Port Canaveral Stop

Wer are arriving at port Canveral on NCL Breakaway in March (1pm-9pm). Not enough time to do Disney or Kennedy Space Station and not sure we want to trek out to Cocoa Beach. Is there anything to do right off the boat? We won't be renting a car. I have 3 kids (8, 10 and 12) who are pretty easy going with outings . Are we better off to stay on board and enjoy smaller crowds?

There are restaurants in the port area depending on where you dock, but other than that there really isn't anything. Honestly, Cocoa Beach isn't much of a trek, just a short cab ride less than 10 minutes. I wouldn't really plan on getting in the water in March if you do go as I don't usually bother until April. That said, there's places like Ron Jon and several good places to eat in both Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Would be more than happy to provide recommendations depending on what you like.

I would recommend venturing out and at least getting a bite to eat somewhere, but you know your family best.

Edit: Depending on which day you're in port, there could potentially be a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral next door. There are a few potential launches in March. I work there, and it's always a fun sight to see. You would be able to see it perfectly from the ship. Recommend taking a look at spaceflightnow.com closer to your sail date to see if there is anything scheduled for the date and times you're in port.

First: NCL's primary terminal in Canaveral is T-10 and you can't walk to much from here. 10 is a 'north' terminal which is a draw bridge away from everything else .... foot traffic is not allowed on the bridge so to get just about anywhere else will require transportation.

That being understood here are some 'not Disney' options

Disclaimer - I do not endorse any of the companies/establishments listed and I have no relationship (personal or business) with them. My list is just a starting point of different activities so please do your own research ... this list is also a few years old and things come and go so check the links for updates

a) Sunward Tours - http://www.sunwardtours.com They can arrange just about any activity

b) FunDay Tours - https://www.facebook.com/funday.tours Work primarily with pre-formed groups such as shore trips but check them out anyway

c) Segway Tours - http://spacecoastsegwaytours.com/ will guide you around the port (12/17 .. I think this is gone)

d) Airboat rides – There are several but most shore excursions go to Midway - http://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/ or Lone Cabbage - http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/ . To get away from the crowds, try Grasshopper -http://www.airboatecotours.com/ , Old Fashioned Airboat Rides - http://airboatrides.com or Switchgrass -http://switchgrassoutfitters.com

e) Kayaking to see manatees and wildlife - Adventure Kayak - http://kayakcocoabeach.com/, Fin Expeditions -http://www.finexpeditions.com for Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. Also Calypso - http://calypsokayaking.com at Manatee Cove not far from Kennedy Space Center.

f) Learn to Surf. Cocoa Beach Surf Company - http://cocoabeachsurf.com/surf_lessons_camp.html or Ron Jonhttp://www.ronjonsurfschool.com are solid representatives of the surf school companies

g) Air Force Space and Missile History Center – http://www.afspacemuseum.org/historycenter/ The history of the launch areas around Canaveral. Very informative. (this is aon the north side of the port at the entr' to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

h) Warbird Museum – http://www.vacwarbirds.net/ If you love aviation then this is the place to go. Lovingly maintained by volunteers (mostly ex-armed forces).

i) Police Hall of Fame – http://www.aphf.org/museum.html More interesting than most expect. Various exhibits of the history of major crime as well as impressive though very sad memorial.

j) Astronaut Hall of Fame - https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/t...l-of-fame.aspx is part of the Kennedy Space Center experience but in a different location. {12/17 ... now closed ... most of the attraction relocated to KSC Visitor Center as part of the basic KSC *******

k) Brevard Zoo and Treetop Trek - https://brevardzoo.org/

l) Shopping - Dinosaur Store and Museum - http://dinosaurstore.com/ and Ron Jon Surf Shop -http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/ Fun for kids old and young!

m) Wildlife Parks - Jungle Adventures – http://www.jungleadventures.com - An old-time Florida animal park. Not fancy but friendly and interesting. Larger than Expected. Shore excursions often combine the Jungle and a Midway Airboat ride in the same package.

n) Boat rides on the Banana River to see wildlife including manatees. Start with Island Boat Lines - http://www.islandboatlines.com/ and also Wild Side Tours http://wildsidetours.com/

o) Forever Florida - http://foreverflorida.com a really adventurous safari with swamp buggy rides, ziplines, etc! A bit far unless you have car.

p) Cocoa Beach Skatepark - http://cocoabeachskatepark.com/ Certainly unusual for cruisers but a seriously fun and safe skatepark for the cool kids in your family if they packed skate boards! Open at 4pm during school days so plan accordingly so they can skate for 2 hours or so before returning to your ship.

q) Brewery – Florida Beer Company - https://www.facebook.com/FloridaBeerCompany a very good tour and tasting arrangement! Close to the Port.

r) Sightseeing – Some cruisers prefer more leisurely excursions and most ships offer affordable hourly hop-on, hop-off bus trips to Cocoa Beach and Cocoa Village. Passengers can explore the areas on foot and return to the ship when they want. The beach buses stop between Ron Jon Surf Shop and Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach (for a typical East Coast Florida beach and surf experience). From there they offer constant bus shuttles to the north end of Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village (for a historic downtown experience). You can easily do the same in private using a rental car or taxis/shuttles (watch the costs though). SCAT buses (Route 9 and the 520 connector) will be cheapest but will take much longer.

s) the closest beach is Jetty Park which is the area near the south jetty of the port entrance. Admission is free for foot traffic. IF your ship uses terminal 3 or 1 this is walkable. There are restrooms, showers, rentals and food available - lifeguards on duty. https://www.portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Beach-Pier

(I copied this from an older post ... only a few edits are mine ... use at your own risk)

There are restaurants in the port area depending on where you dock, but other than that there really isn't anything. Honestly, Cocoa Beach isn't much of a trek, just a short cab ride less than 10 minutes. I wouldn't really plan on getting in the water in March if you do go as I don't usually bother until April. That said, there's places like Ron Jon and several good places to eat in both Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Would be more than happy to provide recommendations depending on what you like.

 

I would recommend venturing out and at least getting a bite to eat somewhere, but you know your family best.

 

Edit: Depending on which day you're in port, there could potentially be a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral next door. There are a few potential launches in March. I work there, and it's always a fun sight to see. You would be able to see it perfectly from the ship. Recommend taking a look at spaceflightnow.com closer to your sail date to see if there is anything scheduled for the date and times you're in port.

Thanks for adding the info about possible rocket launch. If we were there earlier we would have gone to the space station for sure. There is a launch scheduled right now for the day we are in port....lets hope the time works out and it is not rescheduled!!

Here's a link to Upcoming Rocket Launches. Keep checking it close to your cruise date because launch dates and time change from day to day.