Driving to Port Canaveral, Carnival Sensation parking and embarking procedure

[lauramsr]

We will be doing our first cruise on Dec 11 and would like to know the pre-cruising procedure.

 

We live already in Florida, so we will be driving to the port. How much is it to park at the pier per day? Are there other places to park and then be transfered by shuttle? How early can we arrive? (It says that Sensation departs at 4pm) Do go into the cruise with our own bags or will they take them away from us?

 

Any other information will be greatly appreciated!~

[gtalum]

I forget the parking rate, but I think it's $12 per day. We liek to arrive by 11:00 AM or so, usually onboard by noon. You should pack a carry-on with the things that you'll need the first afternoon before your bags are delivere,d but check the rest. You get to go eat lunch on the Lido deck as soon as you board. :)

[hkolln]

I haven't sailed out of Port Canaveral yet (we are in March though!) but we did sail out of Tampa and the porters took the bags right at the entrance of the building to check in for the cruise. The port should have a website...have you tried googling it for this information?

[travelntreats]

We will be doing our first cruise on Dec 11 and would like to know the pre-cruising procedure.

 

We live already in Florida, so we will be driving to the port. How much is it to park at the pier per day? Are there other places to park and then be transfered by shuttle? How early can we arrive? (It says that Sensation departs at 4pm) Do go into the cruise with our own bags or will they take them away from us?

 

Any other information will be greatly appreciated!~

Here is a link to Port Canaveral and parking is $15.00 per day and paid when you enter the secured area. http://www.portcanaveral.org/cruising/parking.php

 

If you stay in a nearby hotel the night before, some do have an option for cruise passengers to leave their vehicles on the hotel property and will transfer you to the ship and bring you back to the hotel after the cruise. Some charge a fee and some include it in their hotel package. You may want to visit the other areas of the cruise boards i.e. Florida Departures and look for a thread "I work in Port Canaveral" which is filled with info, tips and tricks how to make it go smoothly and save $$$ !

 

You should be able to board the ship att aprox. 11ish in the morning.....you can drop offf your luggage to the porters to have them load onto the ship and then deliver to your stateroiom later that early afternoon - evening. You will not have access to your stateroom till after 1pm, but can carry your carryons with you and sometimes be able to drop them off to your stateroom earlier.

 

Have a GREAT CRUISE !

[DarthGrady]

Parking at Port Canaveral is currently 15 dollars per day per vehicle according to Carnival's website.

 

They usually start boarding the ship at around 11:30 or noon if all goes well. You'll want to be at the ship no later than 2:30.

 

Yes you can carry on, or you can check your bags with the porters and they will bring your luggage on board for you. Your carry ons will have to be less than a certain size to make it through the metal detectors. There will be metal cages near the front doors of the terminal to test the size of your bag. If its too big you'll have to check it.

[old sole]

Port Canaveral is a very easy port to sail from. You will drive right up to a luggage off-load area just outside the entrance gate to the terminal where your ship is docked. There are clear overhead signs directing you to the correct terminal. Porters will take your luggage and direct you to the parking lot/garage (could be either depending on which terminal the ship is docked at). Passengers can get out here and wait for you inside the gate or go with you to park. You will park and then walk into the terminal.

 

Take a carry-on with medicines and any other items you may need during the day. You luggage will be delivered to your cabin but it may not be there by dinner time if you have the early seating for dinner.

 

We like to arrive around 11. Sometimes we have to wait a bit in the terminal building but almost always are allowed to board by around 12-ish. Rooms may not be ready until 1:30 or so and if they are not you will have your carry-on with you until then. We go to Lido deck for the first Drink-of-the-Day and lunch at the buffet, then explore the ship until rooms are available.

 

If you don't want to arrive that early for some reason you don't have to but you must check in at least 2 hours before the vessel is schedule to sail. That is a TSA requirement, the ship must file its passenger manifest at that time. If you are later than that you risk not being allowed to board.

[lauramsr]

Thank you guys & gals...you are very helpful!!

[Lgarth]

We just got back from the Sensation on the 30th. It was awesome!! We also live in Fl and we were at the port about 11:45, were on board by 12:30. Parking was a breeze, $15.00 per day.

Enjoy yuor cruise !!

[miched]

We were there in Oct. It is $15 per day paid in advance. The attendant asks what ship and then tells you how much. He gives you a parking tag to display in your window by hanging on your rear view mirror.

[kujobie]

Consider driving in a day early and staying on Cocoa Beach, 10 minutes from the port. Many hotels have free or cheap shuttles to and from the port and will let you park there for the week free. They don't all advertise this and many charge for it, but we called a few and just asked if we could leave our car there and they said no problem, no charge. We ended up taking a cab instead of the shuttle because we wanted to go early but it was only @ $10 each way, but we saved $100 on parking and the hotel was only about $100, so we stayed overnight on a beautiful beach for about $20 more than we would have paid for parking alone.

[lauramsr]

We just got back from the Sensation on the 30th. It was awesome!! We also live in Fl and we were at the port about 11:45, were on board by 12:30. Parking was a breeze, $15.00 per day.

Enjoy yuor cruise !!

 

 

Linda,

 

I am so glad you liked it. I'm, as my best friend says, STOKED!

I was wondering, how was the weather. I was born & raised in Puerto Rico and was wondering if we will need some warm clothing or we can just go by with summer style.

 

Thanks!

[fllady61]

We will be doing our first cruise on Dec 11 and would like to know the pre-cruising procedure.

 

We live already in Florida, so we will be driving to the port. How much is it to park at the pier per day? 15$ per day (you can use your tollsponder to charge the parking) Are there other places to park and then be transfered by shuttle? How early can we arrive? You park directly in front of the terminal.

(It says that Sensation departs at 4pm) Do go into the cruise with our own bags or will they take them away from us? You can carryon if they are no bigger than 12x15. otherwise, you will be directed where to drop off your luggage, then continue to parking.

 

Any other information will be greatly appreciated!~

 

Embarkment starts at 11 am. You can arrive starting at 9 am. We usually leave home at 8 - 8:30 and arrive around 10, by the time we drop off our luggage, park, and get to the building it is around 10:30 - 10:45. By the time you check in, it is around 11.

 

 

what you need to check in..... passports or photo id with birth certificate, blue fun pass, credit card. You do not need all those other papers that they tell you to print.

MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETE THE FUN PASS ON LINE. It takes about 5 min to check in if complete, and about 20 min if you did not complete this.

Once you are checked in, you will go sit down maybe for 10 - 20 min depending on what time you get there. from there, you will follow the line to have a photo taken for the computer identity, then continue on to the ship.

You will then make your way to the lido deck to the buffett area, and enjoy lunch anything from hot foods ie... chicken, roast beef, vegetables, etc to hamburgers and fries by the pool. There is a deli at the rear of the restaurant with grilled and cold sandwiches as well as Pizza.

THE WELCOME ABOARD DRINK IS NOT FREE. THEY ARE ABOUT 6$ EACH. BUT THEY ARE WORTH IT.

If you are a coke drinker (diet coke, sprite, etc) you will benifit from the soda card. once you pay for it, all you have to do is show it to get a soda. about 5$ a day if that.

take this time after eating to tour the ship public areas. ie.. the casino, theatre, find where all the bars are, go for a swim, enjoy the slide.

At 1:30 or there abouts, you will be able to get to your cabin. Drop off your carryon, and if you are lucky, your luggage is there. Return to touring the ship. At around 3:30 go to your cabin and find out where you muster station is, grab your life vest and head there. Otherwise, you may have a heck of a time going up or down stairs and be over crowded getting there.

After muster, 1 of you take the vest back to the cabin, and head to lido deck for the sail away party. After sail away, depending on your dinner time, go see if your luggage is at your cabin.

Hope this helps. I have sailed Sensation twice in the last few years. We are skipping our spring cruise this year to have more money for our fall cruise.

happy sailing. Make sure you take plenty of pictures. (I took 3 1g sd cards for my camera) Plenty of warm weather clothes. It is about 80 in Nassau in Janurary, so I am sure it is about the same in December.

[Lgarth]

Linda,

 

I am so glad you liked it. I'm, as my best friend says, STOKED!

I was wondering, how was the weather. I was born & raised in Puerto Rico and was wondering if we will need some warm clothing or we can just go by with summer style.

 

Thanks!

 

 

The weather for sailaway was nice, but it got a little cool that night. It was absolutely beautiful in the Bahamas, a little warm actually while walking around. And Saturday, "Fun Day at Sea" was really nice too. Then we got back Sunday morning to Port to tornado watches/warnings and very gusty winds...go figure. I pretty much wore jeans, except Saturday I wore shorts, and never even thought about a jacket at all. But you know FL weather, lol

I was stoked too:Das this was our 1st time on Carnival !!!

You will have a Blast !! ENJOY !!

[gaylensgigi]

Consider driving in a day early and staying on Cocoa Beach, 10 minutes from the port. Many hotels have free or cheap shuttles to and from the port and will let you park there for the week free. They don't all advertise this and many charge for it, but we called a few and just asked if we could leave our car there and they said no problem, no charge. We ended up taking a cab instead of the shuttle because we wanted to go early but it was only @ $10 each way, but we saved $100 on parking and the hotel was only about $100, so we stayed overnight on a beautiful beach for about $20 more than we would have paid for parking alone.

I agree,stay night before at Cocoa. Radisson is awesome and will let you park your car for free. Also has a free sguttle to port that starts at 10 am, just reserve your time when you check in. Its a win/win.Cost of parking and taxi is about the price of your hotel saty and Port Canveral is a cool place, lots of good reteraunts and bars on the watre. Have a great cruise

[Pyro Tec]

Consider driving in a day early and staying on Cocoa Beach, 10 minutes from the port. Many hotels have free or cheap shuttles to and from the port and will let you park there for the week free. They don't all advertise this and many charge for it, but we called a few and just asked if we could leave our car there and they said no problem, no charge. We ended up taking a cab instead of the shuttle because we wanted to go early but it was only @ $10 each way, but we saved $100 on parking and the hotel was only about $100, so we stayed overnight on a beautiful beach for about $20 more than we would have paid for parking alone.

 

This sounds perfect! Can you please message me or respond to this thread with the name of the hotel? I would LOVE to do exactly what you said! Sounds PERFECT!!! Specially for OUR HONEYMOON! WHoo HOO! :D:cool::p

[fllady61]

This sounds perfect! Can you please message me or respond to this thread with the name of the hotel? I would LOVE to do exactly what you said! Sounds PERFECT!!! Specially for OUR HONEYMOON! WHoo HOO! :D:cool::p

 

 

radisson hotel about 160 for the night, free shuttle to the hotel, but you have to let them know when you book the room if you want that feature or not.

[kujobie]

This sounds perfect! Can you please message me or respond to this thread with the name of the hotel? I would LOVE to do exactly what you said! Sounds PERFECT!!! Specially for OUR HONEYMOON! WHoo HOO! :D:cool::p

 

Last time we cruised from Canaveral, we stayed at the Courtyard, part of the Marriott chain, but there are tons of hotels in that area. Radisson is popular because it is right next to the port, but it is not on or within walking distance to the beach. For a comparable price, you can stay in a hotel on the beach. Last time we were there, we stayed in the Best Western in a newly remodled, very nice suite with full kitchen, right at the pier. They had a bar and live band at their pool. I think it was about $150. We weren't there for a cruise that time, so I don't know if you can leave your car there, but call and ask. We did that and several of the one's we called said no prob.

[Ken076]

lauramsr - We just returned from 30 November 4-day Sensation. Sunday traffic on Florida Turnpike and the Beeline Expressway was light.

 

Sensation is at Terminal A (an open parking lot) and is $15 per day, $60 for the 4-day cruise, payable in advance. You drive into the Terminal A, there is an island of stalls to the right, where you pull-in diagonally and unload luggage to the curbside porters (we tip them, $5 for two large bags). You then drive around the stalls for several hundred feet to the parking lot - from there several hundred foot walk to the Terminal.

 

We arrived earlier than expected, at about 10:30AM. Luggage drop-off and parking took only a few minutes. Check-in had no line and took only a few minutes (there were separate counters marked for cash deposits, so you apparentlydon't have to do this onboard at purser's!!). Boarding was posted as being 11:30AM and we waited in a seating area until exactly 11:30AM (they have rows of chairs that you hfill as you complete check-in, so you board in the order you checked-in!)! Access to staterooms was posted as 1:30PM and the passageways were not unlocked until exactly 1:30PM! Lunch was available at the Lido Buffet when we boarded.

 

You CAN take all your luggage on-board, but (1) it has to fit the opening of the carry-on scanners, AND (2) you'll have to lug it around until 1:30PM. Our luggage arrived before first-seating dinner (which is casual dress as many do not receive their luggage 'til later).

 

In Freeport the ship docks in a commercial area and there's zilch there. Plan a tour (at least the inexpensive Freeport Island & Shopping tour) or taxi to Port Lucaya where there's shopping, restaurants, casino and excellent Beach behind the Westin. In Nassau we did the Frommer's Walking Tour (use the better map you can pick-up in the Terminal) in the AM and taxi'd ($4 pp) over to Atlantis to walk-around. Be aware that the van Taxi's in Nassau don't depart 'til they're FULL, same with the Water Taxi.

 

IMO The onboard shopping lecture is a waste of time, as is the Art auction. You don't need to attend the Debarkation lecture, as Debarkation Capers with ALL the debarkation and Customs info is delivered to yourroom the last nite. You can bring-back Duty Free 1 carton cigarettes pp ($21 per carton) and one bottle Liquor pp (you can additionally bring Duty Free 1 bottle liquor bottled in Bahamas). The shows were decent, the Comedians were great (catch the late uncensored comedians also) and the Kareoke in aft loung was pretty good entertainment (just to listen to).

 

ken

[harrisk]

Which Glory cruise are you on in March? We have a party of 4...2 couples going on the Glory on 3/14.

[spikester]

Last couple times I was on a cruise people were taking off alchol by the box. The customs agents didn't even blink an eye.

 

The Sensation is a fun fun cruise. Everyone is on there to really have fun for a weekend. You will probably see a lot of drinking.

The first time I was on it, there were a few reunion type groups and they were there to really party.

 

You will love it. The ship is older, and hasn't been refurbished yet. It is planned for jan. If the same band is there, Blood Power, they are fabulous. Wait for the singer to do his Britney imitation.

I was on there 2 months apart and a lot of the staff actually remembered me.

I think it is one of my favorite ships.

[dtownjbrown]

We just got back from the Sensation on the 30th. It was awesome!! We also live in Fl and we were at the port about 11:45, were on board by 12:30. Parking was a breeze, $15.00 per day.

Enjoy yuor cruise !!

 

Linda - I will be on the Sensation in less than a week (Im so excited :D). i was taking a gander at your webshots album and LOVE LOVE LOVE your pics. Where on the ship did you have your hubby pose for photo #8? I think the photo was titled "hubby ready to cruise"........I want to take one just like it :-)

[krystalkruzer]

One note about Port Canaveral.I have cruised from there the past 2 years and August of this year.Tipping the baggage porters in not required.There is even a sign up saying so because they are salaried employees. lauramsr,since this is your first cruise here is a picture from my first one to "wet your appetite" :)

 

[Lgarth]

Linda - I will be on the Sensation in less than a week (Im so excited :D). i was taking a gander at your webshots album and LOVE LOVE LOVE your pics. Where on the ship did you have your hubby pose for photo #8? I think the photo was titled "hubby ready to cruise"........I want to take one just like it :-)

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics......We were all over that ship that day :D, but if my memory serves me right we were out by the kiddie's pool out on the Promenade deck 9. It was our 1st Carnival cruise and we had a blast....Enjoy your cruise !!!!