Quick question re: Port Canaveral as a port stop

[RedSox68]

Our cruise on Sunday is now going to Port Canaveral and Nassau instead of Bermuda.

I know that DCL has used Port Canaveral as a port stop on their NYC itinerary.

My question is: what is there to do there? Anyone rent a car to go to Cape Canaveral and, if so, how?

Any tips would be most appreciated for what to do in port. The unfortunate thing is the port times are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

[ivanp91]

I'm unsure if car rental shuttles will be operating to your ship's terminal since it's a port stop rather than terminating cruise, if not I would imagine you would be able to call one of the hire companies to get the shuttle to collect you. The rental places are within a couple miles of the port so it's not a whole lot of time wasted once you're on your way.

The only big thing I can think of in the immediate area is Kennedy Space Center. Another option is to explore some of the communities along the coast.

 

[Marc D]

Usually, on a stop at PC, most guests go to WDW to use the included tickets with fast passes. But the ship is usually in port until after the parks close so guests get a full day even with the transfer time taken into account. Arriving in port at 1PM limits your options. KSC closes at 6. That would give you maybe 5 hours to visit, which is not a lot. They’d might offer shuttles to Disney Springs ?

 

[clten]

A few years ago, we did one of the cruises from NYC that stopped in Port Canaveral. We weren't interested in doing WDW for the day so we rented a car. (We used Hertz as it was the best deal at the time.) We contacted them in advance as we were unsure how shuttles would be running since it was just a port day and not a disembarkation day. They had us call them as we were disembarking (before going through the customs area - not sure if your cruise you have to clear customs or if you are coming from US port). They told us then that a shuttle was circling and would be there to meet us in about 15 minutes. They were great. We got back earlier than we planned and the woman there shuttled us back to the port. But originally we had planned to return the car after hours. We would have needed to arrange for a taxi or uber from their location back to the port.

 

[FigmentSpark]

There are beaches in Cocoa Beach, if that interests you, or anywhere along that shoreline. Is there any indication that they'll give you WDW tickets? Even just a few hours in a park if the tickets are free would be a bonus. If you rent a car (or maybe there's a shuttle?) you could look at one of the water parks or Disney Springs. They're both an hour from port, so keep that in mind if you're planning any Orlando jaunts.

 

[TrishaK]

That sounds awful - that your Bermuda cruise isn't even going to what is most likely that "highlight destination"!

Looks like the cruise is Norwegian, not Disney, so from previous comments, I don't think WDW tix will be offered as a replacement option.

 

[Pens Fan]

Our cruise on Sunday is now going to Port Canaveral and Nassau instead of Bermuda.

I know that DCL has used Port Canaveral as a port stop on their NYC itinerary.

My question is: what is there to do there? Anyone rent a car to go to Cape Canaveral and, if so, how?

Any tips would be most appreciated for what to do in port. The unfortunate thing is the port times are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Looking at your signature, I'm assuming you will be on the NCL Escape that is being diverted due to weather. I just looked at NCL's shore excursions for Port Canaveral and noticed they have a transfer to Disney Springs. I can understand not wanting to put out the money for a park ticket for such a short time (wouldn't be worth it to me, either) but you could spend the afternoon at Disney Springs, have a nice dinner and then head back to the ship. The cost was $35 per person. Taking a look at their offerings, they appear to have some other things that look fun besides the theme parks. I know it might be kind of cheesy, but the air boat rides have always intrigued me and I see they offer a couple of those.

I know it's disappointing to miss Bermuda. I noticed this morning that the Dawn is being diverted to Canada. Ahh, hurricane season. We sail next month, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the weather. We were lucky the last time we sailed this time of year, though the cruise right after ours was altered. Hope you have a wonderful vacation.

 

[RedSox68]

Thank you for all the quick replies and tips. No, NCL is not offering any park tickets -- they clearly state it is shuttle only. So if we did that, we'd go to Disney Springs since they were remodellng it last time we were there in 2014. Not sure if we'll do KSC since they are charging $125/pp and the tickets are only $50. And I think renting a car might eat into the short amount of time we have.

We were also looking at the air boats. I lived in Miami as a child and we never did one of those. We could also go to the alligator farm

This morning they were discussing that Florence may turn and go right for North Carolina and up the coast, which would put is directly in its path. I guess we can't go to New England because they chose to send the Dawn there -- which makes sense since they are leaving from Boston I think.

They have already sent an itinerary correction -- changing the first two days from two sea days to one, and putting the other sea day at the end. Looks like they may be trying to book it to Florida and get ahead of the storm. I'm looking forward to THAT ride

 

[Pooh93]

Thank you for all the quick replies and tips. No, NCL is not offering any park tickets -- they clearly state it is shuttle only. So if we did that, we'd go to Disney Springs since they were remodellng it last time we were there in 2014. Not sure if we'll do KSC since they are charging $125/pp and the tickets are only $50. And I think renting a car might eat into the short amount of time we have.

We were also looking at the air boats. I lived in Miami as a child and we never did one of those. We could also go to the alligator farm

This morning they were discussing that Florence may turn and go right for North Carolina and up the coast, which would put is directly in its path. I guess we can't go to New England because they chose to send the Dawn there -- which makes sense since they are leaving from Boston I think.

They have already sent an itinerary correction -- changing the first two days from two sea days to one, and putting the other sea day at the end. Looks like they may be trying to book it to Florida and get ahead of the storm. I'm looking forward to THAT ride

 

[RedSox68]

We were told that if we outright cancel, we only get 75% back.

Also, we cannot book our excursions until we are onboard -- so that should be fun with 4,200 passengers

 

[Pooh93]

Sounds like you are in for an interesting cruise. I am sorry you are missing Bermuda. I would like to go there myself. I like the Disney Springs or air boats/alligator farm idea. Plenty of options. You have the right attitude. Please let us know how it goes and I am sure you will make the most of it whatever you end up doing. Safe travels!!

 

[TrishaK]

I finally got around to perusing the news this morning and read about Hurricane Florence. Stock up on your favorite sea sickness preventatives, and I hope it goes better than expected!

 

[bumbershoot]

Not sure if we'll do KSC since they are charging $125/pp and the tickets are only $50.

Just take a taxi, IMO.

I just popped port canaveral and Kennedy into Lyft and it shows max $35 one way. Going to National rental car was $19.

 

[mevelandry]

Our cruise on Sunday is now going to Port Canaveral and Nassau instead of Bermuda.

I know that DCL has used Port Canaveral as a port stop on their NYC itinerary.

My question is: what is there to do there? Anyone rent a car to go to Cape Canaveral and, if so, how?

Any tips would be most appreciated for what to do in port. The unfortunate thing is the port times are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Oh no... So sorry about that. I know it was NOT what you were hoping for at all.

Suggestions: You could always go to Orlando to visit Disney, Universal or Aquatica by Sea World?

 

[mevelandry]

Looking at your signature, I'm assuming you will be on the NCL Escape that is being diverted due to weather. I just looked at NCL's shore excursions for Port Canaveral and noticed they have a transfer to Disney Springs. I can understand not wanting to put out the money for a park ticket for such a short time (wouldn't be worth it to me, either) but you could spend the afternoon at Disney Springs, have a nice dinner and then head back to the ship. The cost was $35 per person. Taking a look at their offerings, they appear to have some other things that look fun besides the theme parks. I know it might be kind of cheesy, but the air boat rides have always intrigued me and I see they offer a couple of those.

I know it's disappointing to miss Bermuda. I noticed this morning that the Dawn is being diverted to Canada. Ahh, hurricane season. We sail next month, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the weather. We were lucky the last time we sailed this time of year, though the cruise right after ours was altered. Hope you have a wonderful vacation.

Same here. 2016 our plans were changed by Matthew, 2017 happened as it was supposed to but ... We are supposed to go to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (Grand Turk) this year but God knows what we'll end up with...

Good idea for Disney Springs!

 

[mevelandry]

We were told that if we outright cancel, we only get 75% back.

Also, we cannot book our excursions until we are onboard -- so that should be fun with 4,200 passengers

That's what your 2 first sea days are for.

 

[Quellman]

Isn't NASCAR hall of fame in Daytona? Could also do a day visit to Disney's Vero Beach.

 

[mmouse37]

We were told that if we outright cancel, we only get 75% back.

Also, we cannot book our excursions until we are onboard -- so that should be fun with 4,200 passengers

Wow they will only refund 75%? I believe in 2016 when our Bahamas/WDW cruise out of NYC was diverted to Canada (had to repack the suitcase!) DCL was offering a full refund if you decided not to cruise. If you decided to cruise (like we did) they offered a shipboard credit and I believe a partial refund. We already had the time off so we continued with the cruise. Some people we spoke to did not find out about the change until they landed in the NYC from Europe. DCL sold a bunch of sweatshirts on that cruise!!!

MJ

 

[RedSox68]

Wow they will only refund 75%? I believe in 2016 when our Bahamas/WDW cruise out of NYC was diverted to Canada (had to repack the suitcase!) DCL was offering a full refund if you decided not to cruise. If you decided to cruise (like we did) they offered a shipboard credit and I believe a partial refund. We already had the time off so we continued with the cruise. Some people we spoke to did not find out about the change until they landed in the NYC from Europe. DCL sold a bunch of sweatshirts on that cruise!!!

MJ

Yeah, we're discovering how lousy NCL is and this may be our last cruise with them! They are offering nothing so far! And the 75% refund is through the travel insurance not NCL.

 

[Kate_45]

Air boats are fun.