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Two hours is about the length of a movie, and it is also roughly how long a high speed ferry takes to carry you from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini in the Bahamas. No airport security shuffle, no tiny tray tables, just a short ride across open water.
The trip starts at one busy building on the South Florida coast that also handles giant cruise ships headed for Panama and beyond. Keep reading to learn how the terminal works, what parking costs, where the lines get long, and the small tips that make the journey back home a lot less stressful.
A Launch Pad on Eller Drive
Every island day trip needs a starting line, and this one has a street address. Port Everglades Cruise Terminal 21 sits at 2021 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, inside the sprawling Port Everglades complex in South Florida.
The building is a cruise terminal, but it does double duty. Big ocean liners dock here after long voyages, and high speed ferries leave from here for Bimini in the Bahamas.
That mix is what makes the spot so interesting for Florida locals. One traveler can be wrapping up a 16 day Panama Canal cruise while another is heading out for a quick hop across the water.
The port itself is massive, with many cruise terminals spread across the grounds. Terminal 21 is one piece of that larger puzzle, and it earns a solid 4.4 star standing from more than a hundred people who have passed through.
Official cruise information lives on the Port Everglades website at porteverglades.net, which is the best place to check details before you go.
So the starting point is set, and the next question is simple: how fast can you actually get to the islands from here?
Bimini in the Time of a Matinee
Here is the headline number: about two hours. That is how long the high speed ferry ride to Bimini takes from this terminal, according to people who have made the trip.
For South Florida residents, that changes the math on a Bahamas getaway. You skip the airport entirely and start your trip with a short drive to the port.
Passengers describe the ferry as organized and right on time. Some say they would happily book it again, which says a lot about how smooth the outbound leg can be.
Finding the ferry checkpoint inside the terminal is also described as easy, even for first timers. Staff point the way, and the process moves along without much fuss.
One small detail worth knowing involves Bimini itself. On the way out, you can walk off at the port there, but on the return, travelers mention waiting for a tram to get back to the boat.
Plan a little buffer time on the island side for that. A relaxed return to the dock beats a frantic jog any day of the week.
Twenty Dollars and a Card
Parking at a major port sounds like a headache, yet the setup here is surprisingly simple. The parking garage sits very close to the road, so getting lost on the way in is unlikely.
The daily rate is $20, based on recent trips. That makes a two day Bimini run a fairly predictable expense compared with airport parking and airfare.
Bring a bank card or credit card for payment. Cash is not the way to go here, so leave the envelope of bills at home.
Outside, the scene can feel a bit wild. Traffic around the terminal is often called hectic, especially when ships are coming and going.
The good news is that things calm down once you park and drop your bags. Inside, the space opens up with plenty of room for lines to form without spilling everywhere.
A smart move is to arrive with extra time so the traffic does not set the tone for your whole trip. The ocean will wait, but your stress level might not.
Downstairs Security, Upstairs Waiting
The flow inside follows a clear pattern once you know it. Security lines are on the first floor, and that is where your bags get scanned.
Next, you head upstairs. There, you show your boarding pass and passport before moving into a large seating area.
From that point, it is a waiting game, though often a short one. Groups are called by number, and some cruise passengers say they waited only about eight minutes before boarding.
The building is clean with a lot of seating, which helps when departures stack up. Several travelers praise the design for handling large crowds in a short time.
Not every moment is perfect. A few people have found certain staff members less than warm during bag screening, so a little patience goes a long way.
First time cruisers sometimes wish for clearer maps showing traffic flow, parking, and the right entrance. Until that happens, a quick look at the port website before leaving home can save some wandering.
The Friendly Faces Factor
Ask people what stood out most, and staff comes up again and again. Friendliness is the single most mentioned topic tied to this terminal.
Police, security, and cruise employees are often described as polite, helpful, and patient. Even on swamped days, crowds get moved through security and pointed in the right direction.
There are plenty of employees and law enforcement officers on hand. That makes asking for directions easy if you feel turned around.
One sheriff even earned a fan club of sorts for being funny. A good laugh in a long line is a small gift.
Princess Cruises passengers have also noted how well staffed the building feels during check in. The team keeps people moving quickly without making them feel rushed.
Of course, a crowd this large means the occasional sour encounter, and a few travelers have reported rude moments. Overall, though, the human side of this terminal leans strongly toward helpful.
The Customs Line Plot Twist
Every good trip story has a twist, and this one happens on the way home. Returning from Bimini by ferry is where many travelers hit the biggest snag.
Immigration lines can stretch long. Some passengers report waiting more than an hour, and others say it took close to two hours to clear customs.
The reason often comes down to staffing. Travelers describe as few as one or two officers handling US citizens, with one more for non citizens, while a full ferry load waits.
One group counted about 200 people ahead of them after 40 minutes. They joked that the line might outlast the ferry ride itself.
Seating can be scarce in that area, so standing is common. Comfortable shoes and a bit of water make a real difference.
This is the one part of the trip worth planning around. Avoid booking tight plans right after your ferry arrives, and the delay becomes a mild annoyance rather than a ruined evening.
Suitcases, Porters, and Pickup Zones
Big ships bring big piles of luggage. After a cruise, the baggage area can look like a vast sea of suitcases, and spotting yours takes some focus.
Disembarkation is often called smooth, with immigration, luggage pickup, and ground transport handled well. Even so, crowds peak right after a ship arrives.
Outside, there is a designated rideshare pickup area. Port workers even help load bags into cars to keep traffic flowing.
A small tip involves porters. One traveler asked to go to rideshare pickup A but ended up at drop off B, the closest point to the door, so confirm your spot before handing over a tip.
A few people have also felt forgotten after being handed off to transport companies. Booking ground transport you trust ahead of time can help avoid that.
Ferry passengers traveling light have it easier here. A small bag for a Bimini hop skips much of the suitcase scramble entirely.
Worth the Short Sail
So, does the ferry beat the flight? For South Florida day trippers, the answer leans toward yes.
A two hour crossing, $20 daily parking, and friendly staff make Bimini feel almost like a neighbor. Cruise passengers also find the terminal efficient, with some calling it one of the best they have used.
The trade off is the return trip. Customs lines can be slow, so pack patience along with your sunscreen.
Arrive early to handle the traffic, bring a card for parking, and keep your passport handy for the upstairs check in. Those three habits cover most of what can go sideways.
Families heading out on big ships like Disney Dream also pass through here, so the crowd is a lively mix of island hoppers and long haul cruisers.
The Bahamas has never been this close to a Fort Lauderdale driveway. All it takes is one terminal, one ferry ticket, and a willingness to let the plane stay parked.
