Hotels at Port Canaveral for Pre-Trip Stay [First Time Cruiser]

[jsrj21]

Hello!

My family and I are going on our first cruise this summer [still deciding between DCL and RC]. We're flying in from the Northeast but I'm a bit worried about flying in on the day the cruise departs - so I'm trying to find options. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this and what my options were. I like the idea of staying at a hotel at or near Port Canaveral where we can walk or take a cab to the port on departure day. My second concern is getting to Port Canaveral. Do the cruise lines have free or pay for transfers from OIA to the Port? After the cruise, my family and I are going to WDW for a few days so I thought of renting a car from OIA upon arrival to Florida but I'd be paying for parking and the rental for a week at Port Canaveral without using it....didn't think that made sense.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[flybone89]

We have stayed (and are planning to stay there again for a Jan '16 Star Wars cruise!) at the Residence Inn Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach, 8959 Astronaut Blvd. It is very nice hotel that lots of cruisers also seem to recommend. They even have park and stay packages and a shuttle to the terminal. It is very convenient, only minutes from the terminal and nearby places to eat. The only downside is price - more expensive to stay here and in the Port Canaveral area vs surrounding areas. But the convenience is worthwhile to us too so we can get in the night before and have no worries! Can't help you on the transfers - we always drive down from Ohio and have our car. Have fun!

 

[lanejudy]

There are no hotels directly AT the port. There are several hotels in the Port Canaveral area (usually listed under Cocoa Beach), and many also offer shuttles to the port -- either paid or free, sometimes as part of a "snooze & cruise" package. Walking to the port terminal is not an option.

DCL offers transfers, but only on the day of your cruise not to a pre-cruise hotel. Many people stay at an airport area hotel for this reason and take the DCL transfers in the morning. Cost is $35 per person each way, and DCL transfers run MCO -> port, WDW -> port, port -> WDW or port -> MCO depending on your needs.

There are also several rental agencies in the Port Canaveral area with free shuttles to the port terminal if you prefer to do one-way rentals.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MarleneP]

We had the same worries especially since we cruised in December and I was afraid a snow storm may delay our flight. We flew into Orlando Airport and stay at the hotel right in the airport(Hyatt). We did all of our transportation through Disney.....airport to port then port to WDW....WDW back to airport. We had no issues and plan on doing the same December 2015.

 

[IAMASTITCHER]

I would strongly recommend arriving at least one day in advance of your cruise. There are cruisers who do fly in the day of and have no trouble, however, if you run into problems with your flights the day of, there is very little wiggle room and a whole lotta nail biting in ensuring you get to your cruise on-time. Save yourself the worry, fly in the night before, relax a bit and then head over to your cruise the next morning.

 

[Zeppelin]

Hello!

My family and I are going on our first cruise this summer [still deciding between DCL and RC]. We're flying in from the Northeast but I'm a bit worried about flying in on the day the cruise departs - so I'm trying to find options. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this and what my options were. I like the idea of staying at a hotel at or near Port Canaveral where we can walk or take a cab to the port on departure day. My second concern is getting to Port Canaveral. Do the cruise lines have free or pay for transfers from OIA to the Port? After the cruise, my family and I are going to WDW for a few days so I thought of renting a car from OIA upon arrival to Florida but I'd be paying for parking and the rental for a week at Port Canaveral without using it....didn't think that made sense.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm from the east coast as well (NY). First three Disney cruises we flew in the morning of the cruise, took a car service to the port and had no problem. Last three cruises we've flown in the day before. Its nice to fly in the day before but I wouldn't sweat it. Short of weather, if you take an early morning flight you'll have time. And if weather is moving in most airlines will accommodate you on an earlier flight to get to your destination at no extra charge.

we also go to WDW after our trip. We get the car one way from MCO-to-Cocoa Beach, drop it off day of cruise then do the reverse afterwards. There are plenty of good hotels right on the strip on Cocoa Beach, which is ten minutes from Port Canaveral. If you're going to stay at a hotel stay at one which provides a shuttle to the port; getting from car rental agency to the port can be a nightmare!

 

[thumpie's mom]

We fly in the day before since we come from the West Coast. We set it up through Disney and stay in the Hyatt right in the airport. You pick up your bags and literally walk over to the hotel. Next day, Disney transports us directly to the port. It is very easy and stress free as Disney does all the work and is responsible for getting us to the port. The hotel is beautiful and has good service, including restuarant's. We have done this several times and enjoy it. It is nice to start your 1st cruise day, stress free.

 

[jsrj21]

Great advice. I've checked the Hyatt at OIA option too. I agree with all of you about being stress-free on cruise day. I think I'd rather arrive the day before, stay at a hotel, transfer to the port, then post cruise, back to the airport, rent a car, and head to WDW. This brings me back to the first time we planned a WDW vacation....knew so little. Now comes the fun part....the planning. Thanks again for all of the help.

 

[FantasySurprise]

We are flying in the day before and flying out late afternoon the day after. I have a few questions

1- If we pick the rental car from the airport, then drive to the cocoa beach area, what is there to do there the evening before the cruise?

2- Do you drop the car off the evening before you depart, then shuttle back to the hotel? Then take a shuttle from the airport to the terminal?

3- Having a rental car seems better than staying at the airport hotel, so we could hit a store and pick up water/drinks etc. If you stay at the airport hotel how do people grab those things before the cruise?

4- We don't leave until late afternoon the day after the cruise. I want to take my kids to the Kennedy space center, any recommendations on this process? I would assume, pick up a rental car at port terminal, drive to space center, find things to do next am, then drive to airport?

Sorry for all my questions... I booked this cruise last minute without having done really any research. I have A LOT of questions!

 

[yippeeDCL]

We are flying in the day before and flying out late afternoon the day after. I have a few questions

1- If we pick the rental car from the airport, then drive to the cocoa beach area, what is there to do there the evening before the cruise? We stay at the Residence Inn, have dinner at the port (Gills) and shop at Ron Jons.

2- Do you drop the car off the evening before you depart, then shuttle back to the hotel? Then take a shuttle from the airport to the terminal? We rent from Hertz at MCO and drop at the location (in the parking lot) at the Residence Inn the morning we depart. WE take the Hertz shuttle to the port

3- Having a rental car seems better than staying at the airport hotel, so we could hit a store and pick up water/drinks etc. If you stay at the airport hotel how do people grab those things before the cruise?

4- We don't leave until late afternoon the day after the cruise. I want to take my kids to the Kennedy space center, any recommendations on this process? I would assume, pick up a rental car at port terminal, drive to space center, find things to do next am, then drive to airport?

Sorry for all my questions... I booked this cruise last minute without having done really any research. I have A LOT of questions!