Celebrity Silhouette - March 28, 2025 (3 Nights)

When one thinks about a Caribbean or a Bahamas cruise, it is usually assumed that Miami is the departure point, but the northern suburb of Fort Lauderdale has its own modern port facility and has rapidly become a favored jumping off point for ships taking vacationers to exciting tropical destinations. And the beaches, nightlife and colorful restaurants in this city are enough to keep everyone occupied and happy both before and after the cruise itself. A nice mix of South Florida bustle and quieter southern atmosphere is a good way to describe this vibrant city. Its 23-mile stretch of white sand beach is as inviting as any to be found elsewhere.

Vacationers departing from Fort Lauderdale embark at the modern, full service facility at Port Everglades. Only a ten minute taxi ride from both downtown and the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, the dock areas have a number of visitor information centers, vending machines and ATMs, as well as a small number of kiosks stuffed with see-and-do brochures and restaurant advertisements. The complex is also the busiest section of the commercial dock area and there is plenty of security around to make sure passengers are guided to the area where the cruise ships anchor. Most departures are at the Midport and Northport areas of the terminal facility.

First of all it is imperative to get away from the dock area, which is heavily congested and offering little in the way of entertainment. The sand beaches of town are the favorite draw, and although they have been immortalized as the popular spring break destination for college students, they are actually quite clean, family-friendly and have undergone some major renovations in the past few years. New lighting for nighttime beach activities, landscaping improvements and the addition of many new shops and restaurants along the waterfront has completely transformed this glorious stretch of coastline. A great walking tour of the city would not be complete without a stroll along the Intercoastal Waterway, running directly through the city center. Downtown has a new flavor with the cropping up of boutiques, antique shops and upscale restaurants. One of those restaurants is the Mangoes on E. Las Olas Blvd. - a traditional Miami restaurant in its design as well as in its offerings that center around combination lunch and dinner plates including both steak and seafood. Another favorite is the 15 Street Fisheries, located naturally on 15th Street and considered the finest chowder house in the area. Those who want a bit more exotic experience can try the famous Jungle Queen Riverboat. It has drawn visitors for six decades and takes visitors on an inland sightseeing cruise as well as offering nighttime dining on board. Those who have come with families can try two and a half mile boardwalk on Hollywood Beach, known for its low-key atmosphere and street performers.

Aside from the local favorites already mentioned, there are a number of smaller establishments along the waterfront that offer everything from pizza to seafood stews and hot dogs. La Bonne Crepes on Las Olas Blvd has a yummy breakfast of waffles, French toast and mouthwatering crepes. The H2O Cafe on South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd is famous for its Italian cuisine and serves up pasta, chicken and barbeque beef with a Cuban influence. Its outdoor seating area is in full view of the beach activities and is perfect for an evening meal while exploring the waterfront.

Most of the cruise lines will have shuttle service to and from downtown for their passengers regardless of whether they have confirmed reservations at one of the local hotels. For vacationers arriving at the airport there is a free shuttle to Port Everglades itself, and rental cars can be booked ahead of time and picked up either at the airport or in downtown.

Internet cafes are numerous throughout downtown Fort Lauderdale and of course there is Internet connection and WiFi at the airport. Although there are a number of banks that can exchange U.S. dollars for foreign currencies, it is best to wait until arriving at individual Caribbean ports, as many of these destinations will be full of merchants accepting American money, thus helping to save tremendously on exchange fees.

Popularly known as the "Conch Republic" and storied in its history, Key West, FL is a favorite stop on the cruise log for tens of thousands annually. Its charming architecture, the fun-loving attitude of the locals and the many funky restaurants, shops and souvenir stands make for an energy-filled vacation destination. Perhaps the only frost-free community in the United States, Key West offers visitors a welcome Caribbean breeze, plenty of fishing and boating, beach strolls and some of the most unusual specialty shops on the planet.

Cruise ship traffic is heavy in this town, which serves both as a destination and departure point. Most of the larger vessels anchor near the Truman Annex at Pier B, at Malloy Square or at the Navy Mole adjacent to Fort Zachary Taylor. If arriving or departing from the base location, a trolley service takes visitors from the cruise pier to the waterfront near the center of town. The Truman Annex dock has visitor information booths, souvenir shops and ATMs on the site.

Key West has a long and varied history, having been in existence since the early 19th century. A walking tour that takes visitors away from the bustling waterfront and into the heart of the community soon reveals a number of charming mansions and restored manor houses. The famous home of Ernest Hemingway is located at 907 Whitehead Street and is now a small museum, complete with the old writing studio which was left intact. The swimming pool on the property is the oldest in the city, and the many cats that wander about the house are direct descendents of the late writer's pets. The two mile long Harborwalk is a never-ending street of curios shops and snack restaurants, and will delight visitors for hours. The Key West Aquarium, located on Whitehead Street, is the oldest attraction on the island, and has one of the most amazing seahorse displays to be found anywhere. Also on Whitehead Street is the famed Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, named after the famous painter and birdwatcher. Rare prints by the artist and the immaculately kept grounds are a highlight of the visit. And of course there are a number of seaplane and boat tours departing from the marinas along the waterfront, which is a favorite spot for photographing the many schooners and other boats that never seem to stop cruising by the city center.

Aside from shopping at the huge number of gift shops in town, the community is perhaps best known for its unusual dining establishments. The A & B Lobster House on Front Street serves the best lobster platters in town and also has a full service cigar bar. Mangoes is a favorite stop for visitors and is renowned as a people-watching establishment. Near Mangoes and also on Duval Street is the local's choice - Louie's Backyard. The outdoor deck is right on the water's edge and the sound of the breakers on the beach below is memorable. Not to be forgotten is Pepe's Cafe and Steakhouse on Caroline Street, which serves the best omelets around and has a huge assortment of grilled meat entrees.

Most visitors prefer to walk, since the town itself is rather small in size. Tourists can make the walking trip from one end of town to the other in less than 20 minutes. Besides, the community is set up to serve the visitor with its centrally located curios shops and restaurants. The locals enjoy getting around on bicycles and mopeds, and tourists can rent these from a number of vendors in the Duval Street area. Conch Cruisers, which are battery operated open-air vehicles, are a good way to get to one of the landmarks once the feet get tired. And there are plenty of taxis that take cruise visitors from the docks to the center of town. Public bus service connects the city to the rest of the Florida Keys and then eastward to Miami. The Old Town Trolley Tours offer another alternate means of transport and are extremely fun for the kids.

Key West is a part of the State of Florida, and as such uses US Dollar as a currency. There are a number of banks that will exchange funds from several of the Caribbean republics. Some of the restaurants have Wi-Fi connections, with or without purchase depending on the merchant, and there are plenty of telephone booths in the hotel lobbies and near the cruise docks for those who have left their cell phones at home.

Nassau is the capital and largest city of Bahamas. A popular tourist destination, Nassau is a favorite cruise port and offers visitors a stunning mix of architecture, white sand beaches and entertaining nightlife. The downtown area of the city is the hub for all tourist attractions, walking tours and gift purchasing; visitors will find no end to the scenic wonders of this historical but ultra-modern metropolis.

Cruise ships arriving in Nassau generally dock at the Prince George Wharf, directly in front of the downtown area. Nearby Rawson Square and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism are excellent starting points for walking tours and getting acclimated to the bustling activity in the city. A great number of shops in this district have brochures and street maps available for visitors, printed in English and in other languages. Festival Place is the exit point at the port for those arriving by ship and here visitors will find internet cafes, call booths, currency exchange centers and a number of local tour companies offering day trip packages.

The Bay Street thoroughfare and Woodes Rogers Walk are the two busiest streets near the waterfront, and tourists can take in the Pirates of Nassau Museum or visit the historical Vendue House and Christ Church Cathedral. The famous Straw Market is a magnetic draw for tourists; the original facility was burned to the ground in 2001 and a new construction site is underway, but the activities continue at present on the waterfront side of Woodes Rogers Walk. At the Straw Market everything a visitor could hope to purchase as memorabilia can be found. The Ardastra Gardens are famous for their drill formation flamingo parades, and the 18th century Balcony House, the oldest wooden structure in Nassau, is the perfect place for panoramic views and photo opportunities. Blue Lagoon Island has dolphin shows and stunning beaches. Fort Charlotte is an amazing tour that includes a visit to the old dungeons and breathtaking views of the harbor.

Nassau has a truly international flair when it comes to either casual or fine dining. Near the waterfront one can find a huge number of open air restaurants as well as smaller outdoor establishments that serve up snacks and cocktails. Barbeque beef, pork and chicken are local favorites, but a number of restaurants specialize in European continental cuisine. At night there is no shortage of watering holes; these taverns and nightclubs are open very late in Nassau.

Nassau has what are called Jitney buses, which run on a regular schedule between Paradise Island, Cable Beach and the downtown area. Taxis can be hailed at any street corner, and a number of rental car agencies operate in the city; visitors should remember that driving in the Bahamas is on the left side of the road. Most of the major tourist attractions in the city itself are within walking distance of the cruise docks.

The official currency in Nassau is the Bahamian dollar, which is valued as much as the US dollar. Visitors can make change on board ship or at a number of locations in the port area. You can, however, use both US and Bahamian dollars for your shopping. Unless a cell phone is used, calling internationally from a public telephone requires the purchase of a local BATELCO card. Although English is the most common language spoken in the Bahamas, many of the locals speak some French and/or Spanish. Should you need to use the Internet, there are a number of cyber cafes in downtown area that you can utilize.