Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral
Saturday , December 17, 2022If you’re new to cruising and you want to depart from an unforgettable destination, Port Canaveral is a fantastic option. It is the second-busiest port in the world and is just a short car ride away from Orlando, making it well-connected to all essentials of city life.
The cherry on top of this beautiful harbor is the blue water that gives you a peek into what views you will find on your coming cruise! As a bonus, there are plenty of things to do at the harbor, with a jetty park close-by to keep the kids occupied. You could also check out the exploration tower, which offers stunning views of the surrounding areas while conducting a deep dive into the port’s history.
Waiting for your ship to embark on its exciting journey can seem like a boring ordeal, but this port makes sure that you are thoroughly entertained to make time fly by. The beaches are also great spots to unwind at, where you could sip on some cocktails while indulging in delicious seafood. By the time you board your ship, you will feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
For newcomers wanting to get a feel of cruising, Port Canaveral is the perfect place to begin. With Cruisejoy, you can rest easy and make memories before you set foot on the ship!
Port Canaveral
If you're planning a cruise vacation, the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral may not be the first place that springs to mind. But it should! Port Canaveral is a great place to embark on your cruise for many reasons. The Port is only an hour from Orlando and so makes for an easy day trip or stop on the way back from another destination. And cruises leave at odd times – most depart around 6 pm! So even if you have to work during the day and can't take any time off, you will still be able to get there in time. Before booking your trip, let's examine some pros and cons of traveling via cruise ship.
A glimpse into the history of Port Canaveral
The Port of Canaveral is a deep-water port on Florida's Atlantic coast, approximately midway between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. It is operated by the Canaveral Port Authority, a corporation created by the State of Florida in 1953 to develop commercial traffic in the Canaveral Bight area. The Port has three container terminals and one cruise terminal. The container terminals have a combined capacity of over 2.8 million TEUs annually, making the Port of Canaveral Florida's largest container terminal.
The Port Authority is exploring adding a fourth container terminal. The Port is also a thriving recreational sailing center and home to the Florida Space Coast, the Space Shuttle Launch Facilities, and is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center. In addition, the nearby cities of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, and Palm Bay provide a unique combination of deep-water access, excellent harbor facilities, extensive deep-water docks, and a warm sunshine climate with a year-round average temperature of 72 degrees.
Cultural dive into the Port Canaveral
Let's start with a brief history lesson. The first settlement in the area was established in 1883 by Captain Joseph J. "J. J." Boyce as a fishing village named "Canaveral." The town was renamed "Canaveral City" in 1903 and "Canaveral Beach" in 1936. In 1949, the County Commissioners of Brevard County renamed the city "Port Canaveral."
Canaveral is a barrier island adjacent to the Port. It derives its name from the Spanish word for apples, as the island was abundant in fruit when discovered by Spanish explorers. While the Port Canaveral area has been inhabited since the early 1800s, the Port itself was established in the 1950s, when the Atlantic Ocean Terminals (now Blue.
Travel essentials for Port Canaveral
If you are driving to Port Canaveral, allow plenty of time. The Port is located on the eastern edge of Florida, only an hour's drive from Orlando. However, this is Florida, so you should allow at least two hours if you want to be safe. You can drive to the Port via Route 401, the Beachline Expressway, and take exit 10 to Route 401 South. Alternatively, you can take Interstate 95 to Route 401. Shuttle buses to and from the Port frequently run, making it easy to get there even if you're traveling alone and have lots of luggage. Taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive.
Things to do in Port Canaveral during a trip, While you're in the Port, a few sites are worth visiting.
The Visitor Information Center (VIC) is the starting point for many activities. The distance to the cruise ports is only a short stroll.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex - These visitor facilities are located at the north end of the Port Canaveral harbor. You can tour Launch Complex 39, see the historic Vehicle Assembly Building, and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
The Brevard County Cruise Terminal - A Caribbean cruise begins! You can also visit the Brevard County Port Authority building, which houses a Marine Transportation Library and a maritime research center.
The Florida Maritime Museum - This museum is located minutes from Port Canaveral and is dedicated to the history of Florida's waterways, such as sailing, steamboats, and the space shuttle program.
The Canaveral Bight State Park - This park is located on the southern side of the Port and is an excellent place for a walk. The area is renowned for its fauna, particularly birds.
Visit the Brevard Zoo - An excellent miniature zoo is the Brevard Zoo. Its 75 acres are home to various animals, including giraffes, white rhinos, cheetahs, jaguars, wolves, and kangaroos. "A little zoo that achieves huge things," describes the zoo.
A new exhibit, Meerkat Hamlet, featuring a cute new colony of meerkats, debuted in March 2014. That is only one of the several displays and activities the zoo offers.
Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex - The obvious choice for a fun-filled and instructive day on Florida's Space Coast is the Kennedy Space Center. It is one of Florida's most popular tourist sites, so many people don't need much of an introduction. Kennedy Space Center draws the most visitors outside the beaches on the Atlantic coast of central Florida. The tourist facility, established in 1967 and independently of the Kennedy space launch complex, predates Walt Disney World.
Visit Cocoa Village - Cocoa's rebuilt, and the well-kept downtown town is known as Cocoa Village. To minimize misunderstanding, the town of Cocoa is located on the mainland, across the Indian River from the famed city and beach of Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Village, which spans a six-by-four-block area with more than 80 shops and eateries, offers something for everyone. The distance to Cocoa Village, roughly 12 miles south of Port Canaveral, is short. There is no entrance fee and lots of free street parking. Numerous parking spaces are available as well. When visitors arrive, they are greeted by the neighborhood's tree-lined streets and flower-decked, brilliantly painted storefronts. There is a good park for children, views of the river and Merritt Island, old buildings, and a "Southern charm" atmosphere.
Visit Jetty Park - Is there entertainment close to a cruise ship terminal? Of course! The stunning white sands of the Florida Atlantic coast may be experienced at Jetty Park. It's a local favorite and may become packed on the weekends, but what makes it even better is how calm it is during the week when everyone is at Cocoa and Daytona beaches.
Port Canaveral weather and the best time to visit
Port Canaveral has a tropical climate, with hot and humid summers and warm and wet winters. November to march is the ideal time to visit because it's cold and dry then. During this period, temperatures are pleasant, and the risk of hurricanes is low.
However, cruise itineraries are often planned to avoid the cold weather that sometimes occurs during this time of year. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, you will find that the parks and museums are open all year round. The VIC is available daily, and the VIR is open seven days a week.
Conclusion
A cruise trip is a fantastic opportunity to visit many locations quickly. They are perfect for families and couples; you don't have to be wealthy to take one. There are several reasons why Location Canaveral is a fantastic port from which to depart. It is easily accessible, with excellent shuttle services and taxis readily available. And if you are trying to choose a cruise, you might want to consider Cruisejoy. They provide one of the best Cruise experiences you will ever hope for.
