Mar 6: Cruise Views: Overnight

You step into the tropical air of Fort Lauderdale at exactly 9 a.m. You won't leave again until 5 p.m. the next day - 32 hours to soak up South Florida for the first time. Whether you're about to begin a cruise or just wrapping up a week at sea, you're lucky enough to have an overnighter here. How can you get the most out of this brief visit? That's the question today for the third in a series of blogs about pre or post cruise stops in this city, one of the world's cruising capitals. Obviously the options during a day and a half layover are nearly endless. Heck, you could go camping in the Everglades if you wanted. But that's not what most cruise passengers would enjoy and it's certainly not what I would do with my 32 hours. Instead, I'd try to see some of the most important sights and get a sense of the unique rhythms of this place:

• Taxi to your hotel, which should be on or near the famous Fort Lauderdale beach. You can stay at spots such as The Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale or The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, a Superior Small Lodging or an inexpensive mom & pop place a block off the beach.
• Get oriented with a walk around A1A, then stop at a seaside café for a late breakfast. Linger a while to watch the runners and walkers and in-line skaters who parade here daily.
• Go for a swim in the ocean. Bring your sunscreen and beach towel, then spread out on the sand. Sun and surf are the very essence of Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy the scenery - the gorgeous blue ocean and gorgeous tan bodies.
• Time to shower and head out on the town. You'll probably be hungry again but save your appetite. Buy an all-day Water Taxi pass and go bar hopping by boat.
• You'll combine sightseeing, Happy Hour and dinner on this outing. Go somewhere like Bahia Cabana to savor the funky local side of our town. Have your first drink and a conch chowder appetizer. Then hit as many bars and restaurants along the way as you can handle.
• Shooters is among many good choices for dinner. It sits on the Intracoastal and draws big boats and attractive people. Next door, Taverna Opa is a terrific spot to party into the evening, if you're still up for more. Or go back to your hotel and wander the beach, which offers its own kind of nightlife.
• After a good sleep, get an early start with another beachside breakfast. Earlier is even better to see all those exercise types working their bodies.
• Grab a taxi to the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District and stroll along Riverwalk. It's pretty and relaxing, with nice vantage points for photos. Keep walking east to Las Olas, where you can shop, mingle with locals and find a nice lunch. You may even have time left for a final drink on the beach before leaving your hotel.

There's never enough time to explore a new city, of course, but your 32 hours introduced you to some of the places and people that make us special. Next week, we'll have a bit longer to play with - two full days and nights to experience Fort Lauderdale. That extra time before or after a cruise can make a big difference, as you'll see. Let's just say that you're going to need a rental car to do this one up the right way.