VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!! Best of Fort Lauderdale over 30 years!!!

Fort Lauderdale makes more sense from the water. On this 90-minute cruise aboard the Carrie B, you pass from the narrow New River toward the Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades, trading city streets for waterfront homes, oversized yachts, and working port views.

I like the mix of local history and close-up mansion viewing, and the choice of seating is a real plus: you can sit in air conditioning, take shade beneath a canopy, or claim a spot in the sun. One consideration: the captain’s narration is a central part of the ride, and its jokes and steady commentary may feel too much if you mainly want quiet time on the water.

The Carrie B cruise at a glance

• A route with variety: Cruise the New River, Intracoastal Waterway, and Port Everglades, with scenery ranging from old Fort Lauderdale landmarks to large yachts and cruise ships.
• A historic starting point: The downtown dock is a short walk from Stranahan House, one of the city’s notable historic sites.
• A narrated ride: Your captain shares local history and points out waterfront homes. Guides named Drew and EJ have led departures, though your narrator may differ.
• Room to choose your comfort: The boat has an enclosed, air-conditioned main cabin, an outdoor area under a canopy, and an open sun deck.
• A practical 90-minute outing: At $32 per person, it fits into a free morning or afternoon, including a stretch of time between other Fort Lauderdale plans.
• An onboard bar: Drinks and light snacks are available to buy. The cruise itself is included in the ticket price.

From downtown to the narrow New River

The Carrie B departs from 440 N New River Drive East, in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The dock is close to Stranahan House, a useful landmark to keep in mind when finding your way to the boat. Parking is available nearby, including a garage behind the Cheesecake Factory on SE 6th Avenue; expect to pay a fee.

The river is the first attraction, not just a passage to bigger water. The New River winds through the city, and the boat travels beneath the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel before heading outward. Its narrow bends make the cruise feel more intimate than a straight run along open water. You get an up-close view of the riverfront rather than a distant panorama.

From the upper deck, look for the Riverside Hotel. Opened in 1936, it is a notable reminder of an earlier Fort Lauderdale, with the old-world style that stands apart from newer towers and large private homes. The captain’s narration helps connect these sights to the city’s past, so the route feels like more than a parade of expensive property.

That commentary is part of the experience, and it shapes the mood. Some captains keep a measured pace, mixing local facts with jokes and puns; others lean more heavily into entertainment. Drew and EJ are names associated with particularly engaging departures, but there is no guarantee which guide you will get. If you enjoy a hosted tour with frequent explanations, you will likely welcome the talk. If your ideal boat ride is quiet, choose a seat where you can focus on the view and treat the narration as an optional soundtrack.

Rio Vista, Colee Hammock, and the waterfront homes

As the Carrie B continues along the river, the sightseeing shifts toward homes in Rio Vista and Colee Hammock. The scale and setting are the point: houses sit close to the water, and the boat offers a view that you cannot get from a drive through town. The captain calls attention to homes and local figures, including properties associated with celebrities, NFL coaches, and business owners.

A striking bit of context is the change in property values. Some homes in the area sold in the early 1920s for roughly $4,000 to $8,000. Today, homes in Rio Vista and Colee Hammock can sell for millions. That contrast gives the mansion-watching a little substance. You are not only looking at grand façades; you are seeing how a riverfront neighborhood and a growing city changed over a century.

The boat passes Colee Hammock Park and heads toward a wider section of the New River. The shift in the river’s width opens up the view and gives the captain more room to handle the boat. A few people are there for architecture, others for the yachts, and plenty enjoy both. It is good old-fashioned waterfront gawking, made more interesting by having the geography and local stories explained as you go.

The route also reaches the Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades. Here, the scenery changes again: alongside private yachts and waterfront homes, you may see cruise ships and the working port. The port adds a practical, industrial side to the city’s image. Fort Lauderdale is not only a place of grand homes and leisure boats; it is also a major departure point for ships.

The exact sights can vary with conditions and traffic on the waterways, so think of this as a broad overview rather than a guaranteed checklist of individual homes or vessels. The attraction is the range of views in one short outing, with the captain providing context as the scenery changes.

What the narration adds, and when it may be too much

The strongest part of the cruise is the combination of views and explanation. You see the homes and yachts at close range, but the commentary gives you names, local history, and details about places such as the Riverside Hotel and the riverfront neighborhoods. On a short visit, that context can make the city easier to understand than a self-guided drive.

The tone is informal. Expect jokes as well as facts, and perhaps a few groan-worthy puns. That can be just right for a family or a group of friends who want an entertaining tour rather than a formal lecture. It can also feel overly produced if you hoped to sit quietly and enjoy the water without frequent commentary.

I would not book this as a silent nature cruise. It is a sightseeing ride through developed waterways, with homes, boats, bridges, and port activity as the main attractions. The experience works best if you are curious about the city and happy to let a guide set the pace.

Choose your seat for sun, shade, or air conditioning

The Carrie B offers several ways to sit, which matters in South Florida weather. The main cabin is enclosed and air-conditioned, with seating and a full-service bar. Outside, you can sit beneath a canopy for shade or on the open sun deck. That flexibility is useful on a hot day, and it also gives you a fallback if the weather turns cool or drizzly.

An unseasonably cold day can make an indoor seat more than a convenience. The covered outdoor seating is handy in light drizzle, while the sun deck is there when conditions are pleasant. If you care most about taking photos or seeing over the rail, an outdoor spot may suit you best; if comfort is your priority, the cabin is a sensible choice. The lower deck is wheelchair accessible, and restrooms are available on the upper level.

Food and drinks are not included in the $32 fare. You can buy drinks and light snacks from the onboard bar, so there is no need to count on a meal being part of the cruise. It is a modest practical detail, but worth knowing if you are planning the trip around lunch or traveling with children.

The boat can take up to 100 people. That is a meaningful limit for a short sightseeing cruise, though it is not a small private tour. Seating is available inside and outside, but if you have a strong preference for a particular area, arrive with enough time to board and choose a spot.

Is 90 minutes worth $32?

At $32 per person, the Carrie B offers a straightforward way to see several sides of Fort Lauderdale without organizing your own transportation between them. The fare covers the cruise, not food, drinks, hotel pickup, or drop-off. In return, you get a narrated 90-minute route through waterways that are central to the city’s character.

The value is best if you want a guided overview. A short cruise can bring together the river, historic downtown sights, expensive homes, yachts, and the port in one manageable outing. The captain’s commentary is included, and the indoor and shaded seating options help make the time comfortable for a range of ages.

It is also useful when you have only a few free hours. The cruise takes about an hour and a half and returns to the same downtown dock, so you can plan around other activities. It has even worked as a way to spend time before a late flight or cruise departure, and luggage can be stored aboard while you take the tour. Still, check your own schedule carefully: the cruise is not airport transportation, and no hotel pickup is provided.

The trade-off is that the fare buys a set sightseeing route rather than a private or highly customized outing. You follow the captain’s pace, and you may hear more narration than you would choose for yourself. If you want a relaxed introduction to Fort Lauderdale from the water, that is a fair exchange. If you mainly want a quiet ride or a close look at one specific property, the value may be less compelling.

Who will enjoy the Carrie B most?

I would recommend this cruise to first-time visitors who want a quick orientation, families looking for an outing that mixes scenery with stories, and anyone curious about the contrast between historic neighborhoods, modern yachts, and a working port. It is also a good fit for locals showing friends around: seeing familiar places from the river can make the city feel newly legible.

The ride is accessible to a broad range of ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the lower deck is wheelchair accessible. If you are bringing luggage, you can store it aboard during the cruise, which makes the tour practical on a travel day.

The cruise is offered in English, with several departure times to choose from. It is popular enough that people book an average of eight days ahead, so if you have a fixed schedule, I would reserve before arriving rather than count on a last-minute seat. Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Weather matters. The experience requires good weather; if poor weather cancels the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Within 24 hours, the fare is not refundable, so check the forecast and your plans before the deadline.

Should you book this Fort Lauderdale cruise?

Book the Carrie B if you want an easy, entertaining look at Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, mansions, yachts, and port in one 90-minute trip. The strongest reasons to go are the changing scenery, the captain’s local commentary, and the choice between air-conditioned, shaded, and open-air seating.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat ride or would rather explore at your own pace. The narration is part of the package, and its humor can be more lively than some people prefer. For most first-time visitors with a free hour and a half, though, the $32 fare buys a useful city overview and a close view of the waterfront that roads cannot provide.

FAQ

How long is the Fort Lauderdale sightseeing cruise?

The cruise lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the Carrie B cruise cost?

The listed price is $32 per person. Food and drinks are available for purchase and are not included in the cruise fare.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Carrie B Cruises at 440 N New River Drive East, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What waterways does the cruise visit?

The route includes the New River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Port Everglades.

Is the cruise narrated?

Yes. The captain narrates the sightseeing cruise, sharing information about Fort Lauderdale and the sights along the route.

Are food and drinks available onboard?

Yes. The boat has a full-service bar, and drinks and light snacks are available to buy.

Are there restrooms onboard?

Yes. Restroom facilities are available on the upper level of the Carrie B.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The lower deck is wheelchair accessible.

Is there parking near the departure dock?

Yes. A nearby parking option is the garage behind the Cheesecake Factory on SE 6th Avenue. Parking may require a fee.

Can I bring luggage, and can I show a mobile ticket?

Yes. Luggage can be stored aboard during the cruise, and you can show your ticket on your phone when you arrive.