A cruise will be such a calming trip. You will not have to fret about what to eat, and will not need to drive and fear about instructions and parking. As soon as you’re onboard and the ship units sail, you can chill out and revel in your trip. However, you have first bought to board your ship, which may generally be a little bit demanding.
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 here are some ideas and knowledge for cruisers that may show you how to in your journey.
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Disney Cruise Line Terminal: Port Canaveral Ideas and Data for Cruisers
Location
Port Canaveral FL is positioned about 45 miles east of Orlando. It’s pretty straightforward to fly into the Orlando Worldwide Airport, Sanford Worldwide Airport, or Melbourne Worldwide Airport, and journey to the cruise port. We at all times fly into Orlando Worldwide Airport, because of the variety of obtainable flights from Boston.
Nonetheless, some households select to do different issues as properly. You possibly can plan a Disney land and sea trip, and spend a while at Walt Disney World earlier than or after your cruise. That works particularly properly with the three or four-day Disney Want itinerary.
Households may contemplate spending time close to Port Canaveral earlier than or after their cruise. Actions within the space embody the Kennedy Area Heart and the Area Coast seashores (together with Cocoa Seaside and Melbourne Seaside).
Attending to and from Port Canaveral
If you’re touring on the Disney Cruise Line, you’ll have some particular transportation choices supplied to you. These can be found at an extra charge, however I discover them to be very handy. We at all times take the shuttle as a result of it would get you there on time and can drop you off within the precise location you could be in.
There are two choices – one leaving Orlando Worldwide Airport, and one leaving from the Walt Disney World resort motels. You’ll need to add these to your journey itinerary whenever you e-book, or later via DCL or the journey agent you booked with.
There are different choices as properly, together with shuttles, non-public automobiles, Uber/Lyft, and cabs. Port Canaveral parking can also be obtainable. You’ll have the ability to park close to your particular cruise terminal.
If you’re hoping to hire a automobile to discover the world after your cruise, there are a number of choices obtainable. As at all times, I like to recommend reserving upfront to make sure there’s a automobile obtainable whenever you want it.
Port Canaveral Cruises
I’ve particularly talked about Disney Cruise Traces right here as a result of that’s who I usually cruise with. However Port Canaveral hosts different cruise traces as properly. These embody:
Cruise traces and ships are at all times topic to vary, and cruise itineraries and places can fluctuate 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 at all times discovered the method to be simple. If you’re taking Disney transportation from the airport, you’ll go away your baggage earlier than boarding the motorcoach on the airport.
The cruise porters aren’t employed by the cruise line and do settle for ideas. Be sure to convey alongside some money for ideas.
When you arrive on the port, you’ll be directed via safety after which via the check-in space. Previously, cruisers have been despatched upstairs to verify in. Now, you can verify 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. If you’re a Castaway Membership Platinum member (and soon-to-be Pearl) or a concierge stateroom visitor, you will have a separate space to check-in.
Whenever you check-in, you’ll be sure to have a bank card on file, signal any related paperwork, and have your passport/ID checked. Whereas up to now visitors have 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 will probably be given to you at the moment. You possibly can sit within the ready space and anticipate the quantity to be referred to as. Whilst you wait, you may stroll exterior to get an incredible photograph of the ship, and might even wait in line to take a photograph with Minnie or Mickey.
Whenever you initially verify in to your cruise on-line, you will need to select your port arrival time (PAT). If you’re versatile for the day, an early time offers you extra time on the ship.
Nonetheless, a later time might make for a extra stress-free check-in, with fewer folks in line. As well as, your stateroom might already be prepared in case you board later.
Customs at Port Canaveral
When you exit the ship, you’ll head downstairs towards customs. In case you’ve tagged your baggage to be picked up exterior your room and delivered to your room, you’ll want to search out them earlier than going via customs.
There are many baggage, however the sections are well-labeled so they’re straightforward to search out. I normally verify baggage 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 search out the varied transportation choices. If you’re taking Disney transportation to the airport or the theme parks, they’re very straightforward to search out and run constantly.


Port Canaveral Motels
I at all times advocate that cruise passengers arrive at the least a day upfront. Flight delays are at all times a threat, and arriving early will help mitigate that threat. 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 plenty of choices when selecting the place to remain that evening. Some visitors select to go to Walt Disney World first, whereas others desire to remain close to the Orlando Worldwide Airport (the place they will get transportation to the port within the morning). You may additionally contemplate 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, and so they even deal with your baggage 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 couple of instances 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 may also discover some extra motels 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 standard cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise traces, in addition to ideas for cruising.