Planning an Orlando vacation and a Port Canaveral cruise? You can easily combine both into one Central Florida getaway.
Port Canaveral is located about 45 minutes east of Orlando International Airport (MCO), putting you within easy reach of Orlando’s theme parks as well as Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center and Florida’s Space Coast.
In this blog post, we’ll explore things to do near Orlando and Port Canaveral, where to stay, beaches, dining, shopping and the cruise lines sailing from the port, plus how ACE Luxury Transportation can help connect your airport, hotel, resort and cruise terminal.
What Can You Do Before or After a Port Canaveral Cruise?
Adding a day or two before or after your cruise gives you time to experience more of Central Florida.
Orlando Attractions
- Walt Disney World Resort
- Universal Orlando Resort
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Disney Springs for dining, shopping and entertainment
- International Drive for attractions, restaurants and shopping
You can stay in Orlando before your cruise or save the theme parks for after you return.
Attractions Near Port Canaveral
If you’d rather stay close to the cruise terminal, the Space Coast has plenty to explore.
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for NASA history and space exploration
- Jetty Park Beach & Pier, located beside Port Canaveral
- Cocoa Beach, known for its Atlantic shoreline and surfing culture
- The Cove at Port Canaveral, the port’s waterfront dining and entertainment district
- Fishing charters and other boating experiences departing from the port
Port Canaveral’s location also gives you the opportunity to see cruise ships coming and going and, depending on the schedule, watch rocket launches from the Space Coast.
Which Cruise Lines Leave from Port Canaveral?
Port Canaveral is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports and currently serves as a homeport for seven major cruise lines.
Major Cruise Lines at Port Canaveral
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
Cruises from Port Canaveral travel to destinations throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean and beyond.
Where Can You Stay Near Port Canaveral?
Staying near the port the night before your cruise can be a convenient option, particularly if you prefer not to travel from Orlando on embarkation day.
The Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach areas offer hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and oceanfront accommodations.
Port Canaveral and Cape Canaveral Hotels
- Hampton Inn Cape Canaveral Cruise Port
- Holiday Inn Express Cape Canaveral
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach
- Hilton Garden Inn Cape Canaveral near Cocoa Beach
- Hyatt Place Cape Canaveral
Cocoa Beach Accommodations
If you want to combine your pre-cruise stay with beach time, Cocoa Beach offers oceanfront and beach-area properties such as Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites and other hotels and vacation rentals.
Florida’s Space Coast currently lists more than two dozen hotels in Cocoa Beach and numerous accommodations in the Port Canaveral area.
Where Can You Eat and Shop Near Port Canaveral?
Dining at The Cove
The Cove is Port Canaveral’s waterfront entertainment district and one of the easiest places to grab a meal before or after your cruise.
Visitors can find waterfront restaurants and seafood while watching fishing boats and cruise ships move through the port.
Shopping and Local Stops
Around Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, you can also find:
- Mangrove Marketplace
- Cocoa Beach surf and beach shops
- Souvenir stores
- Fishing and outdoor retailers
- Local cafés and ice cream shops
If you have more time, Cocoa Village offers additional independent shops, restaurants and local businesses.
What Are the Best Beaches Near Port Canaveral?
You don’t have to travel far from the cruise terminal to spend time on the Atlantic.
Jetty Park Beach
Jetty Park sits beside Port Canaveral and combines beach access with a fishing pier and views of ships entering and leaving the port.
Cocoa Beach
A short trip south brings you to Cocoa Beach, one of the best-known beach destinations on Florida’s Space Coast.
- Swimming and beach time
- Surfing
- Cocoa Beach Pier
- Beachfront dining
- Shopping
- A hotel stay before or after your cruise
Private Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral Transportation with ACE
Once your flights, hotel and cruise are booked, you still need to connect the different parts of your vacation.
ACE Luxury Transportation provides private, pre-arranged service between Orlando International Airport, Port Canaveral, Orlando resorts and area hotels.
The drive from MCO to Port Canaveral is approximately 46 miles and typically takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic and pickup conditions.
Why Choose Private Transportation with ACE?
Instead of waiting for a shared shuttle or arranging a different ride for every part of your vacation, ACE can coordinate your transportation around your itinerary. These are some of the benefits you can enjoy when choosing ACE for all your transportation needs.
- Private transportation reserved for your group
- Direct service with no unnecessary passenger stops
- Real-time flight monitoring for airport pickups
- Professional chauffeured service with our complimentary "Meet & Greet" service included
- Luggage assistance
- Child seats available upon advance request
- Sedans, SUVs, vans, Sprinters, minibuses and motorcoaches for different group sizes
ACE also offers a 3-Way Land & Sea Package that combines three private transfers between Orlando International Airport, Port Canaveral and a Disney, Universal or other Orlando-area resort. The package can be arranged with your cruise either before or after your resort stay.
Plan Your Orlando and Port Canaveral Vacation with ACE
From theme parks and beaches to waterfront dining, Space Coast attractions and your cruise itself, there is plenty to experience before and after you sail.
ACE Luxury Transportation can help connect the major parts of your itinerary with private transportation between Orlando International Airport, Orlando resorts, area hotels and Port Canaveral.
Contact ACE Luxury Transportation
From Orlando Airport to your resort, hotel or Port Canaveral cruise terminal, ACE Luxury Transportation helps make your Central Florida vacation easier from arrival to departure.