Port Canaveral

Cruising from Port Canaveral has become phenomenally popular. Some 4.5 million passengers embark each year, making it one of the world's busiest yet least congested cruise ports. There is little to do within walking distance.

Port Canaveral has six cruise terminals. Disney uses its dedicated facility at terminal 8, while other vessels berth at either terminal five or terminal 10.

The new $60 million Cruise Terminal 6 has just been built and is used mainly by Carnival vessels.

Work has finished on the new Cruise Terminal 1, the first on the south side of Canaveral harbour. For the first time, it will enable passengers and crew to walk to nearby dining and entertainment.

Gated outdoor car parks and a six-storey parking garage stand close to the terminals, costing $120 per week for standard cars.

From Orlando Airport, travel by taxi for about 100$ one way or book a shuttle operator such as Cocoa Beach Shuttle.

If you intend to spend a few days in the area before or after the cruise, ask your car-hire company whether it provides a drop-off and pick-up point at the cruise terminal.

See the port through its webcam.

Carry a printable map with you.

Most passengers head to Orlando and its theme parks, but closer attractions include:

• Cocoa Beach is a justifiably famous stretch of Atlantic beach, with volleyball, surfing, sunbathing and surf fishing among its activities.
• See the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.
• Kennedy Space Center on Nasa Parkway is the Cocoa Beach area's most famous attraction and inspired the nickname "Space Coast." Regularly scheduled tours cover the facility and museum.
• Patrick Air Force Base is the nearby launch location for unmanned rockets and satellites.

Airboat trips are among the best ways to experience Florida's wildlife, gliding through rivers and marshes while you watch alligators and various bird species.

A car is essential in this area, although multiple rideshare options are available.

Orlando ranks among the largest tourist destinations because of its surrounding theme parks and resorts.

Near International Drive, Universal Orlando Resort contains two theme parks, three hotels and a large shopping district.

SeaWorld Orlando is a marine theme park whose attractions include Kraken, the Orlando area's largest roller coaster, and Believe, the all-new Shamu adventure.

Drive about 40 minutes beyond Orlando to reach the celebrated Walt Disney World. It is the largest privately managed visitor destination on the planet, encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, three districts for shopping and dining, eight golf courses and much more.

Not far from Disney World is Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World. Also remember Universal's Volcano Bay water park, directly on International Drive.

Brevard Zoo is a 75-acre (30 ha) not-for-profit attraction in Melbourne, Florida, United States. It houses more than 650 animals from more than 165 species representing Florida, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Experiences include animal feedings, kayak trips, wetland paddle boats, behind-the-scenes tours and a train journey, as well as Treetop Trek. This not-for-profit zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Port Canaveral is a paradise for enthusiasts of fresh seafood, with a plethora of grills and bars, many beside the beach.

The Cove is Port Canaveral's lively waterfront dining and entertainment district, ideal for tasting seafood fresh from the ocean while listening to live music. Options include shrimp tacos, shark kebabs, grilled mahi-mahi and more…

Cocoa Village in Cocoa is conveniently only a brief 20-25-minute drive west of popular Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral. Discover its rich food scene, distinctive breweries and wide selection of shops, with something for everyone.

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar, whose symbol is $. ATMs are found everywhere.

Major cards including Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for purchases costing only a few dollars. In some situations, a card may be the sole way to complete a transaction. Overseas visitors should note that prices for goods and services invariably appear lower than the true total because taxes and gratuities are rarely included.

Most states charge sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price, with 4-6% typical. It is almost never included in displayed prices, except for gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises. Instead, the tax is calculated and added to the total at payment.

Tipping is widely practised and expected in America. Americans themselves often disagree over the correct amount and exactly who should receive a tip, but these rates are generally accepted:

• At full-service restaurants, tip 15-20%. This is often the wait(ress)'s only income. Leave cash or add the amount to the credit-card slip. Few restaurants impose an automatic service charge; where they do, any extra amount remains your choice. Check the bill!
• For taxi drivers, hairdressers and other personal services, allow 10-15%.
• Give bartenders $1 per inexpensive drink or 15% of the total.
• Bellhops generally receive $1-2 per bag, with a $3-5 minimum regardless.
• Give a hotel doorman $1 per bag if assistance is provided and $1 for calling a cab.
• For tour guides, consider the tour's length, group size and overall quality. Allow $5-10 per person for half-day tours or less and $10-20 per person for longer outings.
• Private-car and limousine drivers generally receive 15-20%.
• For hotel housekeeping, leave $1-2 per day on long stays or a minimum of $5 for very short stays; this is optional.
• Tip food-delivery drivers, including pizza delivery, $2-5 and possibly more for very large orders.

The U.S. has no official federal language, although English is overwhelmingly standard in everyday life. Several states have made English their official state language. Spanish is also official and widely spoken in New Mexico; French is official in Louisiana, and Hawaiian is official in Hawaii. Neither approaches English in use, and both are official primarily for historical reasons.

For an emergency, call 911.

In major cities such as New York and Los Angeles, many pharmacies and supermarkets routinely stay open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Department stores, shopping centres and most other large retailers usually trade from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, often with reduced Sunday hours, generally 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. Shops tend to remain open on holidays, except on the most important occasions such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when they are generally closed.