Visiting Port Canaveral

[Meh]

At the time we are considering going on a Disney cruis but until we have made reservations, we would like to visit one of the Disney cruise ships. I know we won't be able to board one but we would like to get as close as possible.
So I basically want to know what area is the closest to the ship that is accessible without a ticket / boarding pass?
Can I drive up to Charles M Rowland Drive, park my car and walk up to the ship?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LizGirl]

As far as I can remember, they don't look for ID or tickets until you walk into the port building itself. I'm not sure about short term parking, though. You pay to park in the garage ahead of your cruise (at Disney's terminal, not so for NCL) and they charge you the full length of the cruise that's about to depart.

The dock has a security fence so you'll be stuck back in a parking lot or something that is a reasonable distance from the ship but will still be able to check it out.

I've only seen on of their ships in person, the Fantasy, and she is beautiful. You won't regret booking.

 

[Weedy]

There are a lot of restaurants along the waterway where the ships pull out.
Fishlips is one of our favorites.
The ships usually leave port about 4:30 Typically the Fantasy sails out on Saturday and the Dream on Monday and Friday


The best view is from a restaurant that is closed right now. It was Milliken’s Reef. It’s reopening as Gator’s in September

 

[boyshouse]

You might enjoy going down to one of the restaurants at the port.If you go at sail away time (around4 or4:30) the ships sail right past them to go out to the ocean. You are very close,can wave to the people on the ship,and even see dolphins in the channel. My grandson loved it.

 

[southerngirl528]

At the time we are considering going on a Disney cruis but until we have made reservations, we would like to visit one of the Disney cruise ships. I know we won't be able to board one but we would like to get as close as possible.
So I basically want to know what area is the closest to the ship that is accessible without a ticket / boarding pass?
Can I drive up to Charles M Rowland Drive, park my car and walk up to the ship?

Thanks in advance.

If you are going to judge DCL by the outside of the ship, you might as well go ahead and book! IMO, there is NO cruise lines that has ships as gorgeous as DCL does, especially by the way they look on the exterior. And it sounds like you realize that there is no way to get onboard due to security reasons if you are not a registered passenger.

There are a lot of restaurants along the waterway where the ships pull out.
Fishlips is one of our favorites.
The ships usually leave port about 4:30 Typically the Fantasy sails out on Saturday and the Dream on Monday and Friday

THIS is what I highly recommend! You will get a lot more of a gander at the ship as she starts to move away from the dock and ease her way down the canal.

As for checking I.D., if one is trying to get close to the terminal building, like to drop off luggage, when I have sailed there is ALWAYS a security person that checks I.D. and paperwork to ensure ONLY passengers get past that point.

I say, do what a couple of PP have said, and go have an early dinner at Fishlips or the other restaurants right at the Port! Good luck! Oh and btw, check out: www.portcanaveralwebcam.com I'm watching the Dream pull away from the dock this very minute!!!

 

[kj2mom]

Thanks soo much for sharing the link....I started watching with plenty of time to see the ship pass by. Very cool!!

 

[Weedy]

A couple more pictures from Milliken’s Reef soon to be Gator’s

 

[ScooterScott44]

Adding a few details. If you drive like you are headed to the ship there is a small lot just before the actual entry. It is on the right and a number of car service people wait there for pickup and drop off. You could park there and get out to look and take pics. It is still pretty far but if you go further the view probably is not any better and will be blocked by terminal in some way. You will still have to drive through the gate to get out of the area but will not have to go into the parking garage.

It is better to head over to the restaurants and watch them go by.

 

[southerngirl528]

Thanks soo much for sharing the link....I started watching with plenty of time to see the ship pass by. Very cool!!

Of course! And know that tomorrow a little after 4ish, you can watch the Fantasy prepare to leave the same way! It's kinda fun to watch, huh?

 

[southerngirl528]

A couple more pictures from Milliken’s Reef soon to be Gators

Hey Weedy, I had read a while back that Gator's Dockside had bought that place. Any idea when in September it will be open? And they didn't have a webcam did they? (not that I can recall.....)

 

[Weedy]

Hey Weedy, I had read a while back that Gator's Dockside had bought that place. Any idea when in September it will be open? And they didn't have a webcam did they? (not that I can recall.....)

I also read it online. It just says by September.
No camera at Milliken’s/ Gators but there is still the one at Fishlips
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/...ikens-reef-location-port-canaveral/718617002/

 

[southerngirl528]

I also read it online. It just says by September.
No camera at Milliken’s/ Gators but there is still the one at Fishlips

Ahh, yeah, same here. And yep! I love that webcam at Fishlips! What I want to know is, WHY does the operator of the webcam (it's obvious at certain points there is someone at the control joystick for the camera), love to focus way in on the officer that stands out on that little hatch opening with a few of the guys in the yellow coveralls? I have watched several different days when the officer was out there on that little hatch (it's pretty high up on the ship, and like a door/platform that drops down when the ship is leaving port, and then obviously is taken back up and secured into the side of the hull.

There has to be a story about that. If I ever get over to Fishlips, I'm gonna ask!

 

[kj2mom]

Of course! And know that tomorrow a little after 4ish, you can watch the Fantasy prepare to leave the same way! It's kinda fun to watch, huh?

Didn't get to watch the other day but watching them all leave now! Fun! Thanks again!

 

[southerngirl528]

Didn't get to watch the other day but watching them all leave now! Fun! Thanks again!

Of course!! I'm watching the Dream push away right now!! LOL!

 

[kj2mom]

The Dream was the 3rd one I saw go. The Enchantment was funny because someone was on their phone and they must have been telling them they were on the cam (zoomed in super close) because he was waving and telling the people next to him. Super cute! Soo much fun! My cruise is not even booked yet, still almost 2 years away and I am like a giddy child watching the cam !

 

[southerngirl528]

The Dream was the 3rd one I saw go. The Enchantment was funny because someone was on their phone and they must have been telling them they were on the cam (zoomed in super close) because he was waving and telling the people next to him. Super cute! Soo much fun! My cruise is not even booked yet, still almost 2 years away and I am like a giddy child watching the cam !

It really is fun to watch, isn't it? And yes, some people are REALLY funny! And whoever at Fishlips operates the camera, loves to ZOOM in, huh?