Port Canaveral-need help

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samsam

Guest
Hey There,
This will be my first time cruising from Port Canaveral. Any suggestions as far as transportation to the Port from Orlando and the costs involved. Also, I'm traveling with my 6 and 7 year old kids. Should we arrive day or two earlier to go to Kennedy Space Center or am I cramming too much in too little time?? Where to stay if we decide to go a day or two early?? Any information would be appreciated since I'm not familiar with this port or area. Thanks much,
Sam
 
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knb0504

Guest
I recently went on a RCCL cruise out of Port Canaveral. We flew into Orlando's airport. Our travel agent booked us with Art's transportation from the airport to the port. It saved us alot of money versus using RCCL's transportation. They took us right up to our ship and handled out luggage.
 
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sailingrose

Guest
Orlando's airport is MCO. Just wanted to clarify because we have 2, one in Sanford.
 
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champdds

Guest
We are renting a car for my family of five from Budget, and staying at the Radisson at the port. It is costing less than $75 for us to rent a Ford Escape size car (Plenty of room for only a one hour trip). We arrive the day ahead of time, and this seemed to be much less expensive than chartering a van or other transfer service, plus we can roam around that Sat. evening on our own, return the car early Sunday, and board early.
 
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Cruizer

Guest
[quote samsam]Hey There,
This will be my first time cruising from Port Canaveral. Any suggestions as far as transportation to the Port from Orlando and the costs involved. Also, I'm traveling with my 6 and 7 year old kids. Should we arrive day or two earlier to go to Kennedy Space Center or am I cramming too much in too little time?? Where to stay if we decide to go a day or two early?? Any information would be appreciated since I'm not familiar with this port or area. Thanks much,
Sam[/quote]

In 2006 I was on a cruise out of Port Caraveral. One of the reasons for picking this port was I wanted to visit the Kennedy Space Center. Let me put it to you this way - I want to do it again! Unfortunately the KSC is too big to visit in one day. But I sure did enjoy it.

For what you are planning, the place to stay is Cocoa Beach. Many like the Radisson, which is very close to the port. I stayed at the Double Tree (which is a couple of miles further away) which I got for half price via Priceline.

If you are going to come two days early and visit KSC, then I suggest that you rent a car. Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty all have rental offices at both MCO and Cocoa Beach (at Cocoa Beach the rental offices are all within one mile of each other). I used Avis, and Avis has a free shuttle between the Cocoa Beach office and the port. I turned in my car while I was on the cruise. No need to pay for a car I am not using plus the parking fees.

As I recall, the cost was about $50 per day. You will need about $2.00 in quarters for tolls each way. There are several gas stations near the Cocoa Beach locations. If you rent a car for the return to the airport, get off at the exit for the airport and drive away from the Airport for about one mile. There you can buy gas and get a snack. Then return to the airport, drop off your car and fly home.

Back to the KSC. Pay a little extra and take the bus that goes all the way out to the launch pads. Otherwise you will be dropped off at an observation tower that is about one mile from the launch pad. Also, the KSC can involve a lot of walking. Spend a day here and your kids will be ready for bed just as soon as dinner is over.
 
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