Your cruise vacation should be plenty fun, including the very start of it.
If you're like me, the final couple of days before the cruise is filled with anticipation and excitement for it to finally begin. And I always make sure to do whatever I need to do to ensure it all goes off without a hitch.
While I can't anticipate every single possible issue, I've found there's a solid strategy for planning the right start to my cruise that can sidestep the big ones.
If you're flying to Orlando International Airport in order to sail from Port Canaveral ("Orlando" as the cruise line marketing department refers to it), there are "rules" I'd recommend everyone follow to make it as easy as possible.
Have every step of check-in complete before you step foot in Florida
Before your flight lands at Orlando International Airport or your car crosses the border into Florida, you should have completed all the check-in steps in the Royal Caribbean app.
I hate wasting time doing things that could have been done before, and you're going to need to have the app installed with the online check-in process completed to expedite the process as quickly as possible.
You can do the first two steps in the app in the weeks leading up to your cruise. Don't forget to take a selfie photo too!
The final step needs to be completed the day of the cruise, and you can do that as you drive to the the cruise terminal (preferably someone who is not driving).
Completing all the steps before embarkation day makes the check-in go so much faster.
Hotels are cheaper (and better) in Orlando
Port Canaveral is about 30 to 45 minutes away from Orlando, but I'd still recommend booking a hotel there instead of one in Cocoa Beach.
The hotels in Cocoa Beach are fine, but I think they're overpriced and lack amenities compared to the ones in Orlando.
Because there are more hotels around Orlando, I'm betting you could probably save some money on a hotel there too.
In addition, if you're flying to Orlando in the evening, I'd rather save the drive to the cruise area for the morning. Plus, having to drive to Port Canaveral that morning works better because you're going to be too excited to sleep in!
There are a lot of hotels north of the Orlando International Airport on or around Semoran Boulevard.
The two best options to get to cruise terminal
If you don't have your own car to drive, there are two options I'd recommend.
First is to use a ride share service to get you there. This is what my family does in almost every port because it allows you to travel on your schedule.
There's plenty of cars around the airport, so no need to schedule anything.
The other option our team really likes is Go Port Shuttle, which can best be described as the only shuttle service that doesn't have the problems of a shuttle service.
It's about $30 per person each way, and works quite efficiently.
Royal Caribbean offers transfers, but I think going on your own is going to involve less "hurry up and wait" situations.
Get the temporary toll pass for your rental car
If you decide to rent a car, be sure to get the the Visitor Toll Pass (not SunPass).
Your car rental company will offer a toll option, but they charge a fee of their own on top of the tolls. It's quite easy to apply for a tag or use the app to save money on both tolls and car rental fees.
You could also stop by the vending machine near the rental car counters and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass. When your trip is done you just return the tag to the machine you picked it up at.
The entire highway between the airport and Port Canaveral is a toll road, with multiple tolls along the way.
Stopping to pay tolls in cash feels so archaic, not to mention it adds more time to your trip.
Drop off bags first, then return your rental car
Speaking of the rental car, don't return the car first.
Instead, go to the cruise terminal and drop off your luggage. You might even consider dropping off the rest of your family too.
Then, return the car with just the driver and nothing else. It makes it so much easier to get back to the cruise terminal from the car return facility.
Use MCO Reserve for your flight home
Before your flight home, take advantage of the shortcut for security lines.
Orlando International Airport offers the MCO Reserve service, which “allows travelers to reduce stress by planning ahead and reserving a dedicated time slot for their party to go through TSA security screening.”
It's totally free! Just go to the website and book a time for your security check-in.
Once at the airport, scan your MCO Reserve QR code at a specific MCO Reserve line, then move directly to TSA to screen your boarding pass and ID and proceed through the standard TSA security screening, cutting a considerable amount of time from the process on most days.
Leave time for disembarkation and your return flight
Whether you use MCO Reserve or not, don’t book a return flight before 12:00pm on disembarkation day.
Even with a smooth exit, it takes time to get off the ship, clear customs, travel to MCO, and go through TSA. Play it safe!
