Capt_BJ

you CAN taxi/uber .. they are pretty readily available at the port ...

BUT be aware that calling one for your RETURN can result in a wait at the visitor complex is kinda in the boonies and taxi/uber do NOT typically hang out there waiting for a fare. When you call it may take a bit for them to show up. Give yourself PLENTY of time

Many choose to do a single day car rental ... it isn't too far and there isn't much traffic. This is 'small town' area

There is no 'bus service' other than what an excursion might have

You CAN find some private tour providers who can get you ON the space center property <versus the visitor center> but these tend to be $$ and require advance reservation

pretty much anyplace on the beach gives a good view

the fishing pier at Jetty Park is ideal

the SMALL park next to the port's boat launch area

Coco Beach Pier (if open)

any of the waterside restaurant in the port:; Grills, FishLips, Rusty's, Gators ...

biggest difference is time of day ..... this impacts what places will be open versus just standing on the beach

And up Titusville way are other places but I live on the south side ...

I got 'on property' for a spacex launch a while back ... this is as close as you can get unless you work for spacex!! I was with a space center employee who has full access ...

there's not many ports where there's so much traffic that the pilot turns around immediately for another ship. Some, but not typical. Port Canaveral for example can have days with no movements at all, and one in or one out is not at all unusual.

Another aspect to consider is the pilot MAY BE onboard for DAYS. On a Norway fjords cruise or an Alaska inland passage cruise the ship is sailing inland waters for days and typically law requires a pilot on board all the time ... on the bridge. In this case sometimes it is a pilot TEAM so they trade off 'the watch'. In Alaska the ship can bounce between Canada and US waters during a transit and BOTH pilots will be on board ....

In a place like San Fran there will be MULTIPLE pilot 'jurisdictions' you might say ... An ocean pilot, a bay pilot and if going to Richmond or Sacramento yet additional pilots not to mention special docking pilots are often in play.

It gets complicated!

to visit Miami and not eat Cuban is a crime. Often the best place will be a lil mom and pop. Ask the desk for a near recommendation. OR uber to La Carretta

update ... I just drove the area today and it appears the 'exact coin' lanes are gone .... I saw 4 'change' lanes - in each case only ONE was open .... on 'main line' plazas of 528, 417 and 408 .... not a huge change but ...

concur ... very doable unless there is a major hic - up .... especially with a private driver.

I'm a local ....

this is something different ..... https://www.spacecoastslingshot.com/

altho once again the problem is they close at 5pm .....

This rest' in Cocoa Village just won a big national award ..... http://margaux.com/

Florida Today: Café Margaux in Cocoa Village is only one of only 16 restaurants across North America - and the only one in Florida - to earn the 2024 Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRōNA) Gold Award of Excellence.

first I'm hearing that Hertz has reopened in Canaveral ..... they closed shop during COVID 

Enjoy the midnight sun and the North Cape. be prepared that it may be somewhat colder north of the arctic circle.

We've done North Cape in July twice .. a light jacket was plenty both times ....

take advantage of the opportunity to become a Blue Nose if your ship offers. This was on Viking Ocean .... they turn a hot tub into an ice bath ... those blue bags are all ice and they replenish frequently!  Following your dip, a certificate, a dab of blue frosting on the nose and some aquavit ...  

wrt FLAM there is ONE berth but on occasion there can be more than one ship visiting ... which will tender ....

pay attention as the 'cash' toll lane will look like an exit to many.  To the far right is the attended lane for change or receipts ... if there is gonna be a backup it will be here.  To the left is exact change lanes and a roll of quarters will cover your round trip and than some.  If you will be in a rental it is a good idea to get receipts as it is not unusual for the rental to charge you (pluss their fee) even tho you paid cash ...

earlier post has only shown the toll plazas on 528 between MCO and PC ... if coming from ORLANDO downtown or Disney there are additional tolls but in general a roll of quarters will still cover at least one way ...

there's a bunch of reliable off site paring places at Port Can' and they tend to charge significantly LESS than what the port charges. Yes, you add a little time due to riding a shuttle but for some the $$ savings is the winner.

https://portcanaveralparking.com/

https://www.parkportcanaveral.com/

https://parkncruiseportcanaveral.com/

note zoo closes at 5 (actually some things close b4 that). You'd be hard pressed to get there b4 2 ....

 Florida doesn't have drop-off charges for rental cars.

this isn't a 'rule' or a law but true, most of the time tire is no one way fee added .... MOST.

https://divekeywest.com/charters/key-west-diving/

site says morning 1/2 day trips depart at 9

IME most cruise ships have either a prom' deck suitable for walking or a running/walking track <often on a high deck> ....

Disney's newest ship WISH actually gets beaten up by many cuz they LACK this . . .

I was stationed in Tampa, on a cutter, when the Skyway was knocked down. If memory serves the ship channel reopened with WEEKS .... Tampa was a larger cargo port back then as the phosphate industry was still in high gear.

IME VIKING maintains a relaxed dress code at dinner.  Jackets never required but in main dining and spec' rest's 'business casual' is enforced ... no shorts, no t-shirts, no ball caps.  You get away with some of this in 'world cafe' aka the buffet / alternate dining. Now that said I'd also add that the average cruiser on V' is a wee bit older (more mature) KIDS are not allowed 'PERIOD' so it would be rare to see someone TRY to violate IMO.

But 2 weeks on V' for $2500 .... I don't think so ......

this stuff is as authentic as it gets and may be on the shelf in your local grocery .... https://walkerswood.com/

I've used at home for years and frankly have seen places in JA using it!!!! 

So don't take up luggage space ..... at worst you can have it delivered to your home ....

it's GOOD .... red is hot !!!! and as authentic as it gets

https://www.jamaicataxi.com/

but

I've taken a regular taxi in JA a bunch of times over the past 40 years ..... once took a taxi from Montego Bay to Port Antonio AT NIGHT arriving at 2am ... no issues!

JUTA is the 'official' company and they have red vehicle tags/plates .... http://jutatoursltd.com/

if you plan to do a heavy meal for dinner, maybe you want a light lunch. Continue down Sem' to WAWA and get a sub to eat in the car!!!!

as a local, if you want to spend that kind of money I'd recommend https://www.thefatsnook.com/ 

Emeril came here

and I can't remember any local recommend Gregory's . . . 

my 2 cents ... no change given

1) IMO/IME YBOR is kinda dead during the day ... it is a weekend night hot spot ....

2) As a haven of the Cuban culture of Tampa, Columbia is a STRONG attraction. Their sister place is very good Sicilian but to pass up Columbia if you've never been is a crime <reservation HIGHLY recommended if going for dinner> ..... {I live close by and visit regularly and agree very good - but for a first time visit?}

3) unless passing to go to BERN's which is 'destination dining' ... consistently in top 10 steak houses in the world .... probably the largest restaurant wine list in the world <the current - 2024 - version on line is 194 pages! We bought a hard copy back in the 80's, it was over 6 inches thick .. a wine text book>.... and don't forget to make your reservation for the sep' dining room for dessert  https://bernssteakhouse.com/

https://www.rockandbrews.com/

I eat here on occasion. big open place - very informal <to say the least> - wide ranging menu of sandwiches, salads, pizza, more .... https://www.rockandbrews.com/files/orlando-pdf-2.pdf

maybe 3 miles from the terminal .... there are several choices off Semoran ... just follow signs for north exit and stay on Semoran. Easy to get back to 528 for the run to Cocoa / port

stop here or you have little choice but to wait til Cocoa .... there's virtually nothing between '417' and the outskirts of Cocoa. Only 40 miles but ....

p.s. for dinner in Cocoa Beach there aren't many places that take reservations ... this IS a beach town. The popular places in the port don't: Grills, FishLips, Rusty's, Gators.  Which is better? Ask 10 locals and you'll get 15 opinions. I like Grills because less of their food is fried ... the portcanaveral web cam sits on Fishlips ....  Grills deck: 

Miami offers TWO free transportation systems that can help you do some exploring

check out the free trolley system - actually tourist busses but an extensive network

https://www.miami.gov/Transportation-Roadways/Trolley-Information/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps

and METROMOVER which is primarily downtown but includes Brickell

https://www.miamidade.gov/global/transportation/metromover.page

both of these systems have a free app that helps you see when the next service will arrive etc