What to do in Fort Lauderdale?

IN LATE APRIL WE FOUR ARE CRUISING FROM FORT LAUDERDALE TO LOS ANGELES VIA THE PANAMA CANAL AND WONDERING WHAT TO DO PRE-CRUISE. SHOULD WE STAY IN MIAMI OR FORT LAUDERDALE, AND HOW MANY DAYS – WE ARE THINKING THREE?

S. MOORE, SYDNEY

Fort Lauderdale is cleaner, tidier, more polite and generally better behaved. The city, which brands itself America's Venice, has hundreds of kilometres of canals and waterways. Many residents anchor their boats in their backyards, and you can pass a very pleasant half day on a boat tour. Miami Beach is more wild child, more artsy, definitely more bohemian, with a stronger Cuban vibe and zippy nightlife. Miami Beach also has fabulous architecture in its art deco district. They're close enough that you can stay in one and dip into the other. In terms of what you get for your money, hotels are better value in Fort Lauderdale. If you wanted to experience Miami Beach's nightlife I'd say stay there, otherwise go for Fort Lauderdale. Three days would be perfect.