Traveling to Port Canaveral for a cruise? We’re sharing our top hotel recommendations for a pre-cruise stay.
Port Canaveral is a cruise port located on Florida’s central coast just 45 miles from Orlando. It’s among the busiest cruise ports in the world, with over 4 million passengers sailing from the port each year.
If you’re cruising from Port Canaveral, we recommend arriving in Florida the day before your cruise begins. Depending on your travel schedule, you may choose to book a hotel near the airport in Orlando or one closer to the port.
Arriving a day early provides ample wiggle room in the case of travel delays when driving or flying to the port. Plus, it allows you to start your vacation one day early before embarkation day, whether you visit Orlando’s theme parks, spend time at the beach, or simply rest in your hotel.
Here’s our list of the best hotels near Port Canaveral to book before your cruise.
Where to stay in Port Canaveral before your cruise
Cape Canaveral
Many passengers prefer to spend the night before their cruise close to Port Canaveral. The port is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, otherwise known as Florida’s Space Coast.
Staying in Cape Canaveral offers a wide selection of activities, from visiting the Kennedy Space Center to spending time at Cocoa Beach. The area is home to many restaurants, bars, and beach shops, providing more of an “I’m on vacation” atmosphere compared to staying in Orlando.
Related: How to get to Port Canaveral for your Royal Caribbean cruise
There’s no question that staying in Cape Canaveral instead of Orlando makes it easier to reach the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Many hotels are located just a five minute drive away from the port.
If you arrive in Orlando early the day before your cruise, we recommend traveling to the coast to spend the night in Cape Canaveral instead of staying in Orlando.
Near Orlando airport
Most travelers flying to Orlando will arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO). If your flight arrives late (after ~6PM), we recommend staying near the airport instead of traveling to Cape Canaveral for a pre-cruise hotel stay.
You’ll more than likely be tired from a long day of traveling, and the 40 minute drive from the airport to Cape Canaveral can add to your exhaustion. Instead, reserving a no-frills airport hotel for one night gives you the chance to catch up on rest as soon as possible without any extra travel time.
Luckily, because MCO is such a major airport, there is a huge variety of hotels to choose from in the surrounding area. In addition, you usually cannot board the ship until around 11 AM on embarkation day, so you can travel from your airport hotel to Port Canaveral with plenty of time to spare the morning after your arrival.
Shuttles from Orlando to Port Canaveral
Many hotels in the Orlando and Cape Canaveral area will offer a shuttle service from the hotel to port. When traveling to Port Canaveral, you can choose to book a shuttle service or handle transportation on your own by reserving a taxi, Uber, or Lyft.
Here is what to consider when choosing between a shuttle versus a rideshare service:
Price
Most shuttles are priced per person instead of per car like a taxi or Uber. For a solo traveler, a per person rate can be the most budget-friendly, but the cost can quickly add up when traveling with a larger group.
If you’re staying at a hotel in Cape Canaveral and need to travel to the cruise port just 1 mile away, your hotel might charge $10 per person for a shuttle. If traveling with a group of four, this amounts to $40, but you could call a Lyft instead for just $10-15 total.
Nevertheless, Port Canaveral differs from other Florida cruise ports in that the port is located far from the main airport in Orlando. It takes around 40 minutes to drive from the MCO airport and nearby hotels to Port Canaveral, and a taxi or rideshare service could cost over $100.
If a shuttle from the airport to Port Canaveral is only $25 per person, it may be the same price (or even cheaper) to take a shuttle when traveling with a larger group.
Traveling on your own time
Something else to consider when deciding whether to reserve a shuttle service or order an Uber to the cruise port is convenience. Shuttles leave at set times throughout the day whereas you can call a taxi or rideshare at any time.
If there is only one shuttle leaving from your hotel at 11AM, for example, but you want to leave at 9AM, a shuttle probably is not the best option. Instead, you should reserve a ride independently to have full control over when you head from the airport or hotel to Port Canaveral.
Here is our list of the best hotels near Port Canaveral before your cruise:
Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
- Average nightly price: $220 to $450
- Address: 8959 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Location: Near cruise port
The Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral is an all-suite hotel located just a three minute drive from Port Canaveral. The convenient location of the hotel—combined with its comfortable rooms and amenities—make it hard to beat for a pre-cruise stay in Cape Canaveral.
Studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites can all be booked at the Residence Inn. Each room includes one or two beds, a sofa bed, dining area, and desk. Booking a suite can provide more space during your pre-cruise stay, which is especially helpful if traveling with kids or a large group.
Amenities at the Residence Inn include complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool and hot tub, kitchenette, fitness center, and convenience store.
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
- Average nightly price: $240 to $400
- Address: 1550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
- Location: Cocoa Beach
The Hilton Cocoa Beach is the perfect hotel for a pre-cruise stay on the beach in Cape Canaveral. The hotel is just ten minutes away from Port Canaveral and offers oceanfront views and direct beach access.
Both rooms and suites are available to book at the Hilton, many of which have views of the water. Amenities at the property include beach access, an outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant, although free wifi is not included. Volleyball courts and surf lessons are also available.
Staying in a hotel so close to the ocean typically comes with a higher price tag compared to hotels further from the water. Therefore, an oceanfront hotel in Cape Canaveral is recommended only for those who plan to take advantage of the location.
If you arrive early the day before your cruise and want to make the most of your time, the Hilton Cocoa Beach can be an excellent choice. Plus, who doesn’t love a morning walk on the beach before heading to the cruise port?
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach
- Average nightly price: $200 to $325
- Address: 9000 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Location: Near cruise port
Located just a mile from Port Canaveral is the Homewood Suites by Hilton, an all-suite hotel with studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom rooms. Suites feature a fully equipped kitchen, bedroom space, and living room.
Amenities at the Homewood Suites include free breakfast, free wifi, an outdoor pool, fitness center, and tiki bar.
The hotel’s location along Astronaut Boulevard—which leads to Port Canaveral—means it is not directly on the beach. However, it’s near several restaurants and bars that you can enjoy the evening before your cruise begins. Plus, the beach is only 1.5 miles from the hotel, so it’s easy to access for those hoping to kick off their vacation a little early.
There are several shuttles available through Port Hotel Shuttle:
- Hotel to cruise: $5 per person
- Hotel to cruise, cruise to MCO: $25 per person
Radisson Resort at the Port
- Average nightly price: $275 to $350
- Address: 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Location: Near cruise port
Also along Astronaut Boulevard is Radisson Resort at the Port. This hotel is a popular choice among many cruisers due to its convenient location, amenities, and offerings specific to cruise guests. Both standard rooms and suites are available to book.
The hotel features a large outdoor pool with a hot tub, which is a major attraction of the property for many guests. Other amenities include an on-site restaurant, fitness center, free wifi, tennis courts, and room service.
In addition, the Radisson offers four separate cruise packages to guests:
- Park three or four nights and cruise
- Park five to eight nights and cruise
- Fly, stay, and cruise (includes shuttle from MCO airport)
- Snooze and cruise (does not include parking)
While taking the shuttle from Orlando or parking your car is optional, many cruisers appreciate the added convenience of this service provided by the Radisson.
Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral
- Average nightly price: $200 to $325
- Address: 3425 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
- Location: Cocoa Beach
Just steps from the beach (and a ten minute drive to the cruise port) is the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral. The hotel’s location on the main road in Cocoa Beach means it’s near plenty of restaurants, bars, and shopping, making it an enjoyable place to spend the night before your cruise.
Amenities at the Hampton Inn include complimentary breakfast, an outdoor heated pool, poolside bar, free wifi, electric vehicle charging, and a fitness center. The hotel does not offer suites, but has king and queen rooms with balconies facing the ocean.
We recommend the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral for those who value staying near the beach and who don’t mind a few extra minutes drive to Port Canaveral on embarkation day.
There are several shuttles available through Port Hotel Shuttle:
- Hotel to cruise: $10 per person
- Hotel to cruise, cruise to MCO: $30 per person
- MCO to hotel, hotel to cruise, cruise to MCO: $52 per person
Springhill Suites by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
- Average nightly price: $200 to $325
- Address: 655 W Central Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Location: near cruise port
The Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach is a new hotel just a four minute drive to the cruise port. As an all-suite hotel, rooms provide ample space, making for a comfortable place to relax and unwind before your cruise begins.
Amenities at the Springhill Suites include complimentary breakfast, free wifi, an on-site restaurant, an outdoor pool and hot tub, poolside bar, fire pit, and fitness center.
A shuttle service is offered from the hotel to the cruise port for $10 per person, but an Uber or Lyft may be a cheaper option.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
- Average nightly price: $300 to $400
- Address: 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32927
- Location: Inside Orlando International Airport
Arriving in Orlando late at night? Your best bet is to stay at a hotel near the airport and head to Port Canaveral the morning of embarkation day.
The Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is, by far, the most convenient hotel option, as it’s located inside the airport! The hotel is located between the security checkpoints at Terminal A and Terminal B, meaning you can get from baggage claim to your hotel room in just a few minutes!
Not only is the hotel’s location helpful for travelers arriving late, but it offers several great amenities including a rooftop pool with runway views, fitness center, jogging/walking track, and free wifi.
Additionally, three dining venues are available on-site:
- Lobby Bar, a bar with signature drinks, sushi, and sandwiches
- McCoy’s Bar and Grill, featuring a global-inspired menu and sushi bar
- Hemisphere Restaurant, a contemporary restaurant with runway views from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows
The Hyatt Regency also offers optional Park, Stay, and Go packages for cruise guests. These packages include accommodation the night before your cruise in addition to parking for up to seven nights.
Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport
- Average nightly price: $150 to $275
- Address: 7100 Augusta National Dr, Orlando, FL 32922
- Location: Near Orlando International Airport
If you’d prefer to leave the confines of the airport, there are many hotels located just a few minutes drive away. Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport is a no-frills property near the airport that offers a pleasant place to rest before traveling to Port Canaveral in the morning.
The Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport has complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool, hot tub, free wifi, and a fitness center. Not only is it close to the airport, but it’s a short walk away from restaurants, bars, shops, and even a movie theater!
The hotel offers a Fly Snooze Cruise Package, which includes:
- Transportation from Orlando International airport to hotel
- Accommodation for one night
- Transportation from hotel to cruise port
- Transportation from cruise port to Orlando International Airport
Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport
- Average nightly price: $165 to $225
- Address: 5750 T G Lee Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822
- Location: Near Orlando International Airport
Another hotel option near the airport is the Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport. Located just one mile from the airport, and with bright, modern rooms, the property is a great option for those arriving late to Orlando.
Amenities at the Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport include an outdoor pool, wifi, on-site restaurant, and fitness center. They even have a 275” big screen TV in the lobby.
Breakfast is not included in the standard hotel rate, but there are several breakfast options nearby including IHOP and Denny’s. The hotel also features the Drift Kitchen & Bar (restaurant/bar) and a 24 hour marketplace.
The Holiday Inn offers a free shuttle from MCO to the hotel. Shuttles from the hotel to Port Canaveral can be booked through Go Port for $34.99 per traveler. However, you can also book a Fly Snooze Cruise package that includes:
- Transportation from MCO to hotel
- Pre-cruise accommodation for 1 night
- Transportation from hotel to cruise
- Transportation from cruise to MCO
Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel
- Average nightly price: $190 to $220
- Address: 5445 Forbes Pl, Orlando, FL 32812
- Location: Near Orlando International Airport
Our last hotel recommendation near the Orlando airport is the Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel. Like other airport hotels, the Renaissance is located just a few minute’s drive away from the airport and offers convenience for a pre-cruise stay.
Rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds are available, some of which provide Club Lounge access. Amenities at the Renaissance include an outdoor pool with cabanas and a hot tub, fitness center, free wifi, a grab and go eatery, concierge lounge, and convenience store.
There is both an on-site restaurant and cocktail bar at the Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel, which is convenient for travelers looking for a quick bite to eat and drink after a long travel day. Breakfast is available at Fresco, the on-site restaurant, for an extra cost.
