We saved money at Port Canaveral by renting a car and driving to the "shore excursion" rather than travel with the Carnival bus. We were able to drive to the Airboat Tour, shop at RON JON, go on the beach and see the area for much less than the Carnival Air boat tour. That made up for the few extra dollars we spent on the room.
A little disappointed at first when I looked out the balcony and saw the Port. It was a refinery with multiple freight shipping crates. More like Port Newark than an island paradise. The other side of the ship was the port with a small marketplace.
We paid $5 a piece to take a taxi to Port Lucaya. It was a marketplace that sold souvenirs. The same stuff was at each booth. Some of the islanders were pushy and aggressive. Others were pleasant and friendly.
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