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Snooze’n’Cruise with your Squad on the Space Coast
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 Cruise Packages Near Port Canaveral
Snooze’n’Cruise is all about making your cruise getaway as easy as possible. Thankfully, the hotels and other lodgings around Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach offer several options for shuttle service to and from MCO & MLB to Port Canaveral on the day of your cruise, cruise parking options and tons of other deals.
Looking for additional shuttle services? Check out Go Port's extensive list of transportation and parking resources.
Check-in and Meet Up by the Pool
All the hotels linked 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:
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.
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 the 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.
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.
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.
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, the Carib taproom is the perfect place to get a head start on your 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.
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!
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. 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.
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 Alibi Cocktail Bar & Lounge
Get your party started at one of the oldest bars in Cocoa Beach. The Alibi Cocktail Bar & Lounge is an upscale cocktail bar and restaurant specializing in handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, craft beer and chef-driven small plates. It used to be a popular hangout for astronauts as well! The decor pays homage to the golden age of speakeasies and supper clubs with multiple intimate seating areas.
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.
If live music, yard games and a rooftop cocktail experience is what you're looking for Area 142 is where it's at. Located in Downtown Cocoa Beach this venue is steps from the beach and filled with entertainment for your group. Grab a snack from the food cart in the yard, watch a live show from the stage and if you're lucky you may enjoy a night launch with your night cap on the roof!
Need more options? Check out our Cocoa Beach dining Guide for the inside scoop on some of the area's best restaurants just a short drive from Port Canaveral.
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!
Vacation Planner for Florida’s Space Coast
Dive into the Space Coast Vacation Planner then launch into an unforgettable getaway.
