Las Olas is the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale, and this hotel is the perfect choice for those in search of an exciting evening in the city. The hotel has both standard rooms and suites and offers an outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurants.

Related: Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale Hotel Review

We recommend arriving with enough time to enjoy the property’s colorful pool space, which features a pool bar and rooftop yoga sessions in the morning.

The hotel even features a reservations-only speakeasy. Named Room Nine01, the experience transports guests back to the 1920s and offers an array of cocktails and a gourmet food menu.

Staying at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas is best for those hoping to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s evening and nighttime scene. Bars and restaurants dot Las Olas Boulevard and offer a fantastic way to get your vacation started the night before your cruise begins.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street

  • Average nightly price: $220 to $400
  • Address: 1100 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
  • Location: Harbordale (near cruise port)

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale is located just about as close as you can get to the cruise port, making it a popular choice among cruisers.

Amenities at the property include an outdoor pool and patio, fitness center, on-site restaurant, and complimentary evening reception. A made-to-order breakfast is also included, which is served daily in the hotel’s courtyard.

All rooms are suites, and both two and three room suites are available.

While the hotel may not be located in the most interesting neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, it offers a convenient pre-cruise hotel stay. The hotel is located near a shopping plaza, too, which can be helpful for picking up any last-minute items you need for the cruise.

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

  • Average nightly price: $215 to $330
  • Address: 1500 SE 17th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
  • Location: Harbordale (near cruise port)

Located just down the road from the Embassy Suites is the Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport.

The Holiday Inn Express has 147 rooms, although it doesn’t have any suite options. Amenities at the hotel include complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool, and fitness center.

Like other hotels in close proximity to the airport and cruise port, the Holiday Inn won’t offer a luxurious resort experience. Instead, it serves as a place to catch up on rest after a long flight or drive before starting your cruise vacation in the morning.

Royal Caribbean releases Allure of the Seas winter 2021-2022 sailings from Fort Lauderdale

In:
18 Jun 2020

A week after Royal Caribbean revealed Allure of the Seas would sail from Port Everglades instead of Galveston in winter 2021-2022, the cruise line has put the new sailings on sale.

The cruise line announced that a delay in building its new cruise terminal meant Allure of the Seas would be unable to sail from Galveston, as the old terminal is incapable of supporting an Oasis Class ship.

The first Allure of the Seas sailing from Port Everglades will take place on November 8, 2021.

Allure of the Seas will offer Western and Eastern Caribbean sailings, including visits to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. 

There are a variety of sailings offered, including 4-, 6-, 8-, 7- and 9- night sailings.

Prior to Allure's winter 2021-2022 season, Allure of the Seas will start out in Miami, then transition to Port Canaveral and then remain there until she moves to Port Everglades.

In late March, Royal Caribbean proposed delaying the new cruise terminal in Galveston by a year due to the global crisis. Neither the Port nor Royal Caribbean wanted to cancel the contract and felt the best option was the one year delay.

The new target completion date for the terminal is September 1, 2022.

Liberty of the Seas will take the place of Liberty of the Seas in Galveston until the new terminal is complete.

Guests with Allure cruises from Galveston

In the case someone had a cruise booked on Allure of the Seas from Galveston, Royal Caribbean has provided a few options for these passengers.

  • Original cruise fare paid for Allure of the Seas will be price protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
    • Guests who were already paid in full and qualify for a cruise fare rate decrease will be provided with a refund if there is any difference in pricing. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment 45 days after you submit your refund request. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.
  • Royal Caribbean is also waiving any non-refundable deposit change fees associated with the move.
  • Please know, if you weren't previously booked on a holiday sailing (Christmas, New Year's, and Easter), sailings during that timeframe are excluded from your options.
  • Lastly, if you opted into the Cruise with Confidence 100% Future Cruise Credit prior to this email, you will be able to take advantage of this new offer.

Guests have until July 7, 2020 to take advantage of this offer. If nothing is changed by July 7, 2020, Royal Caribbean will automatically keep that reservation booked on Liberty of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas will sail from Port Everglades instead of Galveston in winter 2021-2022

In:
10 Jun 2020

Royal Caribbean confirmed that while Allure of the Seas will no longer sail from Galveston in 2021, she will call Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale home instead.

A day after Royal Caribbean announced due to pier construction delays in the Galveston terminal Allure of the Seas will not be able to call Galveston home because the current pier will unfortunately not be ready to welcome an Oasis Class ship. 

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed confirmed that Allure of the Seas will instead sail from Port Everglades.

I'm sure you're likely wondering, "Now that the Allure of the Seas is not going to Galveston, where will she be going, Vicki?" Well, we're aren't really sure of her exact itineraries just yet, but it's been confirmed that she will sail from Fort Lauderdale in the winter of 2021 and 2022.

Royal Caribbean cited the new terminal delay was caused by the closure of shipyards along with the disruption to the supply chain. Thus, the cruise line decided to postpone construction of a new terminal in an effort to cut costs.

In addition, the upgrades and enhancements that were scheduled as part of the ship's Royal Amplification have been postponed until further notice.

Taking Allure of the Seas' place in Galveston will be Liberty of the Seas, which has been homeported there for years.

In order to accommodate guests who were booked on Allure of the Seas, the cruise line is working on rebooking guests into the "best available stateroom".

Prior to Allure's winter 2021-2022 season, Allure of the Seas will start out in Miami, then transition to Port Canaveral and then remain there until she moves to Port Everglades.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Cruising from Port Everglades

In:
08 Nov 2017

Listen to the Show

One of the most popular cruise ports to take a Royal Caribbean cruise from is Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Port Everglades is home to some of Royal Caribbean’s most prolific cruise ships, and this week, we are discussing getting to your Port Everglades cruise. We will discuss how to get to the terminal, parking, and everything you should know if you are cruising from Fort Lauderdale.

Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...

On this episode:
Running time:

Royal Caribbean helping to test Federal programs aimed at reducing wait times for cruise passengers

In:
30 Jun 2016

Royal Caribbean is working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to launch Automated Passport Control and Mobile Passport Control programs that are designed to expedite customs processing for eligible travelers arriving at Port Everglades.

Photo by Marc-Andre Mireault

The Sun Sentinel is reporting that the new programs are being tested this summer, with passengers arriving on Oasis of the Seas in Terminal 18 able to use new passport kiosks in the cruise terminal.

With Automated Passport Control, qualified inbound travelers can use kiosks to submit their travel documents and customs declaration forms before speaking to a customs officer. They must have U.S. or Canadian passports, or be an eligible Visa Waiver Program international traveler.

U.S. and Canadian citizens with smartphones can opt to use the free Mobile Passport Control app to complete their customs declaration form prior to arrival. The mobile passport app is expected to launch in late July.

Port Everglades is the first cruise port in the United States to test these passport kiosk and mobile app programs.

Where to watch cruise ships in Fort Lauderdale

In:
27 Jul 2015

One of the largest cruise ship ports int he world is Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and if you are not lucky enough to be on one of these cruise ships, the next best thing is to watch them leave!  Blog writer Michael Poole shares where to watch the ships leave if you want to see them in Fort Lauderdale.

More often than not, if you are sailing on a cruise, you arrive to the departing city the day before to avoid any unplanned delays.  That’s exactly what I did on my last cruise on Oasis of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale.  

Once I arrived to Fort Lauderdale, I reached out to my good friend, Emmy Schaffer, about the best place to watch ships sail out of Port Everglades.  I’ve always seen pictures of people on rocks at the beach waving bon voyage to the ships, but honesty had no clue how to get there. 

Almost all the cruise ships sail between 4:00pm – 5:30pm, so I’d recommend arriving no later than 3:00pm. 

The cross streets you want to look for are South Ocean Drive and Anchor Drive SE 20 ST.  You can also look for Everglades House condos, as they are on the same block. 

Once you arrive there are only a few meter parking spots on the right side, so get there early.  We had to circle around a few times and lucked out getting one, but it was almost 4:00pm. 

Now that you are parked, you are going walk back towards the street signs and look for a black gate.  This gate gives you access to the public beach and is not locked.  Upon entering the beach you will see a long walkway and then you want to turn right when you pass the ally. 

Now you will see a large section of rocks to the right and this offers the best views for watching ships sail away. 

Just a warning don’t get to far out, because the water will splash up on you, in fact I got soaked! 

This is such a great way to get even more excited about your upcoming cruise, if that’s even possible at this point. 

If you have any questions about how to get here please leave them in the comments section below.  

Getting to your port: Fort Lauderdale

In:
13 Dec 2013

Royal Caribbean is investing more and more cruise ships in Fort Lauderdale these days so if you're looking to get to Port Everglades (the cruise ship terminal in Fort Lauderdale), here's a quick guide to getting there easily.

Royal Caribbean currently operates a few cruise ships out of Port Everglades including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.

Photo by Marc-Andre Mireault

Driving

Port Everglades is pretty easy to get to via car thanks to a number of major roads that connect to highways. 

If you're driving from outside of Fort Lauderdale (elsewhere in Florida or out of state), you can get easily to the main entrance of Port Everglades via U.S.1, I-95, State Road 7 (441), Florida's Turnpike, Sawgrass Expressway and I-75.

You just need to look for an exit to I-595 East straight into the port (I-595 becomes Eller Drive once inside the Port).

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport (5 miles):

  • Exit the airport and follow signs for I-595 East/Port Everglades. Continue to the last exit on I-595 East and follow the signs to Port Everglades.
  • This will automatically take you to the Port Everglades security entrance.
  • From there, follow the directional signs for your designated ship's pier terminal.

From Miami International Airport (30 miles):

  • Take 836 East to I-95 North.
  • Exit I-95 North at 595 East.
  • Follow 595 to the end; then follow the Port Everglades signs.

From Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

If you are flying into Fort Lauderdale and want to go straight to your cruise ship there are a few options for you.  The airport is very close to the cruise terminal via U.S. 1.

The quickest and arguably simplest option is to take a taxi from the airport and have them drive you to the port.  Taxi fare will cost you about $10 to $15.

There are also other shuttles and private car/limousine services available to purchase.  Shuttle services can be cheaper, especially with larger parties but may take longer.  Private sedan/limousine service will be more elegant than a taxi but cost more.

From an area hotel

If you are staying at a hotel near Port Everglades, many hotels and resorts near the port offer complimentary shuttles to the port.  Check with your hotel about if one is available and how to sign up for it.  

Some hotels require advance sign up and/or a specific pick up time to be brought to the airport.  

In addition, many area hotels offer parking for the duration of your cruise for a fee or included in your hotel price.

Royal Caribbean Transfers

Royal Caribbean offers a bus service of its own (called transfers) to bring you to the port from Fort Lauderdale Airport as well as Miami International Airport.

Royal Caribbean offers transfers in one way increments (you can book two one-ways to create a round trip).  At last check the cost was $29 per person, each way for a transfer from either Fort Lauderdale or Miami airports to Port Everglades.

To purchase a Royal Caribbean Guest Transfer or for additional information consult your travel agent or the Royal Caribbean reservations department at 1-800-327-6700.

New $605k art work debuts in Port Everglades Cruise Terminal

In:
04 Jul 2012

Port Everglades Terminal 18, home to Roya Caribbean' Oasis of the Sea and Allure of the Seas, has a brand new piece of art on display.

"Cruising School", a public art installation by Washington, D.C., sculptor Larry Kirkland can now be viewed by the 12,000 cruise guests that pass through the terminal each week.

The artwork is made up of 300 painted aluminum fish suspended from a swirling oval bracket attached to the ceiling, which cast shadows on the walls when they rotate.  The art cost $605,000.

Cruise passenger traffic up at Port Everglades 2.4%

In:
18 Aug 2011

Port Everglades, home to Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, saw its cruise passenger numbers jump 2.4% up in the third quarter compared to the same period last year.

Port Everglades Director Phil Allen is happy about the results, “These trends show the resilience of the nation’s cruise market and the importance of the cruise industry to South Florida.  In a tough economy, cruising offers guests affordable vacationing options."

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