More about Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Why go to Port Canaveral (Orlando)?
Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are only one hour away from Port Canaveral
Unless you book a shore excursion, transportation to downtown Orlando can get pricey
With the parks, Kennedy Space Center and beaches nearby, Port Canaveral is ideal for families
Port Canaveral (Orlando) Cruise Port Facilities?
Port facilities are contemporary but offer no services. Jetty Park is located at the east end of the port, near the Southside terminals. It has an oceanfront beach with year-round lifeguards, a snack bar, campground, children's playground, a bait-and-tackle shop and a lighted 1,000-foot-long fishing pier. In addition, the Cove area at Port Canaveral offers waterfront dining, and Cove Marketplace offers shopping.
Good to Know?
If you are lucky, you might be in town for a rocket launch. However, it's hard to plan ahead, due to the frequency of delays because of weather and technical problems. Check with hotels or the Kennedy Space Center for a schedule of space launches.
If you're heading to Orlando remember the summer and school holiday periods, in general, are the busiest seasons. The parks are naturally more crowded then, and lines for rides are longer -- an hour or more in some cases -- which can be frustrating, particularly on a first visit when you want to "see it all."
Not all taxis in Orlando are metered. Before getting into an unmetered taxi, settle on a fare with the driver. If you request a taxi through your hotel, note that sometimes they use nonmetered, limo-service cars that may be more expensive. Clarify that you want to get a taxi, not a limo car.
Getting Around?
By Car: For those who fly to their cruise, renting a car is an excellent choice, both for day-trippers and for those who are staying multiple days, because attractions are spread out. Secure parking is available at the pier, and most hotels offer stay-and-park packages for cruise passengers.
Renting a car is a good option, since the port is an easy 50-minute drive from Orlando International Airport. Avis, Hertz and Budget all have rental offices close to the pier. There are free shuttles at the pier for pickup, passengers can drop their cars off at the nearby rental office, and the rental companies have free shuttles to the pier. Those staying in Orlando post-cruise can return rental cars at the Orlando International Airport.
By Taxi or Shuttle: All cruise lines offer shuttles from the Orlando airport as part of cruise packages, or they may be arranged separately. In the port area, Art's Shuttle (321-783-2112), Blue Dolphin Shuttle (321-433-0011) and Busy Traveler Transportation (800-496-7433) all offer shuttle transportation. Beasley's Limousine (321-453-3680) and Hot Rayz Limousines (321-412-2202) offer limo service. Taxis are always available at the pier.
Local Port Canaveral transportation: If you want to stay in the area, there is limited shuttle service offered by cruise tour desks to Cocoa Beach (a small coastal city that is adjacent to the even smaller Cape Canaveral). There are also independent shuttle services that operate from the port. (The shuttle drops you across from Ron Jon's Surf Shop; the Cocoa Beach pier, with its restaurants and bars, is a solid half-mile hike north.) The shuttle also goes to Merritt Island and drops off at Wal-Mart and a local mall. It picks up every 20 minutes.
In Orlando: The I-Ride Trolley runs up and down International Drive or "I-Drive", as the locals call it. This major road is the site of many restaurants, attractions, nightclubs, hotels and shops. It costs $1.25 per adult to ride one way ($4 for an all-day pass). The trolley operates from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and makes 100 stops, stopping every 20 minutes or so. Children, 12 and younger, ride free with a paying adult.
Lynx offers public transportation to theme parks and tourist destinations in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. (Seven-day passes are available.) It also provides the free Lymmo Bus in downtown Orlando. The bus goes back and forth from the Central Plex area to City Hall.
Many Orlando hotels offer complimentary shuttles to the Disney theme parks and/or Universal Orlando parks. Guests staying at Disney resorts have complimentary bus, launch and/or monorail transportation to all the Disney theme parks; water parks; Downtown Disney shopping, dining and entertainment complex; and other attractions on Disney property.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The currency is the U.S. dollar. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, and ATM's are available in major hotels and at tourist attractions. On the south side of the port on George King Boulevard is a Wachovia Bank with an ATM. In Orlando, ATM's are available at major hotels and and at all the theme parks.
Language?
English is the primary language spoken in Port Canaveral, but you're also very likely to encounter some Spanish.
Where You're Docked?
Port Canaveral Cruise Port Address:
9005 Charles M Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Cruise ships dock at Port Canaveral, about 54 miles from the Orlando International Airport, less than an hour's drive. There are three terminals: Disney docks at its dedicated facility (terminal 8); other ships dock at either terminal five or terminal 10.
