36 Hours in Fort Lauderdale Before Your Cruise
Flying into FLL the morning before your cruise? Spend 36 hours enjoying beaches, water taxis, and easy port access instead of wasting time at the airport. This plan covers the best places to stay and what to do day before cruise without the rush.
Why You Should Always Plan to Arrive a Day Early for a Cruise
If you’ve been cruising for a long time, you probably already know this. (But if you’ve been cruising for a long time, you probably also aren’t reading this blog!) The first rule of cruising is plan to fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before. You never, ever want to risk it. Flights get delayed. Traffic around Port Everglades can back up. And you don't want to board your ship stressed from cutting it close. Arriving the day before means you land with buffer time, enjoy a relaxed pre-cruise day, and wake up ready to walk onto the ship without panic. I've seen too many clients miss embarkation because of a single flight hiccup. One full day early turns potential catastrophe into chill beach walks and slow dinners.
Where to Stay Before Your Fort Lauderdale Cruise
Hollywood Beach, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale Beach all work well. They keep you close to Port Everglades but give you real vacation time.
Hollywood Beach
This is where we picked to spend our time before our Fort Lauderdale cruise. The Broadwalk and beach access feel like vacation right away, and turns out some of the best breakfast I’ve ever had is right there at Cafe Club!
It's 6 miles from the port, about 10-15 minutes by rideshare. Easy peasy morning transfer.
Best Food Options in Hollywood Beach
Le Tub – Burgers and casual eats right on the water.
Billy's Stone Crab – Fresh seafood, Broadwalk views.
Rocco's Pizza – Boardwalk staple for quick slices.
Taco Beach Shack – Tacos with beach vibes.
Giorgio's Bistro – Breakfast or light meals nearby.
Dania Beach
This is a practical choice near the airport. We actually stayed in this area the day we got off of our cruise, flying out the next day.
8 miles to Port Everglades, 10-12 minutes. Quiet hotels, no traffic stress.
Best Food Options in Dania Beach
Grandma's Secret – Mediterranean and Persian flavors locals rave about.
Grampa's Cafe/Bakery – Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries, Jewish deli staples
Bake Shack – Bakery spot for coffee and treats.
Lester's Diner – Open early, cruise breakfast go‑to.
Quarterdeck – Waterfront at Dania Beach Pier.
Grampa’s is home to some of the best matzo ball soup and bagels in Florida. And, no, not related to Grandma’s Secret. The family who started Grampa’s is actually named Grampa!
Fort Lauderdale Beach or Downtown
Walk to the beach and Riverwalk. Water taxi stops make exploring simple.
2-5 miles to the port, under 10 minutes. Yet another quick rideshare experience.
Best Food Options in Fort Lauderdale Proper
15th Street Fisheries – Waterfront seafood classic.
Coconuts – Casual Caribbean, Scoobies drink.
Blue Moon Fish Co. – Intracoastal sunsets.
Shooters Waterfront – Fun vibe, boat docking.
Rustic Inn Crabhouse – Crab legs, for when you want to work hard for your meal.
What to do on Day 1 in Fort Lauderdale: Fly In, Settle In
Land at FLL around 9 to 10am if you can swing it. That is the sweet spot. It is early enough to beat the lunch rush but not so early you are dragging from a red-eye. Grab a rideshare straight to your hotel. Hollywood Beach is about 15 minutes from the airport. Dania is even closer. Drop your bags at the front desk. Most places let you check in early or stash luggage while you head out. Change into beach clothes if you have not already. Slap on sunscreen. You are vacation-bound within 30 minutes of wheels down.
Late Morning: Beach Walks (10am to 1pm)
Start right where you are. No overplanning. Just feet in the sand.
If you are at Hollywood Beach, step out to the Broadwalk. Rent a pair of beach chairs for $10 to $15 or just walk the 2.5-mile stretch south toward the fishing pier. Grab a smoothie from a beachside cart or iced coffee from a shaded spot. It keeps you cool while you scope out the scene. Families build sandcastles. Locals jog. The ocean hum keeps everything calm. It is the perfect "I am actually here" moment after travel.
At Fort Lauderdale Beach, head to the main strip near A1A. The water is that perfect South Florida turquoise. Wander north toward the Ritz or south to quieter stretches. Skip the super crowded spots. Find a patch with some space. Kick off your shoes. Let the salt air hit you. One hour does the trick. You are easing in, not powering through a checklist.
Pro tip from my stay: Use Instacart/Walmart+/whatever you normally use at home and get snacks/water delivered to your hotel. You can take what you don’t eat on the ship!
Lunch: Fuel Up Beachside (1pm to 2pm)
Eat where you are. No big detours. From the restaurant lists:
Hollywood Beach: Rocco's Pizza slice ($5) or Taco Beach Shack fish tacos ($12) grabbed to-go. Eat on a bench overlooking the water.
Dania Beach: Lester's Diner for a quick club sandwich ($10) or Grampa's bagel with lox ($9). Both open early and cruiser-friendly.
Fort Lauderdale Beach: Coconuts patio table for conch fritters ($14) and their famous Scoobies drink (non-alcoholic version if you are pacing yourself).
Keep it under an hour. You are not dining fancy yet. That is tonight.
Afternoon: Water Taxi Adventure (2pm to 5pm)
This is the highlight. Buy an all-day Water Taxi pass ($35/adult, kids cheaper) at any stop. It covers unlimited hops along the intracoastal from your hotel area straight through Fort Lauderdale's "Venice of America" vibe.
My recommended route: Start near your beach. Hop on heading north. First stop: Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District (15 to 20 minutes ride). Stretch your legs at the park. Snap pics of the murals. Maybe browse a pop-up market if it is there. Back on for stop 2: Las Olas Boulevard (another 10 minutes). Park the boat. Wander the brick streets. Peek in galleries (no buying needed). Grab a gelato ($5). Window-shop boutiques. The people-watching alone is worth it: yacht owners, spring breakers, locals in flip-flops.
Total ride time: 1 to 2 hours cruising with breeze in your hair. Hopping off: 1 to 2 hours exploring. If you are in Dania or Hollywood, the taxi picks up nearby or a quick 5-minute Lyft gets you to a dock. Ends around 5pm so you are not wiped.
Why it beats driving: No parking hassles. Narrated audio on the boats. You see mansions and luxury yachts up close. Sunset rides sell out. Book the pass via app ahead if busy season.
Dinner: Waterfront Wind-Down (6pm to 8pm)
Pick a local favorite from your area. Keep it chill. You have got an early port morning.
Hollywood Beach: Le Tub for stone crab claws and harbor lights ($25 to $35/person) or Billy's for market seafood.
Dania Beach: Quarterdeck at the pier. Mahi tacos and ocean breezes ($20/person).
Fort Lauderdale: 15th Street Fisheries upstairs deck (reservations smart) for grouper and river views ($30/person). Or Shooters if you want live music starting.
Portion control: Share apps. One entree. Add a waterfront cocktail (or mocktail) for the vibe. $12 to $15. Wrap by 8pm. Stroll back to your hotel. Pack cruise bag tonight. Sleep sounds perfect.
This Day 1 rhythm clocks ~10 hours active but feels restorative. Total spend: $80 to $120/person (transport, food, taxi pass). You are beach-tanned, full, and cruise-ready.
What to do on Day 2 in Fort Lauderdale: Breakfast + Port Check‑In
Wake up around 7:30am. No rush. You have got buffer time before your ship's check-in window. Order room service coffee if your hotel offers it, or walk to one of the breakfast spots from your area list. Keep this morning light. You already got your beach and Water Taxi fix yesterday. If you ended up with a late check-in window for the ship, you do have time to take in the sights (and, let’s be real, the food) of Fort Lauderdale.
Breakfast: Pick a Local Favorite (8am to 9:30am)
Fuel up smart. My top pick across areas is Cafe Club in Hollywood Beach (avocado toast and smoothies hit different after Pittsburgh winters). But you have options no matter where you land.
Hollywood Beach: Giorgio's Bistro for light plates or Cafe Club (linked above) for that breakfast I still dream about.
Dania Beach: Grampa's Cafe for matzo ball soup (anything can be breakfast, tbh) or a everything bagel with lox ($9 to $12). Lester's Diner if you want classic eggs and bacon fast.
Fort Lauderdale Beach/Downtown: Grab from a Las Olas cafe or hit a Riverwalk spot. Quick and walkable.
Eat outside if weather allows. Watch the beach wake up.
Total time: 45 to 60 minutes.
Bill: $10 to $20/person.
Late Morning: Last Tastes of Fort Lauderdale (9:30am to 11am)
One final low-key activity. Nothing that wears you out before boarding.
Hollywood Beach: Final Broadwalk stroll. Sit at a cafe table. I spent this time with my Merlin app, IDing gulls and pelicans we never see back home. Pure relaxation.
Dania Beach: Walk the pier. Watch fishermen reel in snapper. Or quick visit to Jai-Alai if games start early (free spectator sport, 15-minute thrill).
Fort Lauderdale Beach: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park entrance trail (shaded, 20-minute loop). Or people-watch at Las Olas with a second coffee.
Pack up by 11am. Check out. Store bags with hotel if needed. You are port-bound soon.
Lunch: Skip or Super Quick (11am to Noon, Optional)
If hungry before transfer, grab to-go. Save real eating for the ship.
Dania Beach: Bake Shack pastry ($5).
Hollywood: Rocco's slice again. (It’s just really good ok)
Fort Lauderdale: Coconuts conch salad to-go ($12).
Most cruisers skip lunch. The ship awaits.
Getting to Port Everglades (Noon to Check-In)
Time your rideshare 45 minutes before your assigned slot. Port Everglades turns into parking lot central on embarkation day.
From Hollywood Beach: 6 miles, 10 to 15 minutes, $15 to $25 Uber/Lyft.
From Dania Beach: 8 miles, 10 to 12 minutes, $12 to $20.
From Fort Lauderdale Beach: 2 to 5 miles, under 10 minutes, $10 to $15.
Arrive in your window. Lines move by group calls. Have docs out: boarding pass, ID, credit card. Onboard 90 minutes pre-sail minimum. Security is standard airport style. Then welcome aboard drinks.
Total Day 2 spend: $20 to $40/person. And don’t forget to tip your driver.
You roll up to the ship rested and breakfast-full. No sprint from the airport. That is the 36-hour magic.
What I Wouldn’t Recommend
I’m not going to name names, but always make sure to check, double check, triple check reviews (or, better yet, work with a travel agent who will do that part for you) to make sure you aren’t staying at a hotel that is notorious for bad breakfast, bedbugs, or poor service. It’s easy to make this mistake, even as a travel agent like me. The hotel we stayed at in Hollywood Beach was clean, extremely close to the beach, and had a comfy bed, but we, uh, referred to the free breakfast as “the soup kitchen.” And I’ve worked in soup kitchens. They have better food than this hotel did.
Planning a Fort Lauderdale cruise? I’ve got you.
If this all feels overwhelming and you’d rather have someone else plan this trip, I’d love to give you my insider tips and tricks and handle all the details. Fill out my planning form and we’ll get this trip rolling.
Bonus: 48 Hours in Fort Lauderdale? Do This.
Take a trip down to North Miami and take a kayak excursion through the mangroves and then over to Raccoon Island. This was actually on par with our cruise for just general coolness. I can personally attest that SloFlo Water Adventures is incredible, especially if you’re not totally comfortable in a kayak. They’ll take great care of you, and nobody gets left behind! Just remember to bring some fresh fruit snacks for the raccoons, and maybe some fresh water. That’s the only way they get fresh water on the island! (and if you forget to bring snacks for the raccoons, it’s fine. Your tour guides will bring a watermelon.)
