Launch into your cruise vacation when you stay on the Space Coast
Cruising out of Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast is an exciting experience for the whole family. With plenty of places to stay, things to do, and incredible food to eat, your stay on the Space Coast can be just as memorable as your time on the ship. Check out all the fun and exciting family-friendly activities you can get into before you set sail!
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
Radisson Resort at Port Canaveral | (321) 784-0000
8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach | (321) 799-4099
3425 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
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 DealsCheck into your Hotel then Check out Port Canaveral
After checking into the hotel, head out to explore Port Canaveral, one of the busiest and most exciting ports in the world. The Cove at Port Canaveral is a collection of waterfront restaurants and tiki bars that provide an incredible view of The Port and a great experience for the whole family. See your ship, rocket parts, and wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles make their way through the water while you enjoy delicious meals and drinks. Some popular options are:
Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar
Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
Need more family-friendly dining options:
Family-Friendly Dining in Cocoa Beach
The Exploration Tower is an unmissable landmark in Port Canaveral. It’s more than just a cool building. It’s a Space Coast museum on floors 2-6 and an observation deck on the 7th floor offers an amazing panoramic view of the area, including the beach, Jetty park, and the Kennedy Space Complex. What’s on the 1st floor? A gift shop of course, with tons of cool souvenirs to remember your time on the Space Coast. Exploring Port Canaveral is the perfect way for your family to unwind from your trip here and gear up for your embarkation.
Hit the Beach
If you’re looking for a good old-fashioned beach day before you hit the high seas, check out these nearby beaches with convenient parking, access to beach rentals, and more!
Jetty Park:
Fish off the 1,200 foot fully lit pier, or just find a nice spot in the sand and watch the ships come and go in the relaxing sea breeze. Jetty Park is very easily accessible and is also one of the best places to watch a rocket launch if one happens to be going up before your trip. A local vendor rents everything you need for a day at the beach so it’s an easy, worry-free outing. Entry to the park needs to be reserved online in advance and may fill up on the weekend if not reserved a few days early. Find a way to fit it into your plans!
Cheri Down Park:
This popular, secluded family-friendly beach has just what you need for a fun, low key trip to the shoreline. There are grills to cook out and pavilions to relax and enjoy your meal in the shade. It’s another fantastic spot to watch a rocket launch, and early risers can take in a gorgeous sunrise over the water. Free parking can fill up so it’s best to come early, but you can also find street parking within a few blocks. Whether you are heading back to your hotel or setting sail directly, you’ll appreciate the handy bathrooms for changing and the outdoor showers for washing off the sand and saltwater before your next stop onboard. Watch out for Peacocks!
Lori Wilson Park:
Here you’ll enjoy free parking and easy access to exciting and lively Cocoa Beach. It’s a beautiful stretch of sandy beach that’s a popular location for first-time surf lessons if you set one up with a local surf shop. A truly family-friendly beach, you’ll find picnic tables, a kids’ playground, bathrooms, and showers for cleaning up before you head out.
Burn Off Energy at these Cocoa Beach Attractions
When the kids start feeling cooped up before your boarding window, take some time to burn off extra energy with these nearby Cocoa Beach Attractions.
Golf N Gator:
A fantastic attraction for everyone in your party. They have two 18-hole mini-golf courses and an animal encounter where you’ll see a variety of alligators and other reptiles for a true Florida experience. Teens won’t want to miss out on Beachside Grand Prix, a one-of-a-kind, multi-level go-kart experience, located inside Golf N Gator.
If you prefer a nostalgic beach experience over reptiles, head to Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf. Here you’ll find two 18-hole mini-golf courses with unusual challenges for different skill levels. A craft beer bar and hand-made ice cream shop make a stop at this Cocoa Beach attraction a win for everyone.
Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures:
An incredible space for your teens to test their skills before setting sail. The high-flying ropes course gives you an unparalleled view of Cocoa Beach with challenging obstacles that will make your time on land fly by as you wait to board your cruise ship.
Grab a Souvenir Before You Sail
Just in case you forgot to pack a few things, be sure to stop by one of these hot spot souvenir shops for last-minute cruise supplies like sunscreen, bathing suits, flip flops, beach hats, sunglasses, Florida shirts, or some wonderful mementos of your pre-cruise adventure.
From the exterior of the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, you’ll see why it’s a Space Coast point of interest in its own rite. It’s also an amazing place to buy anything surf, skate or sun-related, boasting 52,000 square feet of fun-in-the-sun merchandise. Surf enthusiasts will also want to check out the area’s rich surfing history showcased in the Florida Surf Museum, which is located in the rental shop across the street!
Whether it’s on-trend beachwear, a surfing lesson, or the rental of bicycles or beach gear for the day, Cocoa Beach Surf Company has you covered. They have a large selection of name brands in clothing, shoes, and accessories so you’ll be sure to find whatever you might need. This is also a great stop to prepare you for a day at the beach. You and the kids will be captivated by exotic sea life in the enormous shark and tropical fish aquarium. If you’re hungry, grab a bite in the full-service restaurant, all with quick easy access from the parking garage. For those staying at the Four Points by Sheraton it’s even easier because you can just walk right over.
Your stop on the Space Coast isn’t just a layover! When you snooze’n’cruise out of Port Canaveral, there are a ton of things your family can see and do to enjoy your cruise adventure even more. You may even be a bit sad to watch Florida’s Space Coast fade into the background as your “real” vacation begins. But we’ll be here ready for you when you get back to Port from your Caribbean adventure. There’s still some space for fun when you return!
Happy Sailing!