Why in the world would RCCL stop at Port Canaveral as a port call?

[3redheads]

Still researching and trying to squeeze in a cruise this summer. Was really interested in Bermuda-9 days from Baltimore, but....

 

PORT CANAVERAL IS LISTED AS A PORT OF CALL????

 

Why do you think this is??

 

Kim

[tomcruiser1234]

i believe port canav. is just the port they depart from

[MermaidMomma]

We stopped at Port Canaveral last April when we sailed the NCL Dawn out of NY. Our excursion that day was a trip to Walt Disney World. My sister, her hubby, and my parents flew down and met us at the Magic Kingdom. The boys were thrilled with their big double surprise (I told them we were going to the beach). From Port Canaveral you can also easily get to The Universal Theme Park, and Sea World. Those are the only draws I know of for Port Canaveral.

[Schplinky]

It could be a great repositioning stop. You could go to NASA or Disney World.

[wwinfl91]

I think they are adding it on some cruises. There are a variety of things you can do from there depending on how long the ship is staying in port. Checking out that itinerary it looks like you would be in port from 7 AM until 7 PM. That would give you time to make a quick trip to Orlando for a day at one of the theme parks, Disney, Universal or Sea World. You could easily do an excursion to Kennedy Space Center. There are several nice beach areas that are also easily accessible, Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach come to mind. If you want to do something historic, St Augustine, is also within reach. There is also doing a day deep sea fishing or doing one of the swamp tours. You would also have time to play a round of golf at one of the great Florida golf courses. I'm sure I'm leaving some things out and maybe some others can suggest some other ways to spend the day. If nothing else spend the day on the ship enjoying the ship.

 

I'm not sure how many of these things are being advertised by the cruise line but most of them would be available from local tour operators.

 

By the way on a recent cruise we had Jacksonville included as one of our "port" stops. We ended up using the day as an extra sea day since we live in Florida and have been to Jacksonville before.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[Schplinky]

I suspect that this makes a lot more sense to Europeans and North Americans who don't live close to Florida.

[bearette]

I suppose it is equivalent to having Catalina Island as a port of call to people living in California. If you don't like the port just don't get off the ship. The others recommended some good ideas of what to do. There is also a beach in Port Canaveral so you can just use it as a beach stop if you want to.

[SeaBrz]

Princess will also add Port Canaveral as a stop next summer when the new Crown Princess sails from New York to Bermuda.

 

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na727

 

 

:) Must be something here :)

[LogansDad]

We stopped at Port Canaveral a couple of years ago when we took the NCL Dawn from NY to the Bahamas. The port offers nearby Cape Kennedy which my kids and I loved. Of course, Disney is not tooooo far away, as well! For a family trip I would rank it as a good stop. Not exotic, but a good, solid family excursion place.

 

Now, the Bahamas part of the Dawn itenary... that's lame.

[grvdggr71]

I just checked the RCI website, and the only 9-night cruise leaving from Baltimore is on Grandeur and that ship is not stopping at Bermuda on that cruise. If you are trying to go to Bermuda, maybe you should do the 5 night Bermuda cruise that stops only in Bermuda.

 

Port Canaveral is a side-stop to refuel and resupply. And, as others have mentioned, you will have access to Universal Studios, Disney World, and NASA.

[PSCruiser]

Did a Port Canaveral port stop last fall, and I realize that for many this is the Disney stop - been there, did that. Decided to make the best of it and rented a car for the day. We ended up visiting two nearby state parks, and did snorkeling in the crystal-clear (but cold) springs. I've always wanted to do that - if you're old enough to remember Sea Hunt on TV, much was filmed in FL springs! Especially liked the rustic Sugar Shack restaurant at DeLeon Springs SP- cook-your-own pancakes at the table! So, if stuck with a PC stop, make the best of it!

[winkie]

There's lots to do in the area ... Disney, Universal, Space Center, Everglades, beaches, and more. It's not exotic, but I bet there's something there that you haven't seen or done before. Or, stay on the ship and enjoy it while it's less crowded.

 

There are lots of ports on the East coast that cruise ships stop at: Charleston, Boston, Miami, etc.

[BambiRumsey]

A lot of times on itins leaving from ports in the Northeast and heading south to the Caribbean, Port Canaveral is a way to break up a bunch of sea days strung together. Since the Granduer only leaves Baltimore in more temperate times of the year (spring-ish throuhg fall-ish) chances are a trip to Daytona or Cocoa Beach would be enjoyable and plenty warm down there.

[SunSkater]

If you live near a larger city, you might be able to find a newsstand that sells the Orlando Sentinel. You should look for the Friday edition - it has to be Friday's. In that edition you will find a section called 'Calendar' which lists all manner of activities which you could do in east central Florida for that week and beyond. With some planning, most of these activities are easily accessible to cruise ship passengers and I'm confident you would find something enjoyable in central Florida to do. Port Canaveral has become one of the busiest cruise ship terminals on the planet (it ranks second behind Miami in passenger counts, though I think the casino ships have something to do with those numbers), and they wouldn't be coming here if the demand wasn't there.

 

 

One thing to keep in mind, though. You said you were planning to cruise in the summer. I came to Merritt Island as a young boy in the mid-sixties when my father went to work in the early space program; I've lived in central Florida ever since, worked out of doors many of those years, and even I think it gets hot. Very Hot!!! I could not recommend trudging around a theme park during those months, unless I was maybe at SeaWorld where I could hang out with the polar bears at least a few moments of the day.

 

best,

 

John

[Barb C]

We were on the Granduer from Baltimore last May and stopped at Port Canaveral on the way back. I loved Cocoa Beach. Very relaxing day with noone on the beach with us! Then we went to RonJons Surf shop (of course). Great day!

[madelinerose]

There's a 5-night to Bermuda and a 9-night to the Western Caribbean this summer on the Grandeur out of Baltimore. There's also a 13-night Western Caribbean repositioning cruise on November 22 out of Baltimore on the Grandeur.

 

The Bermuda cruise does not stop in Port Canaveral, however, the 9-night Western does. If you haven't been, Bermuda is extremely humid in the summer.

 

Still researching and trying to squeeze in a cruise this summer. Was really interested in Bermuda-9 days from Baltimore, but....

 

PORT CANAVERAL IS LISTED AS A PORT OF CALL????

 

Why do you think this is??

 

Kim

[debmkay]

As a native of Florida and specifically The space coast, I would definately do the Kennedy space center, if you have already done t hat, cocoa village has some nice shops for a couple of hours and do the beach thing and of course stop at Ron Jon's. Most everyone all over the country has done the Disney World routine, some good restaurants at the port, Rusty's being one of my favorites. Or like someone else said make it a day to stay on the ship when its not crowded!

[MrsPete]

As much as I love Disney and the other theme parks in Orlando, they're an hour away from the port! By the time you reach the parks and ride three things, it'll be time to head back to the ship. And theme park tickets are expensive -- too expensive for the very limited time ships stop over in Port Canaveral.

 

I'd vote for a day onboard without crowds.

[erin_cruisers]

Hey BARB C

If you left on May 31/04, then you weren't the only ones on the beach in Cocoa Beach! ;-)

As it was our first nice day after leaving Baltimore, we took advantage of the sun and surf, had some drinks at a beachfront bar (while a thunderstorm roared in), and of course, spent several hundred $$$ at Ron Jon's. We also stocked up on some needed essentials at great low prices (@ the time anyway).

If we had kids with us, we likely would have done the Disney/NASA/Themepark thing.

At any rate, we did not mind this port as our first stop.

[masterbaker]

Disney is crowded, expensive and there won't be enough time to really get to do much there before returning to the ship. Summer in Florida is HOT. I couldn't imagine trudging around a theme park in that heat. Disney is best experienced in the cooler months as a trip in itself maybe pre or post cruise for a few days.

 

In the summer, I would recommend planning something cool and wet. There are water parks, beaches, and springs all within an easy drive.

[PAFamily]

I am a big disney fan- we go at least once a year. But always in the cooler less crowded months. I could not imagine braving the bus, heat and crowds for a couple hrs with the mouse.

 

We will be on the Grandeur in June- is Kennedy Space Center a good option with small children?

 

Thanks!

[Schplinky]

In all fairness, the Caribbean is hot too and many of the excursions cost a great deal more than Disney would. I would go but only if you could budget 5-6 hours at the parks.

[rmcg1975]

For someone not from FL or not within a reasonable driving distance, Port Canaveral can be a nice family place to stop with lots of things within your reach:

-Sea World

-Disney World

-Wet-n-Wild

-Mideval Times (theme restaurant on Rt. 192 in Kissimmee- very cool show and next door to a Super Wal-Mart in case you forgot anything on your trip)

-NASA

-Gatorland

-Universal Studios Theme Parks

-*TONS* of shopping at Outlet Centers

-International Drive

-More golf than you can shake a driver at!

-Daytona Speedway

-Daytona Beach & Cocoa Beach

-St. Augustine (great living history)

-Ft. Lauderdale (a bit to the south)

-Busch Gardens (might be too long a drive though seeing it is a bit north of Tampa)

 

However, if I am not crazy about the port I am in, I stay on the ship and wallow in the fact I am all by myself- nice and peaceful.

[Ocean Boy]

Some cruises from NYC are stopping at Port Canaveral. I think NCL's Dawn does on her seven night cruises. I can see it as a port of departure but I'd have no interest in making a port call there. It just doesn't strike me as a place to take a cruise to.

[clingandclatter]

I agree with what some others have said that Disney is just TOO FAR away from Port Canaveral to make it worth it. This goes for any other Orlando attraction as well (Sea World, Universal, I-Drive, Orlando outlet shopping). You could have up to 1.5 hour drive ONE WAY -> 3 hours of your time in port is just spent driving. The space center or beaches are definitely the way to go in P.C. unless you don't care about wasting 3 hours.