Port Canaveral cruise terminal is located 50 miles east of Orlando and 214 miles north of Miami on Florida’s East Coast. It is just 17 miles from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. The cruise port is easy to reach via the east-west SR 528, SR 520 and SR 50 which connect with the north-south US-1, Interstate 95, the Florida Turnpike (toll) and Interstate 4. There are 6 cruise terminals numbered 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 and 10. Check out the map of Port Canaveral cruise terminals to see where your cruise ship is located. The channel leading into the port is 400 feet wide, 3.5 miles long and about 44 feet deep.
Given the distance between Orlando and Port Canaveral (about 45 minutes to an hour from the airport), many people decide to stay the night before their cruise in a hotel near the port. If you decide to do this, look for hotels with shuttles. Given the competition for your spending, many hotels offer perks like shuttles to entice you to book with them. In fact, some even offer transportation from the airport. You can view our list of hotels with shuttles here. It’s an easy way to get back and forth from the cruise ship. More info on cruise parking Port Canaveral.
Flying is stressful for solo travelers or couples, but with a family it’s no way to start a vacation. Skip security, dodge the baggage fees and drive. When you drive you can make it fun for everyone (who doesn’t love a road trip, right?), you can find food options that meet your needs and budget, and you’ll never have to worry about a missed connection or lost bag. When you fly into your cruise, all you experience of your cruise departure city is this: the airport, a shuttle, the ship’s terminal. But when you drive, you’ve just added an extra port to your itinerary. Spend a little time in port before or after you go. With a little planning you might find that a day or two in Disney or at Universal is perfect if you’re sailing from Port Canaveral; or go for a tour of Southern food and drink in Charleston, South Carolina; or plan a museum-filled weekend in New York. You get the picture.
Once you exit the ship, you’ll head downstairs towards customs. If you’ve tagged your bags to be picked up outside your room and delivered to your room, you’ll need to find them before going through customs. There are lots of bags, but the sections are well labelled so they are easy to find. I usually check bags for longer cruises, and carry my own for shorter ones. After you see the customs officials, you’ll walk out of the terminal to find the various transportation options. If you are taking the Disney transportation to the airport or the theme parks, they are very easy to find and run continuously.
Since the beginning, Park N Cruise has been dedicated to industry-leading levels of quality customer service and security. Your vacation doesn’t begin on the ship! We make sure you feel secure and at home from the moment you arrive. Don’t waste time worrying when you park with us.