big easy cruise fort lauderdale

2025 The Big Easy Cruise

PRODUCED BY STARVISTA LIVE

JANUARY 5-12, 2025 | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – KEY WEST – BELIZE CITY – COZUMEL

• Cruise Itinerary
• Early Interest List

Laissez le bon temps rouler

(Let the good times roll)

On board the

2025 big easy cruise, make pre-reservations to be onboard early because availability may not last long get ready, get set., the big easy cruise is returning in 2025.

Cabin sales for 2025 open to the public on Tuesday, November 21st. Zydeco!

Enjoy Celebrity-Hosted Activities!

So much more than just a concert, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the artists onboard at events including:

• Cooking demonstrations
• Artist-hosted wine tasting
• Panel discussions
• Artist Q&A Sessions

Bons Temps et Bons Amis!

Soak up the music, the food, and the good vibes on this New Orleans music festival at sea!

• Round-the-clock concerts & entertainment
• Interactive events with the artists
• New Orleans themed special events
• Exciting ports of call
• 7 nights of luxury on the highly rated  Nieuw Amsterdam
• Sail with other music fans like you

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

The Allman Betts Band

Anders Osborne

The Soul Rebels

Marcia Ball

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Blind Boys of Alabama

Louisiana’s LeRoux

Bender Brass Band

John Boutté

Minx Burlesque

Johnny Sansone

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

John “Papa” Gros

Sierra Green

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux

J’Wan Boudreaux

Co-Host Cole Williams

Music Host Keith Spera

Artist lineup subject to change

CABIN PRICES

If you have sailed on any StarVista LIVE Cruise, then you are eligible for the “Alumni Rate.” To inquire about the “Alumni Rate,” please call the office at 585.653.8746 .

Wait List available for sold out cabins.

• Port Charges/Taxes/Gratuities/Admin Fee: $365 per person is due when remaining balance is due. The cost for 3rd and 4th passengers in a stateroom is $1,000 per person plus all applicable taxes and fees.

These prices are “cruise only” in U. S. Dollars (USD) and are quoted per person based upon double occupancy, except for “Singles”, and do not include port charges, airfare, ground transportation, onboard purchases, purchased drinks onboard or excursions. It does include all meals, shows and onboard events produced by StarVista LIVE.

To qualify for the “Military Rate” you must provide a copy of your DD-214 or a military ID. Please call/text 585-653-8746 and the 5% discount will be applied to your balance. Please note that in order to receive this discount, you cannot have already paid your cruise in full.

2025 Itinerary

Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam

Consistently highest-rated premium cruise line by Conde Nast Traveler’s “Readers’ Choice Awards” and “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure, we could not have a better partner to provide you luxury dining during this unique experience.

Ship Highlights

The Nieuw Amsterdam features 11 passenger decks, premier dining options, lounges surrounded by panoramic views, the popular Greenhouse spa and salon with hydro pool as well as the award-winning fitness center to fulfill our promise of excellence.

Every Stateroom, A Gracious Retreat

Spacious staterooms average 25% larger and private verandahs average 50% larger than on typical ships.

Enjoy Exquisite Dining Across a Range of Venues

Enjoy delicious and innovative menus across a broad range of dining venues prepared by our master chefs. From a casual bite poolside to a formal five-course affair in our classic main Dining Room, you will have a truly memorable dining experience. Venues include:

• Pinnacle Grill
• The Dining Room
• Lido Market
• New York Pizza
• Ship’s Registry:  The Netherlands
• Passenger capacity:  2,106
• Crew members:   929
• Gross tonnage:   86,700grt
• Length:   936 feet
• Beam:   105.8
• Maximum speed:   23.9 knots
• Dedicated:  July, 04, 2010, by HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Interesting links

• Eastern Canada & New England
• Soul Train Cruise 2025 – November Information
• 2025 Soul Train Cruise – November
• Soul Train Cruise Sold Out
• The Big Easy Cruise 2025
• Country Music Cruise 2025
• Country Music Cruise 2024
• 2025 Soul Train Cruise – January
• Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond
• 2024 Malt Shop Memories Cruise
• Protected: August CocoCay

Roller Coaster Cruises

• ROLLER COASTER CRUISE
• BUMPER CAR CRUISE
• GO-KART CRUISE
• SKY DIVING CRUISE
• TALLEST WATER SLIDE CRUISE
• WATER COASTER CRUISE
• FAMILY FEUD CRUISE
• PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY CRUISE
• THE WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP
• THE DISNEY CRUISE
• THE 1980's MTV CRUISE
• THE MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE
• THE OLD SCHOOL CRUISE
• THE SUPER LEGENDS CRUISE
• WELCOME TO JAMROCK REGGAE CRUISE
• THE GROOVE CRUISE
• THE BOUNCE TV LEGACY CRUISE
• AVENTURA DANCE CRUISE
• DAYS OF SUMMER HIP HOP CRUISE
• THE SUPER BOWL CRUISE
• THE BIG EASY CRUISE
• THE JAZZ CRUISE
• THE HAWAII CRUISE
• DESIRE EXPERIENCE CRUISE
• THE PUERTO RICO CRUISE
• THE JUBILEE CRUISE

THE BIG EASY CRUISE 2023

November 4 - 11, 2023, cruise ship:, holland america line nieuw amsterdam, fort lauderdale -  cozumel, new orleans.

The Inaugural Big Easy Cruise Is Finally Here!

We’re excited to finally announce the first ever sailing of the big easy cruise, join us for 7 days and let the good times roll., booking is now open to the public so book your spot and get ready to soak up the music, the food, and the vibe on this new orleans music festival at sea.

Tedeschi Trucks - Fireside Live (special appearance on ship in New Orleans)

Little feat, irma thomas, samantha fish, dirty dozen brass band, leo nocentelli of the meters with special guest  cyril neville, anders osborne, jon cleary  & the absolute monster gentlemen, tuba skinny, john boutté, johnny sansone, rockin’ dopsie jr. & the zydeco twisters, honey island swamp band, john “papa” gros, jimmy carpenter, minx burlesque, the tin men, bender brass band, the newbees, chef kevin belton, galactic (special appearance*) featuring anjelika jelly joseph *cruise guests will be treated, at no additional cost, to an exclusive galactic performance at famed club tipitina's while the big easy cruise visits new orleans, and more to be added, bons temps et bons amis, soak up the music, the food, and the good vibes on this new orleans music festival at sea , round-the-clock concerts & entertainment, interactive events with the artists, new orleans themed special events, exciting ports of call, 7 nights of luxury on the highly rated nieuw amsterdam, sail with other music fans like you.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE BIG EASY CRUISE

The big easy new orleans music cruise, the most anticipated event of the year, the greatest  musicvacation at sea for everyone.

• Popular artists in Fort Lauderdale
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• Fort Lauderdale concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Fort Lauderdale
• Popular artists

Saturday 04 November 2023 – Saturday 11 November 2023

The Big Easy Cruise 2023

Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

Line-up: Little Feat , Galactic , Anders Osborne , Jon Cleary , Cha Wa , and John "Papa" Gros

• Little Feat
• Anders Osborne
• John "Papa" Gros

Share this festival

Related upcoming events.

• Friday October 18, 2024 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach
• Friday October 25, 2024 Beats Antique Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
• Sunday January 05, 2025 St. Paul and The Broken Bones, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Anders Osborne, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue The Big Easy Cruise 2025, Fort Lauderdale
• Saturday January 11, 2025 Los Lobos Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce
• Saturday March 15, 2025 Kansas, Air Supply, The Guess Who, and Al Stewart The 70's Rock & Romance Cruise 2025, Fort Lauderdale

• Most popular charts
• Campaigns for promoters
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• Sports News
• Country Music News
• Celebrity News
• Food and Drink
• Nashville News

The Inaugural Big Easy Cruise Includes Little Feat, Samantha Fish + More

StarVista LIVE’s inaugural Big Easy Cruise will set sail on November 4, with an impressive lineup for the seven-day cruise. Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, the ship will travel to New Orleans and Cozumel, before returning on November 11, with nonstop music throughout the week.

The lineup for the Big Easy Cruise includes Little Feat, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish , Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Leo Nocentelli from The Meters, Anders Osborne, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Tuba Skinny, John Boutté, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters, Honey Island Swamp Band and John “Papa” Gros. More artists are expected to be anounced shortly.

“We want to bring the community of people who love the essence of New Orleans together with beloved icons in music, food and more,” says Mike Jason, StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment. “Our guests will be immersed in the soul of New Orleans, with rare opportunities to spend time with their favorite artists and musicians. And the best part is that all of this is offered in an intimate and comfortable style aboard a world class ship with incredible amenities.”

Not only will the Big Easy Cruise feature nonstop music, but guests will also enjoy unique events that will “bring guests alongside leaders, creators and innovators in music, cuisine and history for a series of events including live interviews and songwriting presentations, theme nights, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting and much, much more,” per a press release.

The news comes as the 2024 Country Music Cruise is quickly selling out That lineup includes Tracy Lawrence ,  Shenandoah ,   Billy Dean ,  Darryl Worley ,  Neal McCoy ,  Joe Nichols , Home Free ,   Clint Black ,  Wade Hayes , Linda Davis, Jimmy Fortune, Moe Bandy and more,

“I had such a great time several years ago when I got to go, and made some really amazing friends that I stayed in touch with. I ended up spending a lot of time at the blackjack table that week and just met some really interesting people,” Lawrence tells  Everything Nash.  “I really made it a point to work the ship, and hang out at different spots and meet a lot of the different folks. My family, we’ve enjoyed taking cruises for many years. We’ve been to a lot of different destinations. We’ve been all over the Caribbean, and we’ve been to Hawaii, on a lot of different boats.

“But this one is really special,” he continues. “I really just embrace the whole thing. And having that aspect for the fans, and being able to have a good time with all the great types of music, it’s really awesome.”

The Big Easy Cruise will take place on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam. More information is avialable at BigEasyCruise.com .

• Restaurants
• Things to Do

Privacy Policy

THE BIG EASY CRUISE:  Cuisine, Culture…and All that Jazz!

New Orleans Comes to the High Seas!

Imagine experiencing the music, culture, cuisine and spirit of New Orleans on a 7-day voyage from Fort Lauderdale aboard Holland America’s luxurious Nieuw Amsterdam!

On November 4 th , the 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam hosts its first-ever Big Easy Cruise, a celebration that includes some of the biggest names in American music, including Little Feat, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Leo Nocentelli from The Meters, Anders Osborne, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Tuba Skinny, John Boutté, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters, Honey Island Swamp Band and John “Papa” Gros with more jazz, funk, R&B, Cajun, zydeco and blues-based artists to be announced in the coming months.

As a special treat, the ship sails to New Orleans itself where guests will be treated to a very special exclusive performance by  Galactic  featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph at the famed club Tipitina’s, and enjoy other rich cultural experiences throughout the city before continuing on to Cozumel.

Artists across R&B, blues, rock, jazz, swamp pop, and even brass bands have been hand-selected to deliver the sounds of the city every day and night on board. One-of-a-kind events will bring guests alongside leaders, creators and innovators in music, cuisine and history for a series of events that include live interviews and songwriting presentations, theme nights, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and much, much more.

“We want to bring the community of people who love the essence of New Orleans together with beloved icons in music, food and more,” says Mike Jason, StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment. “Our guests will be immersed in the soul of New Orleans, with rare opportunities to spend time with their favorite artists and musicians. And the best part is that all of this is offered in an intimate and comfortable style aboard a world class ship with incredible amenities.”

This might be StarVista LIVE’s very first Big Easy Cruise but the company has, for 13 years, been a leader in music and event cruises like The Flower Power Cruise, 70’s Rock & Romance Cruise, The Country Music Cruise, Malt Shop Memories Cruise and others. So when it comes to The Big Easy sailing, you can be sure they know their stuff, from “A” to Zydeco!

Fares for the 7-day Big Easy Cruise range from $1,949 for an interior cabin through $4,599 for the Nieuw Amsterdam’s chi-chi Neptune Suite, cruise only, based on double occupancy.

See cruises here: Holland America Line  & Nieuw Statendam

See more of Judi Cuervo’s stories here: Judi Cuervo’s Blog – All Things Cruise

For additional information, ask a travel advisor to help you find a Big Easy cruise.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

All Things Cruise is dedicated to the joy of travel. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises.

We would love to have you subscribe for travel updates, news and great offers directly from the cruise lines!

The Big Easy Cruise

How many cities in the United States…or anywhere… have a SOUND? Jazz, funk, or R&B - you know it as soon as you hear it - “ that sounds like New Orleans!” Nearly 20 million people visit New Orleans every year for all kinds of reasons, and in January 2025, we’re taking the fun reasons to sea!

Leave your winter clothes behind for seven days aboard the concert-packed Big Easy Cruise . The cruise sails January 5-12, 2025  aboard the stunning and award-winning Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam , departing from Ft. Lauderdale and visiting Key West, Belize City, and Cozumel .

Get ready to soak up the music, the food, and the vibe on this New Orleans music festival at sea. Guests will enjoy non-stop brass band, R&B, swamp pop, blues and jazz concerts that get you on your feet. Just like the other seven StarVista LIVE cruises, the Big Easy Cruise will feature a curated roster of artists who are guaranteed to capture the theme and create incredible memories.

In addition to live music in five or more venues virtually around the clock, the cruise will feature guest speakers, songwriters, theme nights, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, trivia contests and much, much more. Of course, Holland America offers elegant dining options, a world-class spa, shopping, your favorite cocktail options, and poolside activities. 

The world-class Holland America culinary and beverage staff will be looking to add a bit of the classic New Orleans food and beverages offerings to the guest’s dining and entertainment experience.

Ditch the heat and crowds of the land-based music festivals and treat yourself to a luxury cruise vacation with world-class amenities and service. The music you love, all day and night, in an intimate setting, and best of all, the comfort of your cabin and an occasional nap are just an elevator ride away! It’s the upside without the downside. Accessible. Intimate. Roll with what you want because it’s the Big Easy, after all!

For more information visit https://bigeasycruise.com

Big Easy Cruise Press Release

Join Our Email List

• Malt Shop Memories Cruise OCT 27-NOV 3, 2024
• The Big Easy Cruise January 5-12, 2025
• Ultimate Disco Cruise FEBRUARY 19-24, 2025
• Sandy Beaches Cruise JANUARY 12-19, 2025
• The Country Music Cruise JANUARY 19-26, 2025
• Soul Train Cruise JAN 26-FEB 2, 2025
• '70s Rock & Romance Cruise  MARCH 15-22, 2025
• Flower Power Cruise MARCH 22 - 29, 2025
• Southern Rock Cruise Not Scheduled
• Abbey Road on The River MAY 23-27, 2024  

Our Promise

StarVista LIVE promises to provide you with a unique entertainment experience, bringing you together with a community of like-minded enthusiasts to relive favorite moments, create new memories, and enjoy unparalleled access to the superstars you love. 

Join our newsletter!

The Big Easy Cruise 2025 Lineup: Trombone Shorty, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Allman Betts Band, More

The Big Easy Cruise will sail January 5–12, 2025 with a musical gumbo of performances honoring the spirit and culture of New Orleans.

The festival at sea will host over 100 live performances including sets by  Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue , St. Paul & The Broken Bones , The Allman Betts Band , Tab Benoit , Anders Osborne , The Soul Rebels , and many more. Cruisers will also enjoy over 20 interactive artist-led events, with jam sessions, Q&As, gameshows, trivia, and more, as well as New Orleans festival inspired activities like themed pool parties, costume nights, and the very best authentic New Orleans cuisine, all while traveling from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Cozumel and back with stops in Key West and Belize City. All meals served on the ship except for meals at the specialty restaurants are included in the ticket cost, including 24-hour room service (late night fees may apply).

Rounding out the Big Easy Cruise 2025 artist lineup are Marcia Ball , Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen , Blind Boys of Alabama , Louisiana’s LeRoux , Bender Brass Band , Johnny Sansone , Chambers DesLauriers , Sugaray Rayford , Bonerama , John Boutté , Tin Men , Washboard Chaz Blues Trio , Minx Burlesque , Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers , John “Papa” Gros , Sierra Green , Big Chief Monk Boudreaux , J’Wan Boudreaux , and Chef Kevin Belton .

Tickets for The Big Easy Cruise 2025 are on sale now. Reserve your cabin now via the festival website .

In other Big Easy news,  Live For Live Music is gearing up to host a slew of exciting events during New Orleans Jazz Fest, including Daze Between New Orleans featuring Lettuce ,  Gov’t Mule , Krasno/Moore Project, Galactis Featuring Jelly Joseph, and many more, as well as the Fest By Nite late-night series, which includes a number of all-star collaborations and tributes to Chaka Khan , Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead , Tower of Power and Stevie Wonder , Dr. John , and more. For more information and tickets, click here .

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Complete Guide to Cruising from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

When it comes to departure points for a cruise, it’s hard to beat Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

With nearly 4 million cruise passengers each year, Port Everglades comes as one of the busiest ports in Florida (along with Miami and Port Canaveral ), which also means its one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.

Spread out a bit more than the Port of Miami, it can be a bit confusing to navigate the port if you’re a first-timer or if you simply haven’t sailed from there in a while. Not to worry, our guide below will give you all the details you need to know to sail from the South Florida port.

• Distance from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport: 3 miles | 10 minutes
• Distance from Miami Airport: 30 miles | 35-55 minutes
• Number of Cruise Terminals: 8
• Passengers Carried Each Year: ~3.7 million

Port Everglades Location

When it comes to convenience, it’s hard to beat the location of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Sitting right at the edge of the Atlantic, ships can leave from the port and be in the open water in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile, the port is also extremely close to the Fort Lauderdale airport. The airport is just three miles away, or about 10 minutes. In other words you can fly in and be at your ship within an hour — even accounting for getting off the plane and getting to your ride.

If you are driving to the port, the address is:

1850 Eller Drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Of course, while many people fly in and head directly to the cruise port, the entire South Florida region is a tourist destination. Therefore, you may be coming to the port from somewhere other than the airport. In that case, here’s the distance and mileage from several points of interest in the area:

• Fort Lauderdale Airport: 3 miles | 10 minutes
• Miami Airport: 30 miles | 35-55 minutes
• South Beach: 30 miles | 40-60 minutes
• Las Olas: 4.5 miles | 15 minutes
• Seminole Hard Rock Casino: 8 miles | 15-20 minutes
• Hollywood: 7 miles | 20 minutes
• Boca Raton: 25 miles | 30 minutes

Port Everglades Cruise Terminals

The cruise terminals at Port Everglades are spread out compared to many other ports like Miami. There are two distinct regions — Northport and Midport. Northport is comprised of Terminals 2, & 4. Midport consists of Terminals 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, & 29. Given the higher number of terminals, most people cruise from Midport facilities.

Terminal 2 Renovated a few years ago, Terminal 2 is home to Princess Cruises. One of the unique features of the terminal is that it’s setup for Princess’ Ocean Medallion service, which is a wearable device that can replace your room keycard. The terminal offers 85,000 square feet of space, including about 21,000 square feet for passenger waiting, so you should never feel cramped.

Terminal 4 Sailing Disney Cruise Line? Then you’ll sail from Terminal 4, the last cruise terminal in the Northport area and right next to the Convention Center. This terminal was recently redone to honor Disney and features a “Finding Nemo” motif on your way to the ship.

Terminal 18 Sailing on Royal Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale? There’s a good chance you’ll sail from Terminal 18. It’s the main Royal Caribbean terminal and serves some of the largest ships in the cruise line’s fleet (Oasis-class vessels). As with all the terminals, there are parking options right nearby.

Terminal 19 Sitting on the south edge of Midport, Terminal 19 offers 1,300′ of berth and a cruise terminal that’s nearly 100,000 square feet. There’s tons of parking within walking distance. Given the location right next to Terminal 18, there’s also a good chance that one of the world’s largest cruise ships will be right next to your ship on cruise day.

Terminal 21 In the “U”-shaped cove in the port with Terminals 18 & 19, Terminal 21 is on the eastern edge of the port. Like other terminals in the port, it offers a huge amount of space, including nearly 1,500′ of berth space and 50 check-in stations to make things as quick as possible to get on the ship.

Terminal 25 There’s been a recent trend toward cruise lines building spectacular modern terminals and Terminal 25 fits the bill for Celebrity Cruises. As home to Celebrity — and the fleet’s most modern ships — Port Everglades has a sleek terminal to go along with those vessels.

Terminal 26 Toward the southern end of the port, Terminal 26 is perhaps the easiest terminal to get to. It’s right along the entrance road at the port. Parking is available at the Midport Garage (also known as the Palm Garage), right across the street from the cruise terminal.

Terminal 29 Terminal 29 is a bit out of the way from the other terminals at the southernmost end of the cruise port facilities. It’s an older terminal, but still perfect for getting on the ship. One issue is that the official port parking garage is a bit of a trek from here. You’ll want to park and then take the free shuttle to the terminal.

Hotels Near the Port

Once again, the location of Port Everglades offers a big advantage for cruise passengers. Sitting right near the airport and near A1A that runs along the beach, there are a number of hotels that are within just minutes of the port.

Even better news is that given the popularity of cruising from Fort Lauderdale, the hotels in the area cater to cruise passengers. A number of them offer up perks like cruise parking or shuttles to the cruise port.

As a rule of thumb, the hotels that are away from the beach typically have better prices and more benefits to attract cruisers. Those mega hotels right on the water usually make you pay dearly to park and often have resort fees as well. Look for hotels near the airport or those within walking distance of the port for the best deals.

Hotels near the port:

• Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise
• Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port
• Embassy Suites by Hilton 17th Street

Hotels near the airport (usually less expensive):

• Best Western Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port
• SpringHill Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
• Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port

Interested in more hotels, including options with cruise parking or shuttles to the port? See our list of Port Everglades hotels with cruise shuttles here and port hotels with cruise parking here .

Getting to Port Everglades (Transportation)

Given the location of the port, getting there is a breeze, especially if you are flying in. But even if you live in the area and plan on driving, you can still easily get to your ship and park at the port. We’ve covered all the ways to get to your cruise with our port transportation article . Below we have the highlights on the most popular ways to get to Port Everglades.

Driving to Port Everglades If you are already in South Florida, then you can simply drive to the port. One thing that you’ll need to keep in mind is if you are sailing from Northport (Terminals 2 or 4) or from Midport (Terminals 18-29). Depending on your cruise terminal, you want to use a different entrance to get into the port so that you can get to your ship faster.

The good news is that parking at any cruise terminal in Port Everglades is convenient and easy. Each terminal has a nearby parking area, typically a garage (Palm or Heron). It costs $20 per day to park at Port Everglades. 

Uber/Lyft Flying into Fort Lauderdale or Miami? Or maybe you just don’t want to deal with driving? Uber and Lyft are convenient options to the port. They offer service in both Miami or Fort Lauderdale (including airports), so no matter where you are, you can get a ride. We’ve estimated the cost of a ride from certain points of interest below. Keep in mind that these rates are for the entire car, not per person.

• Fort Lauderdale Airport: $15-20
• Miami Airport: $50-60
• South Beach: $40-50
• Las Olas: $15-20
• Seminole Hard Rock Casino: $15-20
• Hollywood: $15-20
• Boca Raton: $35-40

Taxi Are you more “old school”? Cabs are abundant all throughout South Florida to get you to Port Everglades. In general the estimated fares are higher than you’ll find with Uber and Lyft. Still, some people prefer to take a cab to the port. Here are the estimated fares from points around the area.

• Miami Airport: $70-80
• South Beach: $70-80
• Seminole Hard Rock Casino: $25-30
• Hollywood: $20-25
• Boca Raton: $60-70

Hotel Shuttles If you plan to stay in a hotel the night before your cruise, then look for a hotel that offers a shuttle to the cruise port. It’s an extra perk that’s great to have on cruise day. While some hotels offer rides for free, usually you will pay a nominal fee for the service. Even with a charge, it’s an affordable way to the port. See our full list of Port Everglades hotels with cruise shuttles .

Want to know more details about all your transportation options to Port Everglades? See our complete article on getting to the port .

Parking For Your Cruise

If you’re driving into Fort Lauderdale to cruise, then you’re going to need a spot to park your car. Fortunately there’s an entire industry surrounding cruise parking in Fort Lauderdale. We have all your options on our Port Everglades cruise parking page here . Below, we have general information regarding your parking options.

Parking at the Port By far the easiest and most convenient spot to park is at the port. Port Everglades has multiple parking facilities near the cruise terminals, giving you the ability to park right at your cruise ship. That means you can drive and arrive when you want, and then head home the second you get off the ship. Given the number of parking spots at the port, you don’t have to reserve a spot ahead of time. Simply show up on cruise day and park.

Parking at the port runs $20 per day for most vehicles. Have an oversized vehicle that doesn’t fit in a normal parking space? In that case, you’ll pay $25 per day. Parking at Port Everglades is comparable to other ports, though the costs can still add up. 

If you are a disabled cruise passenger, then you might be able to park for free at the port. Florida laws allow for free parking if you meet requirements such as having a Florida Toll Exemption Permit, car modifications such as hand or foot controls, ramps, and lifts, and/or a Florida Disabled Veteran license plate. If you think you might meet one of these requirements, contact the port at 954-468-3680 to learn how to park for free. It’s a great way to save some cash.

Independent Parking Lots As is the case in most port cities, there are independent lots near the cruise port. While these lots aren’t as convenient as parking right at the ship, they have the advantage of being cheaper. Plus, the lots will have shuttles to take you right to the ship. So if you don’t need to park right at the ship and don’t mind an extra 10 minutes to get to the ship, you can save significantly. Rates for independent lots run around $8 to $12 per day.

You can see a complete list of parking lots near the cruise port here .

Hotels with Cruise Parking As we mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of hotels in the area offering perks to cruise passengers. Hotels range from those that are literally walking distance to the port to the popular “Marina Mile” (which is a straight shot to the terminals) to spots around the airport. No matter where you want to stay and how much you want to spend, you’ll find a hotel that caters to cruise passengers by offering cruise parking.

Sometimes this parking is included with a one night’s stay, other times you will need to book a parking package. Still other hotels charge a few bucks a day to park, but at a discount to parking at the port. For full details and a list of hotels, see our Fort Lauderdale hotels with cruise parking page .

Dropping Off/Picking Up Passengers

If you’re a cruise passenger, it doesn’t get any easier than letting someone else worry about the driving and simply being dropped off or picked up after your cruise.

Unlike some other ports, Port Everglades has security checkpoints where those 18 years or older need to show identification/passenger ticket to get into the terminal area . Just be ready as you approach the checkpoint at the entrance to the port to make the line go faster.

Once inside the port, you’ll want to follow the signage to the appropriate cruise terminal for the ship. Keep in mind that there are a number of twists and turns in order to get around with so many terminals in a relatively small space. Meanwhile, if there are lots of ships in port, navigating can be stressful. It might be helpful to have one person navigate so the driver can focus on the road.

As you approach the port, you’ll see the signs for the passenger drop-off and pick-up areas. Pull up to the appropriate spot and you’ll be able to unload and load passengers.

Security/Check In

Before you can get onto the ship, you have to check in and pass through security. The good news is that it’s no big deal and in most cases can be done in 15 minutes or less.

When to Arrive These days most cruise lines have switched over to having staggered check in. This type of check-in gives you a 30-minute assigned window on when to arrive. While the ship might board from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., you might be asked to arrive between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Staggered check-in reduces crowds right at the start time of boarding, making the whole process smoother.

If you are assigned a check-in time, then you should aim to arrive at that time. Don’t arrive early.

The second method is the classic boarding window, though it seems fewer ships use this method now. The ship will board between hours such as 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Passengers can arrive at any time in this window.

If this is how your ship boards, we suggest actually arriving later in the boarding window. There is often a rush of passengers right at the start of boarding — and the ship may not be ready to accept passengers. In other words, if you don’t want the possibility of having to wait around to board, then arrive later in the window.

Security Cruise security is somewhat similar to that of an airport, but much less stressful. As you arrive, you’ll show your ID and boarding documents to make sure you are supposed to be on the ship. Then, you’ll put your bag through an x-ray machine as you walk through a metal detector. There’s no need to remove things like liquids from your luggage, nor do you need to remove shoes, belts, or laptops.

From there, you’ll head to check-in.

Checking In Most cruise lines have moved to allow passengers to check in online ahead of time. If you choose to do this, you’ll board with your boarding documents but be able to skip the traditional check-in lines. Your cabin keycard will be in a sealed envelope at your cabin door.

If you check-in the traditional way (or have some loose ends to tie up before boarding), you’ll stand in line and wait for an open check-in agent. Many terminals at Port Everglades have dozens of check-in stations, so the line moves quickly. Here you will assign a payment method for your onboard account, get your room key, and then board the ship. Your time with an agent will only take a few minutes, and then you’ll be ready to start your cruise.

Disembarkation

One of oddest things you’ll notice on your cruise is that everyone can’t wait to board the ship when you depart, but are just as eager to get off the ship when it gets back home.

When you debark, you can have the option of setting large bags outside the cabin the night before. The crew will pick them up and deliver the bags to the terminal for you. In this case you’ll need to wait until your debarkation group is told it’s time to get off the ship.

Instead, many people choose to carry all of their bags with them. The advantage is that this “self debarkation” group is the first group allowed off the ship. But since so many people choose the option, it can still be some time before you get off the vessel.

Once off the ship, you will be steered to the arrival hall where you will pick up your luggage (if you have it) and then head through customs to be admitted back into the United States. Port Everglades has both Global Entry and the Mobile Passport app , which can help you get through the lines more quickly.

Once through the CBP checkpoint, you’ll exit the terminal and find your transportation back to your hotel, airport, or home.

Things to Do Near the Port

As we mentioned, South Florida and Fort Lauderdale are known for their tourism. That means there’s quite a lot to do within a short drive of the cruise terminals. Here is just a sample of things going on in the area…

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Gambling on a cruise ship is always a popular pastime, but you don’t have to wait until you get to the ship in order to try your luck. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino is about 20 minutes from Port Everglades and is the largest and nicest casino in the area. Try your hand at any number of games in the massive gaming area. Also, there’s no missing the casino. They’ve recently built a massive guitar-shaped hotel as an addition that can be seen for miles around.

Las Olas Beach Fort Lauderdale’s beaches are some of the nicest in the world, and the heart of the beach is Las Olas. Just north of the port, it’s a large, wide white-sand beach with lots of facilities and lined with restaurants and shops. Even if you don’t go to the beach, it’s a good idea to at least take a stroll on the waterfront to get a feel for what Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi This area is unique due to the number of canals and waterways that run inland. In fact, there are so many that water taxis run circuits around Fort Lauderdale . It’s more than just a unique way to get around the city. For $40 a person, you can hop on and hop off as you please as you get a chance to see huge houses, even larger yachts, and learn about the area. It’s a great way to get a tour of the city in a memorable way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Time Should I Schedule My Flight Home? Fort Lauderdale has a big advantage over many other cruise ports in that it’s literally just a few minutes from the airport. If you are flying from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, you can get from the cruise port to the airport in 10 minutes. If you are flying from Miami, however, expect the ride to take at least 45 minutes, and upwards of an hour in heavy traffic.

Cruise ships arrive back to port early in the morning (6-7 a.m.) and debarking can take 2-3 hours from then. That gets you off the ship anywhere from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in most cases. For that reason, we’d suggest the earliest to schedule your flight is 11 a.m. if flying from Fort Lauderdale. Flying out at noon gives you even more breathing room. We will say that we’ve caught flights considerably earlier, however.

If departing Miami, then we’d suggest noon at the very earliest. Flying out after 1 p.m. would be ideal to give you enough time to get off the ship, get to the airport, and get through security.

What Ships Will Be in Port of Cruise Day? It’s always neat to see the other ships in port. Curious what other liners you will see when you sail away or get back? Check out Crew-Center.com . They have schedules for all the ports and you can see what mega ships you’ll see while docked in Fort Lauderdale.

Are Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale the Same Thing? While we’ve used Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale interchangeably, they are not actually one in the same. Fort Lauderdale is the city where Port Everglades is located. Meanwhile, the port itself is named Port Everglades. Don’t worry, many people use the names to mean the same thing.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, easy ways to get to port everglades in fort lauderdale for a cruise (port transportation), 25+ fort lauderdale hotels with cruise shuttles to the port, full list: fort lauderdale park & cruise hotels near port everglades, fort lauderdale (port everglades) cruise parking (where to park): prices, profiles, & map, using uber or lyft to port of miami and port everglades, explained: free disabled parking for florida cruises.

Porter tips at the Port Everglades passenger Cruise ship Terminal. Tips seems to be out of hand everywhere. Does the porter get an hourly wage? Are passengers required to give them a tip? It seems that a person could reasonably rack up a good some of money just getting to the ship from the hotel. Please advise.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What I Wish I Knew Before I Took My First Cruise

Answered: what is a good price for a cruise (caribbean, alaska, & europe), 20+ best miami “park and cruise” hotels (free/discount parking), hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Royal Destinations
• Cruise Planner
• Make a Payment
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Beverage Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Book a Flight
• Dining Packages​
• Royal Gifts
• Required Travel Documents
• Transportation
• Book a Hotel
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

2 Night Perfect Day Getaway Cruise

Your ship oasis of the seas.

PLAY IT UP BIG

The Perfect Storm℠

Splashaway Bay℠

Royal Escape Room℠ - Mission Control: Apollo 18

Ultimate Abyss℠

The nighttime of your life.

Bionic Bar ®

Playmakers℠ Bar & Arcade

Music Hall℠

Spotlight℠ Karaoke

Even more on the menu.

El Loco Fresh ®

Portside BBQ℠

Sugar Beach℠

Chops Grille℠

Day 1: fort lauderdale, florida.

STREET SCENE

VITAMIN SEA

GLADES OF GLORY

LOCAL CUISINE

Day 2: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

popular Shore Excursions

Amazing experiences coming soon..

Thrill Waterpark

Daredevil’s Tower

Splash Summit

Adventure Pool

Coco Beach Club

Overwater Cabanas

Beach Cabanas

The Restaurant

Hideaway Beach

Hideaway Pool and Swim-up Bar

On the Rocks

Slice of Paradise

Hideaway Cabanas

Island Dining

Captain Jack's®

Skipper's Grill

Chill Grill

SNACK SHACK

THRILLS & CHILLS

UP, UP AND AWAY

OASIS LAGOON

South Beach

CAPTAIN JILL’S GALLEON

SPLASHAWAY BAY

CHILL ISLAND

Day 3: fort lauderdale, florida.

Want an easy, cheap way to travel internationally? Cruise the Caribbean.

Nearly every time Kristin Chapman takes a cruise, she heads to the Caribbean .

The 38-year-old medical librarian has been on more than a dozen cruises, and itineraries packed with a variety of tropical destinations in the region have kept her coming back.

“What I really found enjoyable about the Caribbean was it really does give you the longer port days because the islands are so close together,” said Chapman, who lives in Connecticut. “It does make you feel like you have had more of an experience in where you're going, rather than the days at sea that you have in between different islands (on some other cruises).”

Caribbean cruises offer an easy, often affordable way to travel internationally from the U.S. “It’s a great way to check off a bunch of countries on your map,” Mike Harris, director of sales at online travel agency The Cruise Web.

Why are Caribbean cruises so popular?

Caribbean itineraries are the default choice of many cruisers – and with good reason. 

“Specifically, for the American market, it’s close to home,” said Harris. Cruise lines sail to the Caribbean from ports in cities ranging from Miami to Baltimore to New York City. “These are domestic ports that a lot of the country can drive to,” he added.

Once travelers set sail, there is something for everyone. “The versatility of the Caribbean is what makes it unique,” Harris said. That’s true of both the wide range of cruise lines operating there – including post-COVID-19 newcomers like Virgin Voyages – as well as its mix of beaches, cuisine, history, adventurous activities like cave tubing and zip lining and nightlife.

That combination of factors has proven increasingly compelling to guests. Demand for Caribbean cruises was up nearly 5% in the first two quarters of the year compared to the same time in 2019, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization.

The Caribbean’s market share in the industry is also at 44%, an increase from 34% in 2019, said Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

Pro tip: Cruises that leave from the Caribbean, like a Carnival Cruise Line sailing Chapman took from San Juan, Puerto Rico, tend to have fewer sea days and maximize your time in port.

When is the best time to take a Caribbean cruise?

The region has long been seen as a “warm weather destination” where travelers can go to escape the cold, according to Paige.

But in recent years, more lines have begun offering Caribbean sailings all year. “They have year-round great weather, but it’s more than just the weather,” she said.

Still, Harris said passengers will find the most variety of ships there from November through March. “You'll get the big contemporary ships, you get the medium premium brands, but you also get the very small deluxe and luxury brands that are going to very small, exclusive islands that a lot of people just haven't heard of,” he said.

In the summer, smaller ships typically reposition elsewhere – like Alaska or Europe – and the Caribbean is mostly populated by big ships catering to families with kids out of school.

( Click here for USA TODAY’s cruise line guide ).

Are Caribbean cruises expensive?

Because so many itineraries are offered throughout the year, Harris said travelers can often find cheaper sailings than in some other destinations. “You can find a Caribbean cruise for as low as $60 a day, all the way up to $2,200 a day just depending on the experience you’re looking for,” he said.

These items are banned on cruises: Read this before you pack

Upcoming Caribbean cruises

◾ Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas ship will sail a four-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing Nov. 15. The cruise will sail round-trip from Miami with a stop in Labadee, Haiti. The fare starts at $272 per person based on double occupancy, according to the line’s website .

◾ Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun ship will sail a 12-day Caribbean cruise round-trip from Baltimore, departing Dec. 9. The cruise will stop in San Juan; Philipsburg, Sint Maarten; Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Cabins start at just under $849 per person based on double occupancy, according to the line’s website .

◾ Carnival Cruise Line will offer a round-trip six-day Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, leaving Dec. 10. The sailing on the line’s Carnival Dream ship will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, as well as Belize. Available cabins currently start at $809 per guest based on double occupancy, according to Carnival’s website .

◾ Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn ship will depart on a 10-day cruise from Bridgetown, Barbados, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 26. Passengers will visit Bequia in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Castries, Saint Lucia; Saint John’s; Gustavia in St. Barts; Saint Thomas; Spanish Town in the British Virgin Islands; and San Juan. Fares currently start at $5,350 per guest based on double occupancy, according to the luxury line’s website .

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Traveling from Fort Lauderdale, FL ? Check out these local departures and sail with ease.

•  Spanish

Enter your Zip code

Lisa fontana vacation consultant.

Search Cruises

Destinations.

•  Any Destination

Most Popular

•  Caribbean
•  Bahamas
•  Mexico
•  Alaska
•  Europe
•  Bermuda
•  Hawaii
•  Canada/New England

Other Destinations

•  Africa
•  Arctic
•  Australia/New Zealand
•  Central America
•  Galapagos
•  Greenland
•  Middle East
•  Pacific Coastal
•  Panama Canal
•  South America
•  South Pacific
•  Transatlantic
•  World Cruise

Cruise Line

•  Any Cruise line
•  Carnival Cruise Lines
•  Celebrity Cruises
•  Costa Cruises
•  Disney Cruise Line
•  Holland America
•  MSC Cruises
•  Norwegian Cruise Line
•  Princess
•  Royal Caribbean
•  Virgin Voyages
•  Azamara
•  Cunard
•  Explora Journeys
•  Oceania Cruises
•  Regent Seven Seas
•  Seabourn
•  Silversea
•  Viking Expeditions
•  Viking Ocean
•  AmaWaterways
•  Avalon Waterways
•  Emerald Cruises
•  Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
•  Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
•  Viking River

*Conditions Apply. See landing page for details

• EXCLUSIVE DEALS Learn more
• FIRST TIME CRUISERS Learn More

Our Promise

At Expedia Cruises, we are navigators of spectacular vacation experiences. As part of the number one brand in travel, this is our promise to you:

Advice you can trust.

The best choice and prices., expedia extras., more than cruises., always there..

• 2701 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Unit B Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 Get Directions

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Ft. Lauderdale brass recommends firing of an officer who spewed racist slurs: sources

A Fort Lauderdale officer may face termination after he allegedly yelled racial slurs and tried to fight a group of Black men outside a club while off-duty the morning after Thanksgiving, sources say. A department investigation revealed the racist tirade began with a night of drinking.

On May 9, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz recommended firing Officer John Giga for violating several department policies, according to internal police documents obtained by the Miami Herald.

Giga, hired as an officer in 2008, has had past allegations of violent misconduct.

The recommendation comes after a months-long internal affairs probe, beginning in December, into an aggravated assault involving Giga in the early morning hours of Nov. 24.

When the investigation started, Giga was placed on administrative leave with pay and will remain on it until officials make a decision on his firing.

Evidence found that Giga violated four department policies: unbecoming conduct, neglect of duty and two guidelines regarding authorized use of a patrol car.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department referred a request for comment to the City Manager’s Office.

Acting City Manager Susan Grant said in a statement Thursday night, “The Chief of Police issued a recommendation of termination for Officer John Giga following an Internal Affairs investigation. The City Manager is reviewing the findings and the Chief’s recommendation and will continue to follow the established disciplinary appeal process.”

The police union that represents Giga did not immediately respond for comment.

The Broward NAACP and Public Defender Gordon Weekes will hold a press conference on Friday morning to demand the immediate termination of a “racist City of Fort Lauderdale police officer,” a release read.

‘Badly injured’ after 20-second ‘beating’

After working an afternoon shift on Thanksgiving, documents show Giga drove his patrol car to Hunters Beach Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Surveillance video showed him spending four hours inside and nearby. He took five shots of alcohol toasting with other patrons.

Around 2:40 a.m., he drove home before leaving again an hour later. He drove his patrol car around Fort Lauderdale before heading to Capone’s Nightclub.

Later in the investigation, detectives discovered he was sending dozens of texts that night to a “friend” who works at the club. Her phone was dead then, but when she finally saw the messages, she described his tone as “upset.”

“Bout to show up and f*** everyone up,” Giga texted before he arrived at Capone’s.

Giga walked into the club for less than five minutes, documents read. The woman said she saw him, was surprised and hid in an ice room. She overheard him and described him sounding angry.

A surveillance video showed him exiting the club’s parking lot and getting into a verbal fight with a group of Black men. Witnesses and the group told investigators Giga shouted the N-word toward them, documents read.

One witness said Giga repeated the N-word three to four times. He went on to say he thought Giga “escalated the situation.”

“He goes into the club...comes out... a little bit like he on something, because a lot of people don’t go around [punching] parked car windows... or calling somebody a [N-word] to their face,” the witness told investigators. “There’s plenty of Blacks out there, but he went out for one person.”

After, the men got into their cars and drove off. Giga punched one of their windows and walked alongside it.

One driver got out, prompting Giga to approach him and take a “fighting stance,“ documents read. The driver punched him in the face. A passenger in that car and a driver in another vehicle trailing them subsequently joined in and pummeled Giga for about 20 seconds.

“I’m trying to tell you...there wasn’t a fight,” the witness said. “It was literally a beating.”

A passerby found Giga unresponsive and “badly injured” after the fight. After answering questions at the scene, he was taken to Broward Health Medical Center.

Conflicting narratives

In the months following the incident, Internal Affairs and Criminal Investigation Division detectives interviewed several witnesses and officers, including Giga, to piece together what transpired. They uncovered inconsistencies and possible breaches of policy.

Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Jeremy Oberstein was the first cop to arrive and received the emergency call as an “aggravated battery” in which Giga was the victim, according to documents.

Giga told Oberstein that he was trying to break up a fight in the parking lot when he was hit by an unknown person with an unknown object. He told another arriving officer, Jose Dejo, that he was attacked by a man possibly “armed” with a bottle.

Witnesses and the men involved in the alleged assault later detailed to investigators that Giga was not breaking up a fight — nor was he randomly attacked with an object, documents read. Surveillance video corroborated their statements.

Video obtained by the Herald shows Giga seemingly knocked unconscious in the first punch, and then after he falls, the three men punch, kick and stomp on his head and upper body.

Oberstein said Giga never identified himself as a policeman. But Dejo discovered he was an officer after asking for Giga’s wallet for ID and learning it was inside his patrol car.

While discussing the case, Oberstein and Dejo turned off their body cameras and kept them off once they realized Giga was a cop. Detectives questioned this possible breach of policy, to which Oberstein replied he forgot to turn it back on.

As police continued investigating on the day of the fight, detectives were told there was continual discussion about whether Giga was on duty or off duty and whether his account of breaking up a fight was true.

Major Steven Scelfo ultimately decided that Giga was the victim of an aggravated battery while on-duty until further information was found, documents read. He directed another officer to submit a report with that narrative.

Scelfo told detectives he didn’t talk to Giga, or the others involved in the fight, before making the decision. He was only informed by the details given to him by other officers.

On March 8, Giga was interviewed by Internal Affairs investigators, who said his statement had “several inconsistencies.” He prefaced the talk by advising he suffered severe head injuries and did not have “100% recollection of what transpired that night.”

Detectives said he gave inconsistent statements on what he was doing while on-duty that day, the condition of his patrol car and that he did not drink any alcohol when he got off work, documents read.

When shown videos of a bartender serving him drinks, Giga questioned whether detectives knew if it was alcohol and continued to state he didn’t remember. He alluded he may have been drinking Red Bulls, but detectives did not see signs of that in the surveillance video.

Moving on to the fight, detectives showed him surveillance footage of what occurred to jog his memory. Giga contended that he could not remember what happened that night. However, he said it seems from the video that he talked to people, whom he noted as very nice, and had a non-antagonizing conversation over moving a car.

He continued to say it looked like somebody else had a problem with him talking with the group of “very nice” people.

Detectives noted that was inconsistent with statements made by several witnesses.

When asked if he recalled calling a group of Black men the “N-word,” Giga replied, “That’s not even in my vocabulary. I don’t use that. My girlfriend’s Black...My nephew are Black. My brother’s all Black. That’s not a part of who I am.”

History of misconduct?

The fight is not the only instance in which Giga has been accused of violent behavior. In 2013, Fort Lauderdale city worker Henry Lambert sued him for using excessive force and violating his rights the year before, court records show.

Lambert and Joe Shanks were doing bulk trash pickup for the city when they encountered Giga and Officer Joseph Curtis. The pair noticed two unoccupied Fort Lauderdale police cars when they parked their work truck nearby to finish loading trash.

While outside their truck, Giga and Curtis were making their way toward them from an apartment building, the lawsuit read. Giga allegedly began yelling at Lambert in a “hostile and aggressive manner” to move their work truck so Curtis could move his patrol car.

“...Giga’s tone was extremely loud and threatening,” the lawsuit read.

As he continued to yell, Lambert said he would be reporting his behavior to Giga’s supervisor. Lambert and Shanks moved their truck a bit further up the street, where Lambert got out to write down Giga and Curtis’ patrol car numbers.

Soon after, Giga and Curtis “aggressively” approached Lambert, the lawsuit read.

Giga yelled, “Are you going to call my supervisor?”

Curtis added, “I will call him for you, now!”

As Lambert backed away toward the work truck, Giga yelled, “No you’re not! You’re not going anywhere.” He grabbed Lambert’s right arm; Curtis snatched his left and the back of his neck. The two officers “slammed” him onto the hood of Giga’s car.

After being put in the rear of a patrol car, a Fort Lauderdale police sergeant arrived. According to the lawsuit, while Giga and Curtis explained what happened, the sergeant seemed frustrated and shook his head.

Lambert was eventually let go, and the sergeant told him he was not surprised by Giga’s actions. He went on to say he was “insubordinate to higher-ranking officers.”

The case was settled.

Recommended Stories

Texas baseball coach jim schlossnagle says he left texas a&m after new ad told him 'it's ok to move on'.

"I was a little taken aback by that, and that was the moment that I began to think that maybe this wasn’t going to work out."

KC Current breaks NWSL record with 17-game unbeaten streak

Temwa Chawinga scored her league-leading 11th goal of the season.

Max Scherzer passes Greg Maddux on MLB's all-time strikeout list, now chasing Justin Verlander

Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander figure to battle each other on MLB's all-time strikeout list for the rest of their magnificent careers.

Simone Biles leads Olympic Trials field after injury-filled Day 1

Simone Biles is once again dominating the field.

Volkswagen’s Silicon Valley software hub is already stacked with Rivian talent

The blockbuster $5 billion deal between Volkswagen Group and Rivian is just days old. VW Group’s struggling software arm Cariad has hired at least 23 of the startup’s top employees over the past several months, a TechCrunch review of LinkedIn data reveals. Cariad’s chief software officer, chief product security officer, two of its vice presidents and two principal engineers have all been hired from Rivian.

Amazon hires founders away from AI startup Adept

Adept, a startup developing AI-powered "agents" to complete various software-based tasks, has agreed to license its tech to Amazon and the startup's co-founders and portions of its team have joined the ecommerce giant. According to Soper, Adept co-founder and CEO David Luan will join Amazon, along with Adept co-founders Augustus Odena, Maxwell Nye, Erich Elsen and Kelsey Szot and other Adept employees.

2024 NHL Draft: Macklin Celebrini selected No. 1 overall by San Jose Sharks

Celebrini was the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's player.

Projected 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg headlines U.S. Men's Select Team

Cooper Flagg, an incoming freshman at Duke University, will join the USA Basketball men’s select team that will practice alongside the squad headed to Paris this summer for the Olympics.

Maserati GranCabrio First Drive Review: Want an electric convertible? This is it

We drive the new GranCabrio convertible in both V6 Trofeo and electric Folgore flavors.

Forget the debate, the Supreme Court just declared open season on regulators

As the country reels from a presidential debate that left no one looking good, the Supreme Court has swooped in with what could be one of the most consequential decisions it has ever made, in the context of the tech industry. The Supreme Court announced Friday morning that it had ruled 6-3 (you know who voted how) to overturn Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, a case from 1984 that established a very important doctrine in federal regulation. The 1984 Chevron decision established that independent agencies like the EPA, SEC, and FCC also have a say in this.

HubSpot says it's investigating customer account hacks

Marketing and sales software giant HubSpot said on Friday that it’s investigating a cybersecurity incident. On Friday, rumors of some kind of cyberattack against HubSpot began circulating on social media. When reached by TechCrunch on Friday, HubSpot's chief information security officer Alyssa Robinson said in a statement that the company “identified a security incident that involved bad actors targeting a limited number of HubSpot customers and attempting to gain unauthorized access to their accounts.”

EVs are giving new owners more headaches, and Tesla is a big reason why: J.D. Power study

Automotive research firm J.D. Power’s highly watched initial quality study is out — and it appears EVs are giving consumers big headaches.

Kleiner Perkins announces $2 billion in fresh capital, showing that established firms can still raise large sums

Many VC firms are struggling to attract new capital from their own backers amid a tepid IPO environment. On Friday, Kleiner Perkins announced that it closed on more than $2 billion in fresh capital across two funds, a slight increase from the 52-year-old firm’s $1.8 billion previous fundraise in early 2022. Other prominent firms that successfully defied the VC fundraising slump this year include Andreessen Horowitz, which secured $7.2 billion for several of its funds; General Catalyst, which is reportedly wrapping up a $6 billion fundraise; and Norwest, with its $3 billion capital haul.

Who won the presidential debate: X or Threads?

Who had the better performance at Thursday night's presidential debate, X or Threads? Meta, which nearly a year ago launched Threads as a rival to the app formerly known as Twitter, has distanced itself from politics, saying it won't proactively recommend political content to users unless they enable a new setting. There were definite differences between how the two platforms managed last night, with some saying X felt more alive, and others asserting that Threads proved that X is no longer necessary.

Countdown of NFL's offseason power rankings and 2024 season preview

Our Frank Schwab counts down his NFL power rankings, grades each team's offseason, solicits fantasy football advice and previews what the 2024 season might have in store for each team.

Google Gemini: Everything you need to know about the new generative AI platform

Google's trying to make waves with Gemini, its flagship suite of generative AI models, apps and services. To make it easier to keep up with the latest Gemini developments, we've put together this handy guide, which we'll keep updated as new Gemini models, features and news about Google’s plans for Gemini are released. Gemini is Google's long-promised, next-gen generative AI model family, developed by Google's AI research labs DeepMind and Google Research.

Save 50% off a highly rated portable power station this 4th of July

Portable power stations are great for use on the road or at home, during a power outage. Get a highly-rated one for $176.12 at Amazon on sale for July 4th.

2025 Lexus ES brings back the Black Line Special Edition Package

The 2025 Lexus ES returns the Black Line Limited Edition last seen in 2001. Otherwise, nothing has changed about the lineup.

This early Prime Day deal takes nearly 50% off a top-selling Carote cookware set

The 10-piece nonstick set — down to $80 as an early Prime Day deal — is nonstick and adored by 17,000+ five-star fans.

Elevate your 2025 fundraising strategy at Disrupt 2024

Get ready to unlock the secrets of successful fundraising in the upcoming year at Disrupt 2024. This session will challenge outdated metrics and provide actionable insights into what investors are looking for in 2025. This session promises to be a game-changer for startups at any stage, offering practical advice on how to secure that crucial Series A funding, even if your journey has faced some bumps along the way.

january 5 - 12, 2025

Ft. Lauderdale, FL • Key West • Belize City • Cozumel

(855) 923-7222

Big Easy Cruise 2025

Cabin sales for 2025 open to the public on Tuesday, November 21st .

Our 2023 booked guests can book their 2025 cabin while onboard 2023 at the best pricing EVER available! The sales office onboard is located on Deck 3, Forward in the Hudson Room. We’re open daily from 10am-5pm. Stop by to book your cabin or just to say hello!

If you’re not sailing in 2023, be sure to sign up for our exclusive 24-hour presale, which will get you our lower insider cabin rates PLUS, the best cabin selection before we open sales to the public.

Save the date and join us for another incredible New Orleans music festival at sea!

Join Our Email List

January 5 - 12 2025.

• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Belize City

2025 Lineup

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Keb' Mo'

St. Paul & The Broken Bones

The Allman Betts Band

Anders Osborne

The Soul Rebels

Marcia Ball

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Blind Boys of Alabama

Louisiana’s LeRoux

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

John Boutté

Bender Brass Band ft.  Sugaray Rayford, Johnny Sansone, Chambers DesLauriers

Sugaray Rayford

Johnny Sansone

Chambers DesLauriers

Tin Men

Washboard Chaz Blues Trio 

Minx Burlesque

John “Papa” Gros

Sierra Green and The Giants

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux

J'Wan Boudreaux

Chef Kevin Belton

Co-Host Cole Williams

Music Host Keith Spera

Our Promise

StarVista LIVE promises to provide you with a unique entertainment experience, bringing you together with a community of like-minded enthusiasts to relive favorite moments, create new memories, and enjoy unparalleled access to the superstars you love.