Port Canaveral Cruise Shuttle

Port Canaveral cruise shuttles can get you to your ship quickly and on time. Yet, as the world's second-busiest port, Port Canaveral naturally has dozens of shuttle companies competing for your business.

Reach your cruise port by shuttle, cab, or charter.

For over 25 years now, Port Canaveral has been cruising the open seas. Its first homeported sailing was in 1982 and today, it's the official homeport for five major vessels, including Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas. By 2012, five more passenger ships will join the lot. Among the new arrivals: Carnival Cruise Lines' biggest ship ever, the Carnival Dream.

With such steady business, there's a good chance that your next cruise will depart from Port Canaveral. If so, how will you get there? It depends on where you're coming from and how far you need to travel.

If you fly in, odds are you'll land at either Orlando International Airport or Melbourne International Airport. Though five airports service the area, Orlando and Melbourne are the most frequently used.

Approximately 45 miles separate Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral. Located in Brevard County, the port itself is part of Florida's 72-mile "Space Coast," comprised of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Melbourne.

To reach Port Canaveral, cruise shuttles will likely be a first option. From Orlando, a one-way trip can cost anywhere from $35 to $55 per person; while from Melbourne, rates begin at around $20. For further comparison-shopping, keep in mind:

• Ground transportation options: The Port Canaveral Authority lists more than 85 ground-transportation companies for the area. From this list, you can start to narrow down choices based on reviews, rates, and location.

• Reviews: Dedicated guides on websites, such as CruiseCritic.com give advice and offer reviews to travelers. You may want to check out which companies they recommend first. For instance, for Port Canaveral, CruiseCritic.com suggests three budget picks for shuttle service and two more for limousines. Meanwhile, Frommer's recommends [ttp://www.cbshuttle.com/port-canaveral-rates.htm Cocoa Beach Shuttle] for Orlando and Melbourne Airport Shuttle.

• Price: While a taxi will cost more than $100 from Orlando to Port Canaveral, this is a base rate. Meaning, a taxi ride will cost the same for one passenger as it would for five or six. When you consider this, it may be more feasible to take a cab to the port if you are traveling as a group.

Port Canaveral offers 3-, 4-, and 7-day cruises to destinations like Mexico, the Bahamas, and the eastern Caribbean. For cruise companies, the objective is to ensure passengers have a safe and enjoyable trip from arrival to departure, beginning at the airport. Indeed, your vacation begins once you touch down on land and doesn't end until your flight departs.

With this said, remember:

• Many cruise packages already include shuttle transportation
• The Space Coast has various places to explore including Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, and the Kennedy Space Center
• Flying into/out of Orlando gives you the option of extending your trip to include the city's many theme parks

By 2010, Port Canaveral will be the homeport for Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Disney Cruise Line. As it aims to become the busiest cruise port in the world, look for Port Canaveral to find new and innovative ways to increase traffic. Part of that solution will likely be more cruise shuttles. Keep an eye out for the ones that emerge from the pack.

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