Port Canaveral Excursions

[ANONOMUS_1]

On the Pride to the Bahamas and the first stop is Port Canaveral. I was wondering if like other ports there are vendors offering excursions once you disembark the ship. I have no clue what to do in this port....HELP!

[LuckyZ]

Go to Ports of Call thread, click on United States link, and then click Florida Departures link

Edited November 28, 2015 by LuckyZ

[ladygal4.4]

The beach, Kennedy space Center and Disney

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Njcruiser60]

We took an airboat ride both times we stopped there. It was fun and neat to see alligators.

[ANONOMUS_1]

Can we purchase the airboat ride once we get to Port Canaveral or should we purchase through Carnival?

[Njcruiser60]

We went thru Carnival. I don't remember anything being available at the port. It was basically just a docking spot, no shops, no people offering tours, no nothing. That was a few years ago.

[ANONOMUS_1]

Thanks! Thats what I wanted to know, if it were like other ports with people selling excursions etc.

[Capt_BJ]

an oldie I've saved

 

Please look at this map of Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach for orientation:

it helps to pull up a map of the port and surround area for reference . .

 

 

 

 

Step 1:

What is your cruise terminal? If 5, 6, or 10 then you need transport. Either a rental car shuttle or a pre-arranged ride. Cocoa Beach Shuttle is a good starting point for pre-arranged pickups. 888-taxi is available and despite some bad press about prices they are popular and efficient.

 

If 1, 3 or 4 then you have some activities within walking distance:

1. Jetty Park (FREE) for a beach/suntan. Very scenic area and very nice beach.http://www.jettyparkbeachandcampground.com/

2. Beach bus stop – For $1.25 one-way, the local beach bus will take you to Cocoa Beach (Shepard Park for Ron Jon area) or within walking distance of the famous Cocoa Beach Pier (use Publix Stop). About 30 minutes to these stops.http://www.ridescat.com/

3. The Cove at the Port – All the famous restaurants (Millikens, Rusty’s, Fishlips, Grills) http://visitportcanaveral.com/

4. The Exploration Tower – A bit expensive ($6.50+tax) but interesting info about the port with games for kids and 360 degree view from the 7th floor. http://www.explorationtower.com/

5. Helicopter and biplane rides - http://www.floridaairtours.com/ the chopper is right there behind terminal 2.

 

Step 2:

So you want to explore further afield in private and not using a shore excursion?

 

Rental Cars:

Unless you just want a simple single visit somewhere in Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach, I think the best option is to rent a car for the day. Start price-shopping with Payless (within walking distance of terminals 3 & 4) but all offer port shuttles. To avoid boring waiting time with kids in tow, I suggest that one adult go early to get the car then come back to pick the family!

 

Please know some of the popular rental car companies share shuttles and offices. See the map above for locations and pictures of their shuttles for easier identification.

 

Shuttles:

If you do not want to drive or use the public beach bus, then shuttle/taxi services are available. 888-taxi -http://cab888.com/ has a port contract with hail privileges whereas others have to pay port entry fees ($5 or more depending on vehicle size, I believe) which add to the costs. So while other companies may offer cheaper per mile or metered rates, it is best to compare them with 888-taxi before booking. They will all be busy so it is best if you call ahead.

 

Here is a list of the shuttles I see most often in the area: Cocoa Beach Shuttle - http://www.cbshuttle.com, Beach Line -http://www.beachlineshuttle.net, Space Port - http://spaceporttransport.com/ , Hoo Ha taxi – (321) 749 3232, etc.

 

Expect to pay around $20 for two people for a one-way trip to Ron Jon Surf shop for example.

 

Kennedy Space Center:

One of the most popular shore excursions. I always see a line of KSC buses waiting on each ship! So you can expect a crowded day at KSC.

 

A private return shuttle to Kennedy Space Center averages between $80 and $120 roundtrip for 2 people (total) plus 20% tip. If you self-drive, the parking costs are $10.

 

Beach:

During winter months and if Port Canaveral is the first stop when sailing from NY for example, the beach is what a lot of people want! I totally understand and highly recommend to walk over to Jetty Park IF at terminal 1 or 2/3. The beach there is wide with some wave action and life guards are on duty. You can rent chairs and umbrellas and some beach toys (beach chair/umbrella rentals for 2 people are about $15 a day). The beach café is pretty good too! http://www.jettyparkbeachandcampground.com/

 

If you want to go to the beach near restaurants/bars, try the Cocoa Beach Pier area - http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/ or further down near Coconuts on the Beach. Cruise ship shore excursions go to Shepard beach (near Ron Jon) so do not go there if you want to avoid your fellow passengers!

 

The SCAT public transport is cheap and easy (30 minutes) down to the Pier and Ron Jon areas. There are several areas (and companies) for learning how to surf, paddleboard, etc. I know the kids love the surfing lessons so please consider that but do be aware the water is cold in winter and I recommend you use a surf school that supply wetsuits.

 

Activities (Orlando area):

I understand the attraction but it is tough for me to recommend a whirlwind bus or private tour of any of the Orlando theme parks. It is almost impossible to experience the parks in a long day, so a half-day trip is pretty intense! Ride lines will be long, it may be very hot, the transfers take at least an hour each way and it is very expensive for what you can achieve on such a rushed excursion.

 

It may be best to rent a car and visit just Downtown Disney (a free Disney-like experience but be aware it is mostly restaurants and shops) and perhaps a lesser-known place like Gatorland. I will think more about this and perhaps write a separate note about Orlando options.

 

Activities (other than Orlando and Kennedy Space Center):

The best activities around Port Canaveral are beach or nature-based but there are very good museums too. Manatees, gators, airboats, learn to surf, kayak, hike, etc. are on offer. Airboats are a lot of noisy fun!

Pre-arrangements/bookings are crucial.

 

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! However, we’ve had have positive experiences with many of the listings below and are constantly trying new ones!

 

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

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. Note – from November to March the Manatees prefer warmer water in other areas and may not be seen regularly around Canaveral.

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.

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). It is an amazing museum.

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.

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 (not many around during Nov and Apr). 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.

 

and a new addition I just noticed

 

 

http://coconutsonthebeach.com/

Edited November 29, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[JohninDC]

We rented a car when our Pride cruise stopped in PC and spent the day at Universal Studios - Orlando is an easy drive.

[Angelsea57]

Thanks for this info.

Great stuff here!

[Capt_BJ]

We rented a car when our Pride cruise stopped in PC and spent the day at Universal Studios - Orlando is an easy drive.

 

TRUE

 

but one warning. There is ONE highway 'tween Orlando and PC. AND it gets shut down regularly by an accident. If you get stuck on this highway when it shuts down .... or if you find out b4 and need to use an alternate route ..... expect your travel time to go up by 60 - 90 - minutes or MORE......

 

Few exits .... and no direct alternates if you DO exit ...

 

This is a basis for the discussions of the "cruise tour & ship will wait for you .. private tour they won't"

 

I've seen three closures for around 2 hours this month ..... just say'n

 

Do ya feel lucky??????

Edited November 29, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[ANONOMUS_1]

Wow! I'm so impressed, thanks a bunch!

[Capt_BJ]

p.s.

 

CARNIVAL almost always uses the terminals in the WEST BASIN ... aka the north side

 

these are NOT walking distance to Jetty Park or much anything else as port security will not allow you to walk across the bridge at the west end of the port. The bridge (actually 3 draw bridges) is not pedestrian friendly. I suppose some will say they've done it but I've seen security stop folks and turn them around . . .

[John&LaLa]

Isn't there a world famous train ride over in Viera.

[Capt_BJ]

scheduled to be closed for track maintenance Dec 9 thru 15

[T.O.cruisers]

How can I find out where Grandeur of the Seas will dock on Dec. 21st?

[Capt_BJ]

G is usually at terminal 2/3, the old one close to Jetty Park

 

as the 21st is a Monday RCCL's main terminal, #1, will be in use by Enchantment

 

if the port has a listing of forecast berth assignments, I've never found it.

[John&LaLa]

G is usually at terminal 2/3, the old one close to Jetty Park

 

as the 21st is a Monday RCCL's main terminal, #1, will be in use by Enchantment

 

if the port has a listing of forecast berth assignments, I've never found it.

 

There was one for the 2015 fiscal year in PDF format. Expired October, have not seen a replacement yet

[zdcatc12]

Isn't there a world famous train ride over in Viera.

 

I grew up there, please enlighten me about this!! The only train ride that I'm aware of would be illegally on FEC.

[John&LaLa]

I grew up there, please enlighten me about this!! The only train ride that I'm aware of would be illegally on FEC.

 

Brevard Zoo Choo Choo Train

[Capt_BJ]

I think it is safe to say the 'world famous' part was meant tongue in cheek

 

but the Brevard Zoo which opened in 1995 does have a 'train ride' affectionately called the Cape to Cairo Express

 

and yours truly is a part time engineer

 

 

it is approximately a 13 minute ride thru a section of the zoo accessed exclusively by the train and is not included with regular zoo admission. Rides are $3 pp (under 2 free). Normally the train makes its first run at 10:30 and last train is 4:15. As I mentioned the train will be closed for maintenance Dec 9 thru 15 (planned end) {track maintenance}.

 

For train freaks, the engine is a C.P.Huntington built by Chance rides of Kansas. Our primary engine was delivered about 4 years ago. Our 'original' engine, same make and model, was built around 1975 according to company records. Our track was donated to the zoo by WDW. Track gauge is 24 inches.

https://www.chancerides.com/peoplemovers/images/cphuntington_specsheet.pdf

 

Brevard Zoo's original facility was built from donations and primarily with volunteer labor, and is a not for profit organization ... NOT a "county zoo" (poor choice of name in that regard I guess)

 

Currently some ships making port calls to Canaveral are offering an excursion to Brevard Zoo and the trip includes either a train ride or a "kayak adventure" which is also offered IN the zoo. GRANDEUR OTS inparticular has been visiting regularly for some months now ....

 

information here is offered by ME personally and is NOT official communication from Brevard Zoo.

 

official zoo info at brevardzoo.org

[John&LaLa]

Our grandson will be with us in April. We just may stop by.

[zdcatc12]

Brevard Zoo Choo Choo Train

 

I think it is safe to say the 'world famous' part was meant tongue in cheek

 

but the Brevard Zoo which opened in 1995 does have a 'train ride' affectionately called the Cape to Cairo Express

 

and yours truly is a part time engineer

 

it is approximately a 13 minute ride thru a section of the zoo accessed exclusively by the train and is not included with regular zoo admission. Rides are $3 pp (under 2 free). Normally the train makes its first run at 10:30 and last train is 4:15. As I mentioned the train will be closed for maintenance Dec 9 thru 15 (planned end) {track maintenance}.

 

For train freaks, the engine is a C.P.Huntington built by Chance rides of Kansas. Our primary engine was delivered about 4 years ago. Our 'original' engine, same make and model, was built around 1975 according to company records. Our track was donated to the zoo by WDW. Track gauge is 24 inches.

https://www.chancerides.com/peoplemovers/images/cphuntington_specsheet.pdf

 

Brevard Zoo's original facility was built from donations and primarily with volunteer labor, and is a not for profit organization ... NOT a "county zoo" (poor choice of name in that regard I guess)

 

Currently some ships making port calls to Canaveral are offering an excursion to Brevard Zoo and the trip includes either a train ride or a "kayak adventure" which is also offered IN the zoo. GRANDEUR OTS inparticular has been visiting regularly for some months now ....

 

 

Thanks guys, I was not aware, as I haven't been. My nieces have season passes, though. Did either one of you live there when Houser's "Zoo" was on 192 in West Melbourne?

[Capt_BJ]

Did either one of you live there when Houser's "Zoo" was on 192 in West Melbourne?

 

b4 returning as a retired person, we lived here in the 87 time frame and I remember seeing signs about a zoo WAY DOWN SOUTH but never went. We lived just south of 528 and 192 was FAR AWAY. In the 3 years we lived near 528 I believe we went to Melbourne Mall twice .... it was an easier drive to go to Orlando!

 

about Hauser's

http://superpeachy.com/discovering-the-ruins-of-housers-zoo/

Edited December 3, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[Je2ter]

What is the closest car rental place near Port Canaveral? I looked at the Payless one and it says they only are open 9am-5pm... we are docked 6:30am-9:pm... I want to maximize our day in Disney!! I do not want to book a Disney excursion through the ship either because they only allow you like 6 hours at most in the park.. I don't want to be tied to their time constraints.

I just want to rent a quick car rental and get to Disney as fast as we can for our Breakfast with Mickey LOL ...

please tell me what car rentals are in the area. Thanks!

 

and for such a busy port, I cannot believe Disney doesn't have something better set up directly!!