9 Port Canaveral Cruise Tips
Port Canaveral, located on Florida’s beautiful east coast, is the second most popular cruise embarkation port in the US, edged out by Port Miami. For first-time cruisers or even seasoned travelers, Port Canaveral’s cruise port can be overwhelming.
To help you navigate the port and maximize your experience, we have come up with our top tips regarding Port Canaveral.
9 Port Canaveral Cruise Tips
1. Consider Parking Garage Alternatives
Parking at the port itself is undoubtedly the most convenient option. However, it is also the most expensive at $17 per day.
The parking garages, located off Charles M Rowland Drive, charge a whopping $136 for a seven-night cruise (you are charged for eight days). But be aware that the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal isn’t your only option, as there are many other places to leave your vehicle for a fraction of the cost.
There are several companies within 10 miles of the port which offer secured lots and round trip transportation to the piers.
Among the options available are Cruisetime Parking, 528 Parking, Park N Cruise, and Canaveral Cruise Parking. All of these range in price from $5.95 per day to $8.50 per day, depending on what specials or promotions they might have running at the time.
Closer to the port at only 1.5 miles away is Park Port Canaveral, which advertises a standard rate of $10.95 per day. Sometimes Park Port Canaveral offers a promo code on their website for online bookings, so that’s definitely worth looking into.
It pays to check out all the different lots and their rates for your specific dates. Chances are good you can save some money where parking is concerned!
2. Find A “Stay and Cruise” Hotel
Many of the hotels in the vicinity of the port offer special rates for cruisers who spend an evening at the hotel and then pay a daily fee for leaving their car in the hotel’s lot. Hotels in the area include all the major chains and their subsidiaries such as Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, etc.
If you are not sure if a particular hotel offers a “stay and cruise” option, check out their website. Most advertise these options, though some do not. If after looking at the website you’re still not sure — or if you just want to double check — call the hotel directly. Many places also offer transportation options to the port, some of them round trip, but visitors should confirm whether or not shuttle service is included in their rate.
Worst case scenario, you can always take an Uber or Lyft to the port.
3. Eat Like a Local
Sure, everybody’s anxious for the vacation to start. But sometimes, getting to the port early means sitting around waiting to board or standing in long lines. And once you do get on the ship, we far too often then head to the buffet for that first meal, along with everyone else on board!
Why not give yourself a more relaxed start to the trip by having a leisurely seafood lunch along the pier in Port Canaveral before you get onboard?
Right by the port you’ll find a cluster of local seafood restaurants. Several popular choices include Seafood Atlantic, Fishlips Waterside, Rusty’s Seafood, Junkanoo Island Kitchen and Rum Bar, and Grills Seafood Deck.
Any of these restaurants would make a good choice and they’ve all received favorable reviews from patrons for quality, freshness and fair prices. They’re also all located adjacent to one another, so take a drive by and stop for a bite at whichever one catches your eye.
4. Visit the Kennedy Space Center
Many visitors to the area know that the world-famous Kennedy Space Center is nearby, but they don’t realize just how close they really are. A short 20-minute drive separates the port area from the Space Center.
If you are traveling with kids, or even have a cursory interest in the space program, a visit should be on your list of things to do while in Port Canaveral. This is especially true if you flew in a day or two early, which is always a smart thing to do when it comes to making sure you don’t encounter travel-related problems!
Much more than a museum, must-see attractions include the Rocket Garden, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Astronaut Encounter (where visitors can meet and listen to an actual astronaut) and the Kennedy Space Center bus tour. When you have a few hours or a full day to kill, this is a great way to do it.
5. Tip your Porter
While tipping is not a requirement, the luggage porters work hard to make sure all the suitcases make it onto the ship and are loaded correctly. Additionally, working in the hot Florida sun can be a tiring and challenging position, so giving them even a small gratuity is a nice way of acknowledging the incredibly hard work they do.
And while strictly my experience, I will say this: I always tip the porters, and I’ve never had a piece of luggage go missing or be damaged. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’m not about to take a chance on breaking that streak!
6. Enjoy a few minutes at the beach
About two miles away from the Royal Caribbean and Carnival terminals is the beautiful Cherie Down Park. Located right on the Atlantic Ocean, Cherie Down has free parking, changing facilities and bathrooms, and a 700-foot boardwalk. But the real showstopper here is the wide sandy beach and warm Florida waters. This area of the coast stays surprisingly quiet, even during high season, giving visitors a great place to connect with the sand and the sea.
7. Consider Renting a Car
If you come in a day early, consider renting a car by the cruise terminal and seeing all there is to see before or after your cruise. It may be cheaper just renting a car for the day and dropping it off that evening or the morning of the cruise.
You can also inquire about a one way rental from the Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral. Some car rental agencies don’t charge a one-way drop off fee. The driving distance between the Orlando Airport and the cruise port is about 45 minutes.
Renting a car gives you the flexibility to check out the theme parks, watch the ships down at Jetty Park, or check out Cocoa Beach.
8. Take in Views from Exploration Tower
If you’re coming in a day early or staying a day later in Port Canaveral, consider watching your ship sail in or out of the port from the Exploration Tower. From the top of the tower, you’ll have panoramic views of the harbor and the surrounding beaches.
Inside the tower, you’ll find different exhibits regarding the history of the area. The tower is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are $6.75 for adults and $3.75 for children. Check the calendar, because if you’re in town when a rocket is being launched by NASA, this is a perfect observation spot!
9. Take A Deep Breath And Relax
The big screen on Lido deck plays first-run movies at night.
With thousands of cruise passengers passing through each day, not to mention people who fly or drive into the area, the Port Canaveral area can become very hectic. It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent thousands of dollars on a Disney Cruise Line vacation or hudreds on a Carnival Cruise, everyone has one goal in mind – to board ASAP.
While the cruise lines do a great job getting people on and off as smoothly as possible, glitches sometimes happen, and things can slow down. A little patience goes a long way toward ensuring your vacation starts on the right note. Take a deep breath and remember: Even if you’re standing in line waiting to board, your vacation has already begun!
