Before you set sail
Getting to your ship, made simple 👋
Whenever I book a cruise out of Port Canaveral, these are the three questions I get every time: how much is parking, how do I do it, and where should I stay the night before? Good news — Canaveral is one of the most straightforward, drive-in-friendly ports there is. Here's all three answered.
What Parking Costs
The flat rate & how you pay.
How to Park
A-side vs B-side & the drive in.
Where to Stay
The night-before hotel plan.
Question one
How Much Is Parking?
Port Canaveral keeps it refreshingly simple — one flat rate, the same at every terminal, garages and lots alike.
Official Parking Rate
- All vehicles & RVs$20 / day + tax
- IncludesArrival & departure day
- Oversized / RVSame rate
One rate covers everything — no separate garage pricing to figure out. The daily rate includes both the day you arrive and the day you get back.
What A Full Cruise Costs
- 3-night cruise~$80 + tax
- 4-night cruise~$100 + tax
- 5-night cruise~$120 + tax
- 7-night cruise~$160 + tax
Count both your sail day and return day. A 7-night cruise means 8 days of parking.
Good to Know: Pay on Arrival, Card Only
You pay when you arrive (not when you leave), so be ready at the entrance. Port Canaveral is card only — no cash — they take Amex, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. No reservations are needed; there's always plenty of parking, including oversized spaces for RVs and buses. Rates are subject to change; the port's number is 321-783-7831.
Want to Spend Less on Parking?
At $20/day, Canaveral's port parking is already reasonable and about as convenient as it gets. But if you're staying the night before, some nearby hotels offer a "park & cruise" package that bundles your room with a week of parking — sometimes cheaper than paying nightly at the port. Ask me and I'll help you compare.
Question two
How Do I Park?
The one thing to know before you drive in: Canaveral is split into A Terminals and B Terminals, on opposite sides of the port, with different highway exits. Your cruise line assigns your terminal — match it below and you'll take the right exit the first time.
A-Side or B-Side?
Coming in on S.R. 528 (the Beachline), you'll pick your exit based on your terminal. Get this right and you drive straight to your ship.
A Terminals — North Side
Exit 54ACruise Terminals 5, 6, 8, and 10. Each has its own garage or lot right beside it.
B Terminals — South Side
Exit 54BCruise Terminals 1, 2, and 3 — including CT-3, the newest terminal built for the largest ships.
The Drive-In, Step by Step
- 1
Take S.R. 528 East (the Beachline). From Orlando Airport (MCO) it's about 45 minutes — head east on 528 straight to the port.
- 2
Take the right exit for your terminal. Exit 54A for A Terminals (CT-5, 6, 8, 10) or Exit 54B for B Terminals (CT-1, 2, 3). This is the one decision that matters — know your terminal before you go.
- 3
Drop passengers & luggage at the terminal. Pull up out front, porters help with your bags, and parking staff direct drivers to the garage. A few dollars per bag for the porter is customary.
- 4
Pay and park. Parking opens at 10 a.m. for embarkation. Pay on arrival (card only), park in the garage right by your terminal — no shuttle needed.
- 5
Walk to your ship. The garages sit steps from the terminals — a short, easy walk and you're checking in. On the way home, grab your car and pull up front to collect your group and luggage.
🚀 Watch for Rocket Launches
Canaveral shares the coast with the Space Coast's launch sites. On launch days, roads like S.R. 528 and A1A can get busy with spectators. If a launch is scheduled near your sail day, leave a little earlier — and enjoy the view if you catch one!
♿️ Accessible Parking
Disabled parking spaces are available, and the fee is waived for vehicles with adaptive equipment (ramps, lifts, hand controls), a Florida Toll Exemption Permit, or a Florida Disabled Veteran plate. Questions? The port is at 321-783-7831.
Question three
Where Should I Stay?
My honest, number-one piece of advice for any cruise: arrive the night before you sail. With Canaveral being ~45 minutes from Orlando's airport and parks, this matters even more here.
Why Arrive a Day Early?
Many Canaveral cruisers fly into Orlando — and flying in the same day you sail, then driving 45 minutes to the coast, is cutting it close. One delayed flight and you can miss the boat (ships don't wait). Arriving the night before takes all that pressure off:
😴 A relaxed start
Wake up near the coast, not racing east from the airport on sail morning.
🛩️ A weather cushion
A flight delay the day before is a hiccup — not a missed cruise.
🎡 Add a park day
You're near Orlando — easy to pair the cruise with a Disney or Universal day.
Where to Base Yourself
Two smart choices depending on your plans, both an easy drive to the terminals:
- 🏖️Cocoa Beach / Cape Canaveral — Right by the port (often 10–15 minutes). Beachy, laid-back, and packed with hotels that offer park-and-cruise packages and port shuttles. The most convenient choice.
- 🎡Orlando area — If you're pairing your cruise with the theme parks, stay near Orlando first, then drive over on sail day (leaving plenty of time). Great for a parks-plus-cruise trip.
A Few Hotels I Like Near Port Canaveral
Grouped by travel style. These are starting points — when you're ready, I'll check live rates and availability for your dates and book whichever fits, at no extra cost to you.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach
Spacious all-suite rooms with full kitchens, free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool with a tiki bar, and park-and-cruise packages with a port shuttle. Close to both the port and Cocoa Beach — a comfortable, family-friendly home base the night before you sail.
Kelsey's tip: The full kitchens and separate living areas make this a winner for families or anyone wanting room to spread out.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort
A resort feel with villa-style accommodations, a lazy river and pools, and direct beach access — a fun option if you'd like to make the pre-cruise stop part of the vacation rather than just a stopover.
Kelsey's tip: Come a day earlier than you think you need to — this one's worth an extra beach afternoon.
Home2 Suites / SpringHill Suites Cape Canaveral
Modern all-suite properties just minutes from the terminals, with free breakfast and an easy, low-fuss vibe. A solid, contemporary choice when you want convenience and value without a lot of extras.
Kelsey's tip: Great pick for a quick, efficient overnight when your focus is simply being close and rested.
Amenities and shuttle details vary and change — I'll confirm the current specifics for your dates before booking.
Let me take this off your plate
I'll Book Your Pre-Cruise Hotel
Like one of these — or want a beachfront room or a parks-and-cruise combo near Orlando instead? I'll match you with the right hotel for your budget — often at rates you won't find on your own, and always at no extra cost to you. I'll make sure the parking, shuttle, and sail-day timing all line up.
📧 Have Me Book Your HotelA few more things
Quick Questions
How far is Port Canaveral from Orlando?
Orlando International (MCO) is about 45 minutes west via S.R. 528. Orlando Melbourne (MLB) is closer, roughly 40 minutes south. Orlando Sanford (SFB) is about an hour northwest. Most people fly into MCO.
Do I need a parking reservation?
No — Port Canaveral doesn't take reservations. There's always plenty of parking at every terminal, including oversized spaces for RVs and buses. You just pay on arrival and park.
Can I pay with cash?
No — Port Canaveral is card only. They accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Have a credit card ready at the entrance, since you pay on arrival.
How do I know if I'm on the A-side or B-side?
It's set by your terminal number. Terminals 5, 6, 8, and 10 are A-side (Exit 54A). Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are B-side (Exit 54B). Your terminal is on your boarding documents — and if you booked with me, I'll confirm it for you.
What time can I arrive to park?
Parking opens at 10 a.m. for embarkation. Follow your assigned boarding time from the cruise line rather than showing up too early. On your return, you can get to your vehicle any time after you disembark.
Still have questions?
I'm One Message Away
Parking, hotels, timing, terminals, even pairing your cruise with the parks — whatever comes up before your Canaveral sailing, just reach out. It's exactly what I'm here for, and it's always free to you.
✉️ Contact KelseySee you at the port,
Kelsey