A cruise will be such a calming trip. You will not have to fret about what to eat, and will not must drive and fear about instructions and parking. As soon as you might be onboard and the ship units sail, you’ll loosen up and revel in your trip. However, you have first obtained to board your ship, which may typically be slightly traumatic.
Crusing on a cruise from the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal (the place you will discover the Disney cruise terminal)? Port Canaveral is a big terminal, so listed below are some suggestions and data for cruisers that may assist you to in your journey.
Observe: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. A click-through/buy via certainly one of these hyperlinks (together with on the map) could end in a fee paid to us. We have now been on one media cruise for free of charge and two Disney Social Media Mothers cruises at a reduction, in addition to many cruises at our personal price.
Disney Cruise Line Terminal: Port Canaveral Suggestions and Data for Cruisers
Location
Port Canaveral FL is situated about 45 miles east of Orlando. It’s pretty simple to fly into the Orlando Worldwide Airport, Sanford Worldwide Airport, or Melbourne Worldwide Airport, and journey to the cruise port. We all the time fly into Orlando Worldwide Airport, because of the variety of obtainable flights from Boston.
Nevertheless, some households select to do different issues as nicely. You may plan a Disney land and sea trip, and spend a while at Walt Disney World earlier than or after your cruise. That works particularly nicely with the three or four-day Disney Want itinerary.
Households can also take into account spending time close to Port Canaveral earlier than or after their cruise. Actions within the space embrace the Kennedy House Middle and the House Coast seashores (together with Cocoa Seaside and Melbourne Seaside).
Attending to and from Port Canaveral
In case you are touring on the Disney Cruise Line, you’ll have some particular transportation choices provided to you. These can be found at an extra charge, however I discover them to be very handy. We all the time take the shuttle as a result of it can get you there on time and can drop you off within the actual location it is advisable to be in.
There are two choices – one leaving Orlando Worldwide Airport, and one leaving from the Walt Disney World resort resorts. You’ll wish to add these to your journey itinerary if you e-book, or later via DCL or the journey agent you booked with.
There are different choices as nicely, together with shuttles, non-public vehicles, Uber/Lyft, and cabs. Port Canaveral parking can also be obtainable. You’ll have the ability to park close to your particular cruise terminal.
In case you are hoping to lease a automotive to discover the realm after your cruise, there are a number of choices obtainable. As all the time, I like to recommend reserving upfront to make sure there’s a automotive obtainable if you want it.
Port Canaveral Cruises
I’ve particularly talked about Disney Cruise Strains right here as a result of that’s who I usually cruise with. However Port Canaveral hosts different cruise strains as nicely. These embrace:
Cruise strains and ships are all the time topic to vary, and cruise itineraries and areas can differ by season and 12 months.


Crusing out of the Port Canaveral on Disney Cruise Line
Admittedly, I’ve solely sailed Disney Cruise Line from Port Canaveral, and I’ve all the time discovered the method to be simple. In case you are taking Disney transportation from the airport, you’ll depart your baggage earlier than boarding the motorcoach on the airport.
The cruise porters aren’t employed by the cruise line and do settle for suggestions. Ensure you convey alongside some money for suggestions.
When you arrive on the port, you’ll be directed via safety after which via the check-in space. Previously, cruisers had been despatched upstairs to test in. Now, you’ll test in downstairs, and the upstairs space is particularly the place you will go if there are any points along with your check-in.
The Disney terminal is so well-appointed, and it actually will get you within the spirit of touring with Disney. There are separate check-in areas obtainable. In case you are a Castaway Membership Platinum member (and soon-to-be Pearl) or a concierge stateroom visitor, you will have a separate space to check-in.
If you check-in, you’ll ensure you have a bank card on file, signal any related paperwork, and have your passport/ID checked. Whereas up to now visitors had been handed lanyards (for Castaway Membership members) and Key to the World playing cards, these will now be in your stateroom door/in your stateroom.
A boarding quantity shall be given to you at the moment. You may sit within the ready space and anticipate the quantity to be known as. When you wait, you may stroll exterior to get a fantastic picture of the ship, and might even wait in line to take a photograph with Minnie or Mickey.
If you initially test in to your cruise on-line, you will wish to select your port arrival time (PAT). In case you are versatile for the day, an early time will provide you with extra time on the ship.
Nevertheless, a later time could make for a extra enjoyable check-in, with fewer folks in line. As well as, your stateroom could already be prepared when you board later.
Customs at Port Canaveral
When you exit the ship, you’ll head downstairs towards customs. In the event you’ve tagged your luggage to be picked up exterior your room and delivered to your room, you’ll want to seek out them earlier than going via customs.
There are many luggage, however the sections are well-labeled so they’re simple to seek out. I normally test luggage for longer cruises and carry my very own for shorter ones.
After you see the customs officers, you’ll stroll out of the terminal to seek out the varied transportation choices. In case you are taking Disney transportation to the airport or the theme parks, they’re very simple to seek out and run constantly.


Port Canaveral Lodges
I all the time suggest that cruise passengers arrive a minimum of a day upfront. Flight delays are all the time a danger, and arriving early may also help mitigate that danger. Our baggage was delayed on our final crusing, so it was good to have some additional time earlier than we board the ship.
You’ll have a lot of choices when selecting the place to remain that evening. Some visitors select to go to Walt Disney World first, whereas others want to remain close to the Orlando Worldwide Airport (the place they’ll get transportation to the port within the morning). You may additionally take into account staying close to the port. Listed below are some choices:
Orlando Worldwide Airport
Hyatt Regency Orlando Worldwide Airport
I completely love staying on the Hyatt proper on the airport. It’s so handy, they usually even deal with your luggage for you and take them proper out of your room to the cruise port. This resort additionally provides day keep rooms, if you end up in want of a spot to hang around earlier than a later flight after your cruise.
We’ve stayed right here a number of occasions and loved our keep. There’s a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport, and you may benefit from the signature DoubleTree service.
Close to Port Canaveral
Hilton Cocoa Seaside Oceanfront Lodge
This Beachfront resort is about six miles from Port Canaveral and is superb for a pre-cruise seashore trip.


You too can discover some further resorts and different locations to remain on this map (affiliate hyperlinks).


Contemplating a household cruise? Take a look at our information to household cruising, with posts about fashionable cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise strains, in addition to suggestions for cruising.