It’s time to board Sky Princess, so we aim to arrive at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal early. We did a drive-by yesterday on the way back from Epic Escapes in Cocoa so we knew where to drop our rental car this morning.
Driving into the town, we can see four cruise ships waiting at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, the majority headed south into the Caribbean. We on the other hand, will be heading east, into the wild Atlantic.
Port Canaveral Rental car drop-off
Dropping the Thrifty rental car is simple. Park where instructed, collect luggage, wait for the free transfer bus to the terminals. That’s it. You don’t have to hand over the keys or sign any paper work or anything.
Nice.
The only problem is that there are many more people waiting than the bus can accommodate. And with only two buses running, we could be waiting some time. Royal Caribbean’s new monster ship, Star of the Seas is in port, which means at least 5000 passengers are trying to get to the terminal – plus 3000 on Sky Princess etc etc…
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Instead, we team up with another couple to book an Uber XXL. It costs $36 (+tip) and it is money well spent. The driver is really helpful, has a huge people carrier and manages to fit four passengers, a mobility scooter and eight suitcases into her MPV.
Our driver is an economics teacher during the week, answering one of my biggest questions – does it pay to drive an Uber? Clearly the answer is yes.
The journey takes a few minutes and we’re dropped right at the terminal door where the porters are waiting to take our suitcases. Awesome.
Car rental specifics:
Hire firm: Thrifty
Booked through: Expedia
Total price: £97.75 (inc. relocation fee)
Car: “Compact” Kia K4
Would we do it again? Absolutely. The car was far cheaper and more convenient that trying to arrange transfers and taxis.
Top tip: There are several gas (petrol) stations along Route 1 in the Sharpes / Cocoa area before crossing onto Merritt Island. Fill up your rental car at one of these locations as they are cheaper than the stations nearer to the Avis/Thrifty office at Cape Canaveral.
At the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal
Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal is smooth and efficient. We’re directed to a special accessibility lane where a dedicated agent checks us in, a process that takes less than three minutes.
Then we’re up on deck, admiring the Kennedy Space Center and surrounds…
Top tip: Pack binoculars in your hand luggage as there’s lots to see from the deck.
Linda’s comment…
This is probably the simplest port we’ve ever visited. Brilliant.
Port Canaveral hotels?
There are plenty of hotels near Port Canaveral – and you will pay handsomely for the proximity. A night in a Port Canaveral hotel will cost at least three times as much as a stay in an equivalent hotel in Cocoa or Titusville.
Check out these Port Canaveral hotels:
For us, the short drive from the Best Western Space Shuttle Hotel Titusville was perfectly acceptable and well worth the cash saving. Despite being 20+ miles away, the journey took just as long as our usual transfer from the Holiday Inn Express to the port in Southampton – and that’s a considerably shorter journey distance-wise.
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