Pairing a Royal Caribbean Cruise with a Space Coast Weekend

By:  Jeniver Hamilton, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent

So, you have decided to book a Royal Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral. That is fabulous news! Royal Caribbean is an amazing cruise line with some terrific ships sailing some amazing itineraries from Port Canaveral Florida. Make sure you contact your favorite Marvelous Mouse Travels agent to help you secure the perfect vacation! Once the cruise deposit is made think about coming in a day or two early so you can explore the Space Coast. Not only does this relieve stress because you are not traveling on your cruise departure date (who wants flight delays or worse, cancellations, on the day your cruise is supposed to leave), but it lets you have some fun on the East Coast prior to sailing. This is a great way to experience both the relaxation of a cruise and the excitement of exploring the Kennedy Space Center and other attractions in the Space Coast area. 

The first thing to decide on is where to stay. There are lots of choices within minutes of the port. Things to consider are:

1. Do you want to be on the beach? If yes, consider Cocoa Beach!
2. Do you want to have a car during your stay? Keep in mind, you can rent a car at the Orlando International Airport and return it at the port for an easy pick up and return. This is a great way to explore the area!
3. How close to the port do you want to be?

   
   

A couple examples include:

Home2 Suites by Hilton in Cape Canaveral: Located in a shopping district, 5 minutes from Port Canaveral, and 2 miles from Cocoa Beach (2.6 miles from the Cocoa Beach Pier). All rooms have kitchens with refrigerators and microwaves. There is an outdoor pool and an onsite fitness center. Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning, and 24-hour front desk. Guests may use a cruise ship terminal shuttle for a surcharge and self-parking.

Homewood Suites by Hilton at Cape Canaveral-Cocoa Beach: 5.7 miles away from Cocoa Beach and 3.7 miles away from the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. The hotel offers an outdoor pool and barbecue area. Each suite has a microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher. There is a 24-hour front desk and there are laundry facilities, a business center, and meeting rooms. There is also a basketball court and fitness center. The Melbourne International Airport is 21 miles away.

Arriving early for the cruise takes the worry out of your embarkation day and allows you some sightseeing time on the coast. There are many attractions in the area to explore including the Brevard County Zoo, the Dinosaur Museum, the Wizard of Oz Museum, the manatee sanctuary, you can take a dolphin cruise, and of course, the Kennedy Space Center. The Kennedy Space Center has so much to see and explore you could easily spend a couple days so make sure you allow enough time, but here is a general overview of highlights of things not to miss.

1. Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit: Explore the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which is displayed in a vertical position giving you a unique perspective of this spacecraft. You can also learn about the history behind the Space Shuttle program.

   

   

   

   
   
2. Book lunch with an astronaut. If available, consider booking a lunch where you can dine with a real astronaut and ask them questions about their space experiences.
3. Astronaut Encounter. Attend a session where you can meet an astronaut.

   
   

4. IMAX Theater (included with admission): Watch space related movies offering an immersive experience. Current movies include Deep Sky and The Last Man on the Moon.
5. Heroes and Legends Exhibit: This exhibit pays tribute to the pioneers of space exploration.
   
6. Apollo and Saturn V Center: Experience the Saturn V Center, where you can see a real Saturn V rocket and learn about the Apollo missions

   

   

   

   
   
7. Space Launch Experience: A simulator ride that gives you a taste of what it feels like to launch into space. This experience is included with admission.
8. Children’s play area: An interactive play area designed to inspire young minds about space and exploration.
9. NASA Now and Then Exhibit: Explore where we are off to next including the current SpaceX launches and the missions to the Moon and Mars.
10. Behind the Gates: Exclusive access to historic launch sites and spaceflight facilities. 

The Kennedy Space Center is a fun and exciting way to spend the day before a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Everyone should consider coming in at least one day prior to sailing, not only for your own piece of mind but so you can explore the Space Coast. 

Be sure to reach out to your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent to plan you Space Coast or Royal Caribbean trip at www.marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus.