Cruises from Port Canaveral Florida: A Complete Guide

Port Canaveral is a popular cruise port in Florida, offering a wide range of itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico. The port has undergone significant renovations in recent years, making it a more appealing destination for cruisers.

Port Canaveral is home to several cruise lines, including Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean, which offer a variety of ship sizes and styles to suit different tastes and budgets. The port's proximity to Kennedy Space Center and the surrounding beaches makes it an attractive stop for families and beach lovers alike.

One of the biggest advantages of cruising from Port Canaveral is the convenience of its location. Located just an hour's drive from Orlando, it's easy to combine a cruise with a visit to the theme parks or other attractions in the area.

Getting to Port Canaveral is relatively easy, with several transportation options available.

Port Canaveral is located about 45 miles east of Orlando, making it a convenient destination for those flying into Orlando International Airport.

If you're driving, you can take I-95 to exit 220, which will bring you directly to the port.

Getting to Port Canaveral is an exciting adventure, and it's great that you're planning ahead. Port Canaveral is located on a 132-square-mile barrier island called Merritt Island, which is connected to the mainland by two bridges.

The closest major airport to Port Canaveral is the Orlando International Airport, which is about 60 miles away. You can rent a car or shuttle from the airport to get to Port Canaveral.

There are also several cruise terminals at Port Canaveral, with the most popular ones being the Cruise Terminal 1, Terminal 5, and the Port Canaveral Terminal. These terminals offer a range of amenities and services for cruise passengers.

Whether you're driving or flying, getting to Port Canaveral requires some planning, but with the right information, you'll be on your way to a fantastic vacation in no time.

If you're headed straight to Port Canaveral from the airport, be sure to give yourself at least three hours.

Your plane should land no later than 10 a.m. to ensure a smooth and stress-free arrival.

You can claim any luggage after landing, which is essential before getting your ride to the port.

Getting your ride will likely take some time, so it's best to have a plan in place to avoid feeling rushed and flustered as you arrive at the port.

You'll find a wide range of hotel choices near Port Canaveral, with many located in Cocoa Beach, just a 15-minute drive from the cruise terminals. The Hyatt Place Orlando Airport is a great option for a pre-cruise stay, costing 9,500 points per night.

If you're looking for Hilton hotels, consider the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach or the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront. Both are within 10 minutes of the cruise terminal and offer a convenient location. The Homewood Suites by Hilton offers free breakfast, while the Hilton Garden Inn has breakfast for a fee.

For a more luxurious experience, the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes is a great choice, costing 42,000 points per night. This resort is a short drive from the theme parks, making it perfect for families, but also offers a relaxing retreat for adults.

Many cruise lines offer transfer services from the airport or a hotel directly to the terminal. Disney Cruise Line, for example, offers ground transportation from local airports to the embarkation port and back to the airport when the cruise is over, costing $90 per person for a round-trip transfer.

Parking at Port Canaveral can be done at on-site parking garages and surface lots.

You can park at your assigned terminal and drop off your luggage with the porters before parking.

On-site parking costs $17 per day, plus tax, for standard vehicles and recreational vehicles.

All payments for on-site parking are made with credit cards, and cash is not accepted.

E-PASS and SunPass are accepted as payment at the Terminal 3 parking garage.

Security makes the rounds through garages and surface lots daily.

If you want a cheaper alternative to on-site parking, consider a park-and-cruise option.

Park N Cruise Port Canaveral offers a parking lot 2 miles from the port for $10.95 per day.

The parking fee includes a free shuttle for up to four people, with additional passengers costing $5 per person.

Shuttles depart every 30 minutes for the terminal.

Some hotels offer a park-and-cruise package that includes a hotel stay and parking for the duration of your cruise.

The Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral offers a "Park, Stay, & Go" deal where you can book a room for one night and get included parking for up to seven nights, plus shuttle service to Port Canaveral.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the terminal, no matter where you park.

If you're looking for a hassle-free travel experience, consider booking a park-and-cruise option. These lots offer secure parking with a cruise shuttle for a set fee, like the $10.95 per day option at Park N Cruise Port Canaveral, which includes a free shuttle for up to four people.

Many hotels near Port Canaveral offer shuttle service to the port, with some costing around $10 per person, like the $10.80 per person one-way shuttle at the Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach.

Cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line can offer ground transportation from local airports to the embarkation port and back to the airport when the cruise is over, with a round-trip cost of $90 per person.

If you're traveling with a large or extended family, consider staying at an all-suite hotel like the Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach or the TownePlace Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach, both of which offer complimentary breakfast and have port shuttles available.

Here are some options for getting to and from the port:

Hotels Near Port Canaveral offer a range of options, from beachfront hotels to basic accommodations near the cruise terminals.

You'll find more choices the deeper into Cocoa Beach you're willing to travel, which is about 15 minutes away from the port via state Road A1A.

Consider staying at the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport if your flight into MCO is late, with a cost of 9,500 points per night.

Two hotels that offer clean stays and quick overnights near the cruise terminal are the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, costing 50,000 and 46,000 points per night respectively.

Both hotels are walkable to nearby restaurants and offer convenient locations, about 10 minutes from the cruise terminal.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton offers free breakfast, while the Hilton Garden Inn has breakfast for a fee.

If you're planning to spend a few days in Orlando before your cruise, consider staying at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, which costs 42,000 points per night and features a 500-acre property with a new water park and poolside burger bar.

The Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach is an all-suite hotel that has a port shuttle costing $10.80 per person one-way, and offers complimentary breakfast.

The TownePlace Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach is another all-suite option with free breakfast and two bars, including one out by the pool.

Hotel shuttle transfer costs can vary, but many cost around $10 per person, so be sure to contact the property to inquire about options before making a reservation.

To get to your cruise ship, you'll need to know the address of the terminal where it's docked.

Cruise Terminal No. 5 is located at 9245 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, and it's where Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships are typically docked.

Cruise Terminal No. 6 is at 9241 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, and this is where Carnival Cruise Line ships usually arrive.

Disney Cruise Line ships can be found at Cruise Terminal No. 8, which is located at 9155 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

If you're traveling with Norwegian Cruise Line or MSC Cruises, you'll be docking at Cruise Terminal No. 10, which is at 9005 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

Keep in mind that Port Canaveral is accessible by car, but if you need a transfer from the terminal entrance to the ship, it's best to contact your cruise line for assistance.

If you're planning a trip to Port Canaveral, you'll want to know where to catch your cruise ship. Cruise Terminal No. 1 is located at 9050 Discovery Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, and is used by Royal Caribbean.

Cruise Terminal No. 2 is at 180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, and serves as an overflow terminal. Carnival Cruise Line uses Cruise Terminal No. 3, which is situated at 220 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

Some cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, spend a day in Port Canaveral on select itineraries through September, making it a port of call for ships sailing from the Northeast.

You'll find plenty of dining options in Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, including beachfront seafood and great burgers, mainly along State Road A1A and State Road 520.

Ellie Mae's Tiki Bar is a great spot to grab a drink, offering half-off cocktails every Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

If you want to wave at departing cruise ships, head to one of the port-facing restaurants on Glen Cheek Drive, which often have spacious outdoor patios perfect for dining and bidding bon voyage.

Seafood Atlantic is a local favorite, serving the freshest seafood in the area since 1984, thanks to their partnership with local fishermen.

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming, but knowing your options for accommodation and transportation can make all the difference.

Consider staying in a hostel, which can be a budget-friendly option, with prices starting from $20 per night. You can also opt for a hotel, which typically costs between $80 and $200 per night.

Researching transportation options beforehand is crucial to avoid last-minute hassles. A one-way bus ticket can cost anywhere from $10 to $50, depending on the route and provider.

If you're traveling with a group, renting a car might be a more cost-effective option, with prices starting from $40 per day. However, be sure to factor in the cost of gas and parking.

Booking your accommodations and transportation in advance can save you up to 50% off the regular price.

Cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida offer a wide range of itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico.

Most cruises depart from Terminal 1, which is the main cruise terminal at Port Canaveral.

The terminal is open 24 hours a day, but check-in typically begins around 10:00 AM.

You can reach the terminal via US-1 or A1A, and parking is available on site.

Additional reading: Msc Cruises En Español

If you're looking for things to do in Port Canaveral, consider visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. You can also explore the Exploration Tower and the US Air Force Space & Missile Museum.

The port is a great place to take in a day of fishing on one of the charter boats docked at the port. The sound of crashing waves on uncrowded beaches is a great way to relax after a long day.

If you're lucky, you might even catch a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, which can be a thrilling experience. The entire ship may even start to shake as the rocket lifts off!

Parking options are plentiful at Port Canaveral, but be aware that on-site parking costs $17 per day, plus tax, for standard vehicles and recreational vehicles.

You can drop off your luggage with the porters at the terminal before parking, which can save you some time on embarkation day.

Security makes the rounds through garages and surface lots daily, so you don't have to worry about your vehicle's safety.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to on-site parking, consider a park-and-cruise option, which can be found just 2 miles from the port.

Park N Cruise Port Canaveral offers a parking lot for $10.95 per day, which includes a free shuttle for up to four people.

Additional passengers on the shuttle cost $5 per person, and shuttles depart every 30 minutes for the terminal.

Some hotels nearby offer park-and-cruise packages that include a hotel stay and parking for the duration of your cruise, which can be a great way to save some money.

You can visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Exploration Tower, and the US Air Force Space & Missile Museum before or after your cruise.

Watching a rocket launch is a thrilling experience, and you can check the rocket launch schedule for Cape Canaveral to plan your visit.

Port Canaveral offers a variety of fishing options, including charter boats docked at the port.

Relax on the uncrowded beaches and enjoy the sound of crashing waves.

If you're lucky, you might be in Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach to watch a rocket launch, which can be a memorable experience.

The entire ship will start to shake as a rocket lifts off, so be prepared for a thrilling experience even if you're already on your cruise ship.

Orlando is a foodie's paradise, with a diverse range of local cuisine options to suit every taste and budget.

The Cove at Port Canaveral is a great spot to try fresh seafood, with plenty of waterfront restaurants serving up delicious fish tacos and mahi-mahi sandwiches.

Orlando's theme park resorts are also a great place to try celebrity chef-led, farm-to-table cuisine, offering a unique dining experience.

The Mills 50 District north of downtown Orlando is a must-visit for Vietnamese food lovers, with its famous fare drawing in visitors from all over.

You can't go wrong with a character meal at one of the theme park resorts, offering a fun and memorable dining experience for the whole family.

Port Canaveral is a popular cruise port, and for good reason. Our Princess fleet includes some of the best cruises out of Port Canaveral.

You can find the comforts of home along with the luxuries you deserve on board any of our ships.

Princess ships are waiting in Port Canaveral, ready for their next adventure.

A unique perspective: Princess Cruise Seattle Port to Alaska

You'll find a plethora of hotel choices around Port Canaveral, especially in Cocoa Beach, which is just a 15-minute drive away via state Road A1A from the cruise terminals.

The Hyatt Place Orlando Airport is a great option for a pre-cruise stay if your flight into MCO is late, with a nightly rate of 9,500 points.

Cocoa Beach is a straight shot from the cruise terminals, and you'll find beachfront hotels to basic accommodations near the cruise terminals, with more options available the deeper you travel into the city.

The Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront are two convenient hotels within a 10-minute walk to the cruise terminal, with rates of 50,000 and 46,000 points per night, respectively.

State Road A1A and state Road 520 are the main routes through Cocoa Beach, where you'll find most of the restaurants.

You can grab breakfast or dinner at one of the many dining options in Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, including beachfront seafood and great burgers.

Ellie Mae's Tiki Bar is a great spot to grab a drink right off state Road A1A, with half-off cocktails every Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

If you want to wave at departing cruise ships, head to one of the port-facing restaurants on Glen Cheek Drive, which have spacious outdoor patios with great views of the ships.