Watching the ships leave in Ft. Lauderdale

[CruisingLover]

We are going on Oasis next January but staying in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of days beforehand :)

 

Wondering if it's possible to go to the beach area to watch the ships leave one of the days we are there (that area where we see people standing on all of those cruise videos of the ships leaving that we all watch :)). If so, where should we go, what's the name of that beach?

 

We are staying at the GalleryOne hotel.

 

Thanks!

[jb456]

Personally I find the best place is on top of 17th street bridge. Would be much easier for you to get to also. You can grab the sun trolley and get off pretty much right there. Probably best to get a $3 daypass for the trolley in case you want to do other stops.

 

http://www.suntrolley.com/las-olas-link-beach-link/

 

I'm sure someone else will be along and give you directions of how to get from 17th street to the beach area to watch the ships if that is what you prefer.

[Capt_BJ]

the 'best' place is to walk out on the jetty at John Lloyd state park

 

 

 

walking along the beach you can get to the jetty you see at the top right here . .

Edited July 13, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[Capt_BJ]

 

this is the place . . .

 

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lloyd-Beach

[BlueHerons]

the 'best' place is to walk out on the jetty at John Lloyd state park

 

The OP is going in January and it is dark early in January and the park closes at dusk. They probably wouldn't get to see a single ship go out otherwise it is fun to do in the summer.

 

I also agree with the top of the 17th Street Bridge.

 

I doubt you'd even be able to get in the park after 4PM in January.

[Capt_BJ]

hmmm

 

depends on the definition of 'dusk'

 

on Jan 10 2016 sunset will be 5:47 pm (local time)

 

Civil twilight ends at 6:12

 

(I was a ship person and know how to calculate these things .... or find them online!)

 

don't most cruise ships leave around 5pm?

 

So .. get there b4 4!!! Still the best place to watch the ships leave and they do NOT herd people out . . . they just stop letting people in . . .

Edited July 13, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[fishywood]

Still the best place to watch the ships leave and they do NOT herd people out . . . they just stop letting people in . . .

 

Yes they do. John U Lloyd State Park will have an estimated closing time posted at the gate, but at least 45-60 minutes before that time the park rangers are IN YOUR FACE demanding you start packing up and heading for the gate NOW.

 

The fee to enter the park is very reasonable but we no longer go before the start of daylight savings time so as not to be booted out before our late lunch is even digested. (We always go in after the midday rush and can snag a prime table and grill from someone leaving right after they finish their own picnic). Just too bad that the state hires the same goonish police-academy-flunkouts that you find working security at casinos and college campuses.

[BlueHerons]

hmmm

 

depends on the definition of 'dusk'

 

on Jan 10 2016 sunset will be 5:47 pm (local time)

 

Civil twilight ends at 6:12

 

(I was a ship person and know how to calculate these things .... or find them online!)

 

don't most cruise ships leave around 5pm?

 

So .. get there b4 4!!! Still the best place to watch the ships leave and they do NOT herd people out . . . they just stop letting people in . . .

 

Yes, they throw you out. They are pretty bitchy about letting people in the park after 4 that time of year.

 

The cruise ships don't go out until closer to six. It will be well after sunset when they go out. During the winter we often take the boat over to the bridge and watch the ships pull out and many times we don't get back in until 7:30 or so. The cruise ships are at the mercy of the container ships.

 

I'm also a sailor. I used to deliver sailboats for Beneteau from SC down the east coast and to the islands. I understand about how the whole sunset thing works.

[CruisingLover]

The OP is going in January and it is dark early in January and the park closes at dusk. They probably wouldn't get to see a single ship go out otherwise it is fun to do in the summer.

 

I also agree with the top of the 17th Street Bridge.

 

I doubt you'd even be able to get in the park after 4PM in January.

 

Oh shoot, I didn't think about it being dark so soon. I'm so used to cruising in the summer that I didn't even think of that.

 

IF we decide to go to the bridge, we'd only be able to see the lights of the ship, correct?

[DeadPhish]

I like the north end of the inlet. I think this might be what you were referring to?

 

[CruisingLover]

I like the north end of the inlet. I think this might be what you were referring to?

 

 

That's exactly where I was thinking, thanks!

 

However, seeing as we will be there in January, it sounds like it'll be too dark to see them :(

[Cruise_Anne]

Was wondering if anyone has walked down from the Marriott to watch the ships leave? If so, about how long (time-wise) is the trek?

[BlueHerons]

Oh shoot, I didn't think about it being dark so soon. I'm so used to cruising in the summer that I didn't even think of that.

 

IF we decide to go to the bridge, we'd only be able to see the lights of the ship, correct?

 

No, you'll have an excellent view and it is quite beautiful. The entire area is really lit up. It is worth the walk. There are benches at the top of the bridge also.

 

Was wondering if anyone has walked down from the Marriott to watch the ships leave? If so, about how long (time-wise) is the trek?

 

You can walk down the beach but you really don't need to. You'll have an excellent view from the Marriott.

 

My girlfriend has a condo next door to Lago Mar and we often watch the ships from her deck/patio.

[CruisingLover]

Personally I find the best place is on top of 17th street bridge. Would be much easier for you to get to also. You can grab the sun trolley and get off pretty much right there. Probably best to get a $3 daypass for the trolley in case you want to do other stops.

 

http://www.suntrolley.com/las-olas-link-beach-link/

 

I'm sure someone else will be along and give you directions of how to get from 17th street to the beach area to watch the ships if that is what you prefer.

 

Few questions for anyone who can help :):

 

1) Does the sun trolley run all night?

 

2) What time should we get to the bridge for viewing?

 

3) Will there be ships leaving Saturday night, January 1st?

 

4) How far away is the bridge from the Gallery One Hotel? Is this walkable and safe (and a safe area to be walking around)? I mean, is there a place designated for people to watch the ships go by or will we just be standing on the side of a busy traffic bridge? Any pictures of it?

 

Thanks for everyone's help on this! I really do appreciate it :):):)

Edited July 17, 2015 by CruisingLover

[capriccio]

Few questions for anyone who can help :):

 

1) Does the sun trolley run all night? the web site says until 6:30 which should cover ship departures.

 

2) What time should we get to the bridge for viewing? departures usually start around 4 - 4:30 and, depending on the number of ships leaving, conclude by 6 pm.

 

3) Will there be ships leaving Saturday night, January 1st? weekends in the winter are always busy - sometimes up to 8 ships on both Saturdays and Sundays.

 

4) How far away is the bridge from the Gallery One Hotel? Is this walkable and safe (and a safe area to be walking around)? I mean, is there a place designated for people to watch the ships go by or will we just be standing on the side of a busy traffic bridge? Any pictures of it? It is a hike (a couple of miles) - look at the map on the sun trolley website (http://www.suntrolley.com/las-olas-link-beach-link/) and/or google maps. There are seats at the top of the bridge. Google 'pictures of 17th street bridge, fort lauderdale for a slew of pictures.

 

Thanks for everyone's help on this! I really do appreciate it :):):)

 

As an additional FYI - the 17th Street bridge is a drawbridge and opens, as needed, on the hour and half hour. I'm not sure if they will open it as the cruise ships are maneuvering their way out of the relatively small harbor or not.

 

Just had an additional thought - take the sun trolley down to 17th Street and then take the water taxi (the stop is right under the bridge on the Hilton side) back to the Gallery One. The water taxi runs late and you could hope on/off and have dinner on your way back to the hotel.

Edited July 17, 2015 by capriccio

[CruisingLover]

Thank you!!!

[jb456]

Few questions for anyone who can help :):

 

1) Does the sun trolley run all night?

 

2) What time should we get to the bridge for viewing?

 

3) Will there be ships leaving Saturday night, January 1st?

 

4) How far away is the bridge from the Gallery One Hotel? Is this walkable and safe (and a safe area to be walking around)? I mean, is there a place designated for people to watch the ships go by or will we just be standing on the side of a busy traffic bridge? Any pictures of it?

 

Thanks for everyone's help on this! I really do appreciate it :):):)

 

Might as well answer number 3 first. No ships leaving on Jan 1st sorry :(

 

http://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-from-fort-lauderdale-florida.html

 

In case others read this thread other answers below.

 

1- 9:30am – 6:30pm

 

2 - Up to you

 

4 - Walkable yes but to long to do so. Basically one long street but 3.3 miles would take you well over an hour. Google maps gallery one fort lauderdale to hyatt regency pier sixty-six on ( southwest 17th st) to get an idea.

 

Another option you could of had was taking a water taxi near gallery one to 17th street bridge area. Using water taxi you would have passed big mansions and some yachts... nice way to see some fancy houses.

 

In general that whole area from where your hotel is all the way to 17th street is safe its all really the tourist area.

 

The bridge has a bike / walkway path behind a guardrail many stop up there. Here is a google street view picture

 

[capriccio]

OP - the confusion is that your day of the week and date of the month don't match (which I didn't realize in my earlier reply). Are you planning on viewing departures on Friday, January 1 or Saturday, January 2? JB456 is correct about no ships in port on the January 1 date; on that Saturday (January 2) it looks like there are 4 scheduled departures.

 

I hope that is the 2nd so you do get to see it. In the meantime, have you ever watched the departures on the webcam? http://portevergladeswebcam.com/ There are only a few ships in and out of Port Everglades in the summer but by the end of October traffic will be picking up. The webcam can become quite addicting.

[BlueHerons]

As an additional FYI - the 17th Street bridge is a drawbridge and opens, as needed, on the hour and half hour. I'm not sure if they will open it as the cruise ships are maneuvering their way out of the relatively small harbor or not.

 

.

 

The bridge only opens for really large mega yachts and they should all be in their berth by that time. Captains don't like trying to land those things when it is dark or getting dark.

 

I think they'll be fine.

 

Plus the port traffic is usually heavy and those big yachts like to stay out of the way since they don't have the right of way.

[CruisingLover]

OP - the confusion is that your day of the week and date of the month don't match (which I didn't realize in my earlier reply). Are you planning on viewing departures on Friday, January 1 or Saturday, January 2? JB456 is correct about no ships in port on the January 1 date; on that Saturday (January 2) it looks like there are 4 scheduled departures.

 

I hope that is the 2nd so you do get to see it. In the meantime, have you ever watched the departures on the webcam? http://portevergladeswebcam.com/ There are only a few ships in and out of Port Everglades in the summer but by the end of October traffic will be picking up. The webcam can become quite addicting.

 

I'm sorry. We would have wanted to watch the ships leaving on Friday, January 1st. We are leaving on the Oasis on Saturday, January 2nd.

 

So I guess people will be watching US leave on the 2nd then :D

[CruisingLover]

I just realized (and looked) that we can watch the Celebrity Constellation leave on December 31st at 4pm (we fly into Ft. Lauderdale that day in the morning so the timing will work great!).

[musik07]

We watched last year from the beach that DeadPhish posted, standing on the rocks. However it was early August so it was light out (and raining!). The parking was pay parking but it was not that expensive. Just make sure you have some quarters on you! You won't have to climb on the rocks in the dark to see either, there were places to view that didn't require walking on the rocks!

[Cindy]

I second the vote for watching from the top of the bridge. There are a couple viewing platforms up there, and you'll have a great view of the port and the ships leaving. Beware, the bridge WILL go up while you're up there if you spend any time at all, but the viewing platforms aren't affected. We were there in late November, and it was a good viewing point.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2015 by Cindy

[DanJ]

That's exactly where I was thinking, thanks!

 

However, seeing as we will be there in January, it sounds like it'll be too dark to see them :(

 

I would still go to that beach by the condos anyway. It's not going to be dark when the ship leaves, it will be twilight at worst and the ship will be really close to you. I've always wanted to go to that beach when we were down and could never make it work out, timing wise.

[JuliaMS]

Is there anyplace we would be able to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine? Or a restaurant/bar with a good view? We will be watching departures on Monday Feb 15 so it sounds like the Jetty would be out if they herd everyone out at dusk.