Port Canaveral Cruise Parking: What You Need to Know
A very busy cruise port with seven cruise terminals, Port Canaveral is a top spot to embark on a vacation if you’re taking a Caribbean cruise with a major cruise line. The port itself is rather large, with cruise terminals somewhat spread out.
Luckily, parking at each terminal is easy and, even if you don’t park at one of the official lots, there are other parking options in the nearby vicinity, with shuttle services. Here’s what you need to know about Port Canaveral cruise parking.
In This Article:
Official Port Canaveral Cruise Parking Off-Site Port Canaveral Cruise ParkingPark Port CanaveralPort Canaveral ParkingPort Parking SpaceCruisetime Parking & ShuttlePark N Cruise Port CanaveralGo Port Hotel Cruise Parking in Cape Canaveral
Official Port Canaveral Cruise Parking
Unlike some cruise ports that just have one or a few large garages or lots for all cruisers to park at, and then make their way to their individual cruise terminals, Port Canaveral offers parking at each and every one of its seven terminals.
Each parking facility can accommodate buses and RVs, if you have an oversized vehicle.
Cruise Terminal 1 (9050 Discovery Road), which serves Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises ships, offers 3,000 parking spaces.
Cruise Terminal 2 (180 Christopher Columbus Drive), which only homeports one small cruise ship operated by Victory Cruise Line, offers 300 parking spaces.
Cruise Terminal 3 (220 Christopher Columbus Drive), which serves Carnival Cruise Line ships, offers 2,200 parking spaces.
Cruise Terminal 5 (9245 Charles Rowland Drive), which serves Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line ships, offers 1,200 parking spaces.
Cruise Terminal 6 (9241 Charles Rowland Drive), which serves Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line ships, offers 2,800 parking spaces.
Cruise Terminal 8 (9155 Charles Rowland Drive), which serves Disney Cruise Line ships, offers 1,500 parking spaces.
Finally, Cruise Terminal 10 (9005 Charles Rowland Drive), which serves Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line ships, offers 2,500 parking spaces.
No matter your cruise line, no matter where you park, you’ll pay a parking fee of $17 per day, plus tax, for both vehicles and RVs. Parking is pay-on-arrival and you’ll pay for both the day you arrive at the cruise port and the day that you leave.
Cash is not accepted, so be prepared to pay with a major credit card. You can use EPASS and SunPass to pay if you’re parking at Cruise Terminal 3, and this feature is being rolled out to the other terminals as well.
If you need disabled parking, spaces are available and parking waivers may be in effect if your vehicle is outfitted with certain special equipment related to a disability, or if you have a Florida Toll Exemption Permit or Florida Disabled Veteran license plate.
You do not need any reservations for parking within the official parking garages and lots at Port Canaveral. Parking facilities open at 10 a.m. on embarkation day.
Off-Site Port Canaveral Cruise Parking
While parking at Port Canaveral is very convenient, if you want to shop around and see if you can get a better price, you might find the off-site secure parking options near the port to be an attractive option.
Park Port Canaveral
Park Port Canaveral (500 Thurman Boulevard) offers cruise parking for as low as about $11 per day. The secure surface parking lot is about two miles away from the cruise terminals, but a free shuttle service is provided. The shuttle ride is about five minutes long and the shuttle will drop you off right at the terminal curb. Shuttles are wheelchair accessible.
Do note that the $11 per day rate is only available for cruises that are at least seven nights long.
You can book your parking online or via phone, with the friendly staff, and show up at the lot on embarkation day, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Port Canaveral Parking
Port Canaveral Parking’s (3050 North Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island) rates start at around $13 per day. Choose between covered and uncovered parking, at a lot just a few minutes away from the Port Canaveral cruise terminals.
Quick shuttle service is provided, with about a five-minute ride to the port. The parking lot prides itself on its high level of security, with 24-hour video surveillance, stadium lighting and perimeter fencing.
Do note that the free shuttle service only applies to parties of five or fewer people. If you have more than five people in your party, you’ll pay $10 for each additional passenger.
If you have an oversized vehicle, you will need to book two spots at the lot.
Port Parking Space
Port Parking Space (8945 Columbia Road) offers covered and uncovered parking starting at just under $13 per day, with stress-free shuttle service provided and no extra fees for additional guests.
The lot touts that it’s the closest off-site parking option to the port. It also offers free EV charging stations and oversized vehicle parking. There are 425 parking spots on the premises.
Are you a frequent cruiser? If so, you may want to join the Port Parking Space loyalty program, which gives you a point for every day you park with the business. After 20 points accrued, you get a free day of parking.
Cruisetime Parking & Shuttle
Cruisetime Parking & Shuttle (350 Fortenberry Road, Merritt Island) may offer the cheapest great rates overall, with parking available for as low as $3 per day. However, if you choose the cheapest rate with this parking provider, you won’t get any shuttle service to the port.
Instead, you’ll need to take an Uber or Lyft to Port Canaveral. If you want to use the complimentary shuttles, you’ll need to upgrade to a $10 per day parking rate. RV parking is available.
Park N Cruise Port Canaveral
Park N Cruise Port Canaveral (1700 Sea Ray Drive, Merritt Island) is situated about two miles away from the port, with rates starting at around $13 per day. Discounts are offered to U.S. military and first responders and their families.
Shuttle service is available, with the free shuttles leaving every half-hour. Parking check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., with the last shuttle leaving at 1 p.m.
Go Port
Go Port (3345 North Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island) offers parking packages for eight-day cruises that work out to about $8 per day. The package costs $63.60, and it includes parking for the length of your cruise and round-trip cruise transfers for up to six travelers.
Hotel Cruise Parking in Cape Canaveral
Another option that I would recommend that cruisers consider is parking at a hotel that offers some sort of stay-and-park package. These packages generally include a night’s stay before or after your cruise, and then free parking at the hotel for the length of your cruise.
While you will need to take a ride share service to the cruise port from the hotel, these packages are attractive because they ensure you’ll be in the port city a day before embarkation.
I always tell new cruisers to not assume they can arrive on embarkation day and make the ship, especially if they’re flying in. You never know when a flight delay will pop up and cause you to miss your ship! Even if you’re driving in, similar delays can occur and it’s just not worth the stress, in my opinion.
As such, arriving the day before embarkation allows you to settle in and start your cruise adventure off with peace of mind and on a relaxing foot the next day.
Hotels in or near Port Canaveral that offer cruise parking packages include, just for starters, the Radisson Resort at the Port, Cocoa Beach Suites and Days Inn by Wyndham Cocoa Cruiseport West — and you can find many others if you’re willing to research your various options.