Port Canaveral

Cruising from Port Canaveral has become phenomenally popular. Some 4.5 million cruise passengers a year climb aboard, making it one of the world's busiest – but least congested – cruise ports. There is not much to do within walking distance.

There are six cruise terminals in Port Canaveral: Disney docks at its dedicated facility (terminal 8); other ships dock at either terminal five or terminal 10.

A new $60 million Cruise Terminal 6 has just been build, which is mostly being used by Carnival vessels.

Construction has finished on the new Cruise Terminal 1, the first to be located on the south side of Canaveral harbor and that will allow passengers and crew to walk to nearby dining and entertainment options for the first time.

Outdoor gated lots and a six-story parking garage are near the terminals and cost $120 per week for regular cars.

Transportation from Orlando Airport use taxis (about 100$ one way) or use a shuttle service like Cocoa Beach Shuttle.

If you are planning to visit the area for a few days before or after your cruise, check with you car rental agency if they have a drop off/pick up point at the cruise terminal.

Webcam of the port.

Printable map to take along.

As most passengers visit Orlando and its theme parks, closer by you can visit:

• Cocoa Beach - A justifiably famous stretch of Atlantic beach. Activities include beach volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, surf fishing.
• Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
• Kennedy Space Center, Nasa Parkway, The most famous attraction of the Cocoa Beach area, which brought on the nickname "Space Coast." Regularly scheduled tours of the facility and museum.
• Patrick Air Force Base - The nearby launch site of unmanned rockets and satellites

Airboat tours are one of the best ways to indulge in Florida's wildlife. Glide through rivers and marshes as you see alligators and various types of birds.

A car is a must in this area. Multiple rideshare option are available.

Orlando is one of the biggest tourist destinations because of the nearby theme parks and resorts.

Close to International Drive is Universal Orlando Resort, which includes two theme parks, three hotels and a large shopping district.

SeaWorld Orlando is a marine theme park featuring Kraken, the biggest roller coaster in the Orlando area, as well as Believe, the all-new Shamu adventure.

About 40 minutes outside of Orlando is the well-known Walt Disney World. Comprised of four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, three shopping and dining districts, eight golf courses and much more, it is the largest privately managed tourist destination on the planet.

Not far from Disney World lies the Alligator Capital of the World: Gatorland. Also, don't forget about water park Universal's Volcano Bay, located right on International Drive.

Brevard Zoo is a 75 acres (30 ha) not-for-profit facility located in Melbourne, Florida, United States that is home to more than 650 animals representing more than 165 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The zoo features animal feedings, kayak tours, paddle boats in the wetlands, behind-the-scene tours, and a train ride. It also has the attraction Treetop Trek. Brevard Zoo is a not-for-profit organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Port Canaveral is a paradise for fresh seafood foodies. A plethora of grills and bars are available, many beachside.

The Cove, Port Canaveral's exciting waterfront dining and entertainment district, is the ideal destination to sample fresh seafood straight from the ocean and enjoy live music. Satisfy your seafood cravings with shrimp tacos, shark kabobs, grilled mahi-mahi, and more...

Cocoa Village, located in Cocoa, is conveniently located just a brief 20-25 minute drive to the west of the popular Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral. Explore it's rich culinary scene, unique breweries and wide array of shops that has something for everyone.

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
• Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
• Tour guides: Depending on tour length, size, and overall quality of guided tours; for half day tours or less $5-10 per person, for longer tours $10-20 per person.
• Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
• Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Spanish is also official in the state of New Mexico, where it is widely spoken; French is official in Louisiana and the Hawaiian language is official in Hawaii, but neither approaches the use of English and are official for primarily historical reasons.

Emergency 911

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)