Interview with Captain Johnny and A.J. The Parrot.

Some fun with Cruise Director Bing Bong Marc

Watch this super cool video that Marc made with his staff!

Make A Wish With Cruise Director Ken Rush and Captain Johnny

Watch Allure of the Seas Cruise Director Ken Rush help raise over $20,000 for Make-A-Wish by shaving his head! Royal Caribbean International helps make dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses, through their national partnership with the Make-A-Wish 

Interview with Ken Rush

		Ken Rush
		Entertainment and activities are his forte. If you don't have anything to do, Ken Rush will certainly find you something. From parties to parades, his day isn't over until he sees you smile.

When did you first know you wanted to be a cruise director?

Ken: When I was 20, I went on a cruise with my mum, dad, two sisters and two grandmothers. My parents thought working on a ship would be great for me since I was so outgoing and comfortable in front of a crowd.

How did you get started?

Interview with Captain Tor Olsen Royal Caribbean International

		Tor Olsen
		Captain Tor Olsen has been sailing with Royal Caribbean International® for over 16 years and absolutely loves seeing the familiar faces of returning guests. His secret to success is to keep his crew comfortable and happy so they can continue providing guests with a "wowing" cruise experience.

How did you get started in seafaring?

Captain Olsen: I went to sea when I was 16. I worked on cargo ships, tankers and freighters for a few years, then went back to navigation school and on to college. After spending a couple of years in the Navy, I joined Royal Caribbean in 1987 as quartermaster, assisting the Captain by keeping lookout and helping steer the ship.

Interview with Captain William Wright Royal Caribbean International

William Wright

Captain William Stephen Wright is Senior Vice President of Marine Operations for Royal Caribbean International. He earned his Master Mariner license in Norway in 1991 and received a Master's degree in Marine Engineering from Vestfold College in Norway in 1992. As Captain, what are some of your responsibilities and duties onboard? Do you take a cruise on your vacation? Capt.Wright: One of the attractions of being Captain is the wide variety of duties and responsibilities. Interestingly enough, I would say that the navigation and maritime aspect probably represents only about 40% of my duties. The remainder of my time is spent managing a very complex floating resort with its related complexities. As far as vacations are concerned... no cruises. I try to head for the mountains of Norway where I have my home. I enjoy the contrast. While onboard, the majority of my time is spent on work-related activities. My personal life is limited to a couple of hours of relaxing time in the evenings.

Port Everglades Faqs

Cruise faqs
what documentation will i need to cruise?
It depends upon where you are going. Contact your cruise line or the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Protection for required document information specific to your cruise vacation.

where is port everglades located?

Parking At Port Everglades

parking

Convenient parking for cruise passengers is available in the Northport and Midport Parking Garages and the Northport and Midport Surface Lots. Port public garages and surface lots are:

• Well-illuminated
• Security-patrolled
• Provide disabled parking with unimpeded access to crosswalks and elevators.  Please see disabled parking section on this page for further details.

For parking questions or emergencies, please contact SP Parking at: 954-468-3680.

Northport Parking Garage
The 2,500-space Northport garage (soon expanding to 4,250 spaces) services:

• Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
• Northport cruise terminals including Cruise Terminals 1, 2 & 4

Entrance: Turn south on Eisenhower Blvd. from 17th Street Causeway, or come east on State Road 84, entering the Port and turning left at Eisenhower Blvd.

From I-595, go east straight into the Port. Follow signs for Terminals #1, 2 & 4 and/or the Convention Center.

Northport Surface Lot

• Cruise Terminal 4 has its own dedicated lot with 172 surface parking spaces

Midport Parking Garage
The 2,000-space Midport garage services:

• Cruise Terminals 19, 21, 22/24, 25, 26, 27 and 29

Entrance: Take I-595 east straight into the Port. Continue heading east to the garage on the left side of the street. 

Midport Surface Lots

• Cruise Terminal 18 has its own 600-space surface parking lot adjacent to the terminal.
• Parking Lot #19 is a 400-space surface parking lot located between Cruise Terminals 18 and 19 and is used when the parking lot at Cruise Terminal 18 and the Midport Garage are full. The entrance is on SE 19th Street. 

Garage and surface parking rates are the same. 

parking

Convenient parking for cruise passengers is available in the Northport and Midport Parking Garages and the Northport and Midport Surface Lots. Port public garages and surface lots are:

• Well-illuminated
• Security-patrolled
• Provide disabled parking with unimpeded access to crosswalks and elevators.  Please see disabled parking section on this page for further details.

For parking questions or emergencies, please contact SP Parking at: 954-468-3680.

Northport Parking Garage
The 2,500-space Northport garage (soon expanding to 4,250 spaces) services:

• Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
• Northport cruise terminals including Cruise Terminals 1, 2 & 4

Entrance: Turn south on Eisenhower Blvd. from 17th Street Causeway, or come east on State Road 84, entering the Port and turning left at Eisenhower Blvd.

From I-595, go east straight into the Port. Follow signs for Terminals #1, 2 & 4 and/or the Convention Center.

Northport Surface Lot

• Cruise Terminal 4 has its own dedicated lot with 172 surface parking spaces

Midport Parking Garage
The 2,000-space Midport garage services:

• Cruise Terminals 19, 21, 22/24, 25, 26, 27 and 29

Entrance: Take I-595 east straight into the Port. Continue heading east to the garage on the left side of the street. 

Midport Surface Lots

• Cruise Terminal 18 has its own 600-space surface parking lot adjacent to the terminal.
• Parking Lot #19 is a 400-space surface parking lot located between Cruise Terminals 18 and 19 and is used when the parking lot at Cruise Terminal 18 and the Midport Garage are full. The entrance is on SE 19th Street. 

Garage and surface parking rates are the same. 

parking fees

• $3 for 0-1 hour
• $6 for up to 5 hours, and then $1 per hour thereafter up to daily maximum
• $15 daily maximum
• $19 daily maximum for oversized vehicles (those that exceed the standard width and/or height of a parking space).

All daily rates begin when you pull the parking ticket from the machine at the garage or parking lot.

disabled parking

In 1996 the Broward County Board of Commissioners, acting under authority of Florida Statute 316.1959, elected to charge disabled patrons of the Port Everglades parking facilities the same fees as are applied to all other patrons; and that pursuant to Section 3 of Statute 316.1964, "When a state, county, or municipal parking facility or lot is being used in connection with an event at a convention center, cruise-port terminal, sports stadium, coliseum, or auditorium, the parking facility may charge a person whose vehicle displays such a permit a parking fee in the same manner and amount as it charges other persons."

However, pursuant to Section 8 of the latter statute, any vehicle with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by the person who has a disability, or any vehicle that is displaying the Florida Turnpike Toll Exemption sticker, is exempt from any parking fees in Port Everglades.

Here is how to request free parking at Port Everglades:

At the entry of the Port Everglades parking garage, pull a parking ticket from the automated machine and get the attention of one of the parking agents in an adjacent exit booth. Advise that parking agent that you would like a disability waiver of parking. The parking agent will telephone for a parking supervisor who will come to the booth and examine your vehicle to determine if the driver/vehicle meets the criteria for a parking waiver. The parking supervisor will inspect the vehicle to determine if a Florida Turnpike Toll Exemption sticker is affixed to it and/or if the vehicle has specialized equipment and a hanging tag from the Division of Motor Vehicles verifying the equipment.

When the parking supervisor verifies that a disability waiver of parking is allowable, the driver's name and address and the registration number on the sticker or hanging tag will be recorded on the parking ticket by that parking supervisor and the parking supervisor will sign the ticket. At this point the driver will be given the parking ticket and directed to enter the garage.

Upon exit, the parking ticket with the recorded information and the parking supervisor's signature will be surrendered to the exit parking attendant and no parking fees will be charged.

For more information on disabled toll permits or to obtain a Florida Turnpike toll exemption sticker, visit the Florida Commission on the Transportation Disadvantaged website.

transportation

Conveniently located in the heart of Broward County, Port Everglades is easily accessible by car, taxi, bus, rail and ship. It is the only port in the nation located adjacent to an airport, making it easy to fly and cruise in the same day.

Port Everglades has three entrances: 

• 17th Street, located at Eisenhower Boulevard
• State Road 84, located just off of US 1
• I-595 East

Proper Identification, such as Driver's License or Passport, is required and your vehicle may be subject to search.

Travel Tip: Transfers from Port Everglades to the airport or hotel are often included in many cruise packages. Check with your cruise line or travel agent for details.

driving instructions

Port Everglades is easily accessible from all major highways:

• From I-95 south: take Exit #26 to I-595 East. Exit 12b, to Port Everglades.
• From I-95 north: take Exit #24 to I-595 East. Exit 12b, to Port Everglades.
• From I-75 north or south: take Exit #19 to I-595 East. Exit 12b, to Port Everglades
• From the Florida Turnpike north or south: take Exit #54 to I-595 East. Exit 12b, to Port Everglades.

For those who are already in the Fort Lauderdale area, the 17th Street or State Road 84 entrances may be more convenient. Signage inside Port Everglades will direct you to parking garages and terminals.

airport transfer

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just minutes away from Port Everglades on U.S. 1 and is served by most major airlines. Although it's a short distance, we suggest you allow at least 45 minutes between flight arrival and cruise check-in time to claim luggage and fill out forms at the terminal. The Miami International Airport is 30 minutes south of Port Everglades via I-95.

taxi

Fare from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Port Everglades is typically between $10 and $15. If you purchased an air/sea travel package, transfers are usually included. For a taxi from the Port to downtown Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $18, depending on your destination.

hotel transfers

Many area hotels provide transportation between Port Everglades and the hotel for pre-booked reservations. Contact your hotel for details.

broward county transit (bct)

Local buses service stops at the Northport section of Port Everglades. For schedules and information, call 954-357-8400 or visit BCT.

greyhound lines

Greyhound provides nationwide bus service from the downtown Fort Lauderdale terminal located at 515 N.E. 3rd Street. For more information, call 954-764-6551 or visit Greyhound.

car rental

The state-of-the art Rental Car Center at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) house a large number of rental car companies in one location with shared shuttle bus service for Port Everglades. Check with your car rental agency to ensure they participate in the shuttle program. There are also car rental firms licensed to do business at Port Everglades that are not located at FLL. Some provide shuttle service from cruise terminals to their nearby rental locations.

tri-rail (commuter train)

Tri-rail provides transportation between the tri-county area, including: Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Tri-Rail is accessible by taxi and Broward County Transit bus service. Visit the Tri-Rail website or call 800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245) for schedules and fares.

amtrak (national and statewide train)

Visit the Amtrak website or by call 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245 for train schedules and fares.

Royal Caribbean Review From U.S. News And World Report

Adventure of the SeasAllure of the SeasBrilliance of the SeasEnchantment of the SeasExplorer of the SeasFreedom of the SeasGrandeur of the SeasIndependence of the SeasJewel of the SeasLegend of the SeasLiberty of the SeasMajesty of the SeasMariner of the SeasNavigator of the SeasOasis of the SeasQuantum of the SeasRadiance of the SeasRhapsody of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSplendour of the SeasVision of the SeasVoyager of the Seas

Courtesy Royal Caribbean International

• Overall Rating: 4.1
• Expert Rating: 4.0
• Traveler Rating: 4.0
  • Couples:3.8
  • Families w/ young children:3.8
  • Families w/ older children:3.8
  • Singles/Friends:3.8
  • Groups:3.8
• Health Rating:
  4.5
  4.5

Royal Caribbean Ships

• Adventure of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Allure of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Europe
• Brilliance of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Enchantment of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Explorer of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Europe
• Freedom of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Grandeur of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Independence of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Jewel of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Legend of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Pacific
• Liberty of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Majesty of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Mariner of the SeasOverall Rating: 
• Navigator of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Oasis of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Quantum of the SeasOverall Rating: N/AMost Cruises: Caribbean
• Radiance of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Pacific
• Rhapsody of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Europe
• Serenade of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Splendour of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Europe
• Vision of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Caribbean
• Voyager of the SeasOverall Rating: Most Cruises: Pacific
• See Royal Caribbean Ship Rankings »

Royal Caribbean International Overview

How it Ranks: Royal Caribbean has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings. Royal Caribbean International appears on the following ranking lists: