world cruise island princess 2023

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• Princess Cruises introduces World Cruise 2023 on Island Princess...

Princess Cruises introduces World Cruise 2023 on Island Princess ship

Princess Cruises ' newly announced 2023 World Cruise , on sale February 10, delivers a unique itinerary to more countries than ever before.

The 111- or 97-day voyage sailing roundtrip from North America, from both Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) and Los Angeles (Long Beach, California) , sets sail in January 2023, onboard Island Princess . Passengers will experience a total of 50 destinations across 31 different countries and 6 continents - Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America.

The 111-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departs January 5, from Los Angeles on January 19, 2023 (97-day itinerary to Fort Lauderdale).

World Cruise 22023 details feature:

• 34500 NM/nautical miles (39700 mi/63900 km) of global cruising
• crossing the Equator twice
• Maiden port Gythion Greece (the cruise port for ancient Sparta)
• 21x UNESCO sites, including Mount Etna (from Catania Sicily ), Petra (from Aqaba Jordan ) and Ephesus (from Kusadasi Turkey ).
• The journey will offer overnights in Dubai and Venice as well as 10 “More Ashore” late-night calls.
• Countries visited include Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Thailand, Israel, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Panama, and more.

The 2023 World Cruise goes on sale with fares starting at US$19,199 per person. Passengers booking the 97- or 111-day World Cruise by August 31 receive early booking perks.

• Wednesday, September 4, 2024

CruiseToTravel

Princess cruises’ 2023 world cruise to 50 must-see destinations.

Princess Cruises ’ World Cruise guests have been fulfilling their travel dreams of traversing the globe via a cruise ship for more than two decades. The cruise line’s newly- announced 2023 World Cruise itinerary continues to deliver a destination-packed itinerary to more countries than ever before.

Sailing roundtrip from North America, the 111- or 97-day journey from both Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles sets sail in January 2023, onboard Island Princess . Guests will experience 50 destinations across 31 countries and six continents, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America.

The 111-day roundtrip voyage from Ft. Lauderdale departs on January 5, 2023, and from Los Angeles on January 19, 2023. A 97-day World Cruise from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale is also offered, setting sail on January 19, 2023.

Noteworthy 2023 World Cruise details include:

• Island Princess will sail 34,500 nautical miles in 111 days.
• Maiden port call to Gythion, Greece, famously known as the port for ancient Sparta, rich with Greek history.
• Visits to 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the archaeological city of Petra (from Aqaba, Jordan), Mount Etna (from Catania, Italy) and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus in Turkey.
• The World Cruise will cross the Equator twice.
• The cruise will offer overnight visits Dubai and Venice, and 10 “More Ashore” late-night calls including Singapore, Casablanca, Barcelona, Sydney, Tahiti and Honolulu.
• Destinations visited include Panama Canal, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Monte Carlo, Valetta (Malta), Muscat (Oman), Phuket, Komodo Island, Bora Bora and many more. 

The 2023 World Cruise’s rates start at US$19,199/person. Guests booking the 97- or 111-day World Cruise by August 31, 2021 receive early booking perks, including:

• Drinks with Tips  – guests enjoy the Premier Beverage Package with everything from cocktails, beer and wine to specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water.
• Unlimited Wi-Fi  – cruisers can video chat and text with family back home, stream favorite shows and check e-mail.
• Gratuities  – full daily gratuities are paid to crew on behalf of cruise guests.
• Money to Spend On Board  – for shopping, shore excursions, spa treatments and more, a $500 per guest (for the first two guests) is applied.
• Specialty Dining  – each guest can dine at award-winning specialty restaurants up to four times during the voyage without worrying about the cover charge.

Island Princess, sailing her second World Cruise, features more than 700 balconies, a Princess Luxury Bed in each stateroom, specialty and casual dining options and more. World Cruise guests can delight in the Encounters with Discovery speaker series that includes authors, artists, explorers and more as well as culinary demonstrations, cooking classes, special-themed menus, foreign movies and regional folkloric shows to bring the destinations to life.

Island Princess also features the MedallionClass Experience , offering a number of new features that leverage touchless technologies and significantly enhance and personalise the guest experience, as well as support new health protocols.

The cruise line’s award-winning OceanMedallion wearable device replaces the traditional cruise card to significantly expand touch-free options and personalisation on board Princess MedallionClass ships including:

• touchless embarkation and disembarkation
• keyless stateroom entry
• completely touchless commerce
• simplified safety training
• on-demand food, beverages and retail items delivered anywhere on board
• guest service requests via mobile device chat
• entertainment content via smart devices

Princess MedallionClass ships also offer the best Wi-Fi at sea, MedallionNet, so guests can stay connected to the things and people they love and share vacation memories with ease. MedallionNet offers unprecedented connectivity that’s fast, unlimited, reliable, and affordable with an access point in every stateroom, so guests can stream favorite movies, shows, games and music; connect to favorite social media sites; and video chat from anywhere on the ship. 

For more details and bookings visit Princess.com .

Also read : Princess Cruises transforms global fleet to feature MedallionClass Experience

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• Princess Cruises

World Cruise 2023 - Occasionally Live from the Island Princess

By We_like_to_cruise , January 10, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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We_like_to_cruise

3 minutes ago, windsor26 said: They may not credit you until the very end of the cruise   We were blue for 76 days although it was 5 segments  It depends if you booked it as one cruise

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On 1/10/2023 at 11:46 PM, LouChamp said: Aloha.  Thank you for taking the time to post.  As a previous poster wrote, this is a first I have seen for princess and much appreciated. We love cruising and have been blessed to have seen the world with various cruise lines and via air/land.  We divide our time between NY and Honolulu with cruising for us set to resume hopefully this summer.  Enough of us…keep posting and love the pictures! Smooth sailing. 

We will be in Honolulu the end of January.  Already have tickets booked for Pearl Harbor and have a rental car reserved !

On 1/11/2023 at 10:06 AM, phabric said: I will be following along.  I will be on the Island in Nov. for 14 day Mediterranean and Israel 

You will love it I am sure.

5 hours ago, Denali2003 said: Thank you for your updates.  We will be boarding the Island when you return.  We are doing the 15 day Panama Canal - coast to coast - May 11th - 26th.  This will be our first time on the Island and first time doing the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is a fascinating experience.  We really enjoyed it.  Check out the book / DVD recommendation at the end of my Panama Canal day posting.  👍   We got the PBS DVD from our local library.

Hi, we are on Coral WC in May from down under( New Zealand) 

Cole the new CD is from here, we did 56 days with him around South America in Jan 2020, he is fun.

Already the posts let us relive memories from the start of our cruise back in 2020.

Enjoy, I look forward to following. 

57 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:   Hm good question.  I will find out.  I do know we already have enough credits to become Elite mid-way.

Thank you for replying. If you look at your cruise history, you should see past and upcoming cruises (not sure what it does with actual cruises under way) that should show the number of cruise credits earned on past cruises, or the number to be earned on future cruises.

In my history, I see a 14 day Caribbean cruise that I took in 2016 that earned me two credits (I was not in a full suite) as that particular itinerary could be booked as two 7 day cruises.   

I was not elite back then, but I would assume that I would have had 2 mini bar set ups. One at the start of each 7 day segment.

shamrockace

We will be joining your wc in California. Loving you posts. 

absolutely great  to be following your journey!  ...thanks again for responding responding to my inquiry!  safe journey!

Dinner at Sabatini's last night

Food was excellent to pretty good (grilled lamb skewers were disappointing).  Service was also generally very good although it was obvious our poor waiter was overwhelmed.  We never felt rushed at all while eating, but he seemed to dash from table to table.  No time for chit chat!

Here are some samplings of our dishes -

The Godfather cocktail | a Marlon Brando favorite Johnnie Walker Red Scotch, Amaretto di Saronno

Grilled lamb skewers

Burrata Cheese and Tomato

Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Mediterranean Seafood Parcel     as presented     opened for enjoying      Desserts     Hazelnut Rocher     Chef Specialty

Sabbatini's Menu

This was supposed to be included in the above posting, but didn't make the trip through cyperspace.

Let's try again.

sabatinis-trattoria-main-menu.pdf

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

On previous trips to Costa Rica we had visited the Sloth Sanctuary, a canopy rain forest tour, coffee and banana plantations and DW even went zip lining.   (Not for me, thank you.)   Today we would explore the local environs.  

Just outside the pier were many booths filled with handicrafts, souvenirs and knick knacks.   We browsed and then walked along the beach to the edge of town.   Honestly the beach was not very inviting. There were numerous small beach restaurants (called sodas).    Returning back on Central Ave. there were a few more commercial shops and restaurants.   This port does not seem very developed for tourism but we enjoyed the pleasant temperatures.

We ran into one of the ship staff heading back with two large grocery bags and he gave us directions to the local supermarket (Megasuper).   Ship staff always knows where to get internet and the non-touristy stuff.   Although not considered “Mega” by US standards, the air conditioned market had a wide assortment of foods.   We purchased Costa Rican coffee; prices ranged from $4 to $8 per pound.   This was much less expensive (and probably fresher) than what was sold at the outdoor shops near the ship.

As we sailed away, a local band played and we were entertained by three large figures (sorry still do not have an exact explanation of them.  I took French in HS and not Spanish!)

In retrospect we should have booked an excursion at this port.   There is just not enough to see right in the port area.   (Although, at dinner we heard griping about the 3 ½ hour bus trip each way to view the volcano.   Another passenger felt the nearly two hour bus trip to see the sloths followed by another two hour bus trip for a canopy tour in “a drenching downpour” was not too much fun!)

Huatulco, Mexico

A newer fun port on the Mexican Riviera, it is pronounced “wah-TOOL-coh”.  

After leaving the ship there were a couple of little tuk-tuk type vehicles that, for a tip, would take you to the end of the long pier to the beginning of town.

We walked off the ship, down that long pier, and headed north.   About a mile away was the Santa Cruz Bay overlook with expansive views of the lovely harbor.   We walked uphill on the sidewalk passing hotels and condominiums on one side and dense foliage on the other.   Further along was another overlook to one of the other nine bays in the area.   Along the way we met and chatted with a few local residents – all Canadian!

Then we walked into La Crucecita, a small Oaxacan town with many shops and restaurants.   Just past the plaza was the church.   The interior was filled with beautifully painted and brilliantly colored religious scenes.   On the ceiling is a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe – at 65 feet long, the largest in Mexico.   (On my picture below you can see at the very bottom some people exiting the church.   That should give you some sense of scale.  It is the 5th pic in this series).   Very nice.

We did some shopping and walked back to the ship via the brand new “Tourist Corridor”.   Still under construction it was a very wide cement path directly from the town back to port.   It will be interesting to see what this will look like in a few years.  

Back at the port, we discover numerous booths set up for the Saturday flea market.   Food, produce, fresh flowers, handicrafts, etc. Lucky timing for us.   We walk through and browse and make our way back to the beach.   There are hundreds of tables and chairs with restaurants right on the beach.   All under palapas or umbrellas, nice and shady, although the temps are warm.   But the beers are cold!

After lunch we return back to the ship to change into swim suits.   The beach is adjacent to the ship only a short distance away.   Although the water temperature is pleasant, it is somewhat murky.   But you cannot beat the location.  

Back in the room, a quick shower, room delivery of tequila and margaritas and we sit on the balcony and watch the sail away from this engaging port.

16 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said: 16 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:  

  How far is the grocery store from the ship?  We only have 2 hours of free time after our excursion before we need to be back on board.

Back at the port, we discover numerous booths set up for the Saturday flea market.     Food, produce, fresh flowers, handicrafts, etc. Lucky timing for us.     We walk through and browse and make our way back to the beach.     There are hundreds of tables and chairs with restaurants right on the beach.     All under palapas or umbrellas, nice and shady, although the temps are warm.     But the beers are cold!

We will be there on a Tuesday, do you know if the Flea Market is set up during the week?

@We_like_to_cruise Before this thread gets too long, I just want to thank you so much for your reports and pictures of everything.  A World Cruise has always been my fantasy but alas it is not in the cards anymore.  So I am going to do this vicariously through you guys!  Have a wonderful cruise and time seeing the world that you haven't already seen.

Thank you for sharing!  We are thinking of a world cruise when we retire (sadly, about 9 years to go) and I am living vicariously through your travels.  Enjoy!

Thank you for sharing! I will be following for sure. 

Can't wait to hear more about the ship.

We are booked for the first half of the 2024 World Cruise and I've heard some negative things about the Island and I'm hoping you'll prove it all to be wrong.

On 1/16/2023 at 7:08 AM, Denali2003 said:   How far is the grocery store from the ship?  We only have 2 hours of free time after our excursion before we need to be back on board.   Back at the port, we discover numerous booths set up for the Saturday flea market.     Food, produce, fresh flowers, handicrafts, etc. Lucky timing for us.     We walk through and browse and make our way back to the beach.     There are hundreds of tables and chairs with restaurants right on the beach.     All under palapas or umbrellas, nice and shady, although the temps are warm.     But the beers are cold!   We will be there on a Tuesday, do you know if the Flea Market is set up during the week?        

To answer your second question first, we were told it is only on Saturdays.

The distance from the cruise port (Muelle de Curceros) to the supermarket is less than a kilometer, so about a 12 minute walk according to Google Maps.  That roughly corresponds to our recollection.  From the cruise pier, walk almost straight to Av 1 (just after Av Central) and make a left.  When we were there a tourist info representative was heading out maps and giving directions.  There was no formal info booth that we saw.  You could also ask anyone on the street.  Good luck !

6 hours ago, chamima said: Can't wait to hear more about the ship. We are booked for the first half of the 2024 World Cruise and I've heard some negative things about the Island and I'm hoping you'll prove it all to be wrong. Enjoy!

Any minor issues we have run into have been resolved quickly and professionally.  I think the staff really cares about the guest experience!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Part One

Beginning in the 1960s, “Vallarta” transitioned from a small fishing village to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico.    One factor was director John Huston’s 1964 movie “The Night of the Iguana” based on the Tennessee Williams play.   The movie starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Sue Lyons.   Infighting   between the cast and director and the scandalous extramarital affair between Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (both married to others) in this exotic location was duly reported by all of the celebrity magazines.   In fact Burton bought Liz a home here, and they vacationed in Puerto Vallarta for many years.

Today Puerto Vallarta is a bustling tourist city filled with activities, restaurants and shopping.   Much of it is centered   around the large pedestrian boardwalk called the Malecon which hugs Banderas Bay.   So,   let’s not dwell on the past and we will talk about our day in PV.   A day that was too short as far as we were concerned !

Pre-cruise research indicated taking a city bus from the pier area to the Malecon was described as “a cultural experience.”   Sounds good to us.   After an early disembarkation, we walked through the terminal and were met by law enforcement with dogs who sniffed at our backpacks.   (Hmm, did they think we were smuggling drugs INTO Mexico?).  

After passing muster we crossed the street and were greeted by a large Sam’s Club warehouse store and an adjacent Wal-Mart.   As per our research, we waited only a few minutes with all of the other commuters on the side street for the next bus marked “CENTRO” (downtown).   Fare was 10 Mexican pesos, so $1.00 US (for both of us) covered the cost for the three mile trip.   You place the bill in a slotted wooden box in front of the bus and are given a receipt / ticket.   As it was rush hour, although the bus was not extremely crowded, there were no seats available so we stood for the 15 minute ride.   Yes, it was an experience – the bus driver drove very quickly, slamming to an abrupt stop at the designated bus stops.   We drove from smooth pavement to paving stones to finally cobblestones and on the latter the bus bouncing around could knock out your fillings!   What fun, haha.   Although most of the passengers as well as the driver spoke little or no English they all knew where we tourists should get off and indicated that to us.   Gracias!   We got off near the Hotel Rosita.

Then we headed toward the water and spent almost the entire day walking the Malecon and Centro.   We lucked out with another lovely day, mixed sun and clouds in the 70s.   Dozens of large bronze statues lined the walkway, some doing double duty as seating so you could rest and gaze out at the crashing waves.   We passed live performances, dozens and dozens of shops and restaurants, resorts and hotels as we headed south to Los Arcos, an open air amphitheater and then even further to Los Muertos Pier.   Along the way we found numerous side streets and wandered the city.  

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Part Two

Next, the   Lazaro Cardenes Park in the Romantic Zone, a park with awesome functional urban art benches decorated with colorful mosaics.    

After a pleasant outdoor lunch we headed away from the water to the iconic   Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.   This church features a spectacular crown that can be seen for miles.  

Then, we start to walk uphill the many steps to visit the former home of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.   Suddenly we are surrounded by ninos y ninas!   The local school has just let out and an abundance of cute kids in school uniforms are everywhere !   We carefully sidestep them on our way to Casa Kimberly, now a boutique hotel and restaurant.   Elizabeth Taylor sold the home in 1990 a few years after the death of Richard Burton.

We walked back down the other side of the Malecon and at its terminus caught the bus back to the pier.   The return bus had a large SAM’S sign written on the windshield.  

After getting off at Sam’s (of course) we went inside to use el bano.   Not in need of a gallon of mayonnaise or a 30 pack of facial tissues, we headed next-door to the Wal-Mart Supercenter.  

It was crowded with locals and tourists and we bumped into fellow cruisers at the souvenir aisles!   We also picked up a collapsible laundry container and a few other sundries.   Back on the ship, some tequila for our sail-away and adios Puerto Vallarta.

spookyfudge

Thanks for your report.  We had orginally booked and paid for the WC over a year ago but got cold feet for such a long cruise with the dreeded "C" virus out there.  Even though we got medijet to get us home from anywear in the world if sick, we just felt to uncofortable to do 111-days! Have fun and good sailing

ONE OF THE BEST REPORTS EVER!

please keep sharing your thoughts!

Great report, interesting pictures. Thanks!

We will be on the Island Princess in September, so we are following your posts.

Enjoy every minute.

On 1/11/2023 at 12:40 AM, polmcs said: How many cruise credits will you get on the 111 day world cruise? Just curious.

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Princess Cruises Appoints Captains for Star Princess

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Santa Clarita, Calif. (December 15, 2023) – Princess Cruises announced the two captains who will serve as masters of the line’s second, sensational Sphere Class cruise ship, Star Princess, during an official keel laying ceremony in Monfalcone, Italy.

Captain Gennaro Arma, who currently serves as the newbuild site lead for the construction of both Sun Princess and Star Princess, will be master of the 17th Princess ship when she debuts in summer 2025, bringing her into service from the shipyard. When Captain Arma is on leave, Commodore Nick Nash will take over the navigation and leadership of Star Princess.

“It is my privilege to introduce and congratulate the masters of the stunning new Star Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “Captain Arma and Commodore Nash have remarkable histories with Princess, and will provide great experience and excellent leadership on our newest vessel.”

Commodore Nick Nash , a 33-year veteran of Princess Cruises, was promoted to the rank of commodore of the line’s global fleet in 2020. He currently serves as captain of Enchanted Princess, having navigated the ship out of the Fincantieri shipyard for the first time. Commodore Nash first joined the company in 1989 and was promoted to staff captain in 1997. In 2002, he became captain and has been at the helm of many Princess vessels. Commodore Nash also has served as President of the Nautical Institute and after two years now serves on the council. He was awarded the United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy Medal for meritorious service in 2018. He is a Chartered Master Mariner, a Fellow of The Nautical Institute, The Royal Institute of Navigation, The Royal Geographical Society and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Captain Gennaro Arma has always been passionate about the sea. He began his career with Princess Cruises in 1998 as a Cadet and moved up the ranks achieving his first command as Captain of Sea Princess in 2015, where he navigated the ship on two world cruises. He took the helm of Diamond Princess in 2018 and in 2020 and was honored with the recognition of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest of the orders of the Italian Republic, and selected among the 20 most influential Italian characters of the year by Vanity Fair in December 2020. Arma has also received the title of Magister of Amalfi Civilization for the Byzantine New Year, the Emanuela Loi award for courage, and the Assarmatori prize from the Italian maritime association awarded by the Minister of Transportation. He most recently served as captain of Discovery Princess. He was born in Sorrento, Italy, where he lives with his wife Mariana and his son Diego.

Star Princess makes her debut in August 2025, with cruises on sale now.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com .

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

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Port Canaveral cruises: A guide to cruising from the Orlando area

Sailing out of Port Canaveral might not be as picturesque as cruising from PortMiami , but don't underestimate the experience. Lucky passengers might witness a rocket launch from the neighboring NASA complex or see dolphins playing in the wake as the ships sail past the shoreline of Jetty Park on the way out to sea.

And while you might be more familiar with the Miami and Fort Lauderdale departure ports, you are as likely to sail from the Orlando-area, Central Florida port as you are from one of the East Coast ports. In 2023, the bustling port brought in 6.8 million cruise passengers , served as the home port for 13 ships and scheduled 906 ship calls.

From Port Canaveral, you can sail to the Bahamas , the Caribbean , Bermuda and even across the Atlantic on cruises of two to 14 nights. Seven major cruise lines currently sail from Port Canaveral: Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.

The port is (or soon will be) home to some of the newest and most popular cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and new Utopia of the Seas and Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wish and new Disney Treasure .

Getting to the port is easy as it's accessible from Interstate 95 and close to three airports — though it's nearly an hour's drive from Orlando International Airport (MCO) . Whether you want to overnight by the airport or close to the port, you will find a range of hotels to suit every budget and loyalty program affiliation.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Port Canaveral cruise port overview

Port Canaveral cruise terminal information

Each of the cruise terminals at Port Canaveral has a different address. Here is a list of the cruise lines sailing from Port Canaveral and their affiliated terminals.

A terminals' addresses

Cruise Terminal No. 5: 9245 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 6: 9241 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Carnival Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 8: 9155 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 ( Disney Cruise Line ) Cruise Terminal No. 10: 9005 Charles Rowland Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises )

B terminals' addresses

Cruise Terminal No. 1: 9050 Discovery Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Royal Caribbean) Cruise Terminal No. 2: 180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920 (Overflow) Cruise Terminal No. 3: 220 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (Carnival Cruise Line)

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Number of terminals: 7

Port Canaveral is accessible, but contact your cruise line if you need a transfer from the terminal entrance to the ship.

Even though Port Canaveral is a departure port for many cruise lines, it can also be a port of call for ships sailing from the Northeast. Currently, some Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises ships spend a day in Port Canaveral on select itineraries through September.

Port Canaveral cruise ship schedule

Airports near Port Canaveral cruise port

Three airports serve the Port Canaveral cruise port. The most popular is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is about 50 minutes away. Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is also about 50 minutes away, and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is about an hour from the port.

Most major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, fly into MCO.

If you're flying into MLB, current carriers include Allegiant Air, American and Delta.

At SFB, the main option is Allegiant.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Depending on which airport you're flying into and which airline you've booked, you might be able to cut costs with companion passes. Southwest offers this deal to travelers who earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. Those traveling with Delta can also get a companion ticket with a few of the Delta and American Express cobranded credit cards .

Because no one likes waiting around in a chaotic airport terminal after a cruise, you might want to bring a credit card that provides you with lounge access. MCO offers seven different lounges, including a Priority Pass lounge called Club MCO. Priority Pass membership starts at $99, or you can get access as a travel perk from a credit card such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

American Airlines passengers can access The Admirals Club with a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ), which includes a complimentary Admirals Club lounge pass. The Delta Sky Club is open to travelers with paid lounge access via a subscription or one-time paid visit, or those who have select Delta-branded American Express cards.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

How to get to the Port Canaveral cruise port

Whether you're headed straight from the airport or from a pre-cruise hotel, you have several options on how to get to the Port Canaveral cruise port. If you are headed straight to Port Canaveral from the airport, be sure to give yourself at least three hours. Your plane should land no later than 10 a.m. to ensure you can claim any luggage, get your ride and get to the port before the boarding time ends in the afternoon without feeling rushed and flustered.

Cruise line transfers

Many cruise lines that sail from Port Canaveral offer transfer services from the airport or a hotel directly to the terminal. Talk to your travel agent to be sure it's part of your overall travel package, and if it's not, ask if you can buy the transfers individually.

For example, Disney Cruise Line can offer ground transportation from local airports to the embarkation port and back to the airport when the cruise is over. The transfer is a per-person flat fee that must be added to your cruise reservation in advance through the Disney Cruise Line app. The round-trip cost is $90 per person. If you only need one-way service, you have to call Disney Cruise Line to reserve.

Related: Should I book my flight through my cruise line?

Independent airport shuttles

Cruisers looking for a transfer to and from the airport, hotel or cruise terminal can do so with independent airport shuttles. Consider companies like Airport Canaveral , where shared shuttle rides in a minibus start at $20 per person and a private van starts at $125 a ride for up to five people. If you need more room for larger parties and still want a private ride, you can rent a private Sprinter shuttle starting at $220. Airport Canaveral currently serves MCO and MLB.

Prices for these services are one-way.

You'll want to consider a few criteria when deciding between a cruise transfer or an independent shuttle. The first is how big your party is. Cruise-branded transfers are often per-person costs, while individual transfers are one price for a set amount of customers.

For example, if four people are taking a Disney cruise, the total cost for a cruise-run transfer would be $360 for round-trip service from the airport to the terminal and back to the airport at the end of your trip. For the same group, Airport Canaveral can supply a private van for $300 round-trip (the price for up to five people).

It often makes more financial sense for solo travelers or small groups of two or three to take a cruise line transfer, but larger groups can save money with independent transfers.

Beyond party size and total cost, consider time and accessibility. On a cruise-run transfer, you might have to wait for an entire busload of guests to arrive and get loaded onto the bus before departing the airport. With a private transfer, you can leave when you're ready and not have to wait for anyone else.

Additionally, most of the cruise-run transfers are on large buses, which might not be the most accessible option for folks who have trouble with stairs. If you're traveling with someone with mobility challenges, a private transfer can offer more flexibility in the type of car or shuttle you book.

Independent car services

Travelers who want a private transfer can also book an independent car or van service. Prices for car services from MCO to Port Canaveral can start around $200 for a one-way trip in a luxury car that can accommodate three people. If you need a larger vehicle, a van or SUV can start around $225 and has seats for up to six people.

Orlando Luxury Transportation is a highly rated black car service that offers airport-cruise port connections. You can book a luxury SUV from MCO to Port Canaveral for five people for around $230 or a Sprinter van seating up to 14 people for around $300.

Taxis and ride-hailing services

Getting a taxi to Port Canaveral is fairly easy. Taxi stands are on Level One of Terminals A and B at MCO. If you're flying into the new Terminal C, curbside arrivals are on Level Six.

Four cab companies serve MCO: Diamond Cab Company, Quick Cab, Town & Country Transport and Mears Taxi Yellow/City Cab. The cabs can carry up to nine passengers and charge the same fare no matter how many people are in the car. Fares are determined by a meter, but the average fare to Port Canaveral is about $115.

For a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft , head to Level Two at Terminals A and B or Level Six at Terminal C. The average route price is $69 for an Uber X and $94 for an Uber XL from MCO to Port Canaveral. Be aware that it can occasionally be challenging to get a driver to actually show up because some don't want to drive all the way to Port Canaveral from the airport if they think they won't be able to get a fare back to MCO.

Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Hotel shuttles

Many of the hotels near Port Canaveral offer shuttle service to the port. Free transfers or rental car parking can be a challenge to find, so contact the property to inquire about options before making a reservation. Hotel shuttle transfer costs can vary based on the location and type of hotel, but many cost around $10 per person.

Port Canaveral cruise port parking

On-site parking

Port Canaveral has a mix of parking garages and surface lots where you can park at your assigned terminal. On embarkation day, the parking facilities are open starting at 10 a.m. Parking costs $17 per day, plus tax, for standard vehicles and recreational vehicles. All payments are made with credit cards, and cash is not accepted. If you are parking at the Terminal 3 parking garage, E-PASS and SunPass are also accepted as payment.

You can drop your luggage off with the porters at the terminal before parking. Security makes the rounds through garages and surface lots daily.

Park-and-cruise

If you're driving to the port, but want a cheaper alternative to parking on-site, consider a park-and-cruise option. These lots offer secure parking with a cruise shuttle for a set fee.

Park N Cruise Port Canaveral offers a parking lot 2 miles from the port for $10.95 per day. The parking fee includes a free shuttle for up to four people, and additional passengers cost $5 per person. Shuttles depart every 30 minutes for the terminal.

If you plan on spending the night at a nearby hotel, look for ones that offer a park-and-cruise package that includes a hotel stay and parking for the duration of your cruise. The Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral offers a "Park, Stay, & Go" deal where you can book a room for one night and get included parking for up to seven nights, plus shuttle service to Port Canaveral.

No matter where you park, give yourself plenty of time to get to the terminal. For convenience, park at one of the on-site lots or garages. To save some money, check in to a nearby hotel or park in an off-site lot.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Hotels near Port Canaveral cruise port

You won't find a lack of hotel choices around Port Canaveral, especially in Cocoa Beach, which is the nearest city to the port. It's about 15 minutes away and a straight shot down state Road A1A from the cruise terminals. Since Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach are on the same barrier island, you'll find everything from beachfront hotels to basic accommodations near the cruise terminals, though you'll have more options the deeper into Cocoa Beach you're willing to travel.

For those who want to or need to stay in Orlando because of a late arriving flight or better points options, there are some good options near the airport in the cool Lake Nona neighborhood.

Hilton hotels near Port Canaveral

Two hotels that offer clean stays and quick overnights are the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (50,000 and 46,000 points per night, respectively).

Both are in convenient locations about 10 minutes from the cruise terminal and are walkable to nearby restaurants. The Homewood Suites by Hilton offers free breakfast , while the Hilton Garden Inn has breakfast for a fee. Either way, don't fill up on hotel pancakes when there's an incredible lunch waiting for you on the ship.

Related: Best Hilton credit cards

Marriott hotels near Port Canaveral

If you're traveling with a large or extended family, consider staying at the Springhill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach (32,000 points per night, so you could use a Marriott 35k free night certificate on some dates of the year).

The all-suite hotel has a port shuttle that costs $10.80 per person one-way, and you must call the hotel to reserve a transfer. Additionally, the hotel offers complimentary breakfast to get your day going.

Another all-suite option is the TownePlace Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach (31,000 points per night). The new hotel offers free breakfast and has two bars, including one out by the pool so adults can enjoy a cocktail while kids swim.

If you're planning to spend a few days in Orlando before your cruise, consider staying at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes (42,000 points per night). The 500-acre property is just a short drive to the theme parks for families but far enough away that it feels like an adult retreat if you don't have kids. The resort just completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, including upgrading all of the rooms and suites and adding a new water park and poolside burger bar.

Hyatt hotels near Port Canaveral

If your flight into MCO is late, consider the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport for a pre-cruise stay (9,500 points per night).

The hotel offers free breakfast, a pool and digital check-in, the latter of which is great for late incoming flights. After a good night's rest, hop on the hotel's free airport shuttle to get a ride to Port Canaveral from MCO, which will be easier to book than a ride from the hotel itself.

Non-points hotels

The Cocoa Beach area is rife with boutique hotels and accommodations that don't participate in the three major loyalty programs.

One of our favorites is The Inn at Cocoa Beach, which is right on the water. The inn has 50 rooms and is adults-only. The hotel offers a full breakfast, complimentary wine and cheese hour, beach chairs, a pool and free on-site parking.

If you're looking for a high-end hotel in Orlando to spend the night, consider the Lake Nona Wave Hotel in the heart of the booming Lake Nona neighborhood. The hotel is only 6 miles from the airport and offers luxurious suites that start at 875 square feet, with separate living room and bedroom sleeping quarters, plus a whole bath and half bath. The hotel also has one Michelin-recommended restaurant, Bacan, where the whole truffle roasted chicken is not to be missed.

Restaurants near Port Canaveral cruise port

If you need to grab breakfast or dinner during your pre-cruise stay, you'll find plenty of dining options in Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral, including beachfront seafood and great burgers. State Road A1A and state Road 520 are the main routes through the city, and that's where you'll find most of the restaurants.

For a great drink right off state Road A1A, try Ellie Mae's Tiki Bar, where you can score half-off cocktails every Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m.

If you want to wave at departing cruise ships before or after you set sail yourself, head to one of the port-facing restaurants on Glen Cheek Drive. Most of the restaurants have spacious outdoor patios where you can dine and bid bon voyage to the ships as you eagerly await the start of your own vacation at sea. A local favorite is Seafood Atlantic, which has been working with local fishermen to bring in the freshest seafood in the area since 1984.

Related: Best credit cards for dining

Things to do in Port Canaveral before or after your cruise

Since Port Canaveral is right in the middle of the state of Florida, the cruise port can be a central hub for an extended stay. If you only have a few days to extend your vacation, here are the best things you must do.

Explore the beaches

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches. If you're looking for a sandy shore right next to Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach is the spot. If you're willing to travel a bit farther, Daytona Beach has plenty of shoreline. Just be sure to skip the beach during the busy spring break season since both areas are known for an influx of college parties.

Related: What to do on Florida's Space Coast when you need a break from the theme parks

Hit a theme park or 2

Going to an Orlando theme park is a rite of passage for many families with kids. If you're cruising out of Port Canaveral, consider adding a few days to the front of your trip to explore Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort (featuring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ). Both have multiple parks, on-site hotels and transportation options to and from the airport. If your family wishes to explore Disney, you can also book transfers to and from your Disney hotel to Port Canaveral.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Just 30 minutes from Port Canaveral is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can learn about NASA and space exploration. Don't miss taking the bus tour of the facility, which is about two hours long and includes a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

If you think rockets are cool, you will want to check the rocket launch schedule for Cape Canaveral before leaving home. If you're lucky, you might be in Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach to watch a launch. Depending on the time of day, you might already be on your cruise ship, in which case, the entire ship will start to shake as a rocket lifts off.

If you're not on your ship, the best places to watch are either from the beaches or the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Shopping near Port Canaveral cruise port

If you left something at home by accident or need to stock up on supplies like bottled water for a cruise, you'll want to head to one of the major shopping centers near Port Canaveral.

The Avenue Viera is about 30 minutes from the port. The open-air mall has retailers like Kohl's, Belk and Old Navy if you need to grab a new outfit or swimsuit. The Merritt Square Mall is about 15 minutes from Port Canaveral and has large department stores like JCPenney and Sears, plus specialty stores.

If you need to bring snacks or water onto the ship, you'll find a Publix grocery store about 10 minutes from the port. You'll want to familiarize yourself with your cruise line's policies regarding carrying on prepackaged snacks, soda, alcohol and bottled water, as many limit what you can bring.

If you're looking for a souvenir shop, Cocoa Beach's North Atlantic Avenue is dotted with cute places to find T-shirts and tchotchkes. Favorites include Alvin's Island, The Funky Mermaid Cocoa Beach and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

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Texas AMBER Alert: Missing North Texas teen found safe in Austin

PRINCETON, Texas - A statewide AMBER Alert has been discontinued for a missing North Texas teenager last seen in Princeton, Texas .

The Princeton Police Department says 13-year-old Madison Carroll was found safe Saturday night in Austin by the Austin Police Department.

Madison had been seen at 2:40 a.m. August 31 in the 1000 block of Princeton Heights in Princeton, which is in Collin County.

The AMBER Alert initially labeled Madison as an abducted/missing child, but the Princeton Police Department clarified on social media that she was not abducted.

In a release posted on social media , Princeton police said officers were dispatched around 5 a.m. August 31 to a call about a potential runaway. Madison's family had not been able to locate her and contacted the police.

Princeton police later stated that Madison had been in contact with her parents throughout the day and was believed to be in the Austin area. 

Authorities were also looking for a white Dodge Ram truck. Princeton police said they had suspicions that the truck was related to her disappearance and later added that the truck was seen on video possibly picking up the teenager.

Princeton police say they are still investigating the relationship between the owner of the truck and Madison.