We have some time in Ft Lauderdale whilst on a cruise in November and would like to do a trip to the Everglades. We don't want to go via somewhere like Gator Park but would prefer a private trip on a small airboat. We also don't want to use the Cruise Line's excursion.

(We did this a few years ago from a hotel in Palm Beach, but can't remember the name of the driver who took us. I remember the airboat was only a six seater and the guy who ran it had a small store by the side of the water.) I'm not trying to find this one again but would be grateful for suggestions for a similar trip. Anyone know of this type of visit?

I'll post this on the Cruise forum too.

In lieu of an airboat tour, the Shark Valley entrance to the Everglades offers a 2-hour tram tour which is absolutely superb. It's not noisy, and gets you up-close and personal. http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/

Thanks for that bookhall, but one of our party (4 of us) absolutely wants to do the airboat thing. I'll check out your suggestion as an odd on if time allows.

Please be aware that, if you take an air boat tour, you will NOT go anywhere into Everglades National Park. The air boats are so destructive of the native flora and fauna, that they are banned from the Park. The tram tour, however, does go there.

Why not just rent a wave runner somewhere?

We'd like a craft that we can sit down in without getting wet! In any case, as I said, one of our party absolutely says that she wants to do an airboat ride-no budging her!