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The ships are back. Not that they ever completely leave Port Everglades, but winter kicks off the major Caribbean cruise season here. On December 23, as I drove over the 17th Street bridge, I counted nine cruise ships docked in Fort Lauderdale. On Christmas Eve, there were five. As a veteran cruisegoer, I feel a voyage should include a stay at the home port before or after the trip – an exploration of one place on land to complement a journey to many places on sea. With so much to experience, the Fort Lauderdale area is just made for that. So I’m going to offer general suggestions for the kind of pre-cruise or post-cruise visit I’d plan if sailing from Port Everglades. Later this week, I’ll recommend a fun, detailed itinerary for cruising into this town on a brief shore excursion.
Staying here before or after a cruise, I’d definitely book into an upscale hotel. Large or small, it wouldn’t matter to me – there are many first-class accommodations and the list of top choices is growing. Personally, I’d pick a comfortable room along the ocean. Then I’d plan a relaxed day of wandering around Fort Lauderale on foot. Maybe a brisk walk down A1A in the morning, and later a stroll up Las Olas for a meal, continuing on to the Riverwalk area nearby. If I had extra days available, I’d want to rent a car to visit the Everglades for an airboat ride and possibly stop at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino complex for some nighttime partying. Hollywood’s oceanside Broadwalk and downtown would be worth checking out, as would Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, with its unassuming charms. There’s an endless number of interesting attractions to consider, from Butterfly World to the Bonnet House. And there also are endless waterside cafes to sample. With a few days before or after a cruise, I would feel no need to rush. A one-day shore excursion is a bigger challenge, though, requiring more advance planning. So my next blog will outline the itinerary I’d choose if I had eight hours to see Fort Lauderdale. Just wear comfortable shoes if you follow my suggestions – we’ll be covering some ground.
Staying here before or after a cruise, I’d definitely book into an upscale hotel. Large or small, it wouldn’t matter to me – there are many first-class accommodations and the list of top choices is growing. Personally, I’d pick a comfortable room along the ocean. Then I’d plan a relaxed day of wandering around Fort Lauderale on foot. Maybe a brisk walk down A1A in the morning, and later a stroll up Las Olas for a meal, continuing on to the Riverwalk area nearby. If I had extra days available, I’d want to rent a car to visit the Everglades for an airboat ride and possibly stop at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino complex for some nighttime partying. Hollywood’s oceanside Broadwalk and downtown would be worth checking out, as would Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, with its unassuming charms. There’s an endless number of interesting attractions to consider, from Butterfly World to the Bonnet House. And there also are endless waterside cafes to sample. With a few days before or after a cruise, I would feel no need to rush. A one-day shore excursion is a bigger challenge, though, requiring more advance planning. So my next blog will outline the itinerary I’d choose if I had eight hours to see Fort Lauderdale. Just wear comfortable shoes if you follow my suggestions – we’ll be covering some ground.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 2:33 PM
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