Port Canaveral pre-stay ideas

[Jess_S]

I searched and did not find a thread dealing with Port Canaveral hotels and activities generally. (I only went through 8 pages of results, so maybe I missed it). This is my attempt to start that thread.

So please tell me, for those of us who will be in PC for a few days before our cruise, what hotels, activities and restaurants are worth checking out? Anything you didn't enjoy?

Since I am travelling with a kid (6), please also tell me about your favorite kid friendly places.

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

there are threads, one that is active in the last few days - but they tend so say things like "Holiday Inn - good or bad?"

Many people like the Radisson which is very close to the port and has a nice pool etc.

Personally, we always stay at the Sheraton right next to Ron Jon's. There is lots of retail to browse through, some restaurants, Walgreens, and you are right in the heart of the town's highstreet. You can also walk down to the beach. I like this hotel because the parkade allows you to park on the same floor as your room and directly access the floor's hallway - makes loading and unloading very easy. Plus there is a decent bar/restaurant in the place. If you zero in on the area and put the right amount of stars on redtag then it will normally come up (since its better than the cheaper hotels that surround it. Good bang for you buck

 

[Jess_S]

I did see the threads with specific questions, but I was surprised to see that there wasn't a more general thread about the area for people who have not narrowed things down to a few choices.

I was actually looking at both the Sheraton and Radisson websites last night. The Sheraton looks very modern -- I really liked the look of the lobby, but I wasn't sure about the pool since it seems to be under the parking garage.

 

[crafty91]

As PP said we LOVE the Sheraton Four Points! Ask for a room with a view into the surf shop your son will love it. Lots of shopping to do, close to the beach, and the restaurant in the hotel (Shark Bites) has a large aquarium with fish and a couple sharks.

 

[xQuizx]

On our cruise in 2015 we stayed at the Radisson in Cape Canaveral. We had a rental car and drove there. Then we explored the area for a couple of days before the cruise.

This last trip in 2017 we decided to stay at Disneyworld at the Art of Animation for 1 night before the cruise. We went to Disney Springs to eat, look around and back to the hotel to swim. Then we took private transportation to the port. I figured this time around I didn't want to deal with luggage or driving and just wanted to relax.

Cost wise it was cheaper to rent a car and stay at the Radisson, but it was nice to start the Disney experience at the airport.

Is there anything specific you wanted to do precruise? How many days will you have before the start of the cruise?

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

Re the pool - yes the pool is outside and sort of jammed by the parkade ramp. We've never swam in it because we were always coming back from West Palm or something. So the swimming might now be ideal if that is what matter most. On the flip side, I can't say you ever see many people in that pool

 

[Jess_S]

Thanks for all the ideas so far.

In response to xQuizx:

We'll be there for 2 days pre-cruise. We've never been to Port Canaveral/the Space Coast, so we'd like to explore the area. So far, we have no specific plans. My son does enjoy wildlife and robots, so I was looking at some of the nature-based tours as well as Kennedy Space Center. We probably won't be interested in the beach because we're planning to do some beach days on the actual cruise.

In response to TFC, I'm not sure how important the pool will wind up being. My son does love swimming in pools -- but if we wind up doing a lot of activities away from the hotel, then it won't matter much whether the pool is fancy or not.

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

there is a pier at the beach there...but it can be windy and colder - depending on the time of year. Its not West Palm Beach over there at Cocoa.....I think there are some nice beaches in Melbourne nearby? Have fun though!