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Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, with millions of cruise passengers filtering in and out each year. And with the cost of flights continuing to rise, more and more guests are choosing to drive to their next cruise vacation. There are many parking options for guests leaving from this Florida cruise port including onsite parking and offsite parking. In this guide, we’re giving you everything you need to know about Port Canaveral cruise parking to help ensure your next trip is smooth sailing.
Located 45 minutes from Orlando and its attractions, many guests opt to have a car to explore what Orlando has to offer before or after their cruise vacation. Port Canaveral is located right next to Florida’s beaches, where many guests opt to extend their vacation. Not to mention, it’s conveniently located nearby Florida’s theme parks, so guests could spend some time at Walt Disney World while in the area as well.
If you choose to spend your time in the Port Canaveral area, there is plenty to keep you busy as well– from Kennedy Space Center, to an everglades airport ride, to the nearby Coco Beach.
Guide to Cruise Parking at Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is a large terminal complex and has an ample amount of onsite parking. This will be the most expensive option, but likely the most convenient. Off-site parking lots are available, including a shuttle service, but may take longer. Here, we break down all the parking options including price, location, and convenience to help you decide which is right for your travel party.
Port Canaveral Parking Lots
There is an ample amount of onsite cruise parking at the port. Each cruise terminal has an associated parking lot directly across from baggage drop off, making this short walk the most convenient option by far.
When parking directly at the port, guests can pull the car right up to baggage drop off and not have to lift a finger! Be aware that parking lots at the port do not open until 10 AM though. Oversized parking is available for buses and RVs at each cruise terminal if needed for the same cost.
Price: With convenience does come a higher cost. Parking at the Official Port Canaveral Parking lot will cost $17 per day and includes the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means on a 7-day cruise, guests pay for 8 days of parking since debarkation is technically the 8th day.
Forms of payment are credit card only, no cash accepted. Terminal 3 does offer payment in the form of a Sun pass or E-pass, but this is the only participating terminal at this time.
Location: Directly at the cruise terminal. All pre-boarding paperwork should tell you at which terminal your ship is located, as well as multiple signage areas at the port.
Shuttle: Not needed. Guests can walk directly to the cruise terminal from their designated Port Canaveral parking lot.
Reservations are NOT needed to park in the Port Canaveral parking lots.
Go Port Cruise Parking
Go Port is an off-site parking lot near Port Canaveral. While Go Port used to be a parking spot for all cruises, Go Port now offers parking for ONLY Carnival Mardi Gras. They market their parking differently, as a free parking lot where guests just pay for shuttle service.
Go Port is a paved parking lot offering 24/7 video monitoring, a seating area, and restrooms while guests wait on a shuttle.
Price: $60 per vehicle for up to four travelers. For any 5th or 6th traveler in the vehicle, it will cost an additional $20 per person for the transfer to Port Canaveral. Taxes are included.
Location: 3345 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Shuttle: 10-minute shuttle rides are offered to the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise terminal from 10:30 AM to 1 PM, and return shuttles are offered from 7 AM until ship debarkation is complete.
Park Port Canaveral
Park Port Canaveral is another one of the many off-site parking lots. It services all cruise lines at Port Canaveral. Here, parking lot gates open at 9:30 AM and close at 2:45 PM, so be sure to plan your arrival accordingly. Their website recommends arriving by 1:30 PM.
This lot offers 24/7 security and video monitoring, is paved, and has wheelchair accessible shuttles.
Price: $12.85 per day with advanced reservations. $15.95 per day for drive up with no reservation. There is a 15% off offer for subscribing to their email list. Oversized vehicles over 17 feet are $20.95 with an advanced reservation, $24.95 without a reservation. There are additional taxes and fees added to your total here.
Location: 500 Thurm Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Shuttle: 5-minute shuttle ride to Port Canaveral. Shuttles run every 30 minutes with guests being boarded by their assigned check-in time for their ship. The last shuttle leaves at 2 PM daily, guests needing assistance after 2 PM will need to call the office for arrangements. Return shuttles begin at 8 AM and will continue until ship debarkation is complete.
Park N Cruise Port Canaveral
Park N Cruise markets themselves as being the closest off-site parking lot to Port Canaveral, located two miles from the port. This lot is a family-owned and operated business with a law enforcement background. Security features include 24-hour surveillance, stadium lighting, and 8-ft tall gates at entry. The parking lot opens for check in at 10:30 AM and closes at 2 PM.
Their website has every cruise line listed EXCEPT for Disney Cruise Line. Although, it doesn’t specifically say they don’t service the Disney Cruise terminal, so I would suggest verifying before booking.
Price: $12.99 per day, with a shuttle included for up to 4 travelers. Additional $5 per traveler over 4 people. Taxes and fees do apply at checkout. Discounts such as military, public service worker, AAA, AARP, and more are offered.
Location: 1700 Sea Ray Dr. Merritt Island, FL 32952
Shuttle: Shuttle service starts at 10:30 AM with shuttles running every 30 minutes. The final shuttle leaves at 2 PM. Return shuttles on debarkation day start at 7 AM and continue until the last guest has been picked up.
Port Parking Space
Port Parking Space at Port Canaveral offers off-site parking for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. They do not operate for guests sailing with Disney Cruise Line. Port Parking Space is one of the newest cruise terminal off-site parking lots, being only a mile from the port. Port Parking Space offers 24-hour video surveillance and a fully fenced in lot.
They also offer “Snooze and Cruise” packages, partnering with nearby hotels for packages with a pre- or post-cruise night’s stay. The parking lot is open from 10 AM to 2:45 PM.
Price: $12.95 per day. Taxes and fees do apply at checkout. Military discounts are offered, as well as discount codes for creating an account with them.
Location: 8945 Columbia Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Shuttle: Continuous shuttle from roughly 10 AM to 2:45 PM. There is no charge for additional travelers or additional luggage.
Cruisetime Parking
Cruisetime Parking is the furthest parking lot from Port Canaveral, but it is also the cheapest. They work off flat rates. Located 8.5 miles from the port, guests are definitely choosing price over convenience with this lot.
Cruisetime Parking is a secure, 24-hour surveillanced fenced in lot. They do offer RV parking as well.
Price: Flat rate of $50 for cruises of 4 nights or less. $80 for cruises of 5-7 nights. Price includes 4 travelers, with a $5 fee per additional passenger. There are no additional fees added to this cost.
Location: 350 Fortenberry Rd., Merritt Island, FL 32952
Shuttle: Shuttles run from approximately 10:30 AM to 2 PM. The final shuttle leaves at 2 PM. They recommend you arrive at the parking lot between 9 AM and 1:45 PM. This location is almost 10 miles from the port, so the shuttles will take anywhere from 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Hotel Parking
In addition to the onsite and off-site parking lots, many nearby hotels in Port Canaveral will offer packages that include parking at the hotel for the duration of your cruise with an included shuttle service to the port.
Depending on the hotel, proximity, and any loyalty status with the hotel brand, prices will vary.
Port Canaveral Cruise Parking Overview
There are an ample number of parking options for those seeking Port Canaveral cruise parking. With all of Port Canaveral’s expansions, they see millions of cruisers each year and are only growing! Finding somewhere to safely keep your car while on vacation can seem intimidating, especially if this is your first cruise, but we have a summary below of the most popular parking options to help make your decision a little easier.
- Most convenient parking option: onsite Port Canaveral parking lots
- Highest rated off-site parking lot: Park Port Canaveral
- Cheapest off-site parking lot: Cruisetime Parking
Comments
Have you parked at any of these locations before? What’s your preferred Port Canaveral parking lot? Drop us an anchor below to share where you park your car when sailing out of the Port Canaveral cruise port.
