Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Shuttle

[Mass2Cruise]

Has anyone booked this through Royal? They are only giving me a choice of 9, 10, or 11 am yet it says it will run all day. We are there something like 10 hours and wanted to go in the afternoon since they have a better excursion for the morning, but would be till 12. Thoughts?

[Mass2Cruise]

anyone?

[Johncn]

Hello,

 

There is no reason (in my opinion) to purchase a shuttle to the Ron Jon store in Cocoa Beach.

 

There is a very inexpensive shuttle called the Cocoa Beach Trolley that goes to Ron Jon's, and to the beach front in Cocoa Beach. And, even if that is not your style, a cab is about $11 or so, and that is for the cab, not per person.

 

Cocoa Beach Trolley Info

 

Sometimes referred to in posts as the "dollar shutle", it is really the Space Coast Area Transit Authority's (SCAT) Cocoa Beach Trolley. The trolleys are actually buses designed to look like trolleys, and shuttle folks up and down the beach from Cocoa Beach proper, to and from Port Canaveral (George King Blvd. stops).

 

The service runs Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Port Canaveral to 13th Street in Cocoa Beach.

 

 

Beach Trolley Map:

 

 

Download Current Schedule & Fare Info: - Click Route 9 and then the "Download" link at the top

http://routefinder.ridescat.com/interactive-system-map/

 

A ride on the Beach Trolley costs $1.25 with a special rate of .60 for seniors, veterans, disabled and students. There is no charge for children under 5. You do need the exact fare ready when riding a bus/trolley, since the trolley drivers are not equipped to make change. Bikes and surfboards are welcome. Stops are scattered up and down the beach, and include:

• Shepard Park
  
• Cape Canaveral Plaza
  
• Banana River Square
  
• Cocoa Beach Public Library
  
• S. Atlantic Ave. & 12th Street
  
• Banana River Square
  
• Canaveral Plaza
  

Ron Jon's is right at the Route 520 stop on the map...between number 7 and 8. The beach is there, too, but the Cocoa Beach Pier is one light or so before you get to the 520 Causeway intersection.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Johncn

__________________

Edited December 13, 2011 by Johncn
Update link

[Mass2Cruise]

Wow. Thanks for taking the time to write up that reply. Awesome!

[PhillyPhan]

thanks so much for posting--this is great info! We will be in port on christmas day. will the trolley be running? (Just about everything else will be shut down, hoping to maybe get to the beach.....)

[Johncn]

thanks so much for posting--this is great info! We will be in port on christmas day. will the trolley be running? (Just about everything else will be shut down, hoping to maybe get to the beach.....)

 

Hello PhillyPhan,

 

Good news and bad news for you...

 

Bad News: I found this little notice on the site I linked for SCAT...

 

 

So, I'm thinking that they are not running the Beach Trolley on that day, but who knows? Maybe email them to make sure? "Fixed route bus service" would seem to include route #9, but perhaps there is an exception for the Beach Trolley. I can't tell for sure.

 

Good News if Things Are Mostly Closed Xmas Day: One of the very best beaches in the area - Jetty Park - is at the entrance of the Port, and either a short cab ride, or long walk. There also is a hidden nugget of a fun place on the back edge of the Port for observing critters in the wild.

 

To understand, here are some aerial shots that I marked up a bit to explain the area:

 

 

The Port Canaveral Lock area is a semi-secret little spot at the end of the Port, but very close to the ships. Locals know about it, but you have to get there by driving past the marinas in the Port, and through Rodney Ketcham Park. It LOOKS like a dead end, but is not. You follow the parking lot and go UNDER the bridge that goes to the cruise ship terminals.

 

 

You are likely to see manatees, dolphins (including babies), etc. just a few feet from where you stand as they transit the locks. They go back and forth using the locks, with a general pattern of "out to the sea" in the morning, and "back to the lagoon" late in the day.

 

You never know what you will see! It is run by the Army Corps of Engineers, and is...free. Well, "included" is a better term if you pay US taxes. You can see your ship from the locks, but will spot tons of wildlife, waterbirds while watching the locks pass fishing and pleasure boats through.

 

When your steaming mug of whatever gets you going in the morning is gone, I would take the kids / wife / sunscreen over to Jetty Park at the entrance of Port Canaveral, and spread a towel out on the beach for a few hours while waiting to board the ship.

 

GREAT beach mostly used by Brevard County residents and camp ground patrons. Gorgeous views of ship traffic. Clean bathrooms and snack bar. Lifeguards. $7.00 parking, but well worth it. Full info here:

 

Jetty Park Information

http://www.jettypark.org/

 

 

So, if you have a day in Port Canaveral, there is lots to do.

 

And, folks sailing out of Port Canaveral who overnight in Cape Canaveral can do all this, and still be on board the ship for a late lunch rather than just hustling to get to the ship the day you sail.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Johncn

[Mass2Cruise]

About how long of a walk is it from the Royal dock to closes trolley stop?

[Johncn]

Hi,

 

This is a good news / bad news thing. It's roughly a mile to the bus stop. If you took a cab it would be a very short ride, and probably really annoy the cab drive.

 

First of all, there is no sidewalk to use part of this route, but it is not a super pedestrian-friendly walk. Definitely doable if no physical infirmities or a fear of walking.

 

But, there is also another possible way to explore the area if you have a little adventure in you. :)

 

Cape Marina - which is directly across from the Royal Caribbean docks - RENTS BICYCLES ;-) It's pretty inexpensive. And the entire Cove area of restaurants and shops would then be available by bike path.

 

Now, here is where it gets a little interesting. You could easily ride to the bus stop, and the #9 bus (Beach Trolley) takes bikes on board. That means you could take the Beach Trolley down to Cocoa Beach and the Ron Jon's area to eat or explore. You could then either bus back, or ride back on the hard-packed sand of the beach up through Jetty Park. The sand is hard enough to drive on, but we don't allow cars on the beach here (unlike Daytona and many other Florida beaches).

 

All sorts of possible combinations of biking and busing exist. By doing that you could see the entire area quite inexpensively. I'd make sure I had a bike lock with me for when I went in stores and restaurants (the rentals may included one?).

 

It is less than a mile from Carnival dock to the Cape Marina, but you have to walk across the parking lot, and along the access road over a bridge, then cut through a parking lot.

 

Here is a walking map. There is another marina you have to walk through, but the Royal Caribbean docks are obvious in the photo to the left of the black Disney ship.

Cape Marina

321-783-8410.

800 Scallop Drive

Port Canaveral, FL 32920

 

 

Here is a better shot with the route roughly marked, and the bus stop indicated.

 

 

Hope this helps both those interested in the Cocoa Beach Trolley bus, as well as some who are looking for alternative ways to explore. I would personally seriously consider doing a bike / bus combo exploration of Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral if it were a port on a cruise we were on.

 

Regards,

 

Johncn

[allentownahoy]

Okay, now I am thoroughly confused. The Ron Jon Shuttle I presume leaves from near the ship (RCCL) but the tram that was suggested instead requires a 1 mile walk? If this is true, then for those of us who cannot walk that far, the tram would not be a good alternative. Am I missing something?

[Johncn]

Okay, now I am thoroughly confused. The Ron Jon Shuttle I presume leaves from near the ship (RCCL) but the tram that was suggested instead requires a 1 mile walk? If this is true, then for those of us who cannot walk that far, the tram would not be a good alternative. Am I missing something?

 

Hi,

 

The original poster was looking for alternatives to a tour, I believe.

 

There are lots of ways to get to Ron Jon's, and to explore the Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach areas. I was just trying offer some suggested alternatives that may work for "go it on your own" exploration, which is what I usually do on a cruise.

 

And, yes, if you can't walk far, you would need to take a taxi to the bus stop in any case, so it would not be a good choice.

 

A taxi to Ron Jon's in Cocoa Beach would be about $10-$12 or so for the whole party. A taxi to Cocoa Beach proper (downtown) would probably be in the $20 or $23 range.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Johncn

[Mass2Cruise]

Thanks for the information. The Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Shuttle isn't a tour, but rather a shuttle from the cruise terminal to the Ron Jon store. From there you can go anywhere you wish and pick it back up later to get back to the ship. While the bicycle is a great idea, my wife and I will have our two year old with us so we are regulated to using a stroller for him. The mile walk is nothing for us if its safe to traverse. I already walk several miles a day with the stroller as is.

[allentownahoy]

Thanks. This helps alot. Sounds like taxi or cruise line shuttle will be best for me as I will be doing this solo.

 

Hi,

 

The original poster was looking for alternatives to a tour, I believe.

 

There are lots of ways to get to Ron Jon's, and to explore the Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach areas. I was just trying offer some suggested alternatives that may work for "go it on your own" exploration, which is what I usually do on a cruise.

 

And, yes, if you can't walk far, you would need to take a taxi to the bus stop in any case, so it would not be a good choice.

 

A taxi to Ron Jon's in Cocoa Beach would be about $10-$12 or so for the whole party. A taxi to Cocoa Beach proper (downtown) would probably be in the $20 or $23 range.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Johncn

[PhillyPhan]

Thanks for all the great info, johncn. We are going to see what the weather's like, but are definitely up for a bike ride/walk if the weather cooperates. Glad to know there will be something to do on Xmas day.....

[ladybug1s]

Thanks for all the great info, johncn. We are going to see what the weather's like, but are definitely up for a bike ride/walk if the weather cooperates. Glad to know there will be something to do on Xmas day.....

Wow! I've been looking for this. See how some post really help others. I find a lot of informative info. and some drama . lol

 

I called SCAT services a couple weeks ago, a nice older women kindly told me Scat services did not run to the Port? I was pretty bummed until I read this post. Will we have to walk to catch the Shuttle? If so, is it far. I downloaded the map! Very helpful as I did find it before , but could not figure how to find the bus stops. Where does the bus pick up at? Oh and the women tried to steer me away from the beach as they are not California Beaches where she's from. lol I told her not too worry, I live on the Cheasapeake Bay and any beach is prettier:) I love the bay, crabs, etc... Just the water makes you feel like slim. lol

[kurukthemal]

I am sorry, but even with the maps...I am incredibly confused.:confused: We are on the Pride with a day at PC. If don't book an expensive excursion with Carnival...what are my transportation options walking off the ship where it docks? Cabs, buses, etc? Does this shuttle come to the cruise terminal? We most likely would like to just go to the touristy area of Cocoa Beach and relax for a few hours. Thanks!!!!

[Capt_BJ]

the info on this thread is old .....

 

you best bet is to take a taxi - they WILL be there - or, rent a car for the day

 

the shuttles to the beach have been an on and off thing (paid for by stores like Ron Jon) and I can not say for sure that they are running right now. The local bus system does NOT run into the port.

 

my recommendation is rent a car

 

 

Want a list or places to go / things to do?

 

Brevard Zoo - a nice little zoo, good for half a day or more - a nonprofit organization. Has a zip-line/adventure course adjacent.

https://brevardzoo.org/

 

Airboat rides to see 'gators and the like

http://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/

http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/

 

dolphin/manatee spotting nature cruise

http://spacecoastdolphintours.com/ca...area-map-find/

http://www.groupon.com/biz/cocoa-bea...radise-tours-2

{others too, google it}

 

Eco tour kayak - manatee spotting

http://kayakcocoabeach.com/

{others too, google it}

 

Historic Cocoa Village - eclectic shops and cafes

http://visitcocoavillage.com/

 

free manatee spotting

http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={61D4D3CB-D4FE-428A-9F29-B26957B5B809}

 

more manatee, nature drive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Haulover_Canal

 

RON JON!

http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/locati...x?LocationId=7

[kurukthemal]

Thanks Capt! I don't think we are going to want to rent a car, but just take taxi into the Cocoa area for some sights. I am glad to know they will be at the pier which will make it easier. One in our party is 86 and walking quite a ways isn't going to be an option. Many thanks again!

[martinchem]

Interesting maps and info.

[Cruises are us]

I am hoping to rent a car from MCO to the cruise port and then do the reverse after the cruise. When I search the rental cars, I get messages that say that terminal is no longer available. What is the "drop off" name of the car rental places near the cruise port? I might be calling it the wrong thing.

[megr1125]

I am hoping to rent a car from MCO to the cruise port and then do the reverse after the cruise. When I search the rental cars, I get messages that say that terminal is no longer available. What is the "drop off" name of the car rental places near the cruise port? I might be calling it the wrong thing.

 

I answered you on your other post....

 

You are calling it the wrong thing...try Cape Canaveral..and read your other post...