January 31, 2018 - Kate
Updated on 6/24/2022
Chances are, you’ve already heard of Fort Lauderdale’s reputation as the yachting capital of the world. With upwards of 50,000 registered yachts, it’s certainly earned that nickname. What you may not know, though, is that Fort Lauderdale is also home to Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the country.
In fact, we’ll go one step further and make the bold declaration that Port Everglades is the cruising capital of the country! That’s the type of claim you can make when the port in question boasted close to four million passengers in 2017 alone.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about this cruise port in Fort Lauderdale and its cruising options. We’ll see you down there on the next mega cruise. Make sure you have cruise travel insurance before you depart though!
Port Everglades is a pretty busy port. There are cruises departing almost every day, on top of its status as one of the largest industrial ports in the country. What does this look like in raw numbers, though? Well, here are some fast facts and statistics about Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale:
Now that we know a bit more about Port Everglades, let’s take a look at how it stacks up compared to Port Miami.
There’s only one other port in the entire U.S. that can compete with Port Everglades. We’re talking about Port Miami, located less than thirty miles south of Fort Lauderdale!
How do these two ports compare? Well, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. We personally favor Port Everglades for vacation, but that’s likely because it offers more European and North Atlantic cruises and we love exploring Europe, especially in the winter!
Port Miami is home to more than fifty different cruise ships representing twenty different cruise lines. It specializes in cruises to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Port Miami affords more traditional shopping options, while Port Everglades is more specialized in cruising supply shopping.
This port also provides a lot of commercial shipping options and is the second-biggest container port in Florida. It is the closest port to the Panama Canal and has boasted more than eight million tons of shipping done in 2018.
Your choice of Florida cruise ports will likely come down to exactly where it is you’re cruising. If you’re looking to travel to Cuba, then Miami is probably going to be your choice. If you’re looking for an international adventure in one of the top travel destinations for Baby Boomers, then Fort Lauderdale is where you’ll want to depart from.
Port Everglades is our pick for the cruise capital of the United States. It has something for everyone from family vacations to spur-of-the-moment student trips. Its thirty-odd ships and ten different cruise lines are sure to be perfect for whatever type of cruise you wish to take. Port Everglades also gets bonus points for being very senior cruise friendly.
Whatever type of adventure you’re planning, make sure to get a custom travel insurance quote first! Our Instant Quote is quick, convenient, and will match you with the best possible cruise insurance options for your unique needs.
Kate's authoritative voice in travel writing is backed by years of extensive travel experience, allowing her to infuse her writing with the tips and tricks she has gathered over time. This wealth of experience enhances her ability to write authoritatively on travel-related topics.
Tags: cruise
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