BOOK
Facebook-f Instagram Tiktok Youtube
Search
Close this search box.

Port Canaveral

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship
Departure Ports, Port Canaveral, United States

What You Need to Know about Port Canaveral: Parking, Hotels, Schedule & How to Get There

/

About Port Canaveral The cruise port near Orlando, Florida, is officially named “Port Canaveral,” and it’s located in Cape Canaveral. This port and Port Miami jockey back and forth for the title of the world’s busiest cruise port and Port Canaveral’s seven cruise terminals are divided into “A” terminals, housing terminals 5, 6, 8, and 10, and “B” terminals containing terminals 1, 2, and 3. Each terminal has a different address, which can be found here. Cruisers can determine their departure terminal by consulting their cruise documents provided by the cruise line, but upon arrival at the port, signage will indicate where each cruise ship is docked. A port map is online here. Getting to Port Some cruisers who’ve never sailed out of Port Canaveral are under the mistaken impression that the port is in Orlando. While it’s close, Port Canaveral is located 47 miles away in Cape Canaveral, which can be up to a one-hour ride, depending on traffic. Cruisers flying to this port should also search for flights to Sanford Airport (SFB) and Melbourne Airport (MLB), as they are also in close proximity. Many cruisers are curious about how to get to this port from MCO, and there are several options: Best Port Canaveral Hotels for Cruisers This is a lengthy topic, so I created a separate post detailing the best hotels near the cruise port with a shuttle, and a dedicated post to highlight the top hotels near the cruise port, but located beachfront in Cocoa Beach, about 15 minutes from port. Port Canaveral Parking Cruise port parking is available directly adjacent to the port’s terminals, and cruisers are advised to park at their cruise terminal’s designated parking area and walk to their ship. Port parking is $17 per day, and reservations are not needed. There are more affordable off-site options nearby, although they aren’t as conveniently located. Some nearby hotels offer “park and stay” options for cruisers, with parking bundled into the pre-cruise overnight room rate. Port Schedule The 2023-24 Port Canaveral cruise port schedule is online here. Clothes featured in photo: Halter Top Pineapple Bikini

A woman and her daughter pose on a Carnival crise ship docked at Port Canaveral in Florida
Departure Ports, Hotels, Port Canaveral, United States

Port Canaveral Hotels in the Cocoa Beach Area: Shuttles & More

/

Cocoa Beach Hotels Port Canaveral is a popular cruise port in Cape Canaveral, Florida, located about 45 minutes (approximately 47 miles) from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Given its close proximity to the theme park capital of the world, some travelers choose to drive or fly in 1-2 days before their cruise to stay at a hotel in Orlando and enjoy the area’s many attractions, but others prefer a property that is close to Port Canaveral, like these hotels, many of which offer shuttle service to port. If you choose to stay near the port, you can opt for an affordable hotel just minutes from port and with shuttle service, and I detail my top picks here. If you’re a “sand and sun” type who wants to add on an extra beach day before your cruise, I recommend a beachfront hotel in nearby Cocoa Beach, just about 15 minutes from Port Canaveral and 20 minute from Kennedy Space Center. Below are my top recommendations. Beachfront Hotels in Cocoa Beach Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape CanaveralAddress: 3425 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931The Hampton Inn is “beachside”, meaning it’s a short walk to Cocoa Beach, and also in close proximity to restaurants and shops such as Ron Jon Surf Shop. Vendors at the beach rent umbrellas, chairs, and boogie boards to travelers, and guests can use towels from the pool area to take and use at the beach. The property offers free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast, and shuttle service to and from Port Canaveral is available at a cost of $10 per person or $16 per person round trip (scheduled in advance or at check-in). An Uber, however, may be a more affordable and convenient option. Parking is $12 for guests overnight for their stay, and additional parking beyond the stay is $15 per night. Hampton Inn does offer “Park and Cruise For Two” bundled option, which includes shuttle service for two and parking for up to 7 nights built into the room rate, but this is likely only cost-effective for longer 6-7 night cruises. Best Western Cocoa BeachAddress: 5600 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931This property is well regarded by cruisers for its value, cleanliness, and proximity to Cocoa Beach (just a short four-minute walk), although beach towels are not provided. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast, and shuttle service to port is available for $10 per person each way. Shuttles run 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm, and guests schedule this upon check-in. Again, I urge cruisers to check Uber rates, which may be more affordable and convenient. Parking is available for $12 per night. Parking is $10 per night and Best Western offers a “Stay and Cruise” rate. Like some other hotels near cruise ports, this rate offers cruisers a bundled option, including the overnight stay, along with round trip shuttle to port for two, and parking. The distinction here is that there is no limitation to the number of nights, making this an attractive option for travelers embarking on a lengthy cruise. Beachside Hotel & SuitesAddress: 3901 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL, 32931The standout feature of Beachside Hotel is its close proximity to Cocoa Beach, located just 315 feet behind the hotel, and its impressive pool area, which features a lazy river. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast and complimentary use of beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes, and surfboards, although these are limited in supply each day and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests may also use the hotel’s pool towels at the beach. As for shuttle service, Beachside offers a “Fly, Snooze & Cruise” transportation package, which can be purchased individually at $80 per person and includes for two people the following: transportation from MCO to the hotel, shuttle to the port and at disembarkation return transportation back to MCO from the cruise port. Parking is free on the first night for cruisers traveling by car, and then $10 per additional night. The shuttle each way to Port Canaveral is $10 per person. Getting to Port Canaveral from the Airport There are over 30 Cocoa Beach hotels, but these consistently rank among the top choices for travelers cruising out of Port Canaveral. When it comes to getting to these properties from the MCO airport, there are four main options. To view these options, and see the pricing for each of them, is check out my post here. Things to Do Near Cocoa Beach Book Your Cocoa Beach Hotel Now Best Port Canaveral Hotels for Cruisers

Carnival Elation docked at Port Canaveral in Florida
Departure Ports, Hotels, Port Canaveral, United States

Affordable Hotels Near Port Canaveral with Shuttles, Parking & More

/

Hotels Near Port Canaveral This is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, so many cruisers seek out Port Canaveral hotels, which is about 47 miles from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida, a 45-minute to one-hour drive. Some cruisers opt to come into the area a day or two early and stay in Orlando to enjoy the many theme parks and attractions there, but others prefer a hotel option that is close to Port Canaveral, in the city of Cape Canaveral, and that offers shuttle service to port (although this may come at a cost). My recommendations on transfer options are at the bottom of this post. Cruisers typically seek out affordable hotels in Cape Canaveral, but this is a bustling area — especially during peak cruise season — which can drive up prices, making “affordable” a relative term. Not only are these hotels near Port Canaveral, but they’re also just about 15 minutes from Cocoa Beach and 20 minutes from Kennedy Space Center. If you prefer a beachfront hotel, check out this post. But if you’re searching for an affordable hotel near Cape Canaveral with a shuttle to the port, read on. Affordable Port Canaveral Hotels Country Inn & Suites at Port CanaveralAddress: 9009 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920This property is one of the top-rated hotels by cruisers because it’s the closest to port, just half a mile, and provides a “Park and Stay” bundled package, including room, parking, and shuttle to port for cruisers who drive in and need parking during their cruise. Country Inn offers guests free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast, and the shuttle to Port Canaveral for guests staying on a non-“Park and Stay” rate is $5 per person. An Uber from Country Inn to Port Canaveral cruise port in comparison, however, is only around $9, so that may be a better, more convenient option. Radisson Resort at PortAddress: 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920This property is less than two miles, a five-minute drive, from Port Canaveral and receives high marks from cruisers due to its location to port. This is a popular choice among families because of its pool area, including a designated kiddie pool, and it offers free Wi-Fi, although breakfast is not included. Radisson offers a shuttle to Port Canaveral at the cost of $6 per person, which is reserved at check-in, and shuttle service to and from MCO airport is $28 per person each way and must be reserved 48 hours in advance. However, an Uber is likely a more affordable and convenient option. Parking is available for $12 per night. Hampton Inn & Suites Cape CanaveralAddress: 9004 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920Just one mile from the port is Hampton Inn, which is highly regarded by cruisers for its proximity to the port, cleanliness, and value. Guests here enjoy free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast, and the shuttle to the port is reserved at check-in, running 10:30 and 11:45 am daily at a cost of $10 per person. At just around a $9 fare from hotel to port, however, Uber is likely a better option. Hampton Inn offers parking, but at a high cost of $25 per day, parking at the port is a much more affordable and convenient option. Titusville Hotel Option Casa Coquina del Mar in TitusvilleAddress: 4010 Coquina Avenue, Titusville, FL, 32780If you’re looking for more of an “experience”, than just a place to lay your head pre-cruise, you might want to consider Casa Coquina del Mar in Titusville. This charming bed and breakfast is a five-minute drive to Enchanted Forest Sanctuary and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, and 15 minutes from port and the Kennedy Space Center. Getting to Port Canaveral from the Airport These are all great hotels in Cape Canaveral, which are consistently highly ranked by cruisers sailing from Port Canaveral, but I advise folks not to book them (or any property) because of the fact that these hotels offer a shuttle to the cruise port. Instead, consider convenience, hotel ratings, location, and other amenities when deciding. There are four main options for cruisers to get to Port Canaveral from MCO airport, and all of these choices – and their pricing – is detailed in my post here. When you compare pricing, you may find that the hotel shuttle service is not the best option. Things to Do Near Port Canaveral Book Your Port Canaveral Hotel Now Best Port Canaveral Hotels for Cruisers

Scroll to Top
Get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planning Guide

Sign up for my weekly cruiseletter for insider tips and info.