Port Canaveral
Considered the 2nd busiest on the East Coast, Port Canaveral has easy access from the Orlando International Airport and attractions. There is a single corridor from the airport via the BeachLine to the port through virtually non-populated areas. Easy access; easy to find.
Cruising Florida’s Fun Port Before & After You Board
Port Canaveral is in prime location on Central Florida’s Atlantic coastline, a perfect climate, beautiful views and unique wildlife means there’s more than cruising to enjoy while you’re here. Why not take time to take a dip in the surf at Jetty Park’s warm ocean beach, or dine on fresh seafood on the waterfront as you experience majestic ships sailing by, Then stroll along the beach front boardwalk or take the kids to enjoy a seaside picnic under shaded tables complete with cooking grills.
If you love to fish then you’ll love casting from a 1,200 foot pier or dropping your line over the side of a party fishing boat complete with rod rental and guide to handle the bait… and the catch. You can also launch your own boat from one of the ramps located at either Freddie Patrick Park or quiet 4-acre Rodney S. Ketcham Park — a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail.
When planning your vacation make sure to allow time to enjoy all there is at Florida’s fun port — before and after your cruise — on Florida’s Space Coast.
Driving to Port Canaveral
Getting to Port Canaveral from the Orlando area is quite simple — just drive East on the Beachline Expressway (426). It is a toll road so make sure you have plenty of quarters or consider buying a pre-paid transponder called SunPass (www.sunpass.com) that attaches to the windshield and allows you to zip through the toll gates without stopping in what sometimes can seem like forever in the cash only lane. The SunPass is good for almost all of Florida’s toll roads. Most major rental car companies now offer their customers the option of including tolls with the credit card used to rent the vehicle. These rental car customers can use Florida’s toll roads and not worry about carrying cash or stopping to pay for tolls. Be aware there are fines up to $100 US for not paying for tolls.
If you want to avoid the tolls and have the time to check out the local views then consider using State HWY 50 East to US 1 that follows the Indian River South to SR 520. Then drive a few more blocks East over to Indian River Drive which is a stone’s throw from the river and curves through some of the most unique and oldest homes in the area.
Parking Choices when Cruising Port Canaveral
Park next to your cruise ship at Port Canaveral – Up to $25.00 a dayThe most convenient cruise parking is next to your cruise ship at the port. There is a choice of covered garage parking for each of the three major cruise terminals or open-air parking offering easy access to the terminal via shaded walkways. The fees are posted on their website and the port offers advanced parking reservations and payments online. You’ll find it costs up to $25.00 a day to park on port property, next to your ship.
The port authority maintains a permanent police department which regularly patrols 24/7 and the parking facilities are fenced and well lit. But be extra cautious and don’t leave valuables in your car.
To make it easy to find cruise ships and parking, electronic signs provide clear directions. Cruise lines and ships are listed on the signs, along with the appropriate exits. All three of the major cruise lines home ported here are on the A side or north of the harbor so your exit will be State Road 401 or the first Port Canaveral exit you come to when traveling East on the Beachline.
For GPS users, the addresses of the cruise terminals and parking garages are as follows:
- CT3 TERMINAL — Victory Cruise LIne (B side south) — 220 Christopher Columbus Drive
- CT5 Terminal — Carnival Cruise Line (A side north) — 9245 Charles M Rowland Drive
- CT6 Terminal — Carnival Cruise LIne (A side north) — 9241 Charles M Rowland Drive Parking Garage — 9240 Charles M Rowland Drive
- CT8 Terminal — Disney Cruise Line (A side north) — 9155 Charles M Rowland Drive Parking Garage — 9154 Charles M Rowland Drive
- CT10 Terminal — Royal Caribbean International (A side north) — 9005 Charles M Rowland Drive Parking Garage — 9020 Charles M Rowland Drive
All terminal addresses are Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Save up to $20 — park close by and take a shuttle to your cruise ship
If you’re keeping close track of your vacation money, you may want to consider parking offsite at a participating hotel or dedicated parking facility that offer a scheduled shuttle ride to the cruise terminals. Just prepare ahead and allow time for loading and unloading. And you should be prepared to tip the driver who will drop you off at the cruise terminal’s front door and help unload your luggage.
Although pricing at these offsite parking facilities can vary from day to day, you could save up to $20 US or more a day! Check back here and look for the locals’ review of your offsite parking options.
Wine, Dine and Party on Port Canaveral’s Waterfront – The Cove
Don’t miss experiencing the fun at The Cove, Port Canaveral’s harbor-side dining and entertainment area. The restaurants offer a range of dining choices from finger foods to full-course dinners. If you love seafood, where could the day’s catch be fresher then where fishing boats dock daily. Try mahi, tuna, local shrimp, lobster . . . Or if you’re not in the seafood mood, how about a great grilled steak, fried gator bites, or a big piece of bourbon pecan pie? It’s all here. Many of the restaurants have outdoor dining or tiki bars, great locations for watching regal cruise ships glide by or just taking pleasure in an onshore breeze. And when the sun goes down on The Cove, the fun doesn’t end. It gets livelier — with live bands, dancing and laughter.
Great restaurants and lounges at the Port|
Auddino’s Italian Bakery Baja Tavern & Eats Cape Caribe Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill |
Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar Jetty Park Grill Kaye’s Place Milliken’s Reef Pacific Junction |
Portside Galley Rusty’s Seafood Atlantic Smokehouse Foods |
Check out full list of restaurants close to the Port Canaveral area