In short
Port Canaveral is the cruise port near Orlando: from Orlando airport to the terminals is 45–60 minutes by car. Ships sail to the Bahamas and the Caribbean almost evenly all year, most often on short 3- to 5-night cruises or for a week. Dutch and Belgian citizens need an ESTA.
Port at a glance
Port Canaveral
USA · Florida
- Where ships go
- Caribbean and Bahamas
- Usual length
- 2–5 or 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Terminals CT1–CT10 on both sides of the harbour; number in your documents
- Getting there
- 45–60 minutes by car from Orlando airport (MCO)
Good to know: there is practically no public transport from Orlando to the port, so book a cruise line transfer, a shuttle or a taxi in advance.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Miami or Port Canaveral? →Why Port Canaveral
- Much the same all year. There are plenty of sailings in any month — no dead season like in European ports.
- Short cruises. More than half the sailings are 3 to 5 nights, mostly to the Bahamas. A good first cruise, or an add-on to a holiday in Florida.
- Orlando next door. Orlando airport and its famous theme parks are about an hour away — easy to plan a week in the parks and a week at sea.
- Space on your doorstep. The Kennedy Space Center is half an hour away, and rockets launch from Cape Canaveral almost every week; sometimes you can see one from the deck.
Where cruises from Port Canaveral go
Almost all sailings are round trips: you leave from Port Canaveral and come back there. The main options:
| Route | Usual length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | 3–5 nights | All year | The port's main route: Nassau and the cruise lines' private islands, often with a day at sea |
| Eastern and Western Caribbean | 7 nights | All year | East to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, west to Mexico, Honduras and Jamaica |
| Longer voyages | 10 nights or longer | Occasionally, mostly in winter | A few sailings to more distant islands and, in spring, the odd crossing to Europe; for longer routes, look at Miami too |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change — always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Dry winter
22–27°C by day, little rain, sometimes cool in the morning. A good time to combine a cruise with Orlando's parks before the heat sets in.
Cruises in February →Hot summer
Over 30°C, high humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Summer holidays in the US and Europe — book family cruises early.
Cruises in July →Peak hurricane season
Almost as many sailings as in other months, but the highest chance of storms — routes may change. Take out insurance and keep your plans flexible.
Cruises in October →Holidays by the sea
The heat eases and there are slightly more sailings. Christmas and New Year cruises sell out first.
Cruises in December →Getting to the terminal
Port Canaveral lies by Cape Canaveral, about 75 km east of Orlando. The cruise terminals are named CT plus a number — CT1, CT3, CT5, CT6, CT8 and CT10 — and stand on different sides of the harbour, reached by different exits from the highway. Some lines have a regular terminal: CT1 for Royal Caribbean, CT3 for Carnival and CT8 for Disney, but many ships change berth from sailing to sailing. Check your terminal number in your boarding documents and give it to your driver.
- From the Netherlands and Belgium. In winter there are sometimes direct flights from Amsterdam to Orlando — about 10 hours; at other times you fly with a change. Another option is the direct flight from Amsterdam to Miami and about three and a half hours by car to the port.
- From Orlando airport (MCO). About 70 km on a toll expressway, 45–60 minutes by car. Cruise lines and private shuttle companies sell transfers, and there are taxis and ride-hailing apps.
- Other airports. Closer to the port is the small Melbourne airport (MLB), about 40 minutes south; Orlando Sanford (SFB) is about an hour away.
- By car. Each terminal has a car park charged per day. Many people hire a car, explore Florida before the cruise and return it at the port or at the airport.
The night before: where to stay
After a flight across the ocean and a six-hour time difference, a night near the port is the calmest start. Good places to stay:
Cape Canaveral
A small town right by the harbour. The terminals are 5–10 minutes away, and many hotels run a shuttle to the port.
Cocoa Beach
A long Atlantic beach, a pier and restaurants. The port is 10–15 minutes by taxi.
Near Orlando airport
Hotels in and around the airport. In the morning the port is 45–60 minutes away — leave with time to spare for traffic.
Orlando's theme park area
Areas near the parks, such as International Drive. The port is about an hour or more away — handy if you spend a few days in the parks first.
If you have half a day near the port
Everything below is within half an hour of the terminals:
- Jetty Park. A beach and pier right at the harbour entrance — watch the ships head out to the ocean. About 10 minutes from the terminals.
- The Cove. Restaurants on the channel inside the port itself: over lunch you can watch the cruise ships sail past.
- Cocoa Beach and its pier. A wide beach, surfers and a long wooden pier with cafés — 10–15 minutes by car.
- Kennedy Space Center. Rockets, the Space Shuttle Atlantis and a bus tour to the launch pads — about 30 minutes from the port. It takes most of a day, so go the day before your cruise and buy tickets in advance.
- Merritt Island wildlife refuge. Alligators, manatees and lots of birds, especially in winter. About half an hour by car, and it combines well with the Space Center.
Disembarkation day
The ship arrives early in the morning. Every passenger goes through US border control on the way out — usually quickly, with a facial photo — and disembarkation in groups runs until about 9 or 10 am. Orlando airport is another 45–60 minutes away, plus morning traffic, so do not book a flight before 1 or 2 pm. Flights to Europe usually leave in the evening: during the day you can stop at the Space Center or the beach, as long as your luggage is with you in the car.
Practical tips
- An ESTA for everyone. Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need a visa, but they do need an ESTA, children included, at least 72 hours before departure. Apply on the US government website rather than through an agency. After certain trips, Cuba for example, you cannot get an ESTA and need a visa. Documents and visas →
- Insurance with good cover. Medical care in the US is very expensive, and June to November is hurricane season. About travel insurance →
- Routes can change. Because of a storm, the cruise line may swap a port or replace an island day with a day at sea. When a port is cancelled →
- With children. Families love Port Canaveral: short routes, Orlando's parks nearby and, on many ships, water parks and kids' clubs. Cruises for families →
- Tips. On American ships a service charge is usually added automatically every day. Money and tips →
Or start from Miami?
About three and a half hours' drive south is Miami, Florida's other big cruise port. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam all year, and in winter it has more long routes to the southern Caribbean islands. Cruises from Miami →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Port Canaveral?
Mostly short 3- to 5-night cruises to the Bahamas and week-long cruises in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Ships sail all year, and longer routes of 10 nights or more are rare.
How do I get from Orlando airport to Port Canaveral?
It is about 70 km, 45–60 minutes by car. You can book a cruise line transfer or a private shuttle, or take a taxi or ride-hailing app. There is practically no public transport to the port.
Which terminal does my ship leave from?
The terminals are CT1, CT3, CT5, CT6, CT8 and CT10, on different sides of the harbour. Royal Caribbean mostly uses CT1, Carnival CT3 and Disney CT8, but your boarding documents show the exact number.
Do I need a US visa for a cruise from Port Canaveral?
Dutch and Belgian citizens do not need a visa, but they do need an ESTA travel authorisation — one for everyone, children included. Apply in good time, at least 72 hours before you fly. If you hold another passport, check the entry rules for your passport.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Port Canaveral?
Cape Canaveral is closest to the port, and many hotels there run a shuttle to the terminals. For the beach, choose Cocoa Beach, 10–15 minutes away. If you land late, stay near Orlando airport and leave with time to spare in the morning.
Can I combine a cruise with the Kennedy Space Center?
Yes. The Kennedy Space Center is about half an hour from the port, but it takes most of a day. It is easiest to go the day before your cruise and buy tickets in advance.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Port Canaveral that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Port Canaveral dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.