Mar 19: Cruise Views: 3+

Now you can really explore. You've been in Greater Fort Lauderdale for two days already, just before or after your great Caribbean cruise out of Port Everglades. You've wisely decided to spend the extra money to stay a while, getting to know this part of the world more intimately than your fellow passengers who passed through quickly. You've also pretty much followed my earlier blog suggestions on how to spend your first two days here - another very wise choice, if I say so myself. (To see last week's blog, just click here. Kidding aside, let's finish up this cruise views series with my thoughts for the rest of your visit. You've done the basics and a bit more. It's time to dive in deeper. Literally. In no particular order, here are some of the things I'd most want to experience as a cruise passenger with three or more additional days to visit  Greater Fort Lauderdale:

• Go snorkeling or scuba diving. This is one of the world's most popular areas for ocean diving. You should try it, whether you've ever gone beneath the waves or not. Choose one of the many quality dive shops, which will take you on an exciting day trip with all equipment provided.
  
  
• Visit the Bonnet House. This is a special place, a home built by two very artsy folks when South Florida was still pretty much a jungle. Make sure you ask employees where to find the adorable wild monkeys that live here among the treetops.
  
  
• Take in Butterfly World. Another amazing spot, this attraction allows you to interact with thousands of live butterflies from around the planet. There's other critters too, including some gorgeous birds that flit past your head.
  
  
• Get even more adventurous by giving a try to parasailing or kitesurfing. You're harnessed to a parachute of sorts in both sports. Parasailing takes you aloft, pulled by a boat. Kitesurfing uses a rectangular chute as a kite that tugs you across the waves on a surfboard.
  
  
• Do the Mai-Kai. This local restaurant/nightclub is a South Florida institution. You can start with great tropical cocktails, eat dinner during a wonderfully authentic Polynesian show and finish up with a walk through their tropical gardens. A fun, romantic evening.
  
  
• Hang out with the locals. Wander around downtown Fort Lauderdale during weekday working hours, maybe have lunch at Nick's on the Hollywood Broadwalk or dinner at Ernie's on Federal Highway. We have all kinds of folks living and working here, as you'll soon discover.

These and all my previous suggestions are only starting points before or after your cruise, of course. You're likely to stumble across other ideas as you move through Broward County by car, boat and on foot. A sea voyage is a great value these days, a relaxing and affordable getaway from everyday problems. Extending it with a landside vacation only makes sense if you possibly can. You've traveled here from New York or Chicago, Toronto or London or wherever. You won't want to just race through without seeing at least some of all we have to offer.