Don’t fly in for a cruise without making time to explore.Fort Lauderdale is a very popular cruise port, so many people fly in for their cruise without leaving time to actually enjoy Fort Lauderdale as a destination in itself. Don’t make this mistake! The people who fly in, head straight for their hotel for the night, and skip out early the next morning to embark on their cruise are missing out! While it’s always advisable to arrive at least a day before your cruise begins wherever you’re sailing from, Fort Lauderdale deserves at least one full day for exploration, so try to plan for at least two nights Pre-Cruise, or add on some Post-Cruise days if that works better for you.

Do make dinner reservations in advance.It feels a little crazy to think that even when you’re not traveling to Disney, you still have to plan your dining in advance, but apparently that’s become the norm in most destinations. You might not need to make reservations months in advance like you do for Disney (though honestly for certain places, you do), but making your reservations at least a week or few weeks out is highly recommended to get into the best places to eat.

Don’t skip the Water Taxi.The Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale is NOT just a taxi on the water, getting you from point A to point B, it’s a whole experience, and one you should definitely not miss while you’re there. The Water Taxi will take you down the Intracoastal Waterway, with stops at a number of places with great restaurants and shops along the way, where you can hop off to explore and hop on the next boat that comes by. In addition, what you’ll see from the Water Taxi is worth the ride alone, even if you don’t hop on and off. Along your ride, you’ll pass the most gorgeous (not to mention ginormous) mansions and yachts, and possibly even spot some of the celebrities who live there! Some Water Taxi drivers will even narrate your ride, telling the stories of the mansion and yacht owners as you sail by them.

Do splurge on a beachfront hotel.It’s no secret that the best part of spending time in a city that’s right on the beach is the beach! With so many great hotel options offering incredible beach views, you don’t want to be stuck in a room with a view of the building next to you. If you’re in Fort Lauderdale for a few days Pre- or Post-Cruise, you definitely want to start or end your vacation on a high note with a gorgeous beach view. And if Fort Lauderdale is your long weekend destination, you especially want to make the most of your getaway with a great view.