Tell Me About Port Canaveral

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting to get into full on planning mode! Currently, we are planning a 4 day cruise. Which looks like it will be on the Dream (which is cool b/c we haven't been on the new ships yet) I would love to do a few days in the parks, but don't think that I will have enough time to save for that AND the cruise AND excursions AND airfare blah blah blah. So, I've decided to look at Kennedy Space Center (DS5 at the time will LOVE IT!) and maybe a little time around Port Canaveral...The plan is to go down a few days before.

So, give me the scoop. Hotels? Some with transportation options to port would be great. Food suggestions? Things for DS5 not to miss...

(Please Note: I know the ship comes out of Port Canaveral...but at 0543, I can't possibly think of what the city is that it is in...feel free to correct me...My coffee hasn't kicked in yet!)

 

[openwater]

You have a lot of questions packed into 3 paragraphs!!!! It will not be easy to answer them in just a few sentences!

Disney Dream sails non-stop. It arrives around 5:45am at Port Canaveral on Mondays and Fridays then departs later that day around 4pm. The Port is basically in the city/town of Cape Canaveral but you can search for hotels using Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach - here you will find about 20 hotels in 4 clusters that are very popular with cruisers. For maps and a list of the hotels and rate comparisons, go here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/hotels/

About transportation. A rental car will probably be your best bet for a multiple-night stay. Are you OK with renting a car? Things are spread out here and you need a car to explore. Read more here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/car-rental/

About sightseeing. There are lots to do in the area for museum lovers to beach lovers to active adventurers! Shopping is not the greatest but that's good! The list of things to do is long but you can read more here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/attractions/

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

There is a restaurant down there called Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill, very very good
TBH I'd just fly in the day before and do the space center, idk if there's enough in the area to keep my family busy for more than 1 day.

 

[Sytrace]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting to get into full on planning mode! Currently, we are planning a 4 day cruise. Which looks like it will be on the Dream (which is cool b/c we haven't been on the new ships yet) I would love to do a few days in the parks, but don't think that I will have enough time to save for that AND the cruise AND excursions AND airfare blah blah blah. So, I've decided to look at Kennedy Space Center (DS5 at the time will LOVE IT!) and maybe a little time around Port Canaveral...The plan is to go down a few days before.

So, give me the scoop. Hotels? Some with transportation options to port would be great. Food suggestions? Things for DS5 not to miss...

(Please Note: I know the ship comes out of Port Canaveral...but at 0543, I can't possibly think of what the city is that it is in...feel free to correct me...My coffee hasn't kicked in yet!)

1. Port Canaveral is a part of Cape Canaveral and close to Cocoa Beach, FL. There are many things to do around the port area that are a lot of fun, in addition to KSC. I would definitely get a rental car for your days before your trip so you can explore Brevard County.
a. There is a fantastic beach right down the road from the port that we love to go to. It is called Cherie Down Park. It has a very accessible beach, lifeguards on duty, bathroom facilities picnic tables and free parking. Here is the link to the website. http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/Central/CherieDown/Home
b. There is Brevard Zoo, which is pretty close by. Here is the link.
https://brevardzoo.org/
There are a lot of chain restaraunts but some really cool special places to check out in the Port area. Fishlips is a very popular place and that is where the PC Webcam footage comes from. On ship sailing days, folks eat at the restaurant and wave to the cruise ships as they depart. http://fishlipswaterfront.com/
Here is a link to the PC webcam in case you don't have it. http://portcanaveralwebcam.com/

2. There are many hotels that have shuttle service to and from the port in case you want to return your car while you are gone. I hear a lot about the Radisson and Country Inn and Suites. As we live in Orlando and drive to port, we don't have a need for these. Some of them offer discounts on parking at the port garage if you choose to keep your rental car. A PP noted a great source for finding hotels.

Have fun planning!

 

[Sytrace]

Oh and don't forget to check out Ron Jons surf shop. It is a lot of fun.

 

[The Sasquatch]

The parks are only an hour away so if you are going to be driving around PC I would suggest just going over to orlando. PC is not our cup of tea but to each their own

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

You have a lot of questions packed into 3 paragraphs!!!! It will not be easy to answer them in just a few sentences!

Disney Dream sails non-stop. It arrives around 5:45am at Port Canaveral on Mondays and Fridays then departs later that day around 4pm. The Port is basically in the city/town of Cape Canaveral but you can search for hotels using Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach - here you will find about 20 hotels in 4 clusters that are very popular with cruisers. For maps and a list of the hotels and rate comparisons, go here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/hotels/

About transportation. A rental car will probably be your best bet for a multiple-night stay. Are you OK with renting a car? Things are spread out here and you need a car to explore. Read more here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/car-rental/

About sightseeing. There are lots to do in the area for museum lovers to beach lovers to active adventurers! Shopping is not the greatest but that's good! The list of things to do is long but you can read more here: http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/attractions/

Thank you for this. Not sure how I feel about a rental car. Just seems like an extra expense when we won't use it for 4 days...Interested in your thoughts
Definitely need out the attraction link. Thank you again!

There is a restaurant down there called Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill, very very good
TBH I'd just fly in the day before and do the space center, idk if there's enough in the area to keep my family busy for more than 1 day.

Good to know. Thank you for the insight.

1. Port Canaveral is a part of Cape Canaveral and close to Cocoa Beach, FL. There are many things to do around the port area that are a lot of fun, in addition to KSC. I would definitely get a rental car for your days before your trip so you can explore Brevard County.
a. There is a fantastic beach right down the road from the port that we love to go to. It is called Cherie Down Park. It has a very accessible beach, lifeguards on duty, bathroom facilities picnic tables and free parking. Here is the link to the website. http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/Central/CherieDown/Home
b. There is Brevard Zoo, which is pretty close by. Here is the link.
https://brevardzoo.org/
There are a lot of chain restaraunts but some really cool special places to check out in the Port area. Fishlips is a very popular place and that is where the PC Webcam footage comes from. On ship sailing days, folks eat at the restaurant and wave to the cruise ships as they depart. http://fishlipswaterfront.com/
Here is a link to the PC webcam in case you don't have it. http://portcanaveralwebcam.com/

2. There are many hotels that have shuttle service to and from the port in case you want to return your car while you are gone. I hear a lot about the Radisson and Country Inn and Suites. As we live in Orlando and drive to port, we don't have a need for these. Some of them offer discounts on parking at the port garage if you choose to keep your rental car. A PP noted a great source for finding hotels.

Have fun planning!

This is such a different trip for us. Typically it is WDW then DCL if we are going to be in the area, but with a little human, I want to explore and show him the world! Can't wait to show him the webcam...when we get closer otherwise it will be "Mommy can we go on Mickey's ship now?" Everyday until the actual trip which isn't booked yet. LOL

 

[truck1]

There is a restaurant down there called Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill, very very good
TBH I'd just fly in the day before and do the space center, idk if there's enough in the area to keep my family busy for more than 1 day.

Did you mean Fishlips bar and Grill which is on the water?

 

[truck1]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting to get into full on planning mode! Currently, we are planning a 4 day cruise. Which looks like it will be on the Dream (which is cool b/c we haven't been on the new ships yet) I would love to do a few days in the parks, but don't think that I will have enough time to save for that AND the cruise AND excursions AND airfare blah blah blah. So, I've decided to look at Kennedy Space Center (DS5 at the time will LOVE IT!) and maybe a little time around Port Canaveral...The plan is to go down a few days before.

So, give me the scoop. Hotels? Some with transportation options to port would be great. Food suggestions? Things for DS5 not to miss...

(Please Note: I know the ship comes out of Port Canaveral...but at 0543, I can't possibly think of what the city is that it is in...feel free to correct me...My coffee hasn't kicked in yet!)

Just another suggestion, but I know that the 3 resorts closest to the Port, Country inn Suites, Radisson and the Residence Inn, all have shuttles to the port, and a suggested company for transfer from the Airport to the resort and local transportation to places like KSC etc. Also, there are 3 different rest on the water near the piers and the ships sail by them on the way out. Theres Rustys, Fishlips and Grills. All are good and each has its own theme so to speak.

 

[surran12]

Hoping to piggyback on this thread for a quick question. I have stayed at the residence inn before and thought it was great however for the 2 nights before our February cruise I can save about 100 at the radisson. How is the radisson compared to the residence inn? Thanks for any help.

 

[phinz]

You could also go down to Jetty Park as the cruise ships leave so that he can experience them moving by from ground level instead of standing on the pier at a restaurant. It's awe inspiring.

http://www.jettyparkbeachandcampground.com/park_index

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Did you mean Fishlips bar and Grill which is on the water?

Awesome! Thank you!

Just another suggestion, but I know that the 3 resorts closest to the Port, Country inn Suites, Radisson and the Residence Inn, all have shuttles to the port, and a suggested company for transfer from the Airport to the resort and local transportation to places like KSC etc. Also, there are 3 different rest on the water near the piers and the ships sail by them on the way out. Theres Rustys, Fishlips and Grills. All are good and each has its own theme so to speak.

Great information, I appreciate it!

You could also go down to Jetty Park as the cruise ships leave so that he can experience them moving by from ground level instead of standing on the pier at a restaurant. It's awe inspiring.

http://www.jettyparkbeachandcampground.com/park_index

That's a great idea! I'll add that to the list!

 

[mkymouse40]

For those that do not already know; you can save 40% off parking at Port Canaveral if you stay at one of many specific hotels that participate in this program. Search "Port Canaveral Parking Voucher Program" for the complete list of participating hotels. It takes the parking from $20 per day to $12 per day. We're saving $40.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

For those that do not already know; you can save 40% off parking at Port Canaveral if you stay at one of many specific hotels that participate in this program. Search "Port Canaveral Parking Voucher Program" for the complete list of participating hotels. It takes the parking from $20 per day to $12 per day. We're saving $40.

This is great information. We don't plan on renting a car (extra expense for something we won't use much) but glad to have this information if we do rent a car. Thanks!

 

[MaleficentRN]

You might want to check out Events at http://www.cocoabeach.com/ They have festivals and concerts on and around the beach. We were there for the Easter Surfing Festival. We had a great time watching the surfers and shopping the vendors on the beach.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

You might want to check out Events at http://www.cocoabeach.com/ They have festivals and concerts on and around the beach. We were there for the Easter Surfing Festival. We had a great time watching the surfers and shopping the vendors on the beach.

Awesome!