Fort Lauderdale Back to Back

[Birdieman1]

Have been on several cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and always went by cab, I don't really know if you can walk in and out of the Cruise Terminal through Security to spend the day in Fort Lauderdale, we like to walk lots so if anyone knows if they will let you walk, please let us know. Thanks

[catl331]

Have been on several cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and always went by cab, I don't really know if you can walk in and out of the Cruise Terminal through Security to spend the day in Fort Lauderdale, we like to walk lots so if anyone knows if they will let you walk, please let us know. ThanksYes, you can get off the ship for the day - or so I've read here. There really isn't anything much to walk to, though.

[Birdieman1]

There is lots to do in Fort Lauderdale, as long as you can walk through the Security gate you can take a bus downtown or the water taxi for the day, it is beautiful, just wondering if you can walk through the security gate???

[Krazy Kruizers]

Most times HAL docks at pier 26.

The majority of the piers are all in a frieght area.

There are 2 security check points -- both are quite a distance from where the ships dock -- quite a walk. And then you are not near anything -- more walking.

You should take a taxi to a mall.

One other note for Ft lauderdale -- I see that you are Canadian -- you will need to report to immigration on the ship before you can go ashore. The last night of the first cruise you will get a letter indicating the place and time (on the ship) that you will report to.

[Birdieman1]

Thanks for the info, we are golfers and love to walk, and we know about the immigration policies. Thanks

[sail7seas]

The problem could be walking back into Port Everglades.
You will be stopped at a Sheriff's Inspection Station and you would be good to have your passport, ship's ID for both legs of your b-to-b and your cruise boarding pass printed out. They can be very particular about you having proper documentation. (You need both ID's when you leave the ship anyway as you have to scan off with the old one and scan on with the new one.)

I agree with the others about taking a taxi out of the port onto 17th Street Causeway and then begin to walk if you wish. At least walking there will bring you to places for something to do/see. You can walk miles to your heart's content and still have stores and restaurants etc available if you wish to stop for a cold drink etc.

[DaveOKC]

I do not know how security would react to you, both ways, walking, but you should be able to walk to the Harbor Plaza shopping center which has Total Wine, Publix, several bar/resteraunts, and other shops. My guess it is about a mile, but that REALLY depend on which pier you come in on. I would try posting a question on the Florida boards here, they have some great folks who really know the area and some who seem to be able to find out which pier you will be coming in at. They can even tell you the approximate distance.

DaveOKC

[ammaoftheseas]

Have been on several cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and always went by cab, I don't really know if you can walk in and out of the Cruise Terminal through Security to spend the day in Fort Lauderdale, we like to walk lots so if anyone knows if they will let you walk, please let us know. Thanks
I don't see why you couldn't walk (the ships are usually far from the street) I was looking at the ships today and told DH it looks like you could just wheel your suitcase from the hotel by the Bimini Boat Yard to the ship. He told me it is father than it looks. We live about 15 min from the port just had dinner across the street from the port at Bimini Boat Yard love eating there. We go there a lot, we will ask the security next time we are that way, and let you know how to get to the river boat taxi. We have done that and love it. How soon do you need to know.
Lindy

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have eaten many times at the Biminy Boat Yard. If you have a lot of luggage -- it is not an easy walk from the hotel there -- through security -- and through the freight area to the ship.

The water taxis do not go to any of the piers -- security reasons!!

In fact -- shortly after 9/11 Burt and Jacks had to close because of security reasons -- they used to be right at the end of the pier area where HAL docks.

[ammaoftheseas]

We have eaten many times at the Biminy Boat Yard. If you have a lot of luggage -- it is not an easy walk from the hotel there -- through security -- and through the freight area to the ship.

The water taxis do not go to any of the piers -- security reasons!!

In fact -- shortly after 9/11 Burt and Jacks had to close because of security reasons -- they used to be right at the end of the pier area where HAL docks.

Sounds like you know your way around BUT "we will ask the security at port next time we are that way. Most-likely Sat. or Sun.

[RedmondCruiser]

Have been on several cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and always went by cab, I don't really know if you can walk in and out of the Cruise Terminal through Security to spend the day in Fort Lauderdale, we like to walk lots so if anyone knows if they will let you walk, please let us know. Thanks

If you want to walk around I'd take a cab to 17th walk from there. You have to contend with security along the way also. --------- one comment - the Biminey Boat Yard is a great place to eat.

[sail7seas]

You can catch the Water Taxi at Hyatt Pier 66 Marina..... behind Grill 66. That is one of the regular stops. This hotel is located on 17th Street Causeway, very near the entrance to Port Everglades. Keep in mind entering Port Everglades could well be leaving you far from where your ship will dock.

Yes..... HAL usually/often/mostly uses Pier 26 but depending upon how many ships are in and how many HAL ships are in, you could dock anywhere. When Port Everglades has 12 and more ships are in, they are pushed every which way and often away from their regular dock.

[sail7seas]

If you want to walk around I'd take a cab to 17th walk from there. You have to contend with security along the way also. --------- one comment - the Biminey Boat Yard is a great place to eat.


We ate in Bimini Boat Yard in June, 2008 just after it and the whole mall had been sold. It was awful. Happy to hear it is back to being good again. We had the worst service and the food was terrible. Very disappointing as we know it used to serve a decent meal. I think it was just days after the sale.

[RedmondCruiser]

We ate in Bimini Boat Yard in June, 2008 just after it and the whole mall had been sold. It was awful. Happy to hear it is back to being good again. We had the worst service and the food was terrible. Very disappointing as we know it used to serve a decent meal. I think it was just days after the sale.

We were there this spring and the food was good and so was the service. Prior to that it had been 4years ago and the food was good then. Sorry to hear that you had a bad expirience there. ------ and your right Bimini is the correct spelling -- thought that my version did'nt look right.

[scopewest]

It's a long walk, even if you're at the first pier. Take a taxi to get out of the port (have some destination in mind for the driver) and then start your walking sightseeing. Be sure to have all the docs other posters have mentioned so you won't have trouble getting back to the ship. We tried a few years ago to walk in just to look around and security stopped us and said get lost :) I would imagine security is even tighter these days.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Security is very tight in Port Everglades.

Even our taxi drivers have to show identity when they enter the area.

[sail7seas]

As passengers in the back of a taxi, we always have to show our passports and sometimes our cruise documents to Sheriff's working Port Everglades security.

[sail7seas]

We were there this spring and the food was good and so was the service. Prior to that it had been 4years ago and the food was good then. Sorry to hear that you had a bad expirience there. ------ and your right Bimini is the correct spelling -- thought that my version did'nt look right.

The restaurant and the entire mall was sold just days before we ate there. Apparently they were 'in transition' and was the reason our experience was so bad.

Maybe we'll give them another chance on one of our future visits to FLL.

[peug]

When is your BtoB? We are on the Oct 23 on the Maasdam. We plan to stay on board and do laundry that day :( I haven't found anyone who is on the full 28 days with us. I did start a roll call thread but not one person answered so maybe we are the only CC's?

[Birdieman1]

We are on the back to backs starting Jan 24 on the Noordam, we have stayed in Fort Lauderdale several times, the only question was walking through security as we always drove in, we always carry our passports and cruisecards and love walking, we also have eaten at the Boat Yard, great spot. Most of the ports are just a walk by the security, show your cards and sometimes your passports and at the Port in Fort Lauderdale we never experienced them counting passengers and they never ever looked at our Passports, my wife didn't even get them out of their purse and they waved us through, so we thought we would walk after the first cruise in between the next one!!

[sail7seas]

Just because you have 'breezed through' before do not count on walking (or riding) through the security station without proper ID. You may or may not be asked but you best have it just in case.

We have always had to show it in the last 3-4 years and we always arrive by taxi.

I don't think you will have a problem walking. Can't imagine why they would not permit it.

[Birdieman1]

We always have ID and passports at all times

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have also always arrived at the port by taxi.

And for the last few years our taxi driver has had to show ID and we have always had to show our passports.

Only once did they want to see our cruise documents at security.