Port Canaveral is one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the world and is the 2nd busiest cruise port in the United States. For that very reason, parking can be an issue.
Here are some Port Canaveral cruise parking costs and tips for making everything a breeze before your cruise.
Popular cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line all sail out of this popular port.
Don’t be confused by all of the options for parking at Port Canaveral. We will cover everything you need to know including costs, locations, hotels, shuttle services and more.
Related: Port Canaveral Shuttle Services from Orlando Airport
Port Canaveral Parking Costs
The current rate for parking at Port Canaveral is $17.00/Day. Remember that this includes your day of departure and day of arrival. So a 7-day cruise out of Canaveral will set you back $119.
One of the main benefits of parking at Port Canaveral and not off-site is that the parking facilities are secure and patrolled 24 hours a day. And of course, there is the convenience of being able to walk straight from your vehicle to the ship without the need for a transfer.
It’s stress free, aside from the cost that is. If you’d like a cheaper option and don’t mind an extra trip, keep reading.
The above image from the Port Canaveral website gives a breakdown of the parking cost depending on the duration of your cruise.
Parking is free for the disabled if the vehicle is equipped with things like ramps, lifts, etc. If you have a Florida Toll Exemption permit parking is also free at the port.
(Keep reading below the hotel section to see hotels near Port Canaveral that offer free parking and shuttle services as a part of accommodations as well.)
Click here to see parking rates at other cruise ports.
Other Parking Options at Port Canaveral (Offsite)
While parking at Port Canaveral can be the safest and easiest way to leave your car behind while you enjoy your cruise, there are more inexpensive options available. And they are well worth a look.
Let’s take a look at a few offsite parking services for Port Canaveral:
Details for these services should be verified by calling or visiting the appropriate websites.
- 528 Port Parking – This gated facility offers shuttles to and from the cruise port every 30 minutes. Prices start at $5.95 per day (plus a port access fee of $5.00) for a roundtrip shuttle while your car is monitored in a secure facility. The location is about 10 miles from the cruise port.
- Park N Cruise – Just 2.7 miles from the cruise terminal Park N Cruise runs shuttles every 15 minutes. The cost is $10.95/day and the shuttles themselves are complimentary. 24/7 security surveillance, stadium lighting, and an 8-foot fence help protect your vehicle during your cruise. The parking business is owned by a former police officer.
- Canaveral Cruise Parking – This shuttle and cruise parking service is for up to 2 passengers only and is not for Disney cruises. Shuttles run every 20-25 minutes. The facility is only 2 miles from the port and is one of the newest offsite parking services for Port Canaveral. Parking costs $7.95/day.
- Park Port Canaveral – Advertised as Port Canaveral’s closest overnight cruise parking service, Park Port Canaveral is just 1.5 miles away and costs $10.95/day. It is wheelchair friendly as well.
- Cruisetime Parking & Shuttle – A dedicated Port Canaveral cruise ship parking lot service that costs $8/day and includes complimentary shuttles to and from the terminal. Maximum of 4 people per vehicle. Parking lot is about 8 miles from the port.
Want something a little more upscale?
How about some valet service? Port Canaveral Valet will not only drive you own vehicle to the cruise terminal for you, but they will also take care of any oil changes and maintenance on your car while you’re on your cruise.
When you return to port your vehicle will be fueled up and newly washed. This service also includes admission to the Parker Brothers Concepts Museum. The cost for this service starts at $189.
Port Canaveral Cruise Parking for Disabled Passengers
The official Port Canaveral cruise parking area is well suited for the disabled. It is both wheelchair-friendly and convenient, especially compared to off-site options.
There are plenty of parking spaces for the disabled just steps away from the cruise terminal.
There is a daily fee for parking at Port Canaveral but it will be waived for those who meet the following criterion:
- Cruise passengers with vehicles equipped with ramps, lifts, foot or hand controls specifically for disabled users
- Passengers in vehicles that display a valid Florida Toll Exemption Permit as per Florida statute 316.1964
- Passengers displaying a Florida Disabled Veteran license plate on their vehicles
Arriving at Port Canaveral at the Right Terminal
Be sure to follow the signs as you get close to the Port Canaveral cruise parking area. There can be up to 6 ships in port at the same time and your GPS may not know exactly which terminal you need for the right ship.
Your ship will be berthed either on the north or south side of the harbor. The electronic signs will tell you where to go for your specific ship and which exit to take.
There are 7 cruise terminals at this port, and you can use the below as a general rule of thumb for where your ship will be berthed. Still follow the signs for when the below has changed.
- Terminal 1: Used by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line
- Terminal 6 and 10: Used by Carnival Cruise Line
- Terminal 8: Used by Disney Cruise Line
Disney also has a dedicated terminal, used exclusively for their ships. Disney offers shuttle services to and from the airport as part of the cruise package deal. These buses are impossible to miss as soon as you walk out of the baggage claim at Orlando International Airport.
Carnival Cruise Line usually has the most ships docked at the Port Canaveral cruise terminals.
When should I arrive at Port Canaveral parking lot for my cruise?
The port is busiest between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm so some travelers try to avoid these times. That being said, check with your cruise line because some bookings state at which time you should arrive to spread out the arrivals of passengers and make the boarding process as seamless as possible. If you arrive too early you may be told to wait.
Video on port layout, directions, transportation, lodging, restaurants and more…
See our list of 67 cruise tips from veteran cruisers here for more tips on parking, packing, planning and more.
Which airport do I fly into for a cruise out of Port Canaveral?
This was my first question when I booked a cruise out of Port Canaveral. There simply isn’t a major airport conveniently located near the port. So which airport do I fly into, and how do I get to the port from there?
There are 5 airports to choose from that are within about an hour drive of the port. You can see them in the image below to get an idea of their proximity.
The most commonly used airport for cruises is Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is a 45-minute drive from the port. The advantage here is that there are many shuttle services available.
Unlike many cruise ports, Port Canaveral does not have an airport within a short drive. So flights to the Orlando area will involve a shuttle service of some kind.
We recently decided to book a shuttle transfer through Go Port Canaveral, and it made the process simple and straightforward. For a shuttle bus for two adults from the airport to the cruise port and back again was around $60.
Where to Book Your Pre-cruise Hotel
If you plan on booking a pre-cruise hotel you basically have two options. Either stay near the airport or near the cruise port. This decision may depend on when your flight comes in, but some prefer to be as close to Port Canaveral as possible in the morning to make for a lighter travel day.
Note: Some shuttle services from the airport to Port Canaveral only operate until the afternoon, so if your flight is after 6pm you would have to wait until the next day to utilize these services. In this case, I would recommend someone with a late flight find a hotel near the Orlando airport.
Next, let’s check out some hotels near the airport and near the cruise port…
View Cruise Deals out of Port Canaveral
Hotels Near Orlando International Airport
One advantage of flying to MCO for a Port Canaveral cruise is the abundance of hotels offering free shuttle services to and from the airport.
We stayed at a Hampton Inn which provided free shuttle service to the hotel and was a little over a mile away.
But while we were waiting for our bus to pick us up we saw shuttles for La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express, Ramada, Marriott, Country Inn and Suites, Double Tree, and a myriad of others. Just remember to tip your driver if you choose one of these free shuttle services.
What is the closest hotel to the airport? Hyatt Regency is right inside the airport (literally inside) so the only shuttle service required is your two legs. It’s a very convenient option for those wanting to simplify things. Just stay at the Hyatt and take the shuttle straight to the port in the morning.
Hotels Near Port Canaveral
Note: The hotel urls below contain affiliate links that may provide this site a commission should you decide to purchase.
If you plan on driving to the port the night before your cruise, I highly recommend booking a cruise near the port that offers “park and cruise” packages. Some will even offer a “fly, snooze, park, and cruise” packages so you can book it all through the hotel.
There are 5 hotels within 2 miles of Port Canaveral that have received good ratings from previous guests.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Port Canaveral, FL — This is the closest hotel to the port (1 mile), although the next two on the list are only a stone’s throw away. Country Inn & Suites is a 2.5 star hotel that has an 8.2 out of 10 user review score on hotels.com. A full breakfast is included, along with free parking and WiFi, and a cruise shuttle is provided. Rates start around $155 a night. Check out this Country Inn & Suites Here.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach — A 3 star hotel, just a mile away from Port Canaveral. Homewood offers a “Park, Stay, and Go” package which provides free on-site parking for one car during your cruise and round trip complimentary shuttle service for two to/from Port Canaveral. Shuttles leave at 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. each morning. This hotel enjoys a 9.2 out of 10 user review score on hotels.com. A free breakfast and cruise shuttle service is provided. There is also an outdoor pool. Rates start around $250 a night. Check out this Homewood Suites here.
Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach — Another 3 star hotel right next to the two hotels above, so about a mile away from your ship. This hotel scores an 8.6 out of 10 user review rating on hotels.com. A free continental breakfast and Wifi are provided, along with cruise shuttle services. Rates start around $352 a night. Check out this Residence Inn here.
Radisson Resort at the Port — This is a full-service resort that offers “park and cruise” packages as part of your accommodation. Guests love the pool at this Radisson. This is a 3 star hotel with an 8.2 out of 10 user review rating from hotels.com Just over a mile from the port, this Radisson offers free WiFi and a great location. Rates start around $130 a night. Check out this Radisson Resort here.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort — 1.5 miles from Port Canaveral, Holiday Inn Club is a 3.5 star hotel with an 8.0 user review rating from hotels.com. From this hotel you can actually get a great view of the cruise ships going by. Free WiFi and parking are available, along with a great free water park for the family. Rates start around $270 a night. Check out this Holiday Inn Club here.
Hotels with Free Cruise Parking for Port Canaveral
There are some hotels near Port Canaveral that will let you park your car in their parking lot for free for the duration of your cruise. Just make sure you stay a night or 2 in their hotel.
Here are some hotels that offer free cruise parking. Most of these hotels have packages that include your room, parking and shuttle for one low price.
- Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center – An affordable hotel right near the beach and Kennedy Space Center. Package includes parking and shuttle runs to the port.
- Budget Inn Cocoa – 15 minutes from the cruise port, this hotel offers free parking but does charge for shuttle runs. This is definitely a budget pick and reviews are mixed.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Oceanfront – This hotel provides free parking as long as your room has been booked at the standard rate. A $7 shuttle will take you to and from the port.
- International Palms Cocoa Beach – A large hotel on the oceanfront. You can get free parking and a cruise port shuttle with your stay.
- Ramada Inn Titusville – This hotel offers park and cruise packages along with free WiFi and a hot breakfast. The Ramada is right off I-95 for those driving down for their cruise.
- Homewood Suites Cape Canaveral – Just 1 mile from Port Canaveral this is a popular choice for cruisers. Packages are available that include your room, parking, and convenient shuttles to the port.
- Best Western Cocoa Beach – An oceanfront hotel this is one of the closest hotels to Port Canaveral. The hotel offers Stay and Cruise deals that will include parking and a shuttle to and from the port. Only 1 night stay is required.
- Holiday Inn Express and Suits Cocoa Beach – Get a great hot breakfast and free parking and shuttle runs to Port Canaveral along with your stay.
Let’s simplify your Port Canaveral cruise experience
If all the above sounds a bit too complicated, let’s make it simple.
You booked a cruise out of Port Canaveral. Check.
Now you just need to fly to Orlando, get a hotel, book a 45-minute shuttle to the cruise port, and book a shuttle for the way back to the airport, right?
That’s where Go Port Canaveral comes in. With snooze and cruise packages you can get all that booked under one roof.
We just used this service for a cruise out of Port Canaveral and found the entire process very simple. We were picked up from Orlando International Airport at 10am at the designated zone. They run buses from 10am until the afternoon. The 45-50 minute bus ride was a great time to talk with fellow-passengers and just relax.
We recommend you tip the driver when you arrive at the port, especially if you have some luggage carted below the bus.
Being picked up from the port after the cruise was super convenient as well. Just find the person with the red Go Canaveral shirts and they will find your name listed, give you a number, and off you go.
To Sum it All Up
Port Canaveral is not the most convenient cruise port to sail out of if you’re not from the area (I still love sailing out of Cape Canaveral by the way). But with these tips above it should make the process a lot easier. Just do all the prep-work ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it when you get into “cruise mode”.
If the Port Canaveral cruise parking price is too high for your liking, there are many park and cruise options in the area. Just remember that you will still need to take a shuttle service to the port from the parking area (usually provided but a tip is customary), and the parking area may not be as secure as the port.
If you’re wondering what other ships are sailing out of Port Canaveral on your cruise dates you can check out the port’s calendar here.
Excellent information, I was looking for parking costs in Cape Canaveral and you gave me much more information, everything is very well explained and with details! A big hug for you
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