Cocoa Beach vs. Vero Beach pre-cruise?

[coloradocutie]

We are looking to stay a few nights at the beach prior to embarkation. Where do you like to stay?

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Cocoa Beach, we're staying again in a few months. They have suites for 6, which we need, and the property is nice. Nothing fancy. Free breakfast, and we always get a free drink or two. Pretty close to the beach if you're interested in that. Lots to walk to or you can take the Cocoa Beach shuttle Loop if you do not have a car, like we never do. They have fly and snooze and park and cruise packages as well. They have a shuttle for a small per person fee to the port, quick ride. We have also stayed at the Country Inn & Suites, it was fine but we did not love it. It was kind of in the middle of nowhere, and as I said we never have a car. We've never been to Vero Beach so I don't have any input on it. Good luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stay in Vero Beach when we will cruise out of Miami.

 

[mmouse37]

I think Cocoa Beach is a nicer beach....well at least in my limited comparison. We have been to Cocoa Beach several times and stayed at Disney's Vero Beach Resort twice. The beach at Vero was narrow and full of seaweed both times. I don't know if all of Vero Beach is like that or just around the Disney property.

Cocoa Beach is much wider and I thought prettier.

MJ

 

[coloradocutie]

Lots to walk to or you can take the Cocoa Beach shuttle Loop if you do not have a car, like we never do. They have fly and snooze and park and cruise packages as well. They have a shuttle for a small per person fee to the port, quick ride. Good luck!

This is awesome to know! Thank you! That would make things so easy!

I think Cocoa Beach is a nicer beach....well at least in my limited comparison. We have been to Cocoa Beach several times and stayed at Disney's Vero Beach Resort twice. The beach at Vero was narrow and full of seaweed both times. I don't know if all of Vero Beach is like that or just around the Disney property.

Cocoa Beach is much wider and I thought prettier.

MJ

Thank you! We are in Colorado, so the beach itself would be the draw for us! This is really good to know as we were looking at the Disney property as an option.

 

[dosekies]

Never been to Cocoa, but wasn't a huge fan of Vero. Stayed at a house right on the beach which was great (not Disney property), but didn't find the area around Vero to be very fun. If going to restaurants and finding other things to do is important, I would veer away from Vero.

 

[kmix78]

Never been to Vero, by we loved Cocoa Beach last year pre-cruise. We stay at Hamilton Inn- it was dated, but clean and they had a free breakfast.

 

[bbn1122]

We are DVC members and have stayed at VB twice pre cruise. We also tag on WDW, without parks. Eg. 3 nights OKW or SSR, then VB 3-4nights and then a 3 night cruise. A little of everything! It's a fun 10 days!

But I am sure you can find a nice hotel/ resort in Cocoa Beach on ocean.

 

[WDWLODGE]

We are DVC and we had a 2-night stay at Vero before our cruise last month. This was our first trip to VB and we really enjoyed it. We were only there 2-nights but we never left the resort. The beach is somewhat narrow but it was plenty wide enough for the kids to play. It was never very crowded. The surf was pretty rough at times but we were able to play in the water. We saw manatees and sea turtles close to the shore. This time of the year it is pretty active with turtles laying their eggs. We did a Pirate Dinner one evening with Goofy & Donald which we enjoyed. We spent a good bit of time in the pool area as well. We all loved the water slide and we played a few rounds of miniature golf which was free for DVC members. We drove up highway 1 to get to Port Canaveral and the drive was about 45-50 minutes on a Wednesday morning.

 

[StlZNF]

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Cocoa Beach before both our cruises. We can walk to the beach, breakfast included, and Publix next door to buy wine/beer for the cruise.

 

[lizzyb]

Haven't been to Vero beach but I love the vibe at Cocoa Beach.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Vero Beach is a relaxing resort. A view from a side villa one early January morning.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Also in January at Vero Beach, later in the day! This from an ocean view Inn Room!

 

[adg06]

We haven't stayed there yet, but we are booked in a direct ocean front balcony room at the Cocoa Beach La Quinta the night before our October cruise. It is right next to the pier, with shops & restaurants right there. Two of my favorite things in life are walking along the beach to an oceanfront restaurant for dinner, and watching the sunrise over the ocean from my balcony with my cup of coffee. Such a great way to start vacation before getting on the ship!

 

[hardis5]

I think 2 different experiences as have done both. Cocoa Beach it is the area, the port area which has been getting nicer over the years and definitely the beach. Vero Beach (DVC) we've actually never made it beyond looking down at the beach as we just enjoy the resort itself. The hotels in Cocoa Beach are not resorts and offer little what Vero Beach (the DVC resort) does in terms of diversions. We enjoy both and will be doing VB next February again pre-cruise.

 

[dthogue]

We haven't stayed there yet, but we are booked in a direct ocean front balcony room at the Cocoa Beach La Quinta the night before our October cruise. It is right next to the pier, with shops & restaurants right there. Two of my favorite things in life are walking along the beach to an oceanfront restaurant for dinner, and watching the sunrise over the ocean from my balcony with my cup of coffee. Such a great way to start vacation before getting on the ship!

We are staying at this same hotel before cruise in October - we be there on the 20th! Looking forward to it!

 

[com_op_2000]

We have done DVC VB multiple times before cruises.
We also, did CI&S at the port one time when 528 was rerouted due to the bridge issues back in '11. Loved the shuttle to /from the port and leaving the car at the resort and not at the port. The night at the resort and parking was less than a week parking at the port.