Much of the revenue generated by the port comes directly or indirectly from the cruise lines. Cruise parking makes up 18% of the gross income, making it a significant part of the port income. Rest assured, if you are going on a cruise out of Port Canaveral and need cruise parking, the port is fully equipped to provide a smooth and efficient experience from car, hotel or airport to the ship, and vice versa. Port Canaveral is the home port of several cruise ships operated by Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Parking at the port is extremely convenient, but it will cost you. Rates are $17 per day. For seven days of parking you’ll spend nearly $120. Luckily, there are a number of independent lots located within a few minutes of the port that are considerably cheaper. Your options run about $10 per day, which is a considerable discount off parking at the port. As well, these independent lots offer free shuttles to the port, so you can get right to your ship conveniently. More info about Port Canaveral cruise parking.
When you drive to your cruise, baggage is easy to handle. Flying brings you those bag fees, the never-ending wait at the baggage carousel and the fight to haul a family’s worth of wheeled bags through a busy airport, but driving is so much simpler: pack the car, drive, give the porters the bags, park and go. That’s right, just pull up, show your cruise line’s porters your reservation paperwork and hand your bags off to them. You only have to worry about the bags once — when you pack them in the car — then they’re safely making their way to your room. (OK, you’ll have to worry about your bags twice, but on the way back, send someone for the car while the rest of the group waits with the luggage, then load up when your car comes around.)
Admittedly, I’ve only sailed Disney Cruise Line from Port Canaveral, and I’ve always found the process to be easy and straightforward. If you are taking the Disney transportation from the airport, you’ll leave your luggage before boarding the motor coach at the airport. Once you arrive at the port, you’ll be directed through security, then will travel upstairs to the check in area. The Disney terminal is so well appointed, and it really gets you in the spirit of traveling with Disney. There are three separate check-in areas. One is for first-time cruisers, one is for Castaway Club silver and gold members, and one is for concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Club members.
Park N Cruise opened its gates in April 2011. To begin, we had 350 available parking spaces on about 3 acres of Merritt Island. We began operating with the idea that we wanted to bring excellent customer service, a sense of comfort, and an outstanding product to people looking for Port Canaveral cruise parking. And we wanted to provide it all at a great value. Seven years later, these principles still hold true. The Park N Cruise family thanks everyone who has parked with us, and we’re looking forward to seeing all the cruisers that we have yet to meet!