Port Canaveral Cruise Guide

Radisson Resort at the Port

Resort-style property with a big pool area — the kids will want to stay an extra night

5 min driveDirections

Country Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral

Budget-friendly and closest to the port — save money for the cruise

3 min driveDirections

Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach

Reliable beach-adjacent stay with cruise parking packages available

15 min driveDirections

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

Beachfront with a great pool — let the kids play while you relax before the cruise

$$$

15 min driveDirections

International Palms Resort Cocoa Beach

Sprawling resort with multiple pools — feels like the vacation starts here

15 min driveDirections

La Quinta Inn Cocoa Beach

Budget-friendly with a pool — keeps more money in the vacation fund

12 min driveDirections

2Where to Eat

Every restaurant worth eating at near Port Canaveral

Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

Waterfront seafood with live music and a kids' menu that actually has good food

Seafood

8 min$$Directions

Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill

Casual waterfront spot where you can watch cruise ships from your table

Seafood

5 min$$Directions

Brano's Italian Restaurant

Old-school Italian that locals actually go to — perfect for carb-loading before the cruise

Italian

12 min$$Directions

Jazzy's Maytag Kitchen

Upscale Southern comfort food with craft cocktails — known for shrimp and grits

Southern

12 min$$$Directions

The Fat Snook

Craft seafood small plates in a cozy Cocoa Beach house — a standout near the port

Seafood

15 min$$$Directions

Florida's Fresh Grill

Steakhouse vibes without the pretension — solid surf and turf before you set sail

Steakhouse

10 min$$$Directions

Grills Seafood Deck at The Cove

Walk right over from the port — waterfront seafood with a great kids' menu and cruise ship views

Seafood

Walkable from The Cove$$Directions

Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar

Fun, loud, casual — the kind of place where kids can be kids and the seafood is fresh

Seafood

Walkable from The Cove$$Directions

Long Doggers

Burger-and-dog joint that kids absolutely love — unpretentious, fast, and actually good

American

10 min$Directions

Grills Seafood Deck at The Cove (Oyster Bar Side)

Skip the main dining room — the oyster bar side has craft cocktails and a more relaxed adult vibe

Seafood

Walkable from The Cove$$Directions

Sunset Waterfront Grill

Upscale waterfront dining with a wine list that'll impress — the sunset views earn the name

American

10 min$$$Directions

3Things to Do

Things to do near Port Canaveral before you board

Jetty Park Beach & Playground

Beach, playground, and cruise ship watching in one spot

All ages — the playground is great for toddlers, the beach for everyone

10 min1-2 hours$15 per carDirections

Dinosaur Store & Museum

Quirky little museum with real fossils — great rainy-day backup

Ages 3-10, especially dino-obsessed kids

12 min45 min$8 adults, $6 kidsDirections

Browse Dolphin & Manatee Tours →

Dolphin & Manatee Boat Tour

A calm boat ride through the Banana River — kids absolutely lose it when dolphins swim alongside

All ages — the boats are stable and covered, so even toddlers are comfortable

15 min1.5-2 hours$35-50 per person (kids often discounted)Directions

Ron Jon Surf Shop

The world's most famous surf shop — two stories of gear, clothes, and souvenirs worth browsing

All teens — even non-surfers get into the vibe

15 min30-60 minFree to browse (budget $20-50 for souvenirs)Directions

Cocoa Beach Pier

Walk out over the Atlantic — shops, food, and solid Instagram spots

Teens who want to explore and take photos

15 min45 min - 1 hourFree to walk the pierDirections

Cocoa Beach Surf Lesson

Learn to surf on one of Florida's best beginner beaches — a legit pre-cruise flex

Ages 8+ — no experience needed, instructors get most people standing on the first lesson

15 min1-1.5 hours$50-75 per personDirections

Book a Surf Lesson →

Merritt Square Mall

16-screen IMAX theater, food court, and real stores — not a tourist trap

Teens who want AC, food options, and a movie before boarding

20 min1-3 hoursFree to browse (budget for food court + movie)Directions

Browse Kayak & SUP Tours →

Kayak or Paddleboard Eco Tour

Paddle through mangrove tunnels on the Banana River — dolphins and manatees are regulars

Couples and active adults who want to get on the water

15 min2 hours$45-65 per personDirections

The Cove Playground & Splash Pad

Walk right over from the port area — playground, splash pad, and room to run

Ages 2-7 especially — toddlers love the splash pad

Walkable from The Cove30 min - 1 hourFreeDirections

The Cove Shopping & Arcade

Walk around The Cove — shops, an arcade, and food right next to the port

Teens who want to explore without getting back in the car

Walkable from The Cove30 min - 1 hourFree to browse ($10-20 for arcade)Directions

Jetty Park Fishing Pier

Cast a line off the pier or just watch the cruise ships pass — legitimately chill morning vibes

Ages 10+ — especially teens who like fishing or ocean watching

5 min1-2 hours$15 per car (pier access included), rod rental ~$15Directions

Browse Fishing Charters →

Fishing Charter at Jetty Park

Half-day inshore fishing on the Indian River — reel in snook, redfish, and trout right near the port

Ages 10+ — especially teens who want something more hands-on

5 min2-3 hours$150-250 for 2-3 peopleDirections

Sunrise Walk at Jetty Park

Watch the sun come up over the Atlantic with cruise ships in the foreground — stunning

Early risers and anyone who appreciates a beautiful morning

5 min30-60 min$15 per carDirections

The Cove Coffee & Waterfront Stroll

Grab a good coffee and walk the waterfront — zero effort, maximum relaxation

Couples and groups who want a mellow start to the day

Walkable from The Cove30-45 min$5-10 for coffee and pastryDirections

4Getting to Your Ship

Cruise Terminal 1

Drop-off: Follow George King Blvd to Terminal 1. Passenger drop-off lane is on the right before the parking garage. Unload luggage curbside — porters are right there with carts. Tip $2-3 per bag.

Parking: Park in the CT-1 garage ($17/day). Take the covered walkway directly to the terminal — it's a short walk. Tip: park on levels 3-4 for shade and a quicker exit when you return. Keep your parking ticket in a safe place — you'll need it when you get back.

Cruise Terminal 3

Drop-off: Follow George King Blvd past Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. The drop-off lane curves in front of the building — look for the covered portico. Porters will grab your bags curbside. Tip $2-3 per bag and keep your carry-on with you.

Parking: Park in the multi-level garage adjacent to CT-3 ($17/day). The garage is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway on the second level. Pro tip: upper levels are less crowded and easier to navigate when you return from your cruise.

Cruise Terminal 5

Drop-off: Terminal 5 is at the western end of the port. Follow George King Blvd all the way down — CT-5 is well-signed. The drop-off lane runs along the front of the building. Porters are stationed curbside to take your checked luggage. Tip $2-3 per bag.

Parking: Park in the CT-5 lot ($17/day). It's an open-air lot, so try to snag a spot under one of the shade structures if you're there in summer. The walk to the terminal entrance is short — maybe 3 minutes. Save your parking receipt.

Cruise Terminal 6

Drop-off: CT-6 is on the east side of the port, closer to The Cove area. Follow the port road signs to Terminal 6 — the drop-off lane is clearly marked with a covered canopy. Porters will tag and take your checked bags curbside.

Parking: Park in the CT-6 garage ($17/day). It's directly adjacent to the terminal with a short covered walkway. The garage fills from the bottom up, so don't circle the lower levels looking for a perfect spot — head up and park quickly. Upper levels have ocean breezes, which is nice in summer.

Cruise Terminal 7

Drop-off: CT-7 is on the east side near The Cove. Follow port signs toward the B-side terminals. The passenger drop-off area has a wide covered lane — pull up, unload your bags, and porters will handle them. Keep your carry-on bag and head inside.

Parking: Park in the parking garage serving CT-7 ($17/day). The garage connects to the terminal via a climate-controlled walkway. Park on levels 2-3 for the easiest exit when you return. Note your level and row — the garage is big and you'll be gone for a week.

Cruise Terminal 8 (Disney)

Drop-off: CT-8 is Disney's dedicated terminal — you'll know you're in the right place when the building starts looking magical. Follow port signs to Terminal 8. The drop-off area is well-organized with Disney Cast Members directing traffic. Porters will take your checked luggage and tag it with your stateroom number. Tip $2-3 per bag.

Parking: Park in the CT-8 parking area ($22/day — yes, Disney charges more). The lot is open-air with some covered sections. Disney Cast Members will direct you to available spots. The walk to the terminal is short and there are clear Disney-branded signs guiding you. Save your parking receipt — you'll need it when you return.

Cruise Terminal 10

Drop-off: CT-10 is the newest terminal at Port Canaveral, built for the mega-ships. Follow port signs to Terminal 10 on the east side. The drop-off area is spacious and modern — wide lanes, covered canopy, and well-staffed with porters. Unload curbside and tip $2-3 per bag.

Parking: Park in the CT-10 multi-level garage ($17/day). This is one of the newer garages, so everything is well-lit and clearly signed. Elevators and a covered walkway connect directly to the terminal. Park on levels 2-3 for the best balance of availability and proximity to the walkway entrance.

Passport & Documents

Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.

Need to apply? The nearest passport acceptance facility is the Cocoa Main Post Office (2000 State Road 524, Cocoa) — appointments recommended, call 321-632-7190.

Last-Minute Stops

Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.

Publix — Cape Canaveral

Groceries, snacks, water, sunscreen — closest grocery to the port

5645 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Walgreens — Cocoa Beach

Pharmacy, Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries

4150 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Walmart Supercenter — Merritt Island

Everything last-minute — cheapest sunscreen and snacks

1500 E Merritt Island Cswy, Merritt Island, FL 32952

USPS — Cocoa Beach

Post office — drop mail before you sail

500 N Brevard Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931