Port Canaveral is currently the busiest cruise port in the world, with over 4 million passengers passing through each year. Over a dozen cruise liners call this port home, and they sail to places all over the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It is common practice when taking a cruise to arrive at port a day before, so that you don’t miss your cruise if there are flight delays or other hang ups. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in the area during a free day, and arriving a day early basically just adds an extra day to your vacation. If you are preparing for your first cruise out of Port Canaveral, then we’ve got a few tips for you to help your trip go off without a hitch!
Getting From Orlando to Port Canaveral
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Cape Canaveral doesn’t have an airport of its own, so you’ll have to get a flight to Orlando International Airport and then get a ride to the port, which is about 45 miles away. Fortunately, millions of people make this trip every year, so there are plenty of methods for doing this. You can use ride sharing services like Uber, you can rent a car one way right at the airport, or you can take one of the shuttles that run for just this purpose. It is a good idea to check with your cruise company, as they often offer shuttle services from the airport. Which one will be the cheapest will depend on how many people you are with, since car rentals and ride sharing charge for the trip, whereas shuttles charge per person.
But if you are following the advice of arriving a day before your cruise, then renting a car is likely your best option. If you rent a car, then you will have transportation covered to make the most of your extra day of vacation. Port Canaveral has some attractions, like Jetty Park or Float Beach, but hardly enough to make a full day of it. With a car at your disposal, it will be much easier to travel around Cape Canaveral. You could even stay in Orlando and just drive to the port the day of your cruise. For this reason, renting a car is the best way to make the most of your extra day.
Where to Stay
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If you choose to rent a car for your stay over, then you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay and can choose your hotel based on what is cheapest. If you want to stay in Cape Canaveral, know that hotels close to the beach and port tend to be more expensive due to their convenience. If you stay in Orlando, avoid hotels that are close to downtown. If you don’t want to rent a car, some hotels offer packages with shuttle services to both the airport and to the cruise port. To find one of these, look at hotels closer to port and check their website to see if they have any special deals. The hotel may be a little pricier, but complimentary shuttle service might be enough to make up for it.
What to Do
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There are a number of things to do in Cape Canaveral that may pique your interest. If you like museums, you can check out Kennedy Space Center or the seven-story high Exploration Tower. Animal lovers can head to Manatee Sanctuary Park to see manatees in their natural habitat or book a wildlife tour through a local tour company. The truly adventurous can book a helicopter ride, which is a great way to see the landscape from a whole different perspective. Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures offers more excitement, with 7 courses where you can climb and swing (safely) among the trees. Beachside Grand Prix Karting offers a go-kart track, Golf N Gator has mini golf courses, and Escape Cocoa Beach is the local escape room. Of course, if none of that sounds interesting to you, then you can always spend the day hanging out at the beach and grabbing a drink at one of the local breweries!