Say bon voyage to pre-cruise boredom

Port Everglades area offers lots to do before you depart

If you’re looking for some entertaining diversions around Port Everglades besides watching other people’s cruise ships take off, here are suggestions of nearby things to do.

Keep in mind that if you want to take a shared ride, your best bet is to first leave Port Everglades and wait at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.

Take a shorter cruise before your long cruise

The Jungle Queen boat winds up and down Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal, giving you the 411 on who owns which waterfront mansion. A little history is thrown in for good measure in the five tours offered. And depending on which option you choose, you can even get dinner and a show on a private island (beware: this is four hours). Yeah, it’s cheesy, but it also scratches whatever tourist itch you might have. Prices for adults range from $24.91 to $54.95. The Jungle Queen’s port is at the Bahia Mar Yachting Centre, 801 Seabreeze Blvd. For more information or to book a tour, call 954-462-5596 or go to JungleQueen.com.

Feel the stretch

You can get a free professional stretch

(as opposed to what you’ve been doing when you first get out of bed) at Stretch Zone. Just go to StretchZone.com and click on “Try Us for Free” in the upper-righthand corner. Stretch Zone is located at 1702 Cordova Road. Call 954-361-9721.

Puff, puff, don’t pass

Stogie lovers should check out some nearby cigar lounges. There’s Neptune Cigar Superstore, which is a must-stop shop for cigar aficionados at 2325 S. Federal Highway. Call 800-655-3385 or 305-670-0633, or go to NeptuneCigar.com.

MIKE STOCKER/SUN SENTINEL See South Florida from the water on the Jungle Queen, which docks across from Fort Lauderdale beach.