The best way to get ready for vacation is to take one!

If you have booked a cruise from Port Canaveral, your first stop on your vacation is the Space Coast, and it’s about to be the best reunion ever. Here are a few must-stop spots to get you into vacation mode before you embark on your cruise!

Hotels with Shuttle Service Near Port Canaveral

Snooze’n’cruise is all about making your cruise getaway as easy as possible. Check out one of these Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach Area hotels that offer shuttle service to and from MCO, MLB, and to Port Canaveral on the day of your cruise. Make sure you mention shuttle service while you’re booking your stay to ensure the shuttles are up and running.

Looking for additional shuttle services? Check out Go Port‘s extensive list of transportation and parking resources.

Beachside Hotel & Suites |(321) 783-2221
3901 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach

This oceanfront hotel also provides free rentals of beach gear like boogie boards, surfboards and bicycles along with a terrific breakfast buffet to send you on your way.

Radisson Resort at Port Canaveral | (321) 784-0000
8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Check out the unforgettable pool and poolside bar for the perfect way to unwind and relax before you set sail.

Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach | (321) 799-4099
3425 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach

Relax on your balcony and enjoy a fabulous ocean view. If your crew wants to spend time in the sun and surf, you’ll enjoy private beach access.

These are just a few of the incredible hotels that offer Snooze’n’Cruise packages. Make sure to check out all the Legendary Cocoa Beach Hotels so you can find the best accommodations for your cruise crew.

Search Snooze’n’Cruise Hotels

 Check-in and Meet Up by the Pool

All the hotels listed above, are not only looking out for your transportation needs, but they also care about your relaxation! Check-in and check out the pool while you wait for the crew to assemble.

Nearby Bars and Restaurants to Get Your Party Started

Get the group together for food, drinks, and catching up before hopping on your cruise ship, at these nearby restaurants and bars.

The Cove at Port Canaveral a Dining Experience

Located in the heart of Port Canaveral, this is a fantastic one-stop spot for drinks and dining with views of the water and the excitement of the ships, and rocket parts, coming and going. Spending time here will get your crew ready to set sail on the open seas. Here are some of the most popular locations:

The view from the deck of Rising Tide Tap & Table

Rusty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar

This popular full-service restaurant is also a great gathering place for your crew. With their festive colorful decor, Rusty’s will put everyone in a mood for celebrating. They can easily accommodate parties up to 30. Choose from the Tiki Bar, Barnacle Bar, or seating on the uncovered deck. Enjoy live music on the weekends starting at noon and weekdays from 5:00 p.m. until closing.

Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill

With three different bars to choose from, this is a terrific place to gather your squad for some fun before your cruise. Choose between outdoor tables overlooking the gorgeous water, a covered patio, or the Tiki Deck. Close to the cruise ships, it’s easy and convenient to board. Relax and enjoy time with your friends over cocktails with live music starting at 4:00 p.m. and grab some amazing food while you’re at it.

Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

Whether your group wants to sit indoors in the air conditioning or outside on the water, Grills has a bar for you. Surrounded by swaying palms, they have a great beach bar vibe with stunning views. Outdoors you’ll find a giant sunscreen-covered wooden deck with plenty of room. On the weekend there is live music starting at 3:00 p.m.

Rising Tide Tap & Table

All the beer connoisseurs in your group will want you to gather here because they offer 50 beers on tap. You can sit indoors or enjoy covered outdoor seating overlooking the water with a fantastic view of Exploration Tower. It’s a glorious place to catch a sunset if you decide to gather here after your cruise. Reservations are accepted for groups of 8 or more.

Cape Canaveral Restaurants & Bars

The City of Cape Canaveral boasts a wealth of hidden gems that are often overlooked by visitors to the area. Before boarding your cruise, pre-game it with a stop at one of these incredible drinking (and dining) establishments.

Carib Brewing Company

Rebranded in 2021, Caribe Brewing Company has been brewing craft and Caribbean beers and ciders in Florida since 1997. Their taproom offers 20 beers on tap which are all brewed on-site. If your cruise takes you to the Caribbean, you are likely to see Caribe drinks there, so the Carib taproom is the perfect place to get a head start on your Caribbean adventure. Kick back and soak up the local beach and Caribbean-inspired vibe where locals and visitors gather for games, socializing, and watching rocket launches from the parking lot. Indoors can hold up to 250 people. For smaller-sized groups, check out the patio and beer garden. Bring in food or enjoy the offerings of food trucks on the weekends.

Oceanside Distillery

Check out the Space Coast’s only distillery! Hop on a distillery tour and enjoy free neat tastings before you head to the bar. With local vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey being crafted into delightful and elegant cocktails, this a Space Coast experience you won’t want to miss out on!

Ellie May’s Tiki Bar

This is a great spot to catch live music and some tiki drinks before your cruise. They have a huge back area for groups and two bars, one indoors and the other outdoors. They offer a large selection of local craft beers and wine along with classic Tiki drinks featuring coconut rum. Formerly Dotty’s, a 30-year-old local bar, Ellie May’s is a long-standing area favorite. Be sure to check out the Tiki Bar which is a holdover from the Dotty’s era. It’s a quick 3-minute Uber ride from the dock, so an easy adventure to or from your cruise. Closed Monday and Tuesday, they open at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 11:00 a.m. on the weekend.

Preacher Bar

It may be in a beach town, but this is not your standard beach bar. Think intimate European pub with a cool, quirky, Day of the Dead vibe. It’s very busy on the weekends with everyone enjoying the full bar along with music, shuffleboard, and darts. And it’s not just a bar. They serve up some great hearty food complete with yummy desserts. Be aware that it’s community seating, so your crew may end up sharing a table with other patrons.

 Downtown Cocoa Beach Restaurants & Bars

Cocoa Beach isn’t just known for fun sandy beaches, shopping, and dining. It’s also a fantastic spot for nightlife with several cool, upscale, and fun places to reunite the squad.

The View from Pelican’s Bar & Grill

Napa Beach Bubbles Bar

This trendy wine bar features wines from Napa Valley, California, where the owners hail from. They now love the Space Coast and have poured their hearts into this establishment, renovating a dark old bar into a welcoming location that is light, bright, and airy.  The furniture is loungy and comfy, so your crew will be able to settle in and catch up. They offer unique craft cocktails made with juices that are freshly squeezed onsite. An innovative beer tap system eliminates impurities so you may just have the best beer of your life here.

Rikki Tiki Tavern

Your squad will love the open-air tiki bar at the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier, with its amazing views of the beach and ocean and the sound of waves crashing just below you. Whether you are looking to ramp up the party or relax after your flight, head to the end of Cocoa Beach Pier for refreshing tropical alcoholic drinks, as well as a menu of yummy fare, served in a casual beachy environment.

Pelican’s Bar & Grill

If you are looking for something a bit more upscale, visit Pelican’s Bar & Grill on Cocoa Beach Pier. Here, you can enjoy a terrific view of the sand and surf from the comfort of cool air conditioning while savoring a full bar of adult beverages. If you’ve brought an appetite, order from their menu of fresh seafood options along with chicken, steak, and more.

Need more options? Explore Port Canaveral for more inspiration

Cocoa Beach Dining Guide

Getting together with the crew before a cruise is always a joyous occasion! These restaurants and bars will ensure that your whole group is primed and ready to set sail. Make the most of your cruise getaway and enjoy your time on the Space Coast, there’s tons of space for you here.

Bon Voyage!