Before you set sail
Getting to your ship, made simple 👋
Whenever I book a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, these are the three questions I get every single time: how much is parking, how do I do it, and where should I stay the night before? This page answers all three — and if anything's still fuzzy, I'm one message away.
What Parking Costs
Rates, oversized vehicles & how you pay.
How to Park
Which garage, drop-off & the drive in.
Where to Stay
The night-before hotel plan.
Question one
How Much Is Parking?
Port Everglades runs its own official parking right at the terminals — two garages and several surface lots, more than 5,500 spaces in all. Here's what it costs.
Official Port Parking Rates
- Standard vehicle$20 / day max
- Oversized vehicle$25 / day max
- Up to 1 hour$4
- Up to 5 hours$8
"Oversized" means any vehicle that exceeds a standard space in width or height. The daily rate is a maximum — your clock starts the moment you pull your ticket at the gate.
What A Full Cruise Costs
- 3-night cruise~$80
- 4-night cruise~$100
- 5-night cruise~$120
- 7-night cruise~$160
Remember to count both your sail-away day and your return day — a 7-night cruise means 8 days of parking. Estimates use the $20/day standard rate.
Good to Know: No Reservations, Pay When You Leave
Port Everglades does not take reservations or pre-payment for its official parking — it's first-come, first-served, and you pay on your way out when you return from your cruise. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. With 5,500+ spaces, the port very rarely runs out, so there's no need to stress about a spot.
Want to Spend Less on Parking?
Two easy ways to save. There are off-site lots a few miles from the port that run cheaper per day and include a shuttle — a good option for longer cruises. Or, if you're staying the night before anyway, some hotels offer a "park & cruise" package that bundles your room with free or discounted parking for the week. That last one is often the best overall value — ask me and I'll help you compare.
Question two
How Do I Park?
The single most important thing: know your terminal number before you drive in. Your cruise line assigns it, and it's printed on your boarding documents. Once you know it, everything else falls into place.
Which Garage or Lot Is Mine?
Port Everglades parking is organized by terminal. Match your terminal number to the right garage below and follow that garage's colored signs from any port entrance.
Heron Garage
Follow orange signs1,818 spaces · 7-foot clearance. Serves:
- • Terminal 2 — connected by an air-conditioned elevated bridge with moving walkways (from the garage's 5th floor)
- • Terminal 4
Palm Garage
Follow green signs1,966 spaces · 7-foot clearance. Serves:
- • Terminals 19, 21, 25, 26, and 29
- • A shuttle runs between Terminal 29 and the Palm Garage
Surface Lots A, B & C
- • Lot A — 770 spaces, near Terminals 19 & 26 (entrance at 2000 Eller Drive)
- • Lot B — 404 spaces, between Terminals 18 & 19 (entrance off SE 19th Ave)
- • Lot C — 600 spaces, right beside Terminal 18
The Drive-In, Step by Step
- 1
Head to the port. If you're coming from out of state, I-95 takes you straight to the port peninsula. The port address is 1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 — plug it into your GPS.
- 2
Follow your garage's colored signs. Once inside the port, orange Heron signs or green Palm signs guide you to the right garage from any entrance — no guessing.
- 3
Drop your bags first (optional but smart). You can pull up curbside at your terminal, hand your luggage to a porter (a few dollars tip per bag is customary), then go park. This saves you hauling suitcases through the garage.
- 4
Pull your ticket and park. Grab the ticket at the gate (your daily rate starts now), find a spot, and keep that ticket somewhere safe — you'll need it to pay when you return.
- 5
Walk to your terminal and check in. From the Heron Garage you can take the covered bridge right into Terminal 2. From Palm, it's a short walk (or the shuttle for Terminal 29).
🚛 Driving Something Big?
The garages have a 7-foot clearance, so tall vehicles won't fit the upper floors. RVs, trailers, and vehicles up to 24 feet have special limited parking — call the port's parking team ahead at 954-468-3680 to arrange it.
♿️ Accessible Parking
There's ample disabled parking in every garage with unimpeded access to crosswalks and elevators. For parking questions or help on the day, the port's parking management team is at 954-468-3680.
Question three
Where Should I Stay?
My honest, number-one piece of advice for any cruise: arrive the night before you sail. Here's why it matters, and how I can make it effortless.
Why Arrive a Day Early?
Flying in the same day your ship sails is the single most common way people add stress — and risk — to a cruise. One delayed flight and you can miss the boat entirely (ships don't wait). Arriving the night before takes all of that pressure off:
😴 A relaxed start
You wake up rested and near the port instead of racing across the country on sail day.
🛩️ A weather cushion
A delayed or canceled flight the day before is an inconvenience — not a missed cruise.
🏖️ A head start on vacation
Fort Lauderdale's beaches and dining are lovely — make the pre-cruise night part of the fun.
Where to Base Yourself
Because the port sits right between Fort Lauderdale airport and the beach, you've got three great areas to choose from — all a short drive to the terminals:
- ✈️By the airport (FLL) — The most convenient and often best-value option, just two miles out. Many hotels here run "park & cruise" packages and free airport/port shuttles.
- 🏖️Fort Lauderdale Beach — Turn the night before into a mini getaway with an ocean-view room and a walk on the sand before you sail.
- 💋Harbor / downtown & Las Olas — Boutique hotels, great restaurants, and a lively strip, all minutes from the port.
A Few Hotels I Like Near Port Everglades
Grouped by travel style. These are starting points — when you're ready, I'll check live rates and availability for your dates and book whichever fits, at no extra cost to you.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street
An all-suite hotel and a longtime cruiser favorite, walking distance from the Port Everglades entrance. Free made-to-order breakfast, a complimentary evening reception, spacious two-room suites, and a paid port shuttle. A great pick if you want to leave the car and stroll (or take a quick shuttle) to your ship.
Kelsey's tip: The suite layout is ideal for families — the kids get their own space the night before an early embarkation.
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
A resort-style waterfront hotel on the Intracoastal, minutes from the terminals, with a palm-lined pool, on-site dining, and marina views. The most elevated of the group — good for turning your pre-cruise night into a proper treat.
Kelsey's tip: Ask me about a water or marina-view room — it's a lovely way to ease into vacation mode.
Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port & Convention Center
Built for cruisers — free breakfast, an airport shuttle, and easy access to both the port and FLL airport. A dependable, good-value choice if you're flying in and want everything handled simply.
Kelsey's tip: This is my go-to for a fly-in-the-night-before trip — airport, hotel, port, done.
Amenities and shuttle details vary and change — I'll confirm the current specifics for your dates before booking.
Let me take this off your plate
I'll Book Your Pre-Cruise Hotel
Like one of these — or want me to find something else? Tell me your sail date and how you're getting to Fort Lauderdale, and I'll match you with the right hotel for your budget — often at rates you won't find on your own, and always at no extra cost to you. I'll make sure the parking, shuttle, and timing all line up perfectly.
📧 Have Me Book Your HotelA few more things
Quick Questions
How far is Port Everglades from the airport?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is only about 2 miles away — an 8 to 12 minute drive depending on traffic. It's one of the closest airport-to-port hops in the country. Miami International is farther, roughly 30 miles (40–55 minutes).
Do I need to reserve a parking spot?
No — the port's official parking doesn't take reservations or pre-payment. It's first-come, first-served, and with over 5,500 spaces it very rarely fills. You simply pull a ticket on the way in and pay on the way out, by cash or card.
How do I know which terminal I'm sailing from?
Your cruise line assigns it, and it's printed on your boarding documents and e-docs. If you booked with me, I'll always confirm your exact terminal for you — just ask. Knowing it tells you which garage to aim for (Heron or Palm).
Is it better to park at the port or off-site?
Parking at the port is the most convenient — you're steps from your ship. Off-site lots a few miles away are cheaper per day and include a shuttle, which can pay off on longer cruises. And if you're staying overnight anyway, a hotel park-and-cruise package is often the best deal of all. I'm happy to help you weigh it up.
Can I drop off my luggage before parking?
Yes, and it's the easy way to do it. Pull up curbside at your terminal, hand your bags to a porter (a small tip per bag is customary), then go park. You'll walk to the terminal unencumbered — and from the Heron Garage you can even take a covered, air-conditioned bridge straight into Terminal 2.
Still have questions?
I'm One Message Away
Parking, hotels, timing, terminals — whatever comes up before your Fort Lauderdale sailing, just reach out. Helping you get to the ship stress-free is exactly what I'm here for, and it's always free to you.
✉️ Contact KelseySee you at the port,
Kelsey