Weekend And Short Cruise Highlights
Indulge at the SpaThere’s no better way to relax than to spoil yourself with a massage or a spa treatment! There are many different treatments available for you to pamper yourself with.
Party into the NightDance the night away in one of the ships many nightclubs, enjoy a comedy club, or relax with friends in one of the many lounges on board.
Enjoy Many Dining OptionsMost ships now offer multiple dining options ranging from casual to gourmet and many boast specialty restaurants featuring Italian, Asian and premium Steakhouses.
Onboard ActivitiesFrom surfing to bowling to bingo or just relaxing at one of the many pools, the options are endless. Your getway cruise can be as active or relaxed as you choose.
Special Cruise Offers
Pro: Less Vacation Time Needed
A great benefit of a weekend cruise is that far less vacation time is needed compared to a 7-night cruise, especially if you live close to the departure port. By departing on Friday afternoon and returning Monday morning, its possible to take just one or two days off of work.
If you have few vacation hours or youre saving them for a longer trip, a 3-night cruise offers the chance to have a mini-vacation without sacrificing your precious PTO time.
Cruises From Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is just north of Cocoa Beach and east of Merritt Island, and is one of the busiest cruise ports in Florida. It has warm, inviting beaches, rolling surf and year round sunshine. The city of Cape Canaveral is one of the friendliest communities in northern Brevard County. Tourism and the space industry are two of the top job sectors for the residents as it is also home to the Kennedy Space Centre. Read more
In addition to its Space Coast reputation, Canaveral also boasts the historic Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Also Check: What Is The Best Cruise Ship
Should I Pick Allure Of The Seas
Allure of the Seas stands apart from the other cruise ships offering weekend sailings in that she is an Oasis Class ship. The Oasis Class ships are the largest in Royal Caribbeans fleet and are famous for their Central Park neighborhood, open-air Boardwalk, countless dining venues, and unique onboard activities and entertainment.
A 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas will almost certainly be the type of sailing where the ship is considered the destination. Whether dining outdoors in Central Park, watching impressive acrobatics and diving in the AquaTheater, or zip lining over the Boardwalk, its unlikely a weekend will be enough time to explore the entire ship!
One important distinction to note before booking a weekend cruise on Allure of the Seas is that she has a few differences compared to other Oasis Class cruise ships. While she was scheduled to be amplified in 2020, her amplification has been postponed. Therefore she does not have many features you will find on other ships offering weekend cruises, including water slides, an upgraded pool deck, and new restaurants and bars.
Port Canaverals Closest Overnight Cruise Parking Service
Park Port Canaveral is located within two miles of Port Canaveral cruise terminals servicing Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. We offer a safe, secure surface parking lot with 24/7 security patrol. FREE 5-minute shuttle with curbside drop-off at your ships terminal.
Safe & Secure! CDC COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed. On-site COVID testing is available for cruise passengers. Shuttle Bus Drivers and Ground Crew are confirmed vaccinated or tested weekly. Shuttle busses are cleaned and disinfected after every trip. Masking and social distancing are practiced to protect guests.
How close? We are located 1.5 miles or 5 minutes from Port Canaveral cruise terminals. Save Money! Our prices will save you up to 30% off on-site Port Canaveral parking. Handicap Accessible. We offer air-conditioned shuttles with lifts for wheelchair assistance. Avoid the traffic and confusion at Port Canaveral. Our FREE air-conditioned shuttle service will drop you directly in front of your cruise line terminal.
-
24/7 Security Patrol and Monitoring
-
FREE Shuttle Service
-
Clean and Secure
-
Wheelchair Friendly
Recommended Reading: What Is The Nicest Cruise Ship In The World
Which Royal Caribbean Ships Offer Weekend Cruises
While all Royal Caribbean ships may offer a 3-night cruise here and there, there are several ships that almost exclusively run on the same schedule every week. These ships tend to offer 3-night cruises from Friday afternoon to Monday morning and 4-night cruises from Monday afternoon to Friday morning.
While most ships running weekend cruises are not the newest and largest in Royal Caribbeans fleet, the majority of these ships have recently been amplified in the cruise lines Royal Amplified program. Amplifications bring an impressive upgrade to Royal Caribbean ships, adding new onboard activities, stateroom options, and dining/lounge venues.
Freedom of the Seas, a Freedom Class ship, offers year-round 3-night weekend cruises departing from Miami, visiting both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas. Freedom of the Seas was amplified in February 2020 and received a major upgrade, with additions including the Perfect Storm waterslides, a Caribbean resort-style pool deck, and the new Giovannis Italian Kitchen restaurant.
Liberty of the Seas is another Freedom Class cruise ship and she will offer 3-night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas starting in November 2022. Those booking a weekend getaway on Liberty of the Seas will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Liberty of the Seas was revamped in 2016, which added the waterslides, Splashaway Bay kids aqua park, and the Sabor Mexican restaurant.
Cheap Cruises From Port Canaveral Florida
Cheap cruises from Port Canaveral FL give you the luxury of port location near Orlando’s theme parks, and the cruise ships’ beautiful, tropical destinations. Cheap cruises from Port Canaveral FL don’t need to be difficult to find. That’s why we’ve gathered the best prices for you – so booking your family vacation means enjoying a trip that you’ll always remember.
Vacations to the Bahamas and the Caribbean have never been easier to plan than they are now with our cheap cruises from Port Canaveral FL. These locations are available to visit year-round, and other seasonal cruises can give you the opportunity to visit Bermuda, the Panama Canal, and even Barcelona on a Trans Atlantic Cruise.
Recommended Reading: Which Disney Cruise Ship Has The Aquaduck
Go Off The Beaten Path In Orlando
With so many things to do in Orlando, youll quickly discover your options are limitless. From award-winning golf courses to fascinating museums and outdoor adventures, this bustling city has fun activities for every type of adventure seeker. Before you cruise out of Orlando, venture out to explore and discover for yourself why its nicknamed The City Beautiful.
Planning Is Key For Weekend Cruises
Pack Light
Bring only the clothes you need, plus one extra outfit in an emergency. You will want a nice outfit for dinner and maybe an extra pair of shoes! Once you have all essentials in your bag, try not to tempt yourself to fill in every last space. It will just make it heavy, and you will regret it later when you have to carry it all day. Weekend cruises are the right amount of time for clearing your head and wearing too many suitable outfits. Let yourself believe that you can go without the extra dress, and you dont need the matching shoes.
Plus, you want to have room for all the stuff you will buy! It might only be a weekend getaway, but there are always treasures you will find. It would not be a vacation without things you dont need or want. Especially if you visit a new place, youve never been to or that touristy restaurant with the excellent cup you just had to pay extra for! You will want to save room in your suitcase for things like that.
You May Like: How Much Are Shore Excursions On Celebrity Cruises
Port Canaveral Cruise Guide
Millions of passengers stop by Port Canaveral each year, the cruise port located in Orlando, Florida. Major cruise lines such as Carnival, Disney, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean frequent this port. These ships primarily cruise to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. The port itself also features many family-friendly attractions nearby, making it a good place to extend your trip before or after a cruise.
A must-see is the Kennedy Space Center, an original NASA Launch Operations Center where launch operations for the famous Apollo, Skylab and others were held. The site features educational experiences, dining, an IMAX theater, and shuttle launch simulations. For more interactive fun, stop by the Exploration Tower, which has seven floors of games, exhibits, and an observation deck at the very top.
If youre looking to optimize your beach time before heading off to the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, Cocoa Beach is a popular spot. Its home to the original Ron Jon Surf Shop, where you can take surf lessons, or just soak in the warm temperature.
Lastly, no stay at Port Canaveral would be complete without a day trip to Walt Disney World. Some cruise lines even offer motorcoach transfer to the parks, so you wont need to worry about transportation. When youre just miles from the Happiest Place on Earth, visiting this park is a must, especially when travelling with kids!
How Long Are Weekend Cruises
Most weekend cruises tend to be 3-nights, leaving port on Friday afternoon and returning early Monday morning. A 3-night cruise gives the perfect length for a true weekend getaway, allowing you to forget all the stress brought on by work or school and truly escape.
Occasionally you may find 2-night cruises over the weekend, which leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday morning, although these are much less common.
Don’t Miss: What Cruise Lines Depart From San Diego
Perfect Day At Cococay
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbeans private destination in the Bahamas and is a favorite port among cruise fans. The island offers something for everyone, whether youre looking to spend the day relaxing at Chill Beach, join the party at the swim-up bar, reserve a private, floating cabana, or slide down the tallest waterslide in North America.
While its not necessary to have a plan for your day at CocoCay, its a good idea to be familiar with what is offered on the island to ensure you can book any excursions or addons in advance.
Weekend Cruise Departure Ports
Most of Royal Caribbeans regularly scheduled weekend cruises leave from the ports of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Los Angeles.
Due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act , all foreign-flagged ships departing from the United States must include an itinerary stop in a country other than the United States.
This severely limits options for weekend cruises, as any US port offering 2 and 3-night cruises must be able to travel to and from a secondary country in a short amount of time. Cruises departing from New York , for example, often visit northeast Canada, but this tends to require a 4-night minimum travel time round-trip.
Therefore, you will see weekend cruises leaving from ports closest to other countries. In Royal Caribbeans case, Florida ports have quick access to the Bahamas whereas Los Angeles is just a short distance from Mexico.
On some occasions you may find weekend cruises leaving from other ports around the world, such as Southampton, England and Haifa, Israel, although these tend to be more of a one-time cruise than a weekly itinerary choice.
Also Check: When Will Disney Cruises Resume
Wonder Of The Seas Cruises Will Launch From Orlando Starting Fall 2022
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. The worlds largest cruise ship is making a splash at Port Canaveral starting in November 2022, Royal Caribbean announced Wednesday.
People ready to set sail around the Space Coast can do so year-round in the Wonders of the Seas, Royal Caribbeans global record-breaking giant, officials said.
Cruise capacity will reach nearly 7,000 guests plus 2,300 crew members.
Weve got some of the largest ships in the world here already at Port Canaveral, and this will be the largest, Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray said. Its a ship that needs to be filled, and they have the confidence that we can do that from Port Canaveral.
The ship, which also explores Caribbean and Mediterranean coasts, takes passengers through locally loved surf spots, sprawling citrus groves, off-road motor trails and emerald golf courses, a release shows.
According to Royal Caribbean, guests can weave through the Historic Cocoa Village, St. John River marshlands, Exploration Tower and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Wonders of the Sea, the latest addition to the cruise lines Oasis family, features an AquaTheater, Playscape, climbing walls and pools, complete with the slides and simulators Ultimate Abyss and FlowRider will offer.
The Caribbean cruises will launch in March 2022, followed by Mediterranean voyages through Spain and Italy as early as May 2022.
Con: Higher Cost Per Day
A major drawback to a weekend cruise is that the cost per day of a 3-night cruise is often more expensive than the cost per day of a longer cruise. To put this into perspective, I checked the prices of two cruises: a 3-night cruise on Freedom of the Seas and a 7-night cruise on Harmony of the Seas. Both sailings take place in September, just after the summer cruise season is over.
On the 3-night sailing on Freedom of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1068. This makes the cost per day $356 per room, or $178 per person.
On the 7-night sailing on Harmony of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1,960 total. This makes the cost per day $280 per room, or $140 per person.
While the cost per day may not seem too drastic, it becomes much different once the cost of airfare and a pre-cruise hotel stay are added to the total cruise cost.
Lets say you pay $300 roundtrip in airfare and $250 for a hotel the night before your cruise. This adds $850 to your total cruise cost.
The 3-night cruise now costs $1918, making the cost per day around $639 per room, or $319 per person. The 7-night cruise, on the other hand, now costs $2,810, making the cost per day $401 per room, or around $200 per person.
Read Also: Best Hotels Near Galveston Cruise Port
Embark On An Astounding Cruise From Port Canaveral
Also known as the Space Coast, exploring before or after your Florida cruise can lead to a number of equally fantastic paths. Appreciate wonders of interstellar technology and lunar innovation by visiting the Kennedy Space Center where you can get up close and personal with the Atlantis space shuttle. For the adrenaline junkies, you can head to the exhilarating Skydive Space Center, where thrill-seekers can soar to unimaginable heights with the worlds highest tandem dive at around 5400m. Alternatively, holidaymakers seeking calmer tides before their cruise from Florida in Port Canaveral, Orlando can stroll down to the scenic Cocoa Beach or Jetty Park. Be sure to plan your next unforgettable cruise from Port Canaveral with Cruise Guru!
Which Cruise Ship Should I Pick For A Weekend Cruise
Most of Royal Caribbeans ships offering weekend cruises are extremely similar to each other. The Voyager and Freedom Class cruise ships offering 3-night cruises are almost identical in layout and onboard features. While some dining venues, bars, and water slides may differ, passengers should expect a relatively similar experience no matter which Voyager or Freedom Class ship they choose.
There are a few differences between them that should be noted, though:
- Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer different style waterslides than the others
- There is an escape room available on Independence, Mariner, and Navigator of the Seas
- Freedom Class ships are longer than Voyager Class ships, giving more space for a Splashaway Bay area for kids on the pool deck and more venues and stores inside the ship
- Freedom of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas offer the revamped Adventure Ocean kids programming, which offers kids more flexibility in activities rather than a rigid activity schedule
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Longboard For Cruising
Start Your Cruise Vacation By Staying A Few Days In Cape Canaveral/cocoa Beach
Our sister property Radisson Resort at the Port has a great park and cruise packages. Arrive a few days early and enjoy the beach, visit the Cocoa Beach Surf Company for surf lessons, beach gear, and the latest beach fashion. Choose to stay at the Four Points by Sheraton just a block from the beach and within the Cocoa Beach Surf Company Complex. Four Points stay and cruise packages offer covered parking with FREE shuttle service. The Cocoa Beach Surf Company is the largest surf complex with the best clothes, gear, equipment, and everything you need for fun under the sun!
Radisson Resort at the port logo
Destinations From Port Canaveral
Cruises from Port Canaveral are mainly focused on sailing through the extraordinary tropical paradises of the Caribbean and the incredible islands of the Bahamas. Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral stop over at magnificent ports of calls such as San Juan in Puerto Rico, Cozumel in Mexico, and Georgetown in the Cayman Islands. Easily the most popular choice, vacationers regularly book into three or four night jaunts to the sun-soaked Bahamas. Ports of call for cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral are Nassau, Castaway Cay, and CocoCay. With its fantastic proximity to the world-renowned Disneyland, Port Canaveral travellers have the opportunity to hop on a selection of magical Disney Cruises.
Travellers can moreover start their next exceptional holiday from any of the neighbouring ports in the region, this includes cruises from Miami, cruises from Tampa, and cruises from Fort Lauderdale. With so many outstanding cruises from Florida, holiday planners are often spoilt for choice! Start planning your next voyage with our cruise deals and exclusive packages from Cruise Guru today!
Read Also: How Much Is Parking At Miami Cruise Port