Port Canaveral access

[Leroyr55]

Our cruise next month stops at that port. (Definitely seems like a waste) So my question is my daughter lives in Florida and May want to stop by when we’re there. Can she easily access the port close to where we dock? I’ve never been there is there anything we could do there while we’re there? Thanks 

[Sea Squirrel]

I am assuming you are coming from Cape Liberty? If so, you should dock at Terminal 1 but it could be Terminal 5 depending on the day.  Access is pretty easy if you are looking to leave the port area. Terminal 1 being easiest and closest to activities and restaurants at the port. IMHO, there isn't tons to do at the PC stop ( we live 30 min away) other than KSC which the stop isn't really long enough to enjoy. If you just want family time, consider brunch or lunch at Grillz or Fishlips. Food is pretty good and it is right next to terminal 1.  Maybe you'll get lucky and there will be a rocket launch that day.. Both are good spots for SpaceX launches. Just Google "rocket launch today" and the schedule will come up, you can filter for Florida. If interested, keep your eye on it, SpaceX adds launches often. There is parasailing and a few other water activities in that area outside the terminal as well if that is your thing.  

[twangster]

Port Canaveral is easily accessible.  She will be able to drive up to the terminal and pick you up.  

[tjcruisers]

Port Canaveral is nice to sail out of, not so nice to have as a port stop. We stopped there on our cruise last fall. Easily accessible port, but nothing really at the port outside of 4 or 5 restaurants. We came out of Bayonne and the frustrating part is the ship doesn't get in until noon or 1. Things that are close by like Kennedy space center closes at 5 ish, by the time you get off the ship and get there you only have a few hours. We ended up going to Fishlips which Sea Squirrel mentioned above. We did enjoy the food there, especially their nachos (they use a different type of chip)

[IzzyB]

If your daughter is picking you up, you could have her drive to a beach in Cocoa Beach or really any restaurant in the area.  The port is easy accessible and she can pick you right up at the port and then drop you off later.

[TexanTwoStep]

We're going there on our cruise in a few weeks and we're staying on the ship.  I agree, it's a waste of a stop.  Would much rather stop in Bermuda on the way down or have two sea days and stop in Nassau, then down to DR or PR, then up to Coco Cay and back up to NYC.

[MaryCS62]

last time we stopped there, we took the disney shuttle to meet friends who live about an hour north of there - we got to hang out for a few hours, so worth the price for us.

[RCIfan1912]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:49 AM, tjcruisers said:

Port Canaveral is nice to sail out of, not so nice to have as a port stop. We stopped there on our cruise last fall. Easily accessible port, but nothing really at the port outside of 4 or 5 restaurants. We came out of Bayonne and the frustrating part is the ship doesn't get in until noon or 1. Things that are close by like Kennedy space center closes at 5 ish, by the time you get off the ship and get there you only have a few hours. We ended up going to Fishlips which Sea Squirrel mentioned above. We did enjoy the food there, especially their nachos (they use a different type of chip)

That was our exact dilemma two times we sailed there from NJ. We wanted to take the boys to Kennedy Space center but getting in at 12 noon and Kennedy closes at 5 we thought was just too much of a rush. Royal needs to speed up just a tad and get in at least by 9 or 10 AM. One time we ended up doing a kinda boring excursion and the boys were just that, bored with it. We intended to go and eat in port last time but just didn't feel like it once we got there and ended up not getting off the ship at all.