Many cruise ships have a daily bulletin detailing the next day’s activities. It can be found in your cabin when you arrive and is usually delivered every evening thereafter. Make sure to read this newsletter as it will give you a list of everything going on aboard the ship. You might even find something enjoyable on there that you would not have known about otherwise. If you throw it away without taking a look, you might miss out. Also, don’t think you’re too cool to participate in those silly cruise activities. You’re on vacation. Let your hair down and relax! Even if you just watch the corny games, it’ll make for some great entertainment and you might even meet some new people.

Given the distance between Orlando and Port Canaveral (about 45 minutes to an hour from the airport), many people decide to stay the night before their cruise in a hotel near the port. If you decide to do this, look for hotels with shuttles. Given the competition for your spending, many hotels offer perks like shuttles to entice you to book with them. In fact, some even offer transportation from the airport. You can view our list of hotels with shuttles here. It’s an easy way to get back and forth from the cruise ship. Extra details on Port Canaveral cruise parking.

When you drive to your cruise, baggage is easy to handle. Flying brings you those bag fees, the never-ending wait at the baggage carousel and the fight to haul a family’s worth of wheeled bags through a busy airport, but driving is so much simpler: pack the car, drive, give the porters the bags, park and go. That’s right, just pull up, show your cruise line’s porters your reservation paperwork and hand your bags off to them. You only have to worry about the bags once — when you pack them in the car — then they’re safely making their way to your room. (OK, you’ll have to worry about your bags twice, but on the way back, send someone for the car while the rest of the group waits with the luggage, then load up when your car comes around.)

I always recommend that cruise passengers arrive at least a day in advance. The risk of flight delays is always a risk, and arriving early can definitely help mitigate that risk. You’ll have lots of options when choosing where to stay that night. Some guests choose to go to Walt Disney World first, while others prefer to stay near the Orlando International Airport (where they can get transportation to the port in the morning).

Since the beginning, Park N Cruise has been dedicated to industry-leading levels of quality customer service and security. Your vacation doesn’t begin on the ship! We make sure you feel secure and at home from the moment you arrive. Don’t waste time worrying when you park with us.