Port Canaveral B2B - some questions

[Cachecruiser]

Hello,

we'll stay a day in Port Canaveral during our B2B cruises and I have some questions about the changing day between both cruises.

Is there enough time on that day for heading to Kennedy Space Center? I don't know how much time we have to count in for the process of checking out and checking in, getting new seapass cards etc. How much time does it take driving from the ship to KSC? I think all onboard will be at 3 or 4 p.m., so I don't know if a tour to KSC will be stressful or not that day?!

Is there a laundry service at the port area to hand in and pick up some laundry?

Thank you very much in advance. :) Edited March 31, 2014 by Cachecruiser

[Cachecruiser]

Nobody knows?! :confused:

[Bernie388]

I live in Cape Canaveral and work for Carnival Cruise Lines. It takes about 40 minutes to get to KSC. If I understood you post, you are doing a B2B. Are you sailing out on the day you first cruise is over? If so, you will not have enough time to get off the ship, go to KSC and get back in time for your next departure.
There is no laundery service that is close to the port, sorry.

[Capt_BJ]

Is there a laundry service at the port area to hand in and pick up some laundry?

you can get laundry service on the ship . . .

this place is close to the ship and you can DIY ... they do drop off but dunno about Sunday .. which is the port day for FOS

[url]http://www.yelp.com/biz/cape-laundry-and-dry-cleaners-cape-canaveral[/url]

[Cachecruiser]

Thank you very much. So we have to rethink our plans for turnover day. We're sailing out on the day the first cruise is over, it's a B2B on the Freedom OTS sailing out of Port Canaveral. What can we do on this day? Staying on ship? Heading out to...?! Do you have any ideas?

Thanks for the link to the laundry service. Because there'll be no time for KSC that day, we can maybe do some laundry. ;-) The ships laundry service isn't very cheap, we never used it.

[Clarea]

[quote name='Cachecruiser']Thank you very much. So we have to rethink our plans for turnover day. We're sailing out on the day the first cruise is over, it's a B2B on the Freedom OTS sailing out of Port Canaveral. What can we do on this day? Staying on ship? Heading out to...?! Do you have any ideas?

Thanks for the link to the laundry service. Because there'll be no time for KSC that day, we can maybe do some laundry. ;-) The ships laundry service isn't very cheap, we never used it.[/quote]
You can go to the Cocoa Beach pier area, interesting shops, and Ron Jon's surf shop is nearby.

You can have lunch at one of the channelside restaurants: Fishlips, Grills, Rusty's.

[Capt_BJ]

what are your thoughts on renting a car?

[Cachecruiser]

I'm not so interested in a beach day. Having much of them during the cruises. :)

[quote name='Capt_BJ']what are your thoughts on renting a car?[/QUOTE]
And where to drive to?! ;)

[Capt_BJ]

if you are willing to rent and drive a bit I can give you a list of ideas . . .

[Cachecruiser]

Oh yes, that sounds great. I'm looking forward for your ideas.

[mosskins]

We did this B2b last year on FOTS and they offer an excursion to KSC which includes a transfer to the airport. As we didn't want to go to the airport we didn't book it. Whilst on the ship however a flyer came around towards the end of the first week that offered this same excursion but with a return to the ship instead. We came back on a different coach to everyone else and they got us back on time.

We were able to sort the passcards out the day before so we didn't have to go through check in etc for the second week.

[Cachecruiser]

That sounds great. It would be so nice to book this excursion with a return to the ship at the end of it.
Was it worth it? How long was the excursion and did you have enough time at KSC? Did you go through immigration with your excursion group or how does it work?
I'm thinking about writing an enquiry via email to RCI.

[mosskins]

[quote name='Cachecruiser']That sounds great. It would be so nice to book this excursion with a return to the ship at the end of it.
Was it worth it? How long was the excursion and did you have enough time at KSC? Did you go through immigration with your excursion group or how does it work?
I'm thinking about writing an enquiry via email to RCI.[/QUOTE]

From my point of view yes it was worth it. The trip started early so the ones going on to the airport could collect baggage and load onto the coach. we had transfer on a coach with a guide that was very knowledgeable about KSC and Florida in General, she gave a good commentary on the way to KSC. She led us around the whole site as you usual with RCI arranged trips. It lasted the whole day but we we still back in plenty of time for sail away. I felt I had enough time there. After the trip all bar us were going on to the airport on the coach that had taken us there. We went back to the ship in a small minibus with the guide and another couple of people I guess were guides on others tours. We booked the trip whilst on the ship and didn't need to go through immigration. As we were getting off the ship an alert sounded at the check point and they had our new week 2 cards ready for us. We just showed the cards to the security at check in and bypassed immigration on the way back board. It was basically like doing any other port call. I would advise speaking to guest relations during week 1 to let them know your intentions. I felt we didn't waste a day as we thought we would do before sailing. Great ship and a great itinary.

[Capt_BJ]

The KSC visit is very well worth the time if you are the least bit interested about space. The new Shuttle exhibit gets rave reviews

IF you rent a car and do this on your own you'll probably save money but will experience the hassle of getting the car, returning the car etc.

If you rent a car - which is easy, al the major companies are near the port

[URL=http://s241.photobucket.com/user/Capt_bj/media/PCcarrentals_zps2e118088.jpg.html][IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/Capt_bj/PCcarrentals_zps2e118088.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

you could do laundry as previously discussed! Some other 'not beach' things to do:

Brevard Zoo - a nice little zoo, good for half a day or more - a nonprofit organization. Has a zip-line/adventure course adjacent.
[url]https://brevardzoo.org/[/url]

Airboat rides to see 'gators and the like
[url]http://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/[/url]
[url]http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/[/url]

dolphin/manatee spotting nature cruise
[url]http://spacecoastdolphintours.com/canaveral-area-map-find/[/url]
[url]http://www.groupon.com/biz/cocoa-beach-fl/dolphin-paradise-tours-2[/url]
{others too, google it}

Eco tour kayak - manatee spotting
[url]http://kayakcocoabeach.com/[/url]
{others too, google it}

Historic Cocoa Village - eclectic shops and cafes
[url]http://visitcocoavillage.com/[/url]

free manatee spotting
http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={61D4D3CB-D4FE-428A-9F29-B26957B5B809}

more manatee, nature drive
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Haulover_Canal[/url]

RON JON!
[url]http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/location/detail.aspx?LocationId=7[/url]


*************
just a few ideas . . .

[Cachecruiser]

Thank you very much for all of your informations and ideas. :) Now I have so many ideas for the turnover day and perhaps for our days in Florida post cruise.

I'm looking forward to our trip.