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Navigating The Port Canaveral Cruise Ship Terminals

• June 19, 2023
• • 5 min read

Navigating the Port Canaveral Cruise Ship Terminals

Port Canaveral is ranked as the busiest cruise port in the world and serves as a popular homeport for world-class cruise ships. The port is also famous for its waterfront dining, rocket launches, and other attractions unique to Florida’s Space Coast. Whether you are embarking on a cruise or just paying the port a visit, here is everything you need to know about navigating the Port Canaveral cruise terminals.

Port Canaveral is divided into two sections by the shipping channel. The northern end of the channel is home to Cruise Terminals 5, 6, 8, and 10. These terminals are easily accessed after turning off FL-528 E toward Port Canaveral/North Cargo Piers.

Cruise Terminal 5

Cruise Terminal #5 – 9245 Charles Rowland Drive

Cruise Terminal 5 is home to Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas .

The Norwegian Prima also sails from this Terminal 5.

The Marella Discovery sails from Terminal 5.

Cruise Terminal 6

Cruise Terminal #6 – 9241 Charles Rowland Drive

The majority of Carnival’s ships make use of Terminal 6 with the Carnival Magic , and Carnival Freedom sailing from this location. The Carnival Vista will join the fleet in the fall, as well as the Carnival Glory in spring of 2024.  Note: Carnival’s newest ship, the Mardi Gras , is sailing out of Cruise Terminal 3 on the B side, which was specifically built to accommodate her.

Cruise Terminal 8

Cruise Terminal #8 – 9155 Charles Rowland Drive

With the theme parks close by, it comes as no surprise that three Disney ships call Port Canaveral home. The Dream , Fantasy , and new Disney Wish currently dock at Cruise Terminal 8.

Cruise Terminal 10

Cruise Terminal #10 – 9005 Charles Rowland Drive

Cruise Terminal 10 is primarily utilized by Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships. The Escape currently sails from this terminal. The Getaway will begin sailing from this terminal in April of 2023 and the Jade and Epic will join them in 2024. 

The MSC Divina and MSC Meraviglia set sail from Terminal 10 also. The MSC Seaside will join them for part of 2023 as well, followed by the Seashore in November.

The majority of Port Canaveral’s dining and entertainment is located on the south side of the channel with Cruise Terminals 1, 2, and 3. These terminals are easily accessed by following FL-528 E and taking the George King Blvd exit.

Cruise Terminal 3

Cruise Terminal #3 – 220 Christopher Columbus Drive

One of the port’s most impressive additions, the newly-constructed Cruise Terminal 3, was built specifically for the Mardi Gras — Carnival’s newest and largest ship. The Carnival Liberty also sails out of this terminal.

Cruise Terminal 1

Cruise Terminal #1 – 9050 Discovery Road

Cruise Terminal 1 was made to handle some of Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships. Harmony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas , and Independence of the Seas currently sail from this terminal. Adventure of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will be joining the fleet in the fall of 2023. Voyager of the Seas will sail from this terminal as well in 2024. 

Port Canaveral Hotels, Transportation, and Parking

Are you cruising from Port Canaveral? Trying to find transportation on embarkation or debarkation day can be super stressful with surge pricing, difficult to navigate terminals, and many people trying to book making it difficult to secure a ride. This plus the cost of hotels can make your pre & post embarkation very expensive. That’s why we suggest bundling your transportation and hotel stays with Go Port .  Their Fly Snooze Cruise packages include airport pick-ups, hotel stays and transportation to Port Canaveral, making navigating the Port Canaveral terminal a breeze! Book Fly Snooze Cruise here . 

They also offer a large variety of other packages for parking or transportation only. You can set sail stress-free knowing Go Port will get you to your ship’s terminal with plenty of time to board. Let Go Port take care of everything you need ashore so you can make the most of your vacation. Book with Go Port here .

Dining & Entertainment

Cruise Terminal B is home to The Cove as well as Port Canaveral’s restaurant and retail area. Eateries such as Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Ba r , Seafood Atlantic, and Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar offer classic seaside meals, drinks, and live music. The Cove offers both indoor and outdoor seating with tiki bars for guests to enjoy sail-aways.

Exploration Tower

Port Canaveral’s Exploration Tower can also be found in Cruise Terminal B. This seven-story icon features indoor and outdoor observation decks, interactive exhibits, a leisure and recreation theater, café, and gift shop.

Jetty Park, located near Cruise Terminal 3, offers cruisers 4.5 acres of sandy beaches perfect for viewing rocket launches and sail-aways. This family-friendly park also features a concession stand for food, bait, and tackle. A fishing pier, pavilion rentals, and a playground area are also available on-site.

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• Tags: Cruise Terminal , Port Canaveral , Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal

David Leadbeater

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I live in seattle and need transfers to Orlando mco for November 19th ncl debarkation. Can’t seem to understand web site. Help!

Hi, Sharon! If you’re flying into MCO Airport, we offer cruise shuttles from Orlando Airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral terminals, and vice versa. You can book at: https://www.goport.com/port-canaveral-transportation

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Port Canaveral Port Overview (Parking, Terminals, and Maps)

If you’re heading out to Port Canaveral, there’s some great news. Despite being one of the busiest cruise ports in the world — serving roughly 4 million passengers each year — the port is a breeze to navigate.

Still, if you’re unfamiliar with the area getting to your ship can be a little confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help get you where you’re going.

Getting Acquainted with the Cruise Port

Starting out, it helps to have an overview of the port before you get there. The port is located about 45 minutes due east of Orlando, on Cape Canaveral. Don’t worry about not being able to find it. There is only one road from Orlando to Cape Canaveral — Florida 528 (a toll road also know as the “Beachline”).

The Beachline take you directly to Port Canaveral. We’ve highlighted it below:

Assuming you are coming from Orlando, once you reach Cape Canaveral (after going over two causeways), you will see a roadsign giving you two options. You can either stay on the Beachline to head toward the “B” cruise terminals or you can exit to your right to go to the “A” cruise terminals.

The “A” terminal is where the large cruise ships — Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival — make their home. You will take this exit to your right and make a large loop around. Once you make the loop, you will see the cruise ships almost directly ahead of you.

Continue down this road and you will head straight until you are almost past all the cruise terminals. Eventually you will see a large blue sign listing all the cruise lines with an arrow that tells you to veer to the right. Just past that, you will see a single lane exiting to the right. This exit will lead you to the cruise terminals.

To know where to go next, you need an overview of the cruise terminals at Port Canaveral. While the port is large, each of the major cruise line has its own dedicated terminals.

Carnival uses terminals 5&6. Disney uses terminal 8. Royal Caribbean uses terminal 10.

We’ve mapped out the location of the terminals below:

Carnival Cruise Terminals (#5 & #6)

Once you exit, you will continue straight (there will be signs directing you) to head to the Carnival cruise terminals. As you continue straight, you will pass directly in front of the terminals, giving you a chance to drop off passengers or luggage.

On your left you will see the parking garage and parking lots. Things can get a little confusing, so we’ve included the map below to who you the path you can take to pass in front of the two terminals and then continue on to the parking lot.

Disney Cruise Terminal (#8)

To get to Disney’s port (Terminal #8), you will take a right after exiting from the main road into the port. Once you exit, you will loop around to your right, before heading back south — the direction from which you originally came into the port.

As you head south, you will want to look for the left lane, which will be marked on the asphalt with a large arrow that says “Disney” underneath. Eventually this lane will turn to the left, and head to the terminal.

Once you turn, we suggest staying in the left two lanes. This will take you through a point where you can drop off passengers or luggage. From there, you will see the parking area on your left. The entrance is on the left, just past the parking garage.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal (#10)

If you are sailing Royal Caribbean, you will take a right after exiting from the main road into the port. Once you exit, you will loop around to your right, before heading back south — the direction from which you originally came into the port.

From here you will pass the Disney terminal on your left. Keep going. Eventually the road loops around toward the ship and the Royal Caribbean terminal.

Parking is on your right so you will want to be in the rightmost lane, exiting just before you reach the parking garage and surface lot.

One thing to keep in mind no matter where you cruise from — help is just a question away. Cruise days are busy, and the port understands that many people aren’t sure exactly where they should go. Don’t hesitate to ask.

More on Cruising From Port Canaveral

Getting to Port Canaveral — Transportation options from airports and the Port Canaveral area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.

Port Canaveral Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.

Port Canaveral Park and Cruise Hotels — If you plan to stay in the area the night before your cruise, look at this list of hotels that offer cruise parking with a one-night stay.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies.

Is the number 9 bus route close to the cruise terminal ?

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Home » Ports of Call » Florida » Port Canaveral » Complete Guide to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port

Complete Guide to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port

Our Guide to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port will help answer many frequently asked questions for those planning a cruise from this location.

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While Miami is known as the cruise capital of the world, another cruise port in Florida shouldn’t be forgotten. Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port. In fact, it processes over 4.5 million passengers each year with more growth on the horizon.

If you are planning a cruise from this eastern Florida location, we have our complete Guide to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port to help answer many frequently asked questions.

Cruise Lines That Sail From Port Canaveral

The Port Canaveral Cruise Port has five main cruise terminals, with the new Terminal 3 scheduled to debut. This terminal is ready and waiting to process passengers sailing on the brand new Carnival Mardi Gras once cruising resumes.

When arriving at the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal for your cruise, there will be large electronic signs directing passengers to the correct terminals.

For a general sense of the area, the port is divided into North and South sides. The North side, or A terminals, include terminals 5, 6, 8, and 10. The South side, or B terminals, include 1, 2, and 3.

Cruise Terminal 1 is the location for most Royal Caribbean cruise ships that sail from Port Canaveral. Currently, Royal Caribbean has plans for Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas , Independence of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas to cruise from Port Canaveral.

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Cruise Terminal 3 is the brand new cruise terminal set to process Carnival Mardi Gras passengers. This $163 million project includes a 188,000 square foot terminal and an adjacent garage accommodating 1,800 cars.

Cruise Terminals 5 and 6 also primarily service Carnival Cruise Line, as this brand usually has the most ships sailing out of Port Canaveral. Currently, Carnival plans to have Elation, Liberty, and Magic sailing from this cruise port.

This is of course in addition to the brand new Mardi Gras.

Cruise Terminal 8 is where Disney Cruise Line’s ships depart. Given Port Canaveral’s proximity to Walt Disney World in Orlando, it’s no surprise that Disney Cruise Line would have a few ships in this location.

Currently, Disney Cruise Line is scheduled to sail Disney Dream and Fantasy from Port Canaveral.

Related Post: Beginner’s Guide to Cruise Planning

Cruise Terminal 10 services Norwegian Cruise Line. According to Norwegian Cruise Line’s website, Norwegian Escape is the only ship currently scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral once cruising resumes.

Of note, MSC Cruises will begin sailing from Port Canaveral for the first time as well. This cruise line will offer sailings on Seaside and Divina from Port Canaveral beginning in 2021.

Flying to Port Canaveral for a Cruise

Port Canaveral’s not far from the Bahamas. So, this cruise port is popular for short 3 and 4-day cruises. These cruises often visit cruise line private islands such as Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay ,.

Several popular cruises also visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay , or Disney’s Castaway Cay.

While many Florida locals do drive to the port, many cruisers still fly here for cruise vacations. The closest airport to Port Canaveral is MCO. Orlando International Airport hosts plenty of airlines from destinations across the country.

So, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a flight.

This airport is located approximately 45 minutes from Port Canaveral. Thus, you should plan your flights appropriately if you plan to fly in the day of your cruise.

Though, we never recommend doing so. We always recommend cruisers fly the day before to avoid any potential travel delays.

Related Post: How to Budget for a Cruise

Once you arrive at the airport, you will have several transportation methods. Some of these options will depend on whether you fly in the day before or the day of your cruise.

Transportation to and from the Port Canaveral Cruise Port

As mentioned previously, if you live within driving distance of Port Canaveral, you will likely be driving to the cruise terminal. If you are driving, we will discuss parking options a bit later. However, there are several other transportation options available.

If you are arriving the day of your cruise, a cruise line transfer from the airport might be the easiest option, though likely not the cheapest.

Many cruise lines offer an option to book this transportation pre-cruise. Once at the airport, a cruise line representative will greet you at baggage claim and escort you and your luggage to the check-in area. After checking-in, you will board the next departing bus to the ship. 

These transfers will run upwards of $35 per person and do run on set time schedules.

There are also several independent shuttle options. These shuttle options may include shuttles from the airport to the cruise terminal and/or hotel shuttles from the airport. These shuttle services tend to be cheaper than transportation arranged through the cruise line.

Some of these options include Contrans Shuttle Service , Cocoa Beach Shuttle , and Mears Transportation . Of course, some hotels themselves offer transportation, sometimes complimentary, from the airport. Most often, these shuttles are a shared service and run on a set time schedule.

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Shared Ride Services are probably the most popular form of transportation in recent years. Popular apps like Uber and Lyft are allowed to pick-up/drop-off passengers at both the airport and the cruise port.

The cost of using these services varies base on the type of vehicle you choose but average between $60-$90. So, depending on your party size and amount of luggage, this option may or may not save you money. While Uber or Lyft are convenient and often cheaper, the issue is quality control among drivers.

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GoPort is another nice option offering packages that can include hotel accommodations, airport transportation, and cruise transfers for one set price. The company also offers shared shuttle service from the airport to the cruise port for as low as $19.99.

Parking at the Port Canaveral Cruise Port

If you are driving to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port, the Official Port Canaveral Cruise Parking is the most convenient option available. This “official” cruise parking is the only area directly adjacent to each of Port Canaveral’s cruise terminals.

With this option, you can park at your cruise terminal’s designated parking garage and simply take a short walk to your ship. The current parking rate is $17 per day, including day of arrival and day of departure.

The Port does not own or operate any off-site parking facilities. Though, independent off-site parking lots can be a cheaper option. This will entail taking a shuttle from the lot to the cruise terminal.

One of these options is the GoPort Plaza . Packages start at a flat fee of $55, plus $5 for each additional traveler. For a week-long cruise for two, this would be over 50% savings.

Park Port Canaveral and Canaveral Cruise Parking are other options as well.

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Of course, if you opt for a pre-cruise stay in a hotel, many hotels also offer cruise and stay packages which can include parking.

Hotels Near Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal

When preparing for your cruise, you should consider planning a pre-cruise stay before the vacation. 

When cruising from Port Canaveral, you will have a number of hotel options. You could opt to stay closer to the Orlando airport and make the commute to the port in the morning.

Or, you could choose a hotel that is located closer to the port or nearby Cocoa Beach. Better yet, you could spend a few days at Disney World or Universal Studios before your cruise.

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson , Radisson Resort at the Port , and Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral are among the closest to the Port Canaveral Cruise Port. You can also find our top picks for the Best Hotels Near Port Canaveral right here on the blog!

Top Things to Do Near Port Canaveral

Serving as an embarkation port as well as a port of call on some Bahamas cruises , you might be wondering what activities there are to enjoy while visiting Port Canaveral. Whether you are visiting Florida’s Space Coast for the day or plan to spend a few pre-cruise or post-cruise days in the area, you will have several options.

Given the proximity to Orlando, one of the obvious choices is to visit your favorite theme park. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are both located about an hour away. Walt Disney World is home to the popular Magic Kingdom theme park and Epcot which hosts various festivals throughout the year like the Food and Wine Festival. Additionally, Hollywood Studios is home to the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, and Animal Kingdom has Pandora- The World of Avatar.

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Harry Potter fans will love visiting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Not mention, there are plenty of thrill rides and the Volcano Bay waterpark.

Further, Kennedy Space Center is one of the most popular attractions near Port Canaveral. Admission to this active spaceflight facility includes a variety of exhibits and attractions. To enjoy everything Kennedy Space Center has to offer, plan on spending at least one full day here.

Related Post: Top Things to Do Near Port Canaveral

If you want to grab a bite to eat in the area, Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar and Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill are two popular options. These restaurants are located right at the pier and are cruiser favorite spots to watch the ships sail out of port.

Of course, there are several other activities in the area as well. If you are looking for more options, see below.

Have you cruised from the Port Canaveral Cruise Port? What are some of your best hotels and things to do in the area? Drop us an anchor below to share your Port Canaveral cruise tips.

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Very good information. Also to add that ATC Buses Orlando has started to offer shuttle service between Orlando International Airport ( MCO) and Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal for individuals as well as groups.

We have an overnight stop at Port Canaveral, are there buses to take us to Disney World from the port?

Excellent service as always. Friendly staff, very professional.I have no hesitation in recommending the company to all.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Information

Last updated on June 12th, 2023 at 03:07 pm

Modern, efficient, and bustling, Port Canaveral offers seamless embarkation. Enjoy stunning views, streamlined check-in, and attentive staff. With its prime location and top-notch facilities, the terminal sets the stage for an unforgettable cruise adventure.

Port Canaveral is located at 1492 Charles M. Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 .

The Orlando International Airport is located approximately 45 miles to the west of the port and is serviced by most domestic and many international airlines. Port Canaveral is located near the center of the east coast of Florida. With seven cruise terminals, it is well equipped to handle the millions of passengers that pass through its gates every year. Each terminal has it’s own parking lot for easy access to the ship and signs will direct which ships are docked at which terminal.

Port Canaveral – Cruise Terminal Locations 

The following terminals are on the A side – North Side of the port.  When coming in A1A from Orlando, take exit 54A:

• Cruise Terminal #5 – 9245 Charles Rowland Drive
• Cruise Terminal #6 – 9241 Charles Rowland Drive
• Cruise Terminal #8 – 9155 Charles Rowland Drive ( Disney Cruises Terminal )
• Cruise Terminal #10 – 9005 Charles Rowland Drive

The following terminals are on the B side – South side of the port. When coming in A1A from Orlando, take exit 54 B.

• Cruise Terminal #1 – 9050 Discovery Road
• Cruise Terminal #3 – 220 Christopher Columbus Drive ( Carnival Cruises Terminal )

Disney Cruises Terminal Port Canaveral

Terminal 8 is Disney Cruises Terminal in Port Canaveral. During the cruise hiatus in 2020, some updates were made to the terminal to enhance customer convenience. 

Take a look at this video to see a tour of the terminal:

Carnival Cruise Terminal Port Canaveral

Terminal 3 was built specifically for the 2021 arrival of Carnival’s newest and largest ship, the Mardi Gras. 

Check out this video tour of T3!

Click below for more information: – Port Canaveral Transportation – Cruise Parking in Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral Embarkation Tips :

– boarding can start as early as 11:00am, but lines can be long. It is recommended to arrive no earlier than a half hour before the departure time given you by your cruise line. – have your cruise tickets and ID out to show at the port gate

Cruises From Port Canaveral

The following cruise lines  call Port Canaveral their homeport:

Carnival Cruise  

Disney Cruise  

Royal Caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Weather in Port Canaveral

In Florida, summer typically begins in early May and lasts until September. During these months, temperatures can reach as high as 32°C (90°F), and there is a good chance of thunderstorms occurring. The weather is much cooler during January to March, but the temperatures never get really chilly, compared to winters in the more northern states.

Click the helpful links below: – Port Canaveral Webcam – check out what’s coming in and out of port – Port Canaveral Hotels Near the Port – See Excursions in Port Canaveral area

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

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Independence of the Seas cruise ship review: What to expect on board a Freedom-class megaship

Editor's Note

You can get a good preview of the cruise ahead of you by lingering at the pool deck buffet on embarkation day. At lunch on Royal Caribbean 's Independence of the Seas, I sat a few tables away from a large group of women toasting each other with drinks before bursting out with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." I lost count of the number of groups I saw wearing matching T-shirts, most proclaiming family reunions, milestone birthdays and bachelorette parties.

I didn't see the actual bride, who'd boarded earlier. Presumably, she was still at her wedding reception in a private location. (I found out later three couples got married during my sailing.)

The crowd was young on my long-weekend Bahamas cruise. I saw a lot of folks in their 20s and 30s, as well as families with kids on a last hurrah before school started. But the reunion groups spanned at least three generations (possibly four?). The crowd was culturally diverse, and I heard a lot of Spanish on this sailing, but the vast majority hailed from Florida.

They all had one thing in common — a desire to have the most fun possible on a quick three-day trip. The ship and its smiling crew were happy to accommodate, serving up drinks, leading wild competitions and doling out cone after cone of soft-serve ice cream on hot Bahamian afternoons.

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

Some trips are for seeing the sights or experiencing a new culture. A quick cruise on Independence of the Seas is all about letting the good times roll with some fun in the sun. On that promise, the ship totally delivers.

Overview of Independence of the Seas

The 154,407-ton Independence of the Seas is 15 decks high and carries 3,864 passengers at double occupancy (or 4,627 at maximum occupancy) in 1,932 cabins. It was built in 2008, and its last major refurbishment was in 2018. Currently, it's deployed on short three- and four-night itineraries out of Florida to the Bahamas.

The ship is part of Royal Caribbean's Freedom class, the precursor to the line's beloved yet notoriously giant Oasis class. When they debuted, Independence of the Seas and its Freedom-class sisters (Freedom and Liberty — sense a theme?) were the world's largest ships. They introduced new concepts to the cruise line, including the FlowRider surf simulator, oversized hot tubs cantilevered off the sides of the ship and a water park for kids.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Fun fact: The ship's fitness center originally had a large boxing ring in the center and boxing workouts, but the ring has since been removed.

More than a decade later, the ship is no longer the biggest or the most innovative, the Wipeout Bar is gone and the water park has been revamped. Yet it still has all the hallmarks of a modern megaship with multiple dining and drinking venues, wow-factor entertainment (including a Broadway musical), plenty of active fun and room to sunbathe.

The ship still makes the top 40 hit list of biggest ships in the world, beating out much more recently built vessels such as Disney Wish , Discovery Princess and Norwegian Prima . It can accommodate all kinds of travelers, from budget-conscious vacationers staying in inside cabins to well-off families booking the largest suites, and offers activities for folks who like to stay active, those who want to lounge in the sun and partiers looking for a great time.

With so much to do on board, you won't feel like you're on an old ship. You'll feel like you're on an action-packed ship — one that might be the perfect size for active friends and family looking to have outsized fun on a quick getaway.

What I loved about Independence of the Seas

The ship's energy is high.

Short cruises don't always have the best reputation. "They're party cruises," people sneer, as if the megaship is one humongous den of debauchery with thousands of wasted weekend warriors on board. That's not at all what a short sailing on Independence of the Seas is like.

What a short cruise really translates into is a high-energy sailing because your shipmates know they have only a limited time to make the most of the ship's amenities and time in port. Onboard events will be packed with guests all-in on the fun, whether that's cheering on contestants in a game show or singing along with a musician in a bar. People screamed for their favorites at the "Finish the Lyric" game like it was a college football game, and I watched three, if not four, generations of families dancing the merengue together at the Latin bar Boleros.

You'll also encounter a ton of groups — birthday celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family reunions, anniversaries, even onboard weddings. The upshot is that the whole sailing takes on a celebratory vibe, even when you're not part of a group. The sense of fun is contagious, and you find yourself wanting to join in wherever the people are because you know you'll have a good time.

I'm sure that people got drunk on my cruise (stay away from the swim-up and floating bars on Royal Caribbean's private island if you wish to avoid them). But I didn't see any sloppy drunk guests stumbling through the public decks or getting sick in cabin hallways. Maybe that's because I went to bed at a reasonable hour. Mostly, I encountered groups of people ready to have the best time at every event around the ship, whose energy was infectious and made all the activities a bit more high-octane and fun.

Independence of the Seas doesn't feel huge or overly crowded

Royal Caribbean excels at passenger flow on its ships, which makes its megaships feel manageable. Independence of the Seas is easy to navigate, and I rarely had the "you can't get there from here" experience I've had on other cruise lines.

The ship is divided into three sections, top to bottom. The upper decks (11 to 15) are where you'll find all the outdoor fun and activities, as well as the buffet and spa. The middle decks (6 to 10) contain exclusively cabins and suites, so you can ignore all of these except the deck where your room is located. (You'll find a smattering of accommodations on the top and lower decks.) The bottom decks (3 to 5) feature the Promenade with its bars and shops and the main indoor attractions — the dining room, the casino, the theater and ice rink.

Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

I quickly learned where everything was located, essential on a short cruise. Better yet, I didn't encounter any bottlenecks where too many people were forced into too small a corridor or transit space. The Promenade was always bustling but never shoulder to shoulder. I always found a seat in the performance spaces, even when they were packed.

In short, I never felt like I was trapped in a mass of humanity in the middle of the ocean with no escape.

The buffet is well designed with great choices

As I've written about before, I'm not a huge fan of the cruise ship buffet . But for a mass-market cruise ship, Independence of the Seas has a pretty great buffet.

Related to my point above, I never felt that "trapped in a crowd" feeling at the buffet. Sure, it was bustling and busy. Sometimes I had to look around for a table for two. But the size of the venue and the station layout (versus one long buffet line) meant that people could move freely and select their dishes without waiting in slow-moving queues.

I also appreciated that the buffet had a lot of choices at dinner time. I've been on Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises ships, where I found the options limited at dinner. Independence had as much variety in the evening as at lunchtime, with gluten-free and interesting international (mostly Asian and Indian) stations, as well as a well-stocked salad bar and always-available burgers and hot dogs. Daily-rotating themed stations offered interesting options, such as Jamaican food on the night I stopped by.

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

The breakfast options had everything you'd expect to find, as well as an unexpected international station with Indian breakfast dishes. I admit I didn't put the made-to-order omelet counter through timed trials, but the steam-tray scrambled eggs were actually pretty moist for bulk-made eggs.

I was sad that I didn't have time to eat at the buffet for dinner, and that's a thought I rarely have when cruising!

What I didn't love about Independence of the Seas

The ship is showing its age.

Independence of the Seas had a major refurbishment in 2018, but in the five years since then, its cabins have seen a lot of wear and tear.

My balcony cabin was comfortable, with all the space I needed, but you didn't need a magnifying glass to tell it had been well-used. The couch was stained, the mirrored bathroom cabinets chipped, the picture frames scratched — and there was a gap between the bottom of one of the nightstand drawers and the front edge where small items could fall through. When I was putting my toiletries away, one of the triangular shelves fell down, even though I had only put a few items on it.

The cabin decor doesn't feel modern either, with a green leaf-patterned carpet, blonde wood furniture and striped curtains.

None of these quibbles impacted my enjoyment of the cruise, but set your expectations if you're hoping for a pristine, Insta-worthy room.

The drink menu is boring

I'm not a big drinker, but I love a craft cocktail — partly because they're interesting and partly because I can never think of what drink to order and I prefer to select from a preset menu. I've been loving going to bars on ships like Carnival Celebration and Oceania's Vista and checking out all the creative drink options.

So imagine my disappointment when I asked for the cocktail menu at Independence of the Seas' two specialty restaurants, Chops Grille and Giovanni's Table, and was handed the same cocktail menu found at every generic bar on board. No, I don't want a pina colada with my fancy steak, thank you very much. Where were the fun cocktails themed to each restaurant like I found at the Mason Jar restaurant on sister ship Wonder of the Seas ?

Related: Royal Caribbean drink packages: Everything you need to know

I did find a more interesting drink menu at the Schooner Bar (desert pear margarita, anyone?), but that was the only time I saw a different cocktail list. For a ship that loves to party, I was disappointed that Royal Caribbean hasn't hopped on the creative cocktail trend like some of its competitor cruise lines. I've since learned the Schooner Bar menu is new, so if it's successful, perhaps Royal Caribbean will add new cocktail menus to other bars on board.

Independence of the Seas cabins and suites

Independence of the Seas offers four main types of cabins: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view rooms with picture windows that don't open, balcony cabins with private verandas and bigger suites. The latter range from 364-square-foot junior suites to the humongous 1,649-square-foot Royal Suite (sizes include balcony space).

Some of the more unusual accommodations on this ship include inside-facing cabins with windows overlooking the Royal Promenade indoor mall and Panoramic Ocean-view cabins and suites on decks 11 and 12, which have wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Note that if you book Promenade Interior cabin 6305, your view will be blocked by the butts of the cow statues above the ship's Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor. To apologize for the obstruction, Royal Caribbean gives this room's residents one complimentary Ben & Jerry's ice cream every day of the sailing.

My room on Independence of the Seas was just down the hall but facing the sea. I had a balcony cabin, the most popular room type on most ships. It offered plenty of room for two people, and I don't think it would be a problem with an extra person sleeping on the pullout sofa.

The room has two twin beds that can be pushed together into a queen-sized bed. Bedside lamps with focused reading lights and one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands flank the beds. The living area features a long sofa that could seat three or four (and transform into a bed) and a glass coffee table.

Opposite is a large desk/vanity with a lighted mirror, six medium and three shallow drawers (one for the hair dryer) and an empty mini-fridge. Small shelves are hidden behind the two narrow side mirrors, with another glass shelf above the flat-screen TV.

The TV is not interactive. It has roughly 30 channels of sports, news, movies and kids programming, plus a bunch of cruise ship-sponsored channels.

A two-door closet looked small but had ample hanging space for two people on a three-night cruise, plus five shelves and a safe tucked into the corner. I appreciated the full-length mirror and metal hooks by the door for hanging jackets or hats.

The bathroom is small but serviceable. The round shower has two sliding doors, and I didn't hurt myself when I dropped my conditioner bottle and had to retrieve it off the floor mid-shower. The shower has two metal shelves and a movable wand showerhead.

Storage includes three towel racks and four hooks on the back of the door. The corner mirror hides a three-shelf vanity, and there's a long shelf below the sink.

Bathrooms are stocked with bath and hand towels, wash cloths, one bar soap, a pump dispenser of a shampoo-body wash combo in the shower and tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion.

On such a short cruise, I did not spend much time on my balcony, other than to dry wet bathing suits. It has two upright chairs (with one level of recline) and a round table that could easily accommodate a room service breakfast order.

The decor, as mentioned earlier, is rather dated and showing some wear. The room is clearly ready for a refresh, as stains, chips and dings in the furnishings are visible. These minor details didn't bother me, but if you're expecting new and modern, please readjust your expectations.

What did bother me was the connecting door to the cabin next door. It was not open but sound carried — and this included my neighbor hacking and coughing loudly whenever I was trying to go to sleep. To compare, I couldn't hear anything from the cabin on the other side without a connecting door.

Related: The ultimate guide to choosing a cabin on a cruise ship

If you wish to upgrade and book a suite on Independence of the Seas, you have a choice of Royal, Owner's, Grand, Panoramic and Junior Suite options. Different suite types come with different Royal Suite Class perks , which may include access to the Suite Lounge on Deck 14 (just off the Viking Crown Lounge).

Independence of the Seas restaurants and bars

Independence of the Seas offers plenty of restaurant and bar choices, especially since it's currently sailing short cruises. It has a good mix of free and extra-fee, casual and fancy dining options. I enjoyed all my meals on board, but most of them didn't blow me away. I appreciated the varied personality of the many bars. You could find your favorite and return night after night or try someplace new with every drink.

Restaurants

The heart of Independence of the Seas' dining lineup is its three-deck-high main dining room, with a Shakespearean decor theme. You'll be assigned a table location based on your group size and dining time selection.

If you choose early or late dining (where you'll have the same table location, tablemates and waiters each night), you'll be assigned to a table on deck 3, 4 or 5 for a 5:30 p.m. dinner or on deck 4 or 5 at 8 p.m. with Choose My Time Dining, the line's flexible dining option. You can ask for a table on Deck 3 anytime between 6:45 and 9 p.m. and change up your dining time nightly. (If you want to eat at 6 p.m., you're out of luck, apparently.)

Deck 3 is also where breakfast and lunch are served (not offered every day so check the app for times). Breakfast is a similar selection to the buffet, but made to order and waiter-served. More out of the ordinary options include a breakfast power wrap, breakfast burrito and a market vegetable breakfast bowl. Lunch is a three-course affair with appetizers, entrees and dessert. Entrees might be a lamb pita, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, butternut squash risotto or roasted Atlantic cod.

Dinner might be themed (such as Taste of the Caribbean) with an on-theme chef's recommended three-course meal. Entrees will include seafood, chicken, beef, pasta and a vegetarian option. One Indian dish is offered nightly, usually meat-based with a vegetarian option available upon request. You can order premium selections, such as Maine lobster tail, surf and turf or a filet mignon from the ship's Chops Grille steakhouse, for an extra fee (ranging from $16.99 to $34.99).

Wine, soda and cocktails are available for an extra fee.

Related: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining: Everything you need to know

I dined here on Jamaican night and enjoyed a jerk chicken dish that had more spice and flavor than your average cruise ship entree. The waiters were friendly and ready with suggestions of the best choices that evening. After two long dinners the previous night, I didn't feel a need to linger over my meal, and the dining room staff was accommodating of my request to be out in time for a 7:30 show.

Cruise ship buffets don't always have the best reputation, but I've been impressed with Independence of the Seas' Windjammer Cafe. Found on Deck 11 aft, the expansive dining area is well set up to accommodate the crowds. I easily found tables on all visits (including embarkation day) and never waited in line, thanks to multiple food stations scattered throughout the space. There's no outdoor seating, but there are plenty of windows. The aft stations are different from the side stations, so do a loop before choosing.

Breakfast has all the obvious options: hot and cold cereal, breakfast breads and pastries, waffles and pancakes, eggs and omelets, breakfast meat, yogurt and fruit. A small Asian section has less typical choices (not just at breakfast but at all three meals). Lunch features American and Continental hot dishes, a salad bar, a burger and hot dog bar, an Asian station and dessert.

Dinner has just as extensive a menu as lunch and often has a theme. In addition to the standard hot entrees, burger bar, meat carving station, salad bar and dessert, I saw counters serving Jamaican specialties, some made fresh at the buffet, and was tempted to skip the main dining room to sample some of the dishes.

There's also a gluten-free counter at lunch and dinner for folks with dietary restrictions.

Independence of the Seas has three marquee, extra-fee specialty restaurants and a host of fee-free and a la carte casual options. They're often emptiest on the first night, but I didn't see any discount offers for booking on night one.

The ultimate date night restaurant is the ship's American steakhouse, Chops Grille. You can choose from four steak options, four seafood dishes (including Maine lobster), roast chicken or rack of lamb (our choice — it was very flavorful). Vegetarians will have to request something off menu.

Your protein comes naked on the plate, so dress it up with sauces and sides, not to mention appetizers, soups, salads and dessert. The pretzel mini-baguettes and mushroom soup are not to be missed. Dessert was enjoyable but no huge wow factor. A meal costs $62.99 for dinner ($14.99 for kids ages 6-12) and $26.99 for lunch.

If you're going to splurge on dinner, I'd recommend the ship's Italian eatery Giovanni's Table instead. It's a tad cheaper at $47.99 per person for dinner ($14.99 for kids) or $22.99 for lunch, and I thought my meal there was nicer than the one at Chops.

Everything I ordered was delicious, from the bright green arugula salad starter to the gnocchi gorgonzola pasta (save your stomach and order a half portion!) and perfectly cooked branzino fish. You could probably skip dessert here, but a companion and I enjoyed the chocolate-hazelnut cake and panna cotta with strawberry and basil flavors.

Both Chops and Giovanni's are located across from each other by the entrance to the Windjammer Cafe buffet. Lunch is not always offered on every cruise in these venues so check the app for dining times for your sailing.

The third specialty restaurant Izumi is tucked away in an easily missed spot on Deck 4 by the Schooner Bar. It's got five hibachi tables that can seat up to 10 people each. Choose your protein and be ready for a dinner performance that will have food flying, people singing and you in stitches. Alternatively, come for sushi at the bar or scattered two-tops. Don't like eating seafood raw? You can order other Japanese favorites, such as beef or chicken teriyaki, ramen, miso soup and gyoza dumplings.

Sushi seating can only be done on board in person at the restaurant. Pricing is a la carte, though you can pay a flat rate of $39.99 and receive half rolls with each order. Hibachi reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. Pricing ranges from $54.99 to $59.99 per person ($14.99 for kids) depending on your protein selection. Sushi is an additional cost.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

The Promenade features a number of casual dining venues. Sorrento's is the late-night pizza parlor, open until 2 or 3 a.m. nightly. Eat all the pizza you want; it's included in your cruise fare. Cheese and pepperoni are always available, with a third flavor that changes daily. You can always request vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free pizzas to be made special for you.

Follow up your pie with a scoop of ice cream at Ben & Jerry's, which offers 10 flavors in cups or cones for $2.50 to $4. Shakes are also available.

One of the most popular venues on the Promenade is the Cafe Promenade. It does double duty as your morning Starbucks outlet (it opens at 6 a.m.) and late-night snack venue (mini sandwiches and pastries are served until 5 a.m.) If you're cool with the free stuff, skip the line and head to the self-service coffee and tea station on the far wall.

Put blinders on your kids when you walk by Sugar Beach, the ship's rainbow-colored bulk candy store. Between the free Froot Loops and cookies elsewhere on the ship, I wouldn't think you need to spend money on more sweets, but if you need a jelly bean fix, you know where to go.

Playmakers Sports Bar offers a limited a la carte menu of bar favorites – nachos, chicken tenders and wings, sliders and meal-sized burgers and worth-the-money desserts (the Campfire Cookie is my fave, but a group could go to town on the Touchdown Sundae with five scoops of Ben & Jerry's). You can bring your kids to this bar.

Up by Splashaway Bay, Fish & Ships serves a limited menu of fried fish, shrimp and chicken and fries for free, as well as a fried lobster tail basket for $12. One deck up by the kids clubs, Johnny Rockets will fuel your play with burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and the venue's signature milkshakes (a la carte pricing). Come at the right point and catch the waiters singing and dancing.

Finally, room service costs $7.95 per order, occasionally with an 18% gratuity added in certain unspecified ports. Continental breakfast (juice, coffee, tea, pastries and bread, cereal, fruit and yogurt) is complimentary from 6 to 11 a.m. Hot American breakfast (pancakes, eggs, potatoes and bacon/sausage) incurs the fee.

The regular room service menu is available from 11 a.m. all the way through until 6 a.m. and includes soup, salad, sandwiches, favorites (quesadillas, grilled salmon, pasta, pizza, chicken wings and tenders), dessert and a kids menu.

Your evening bar crawl won't earn you many steps as the ship's main watering holes are found on decks 4 and 5.

Starting on the lower deck, Boleros is the line's signature Latin bar, where there's often an all-ages crowd dancing merengue, salsa and more and singing along to popular tunes. Next door is Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade where you can watch all the games or play pool, foosball, skeeball or Super Shot basketball while downing beers. (Warn your kids — there are no video games at this arcade.)

The casino has its own bar in the center of the action. Become a regular and you might start getting drinks for free. On the other side of the casino, the nautical-themed Schooner's is the place to go for piano singalongs and trivia (usually catering to an older crowd). The desert pear margarita is popular, though I preferred the lavender martini.

One deck up on the Promenade, Ale & Anchor is the ship's British-style pub. Come for a lager and the game, stay for energetic singalongs with the resident guitarist. (The Ellie Finnerty's Taylor Swift singalong was standing room only, with the indoor and out-on-the-Promenade seating full up.) Across the street, so to speak, is Vintages, your go-to for a sophisticated glass of wine. The venue also hosts wine tastings.

The most understated bar on the ship is the Champagne Bar, just across from the shore excursions desk. If you like bubbly, you can relax on the comfy couches here and toast your vacation success.

But don't worry — if you're sunning or sweating on the upper decks, you'll find plenty of watering holes to wet your whistle. The ship has three pool deck bars: the pool bar by the main pools, the Sky Lounge serving guests lounging just above on Deck 12 and the solarium bar in the adult section.

The Plaza Bar in the Windjammer keeps you hydrated during meals with morning coffee drinks and mimosas and beer, wine and cocktails with your buffet lunches and dinners.

For a sophisticated drink with a view, head to the Olive or Twist Bar in Royal Caribbean's signature Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14 midship. Floor-to-ceiling windows in a 180-degree semicircle overlook the ship's Splashaway Bay kiddie zone and the sea. It's a good spot to watch sailaway if you don't want to be out in the sun. Upper-tier loyalty members and suite guests can get their drink on for free at their respective lounges adjacent to Olive or Twist.

If your idea of a bar is a soda machine, you can find Coke machines by Sorrento's on the Promenade and on either side of the buffet. They only work with your drinks package-affiliated reusable cup. In addition to soda, you can pour out juice, seltzer water, sports drinks and smart water.

Independence of the Seas activities

A short cruise is all about fun in the sun, making the Deck 11 pool deck a popular spot on Independence of the Seas. The deck is divided into three sections. Forward is the adults-only solarium, aft is the kid-centric Splashaway Bay water play area and center is the main pool area.

The main pool area features two pools, three hot tubs, a bar, a bandstand and dance space, and a movie screen. Beginning swimmers can borrow life jackets from the nearby racks. Grab your blue pool towels from the towel station between the main pool and solarium. You'll need to sign towels in and out with your key card; fail to return one and you'll be charged $25 so keep track of your used towels!

Lounge chairs cover nearly every available surface on decks 11, 12 and 13, with many in the direct sunlight. The quietest spots might be on deck 13 forward.

Forward of the main pools, the solarium features two minipools, bar, shaded lounge space and two oversized hot tubs cantilevered over the sides of the ship — all reserved for adults ages 16+. Unlike on other Royal Caribbean ships, it does not have a retractable roof.

Aft of the main pools is Splashaway Bay. It's a kiddie water play area complete with junior slides, water sprayers and a dump bucket that soaks everyone nearby, a shallow swimming pool and a separate play area for tots in swim diapers. Two hot tubs here are perfect vantage points for parents — if the kids haven't taken them over. Not surprisingly, the soft-serve ice cream station and a counter serving fried fish and chicken flank this deck area.

Adrenaline junkies can set up camp on Deck 13 aft where they'll find a multipurpose sports court (basketball, pickleball, floor hockey), FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall and entrance to the two Perfect Storm waterslides. You must be at least 4 feet tall and no more than 250 pounds to ride the Cyclone (220 pounds for the Typhoon); children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult. Both are three-deck-high tube twister slides.

If you dare to boogie board or stand-up surf know that your successes and failures will be cheered by onlookers hanging out in the stadium seating surrounding the FlowRider. Tucker out little cruisers in the Sky Climber, a cat-tree-esque jungle gym for kids, encased in netting.

That weird circular object by the waterslides is the Sky Pad, which used to be a bungee trampoline but no longer. It wasn't clear what it's used for now, though I saw open-play archery scheduled there.

A running track weaves around the deck chairs above the main pools on Deck 12. Six laps equal a mile. The only realistic times to run are early morning or in the evening; watch out for wet decking in the morning.

Independence Dunes, the mini-golf course on Deck 13 forward, has a fun seaside theme with a lighthouse, whale's tail and VW bus selfie spot. Cool off with arched misters nearby.

Kick it old school with a game of shuffleboard on the Deck 4 outdoor decks.

If serenity is what you seek, the spa is located on Deck 12 forward, directly above the fitness center. Get your hair and nails done in the salon or melt away your work-life stress with a massage or facial. Acupuncture, medispa treatments (such as Restylane fillers), men's shaves, waxing and teeth whitening are also on offer. For free stress relief, you'll find saunas and steam rooms in the men's and women's locker rooms.

The expansive gym has rows of cardio machines, Life Fitness resistance stations and free weights. One side of the gym is reserved for spin class, while a workout studio is home to both group classes (yoga, boot camp and more, for a fee) and spa seminars. (Guess what? Based on your footprint analysis, you will need insoles!)

The daily schedule is packed with activities, including trivia, audience-participation games and competitions, art auctions and seminars in the Deck 3 art gallery, sushi or cupcake making classes, wine or alcohol tasting seminars, silent dance parties and behind-the-scenes ship tours. If you're over 18, don't miss the late-night Quest game show, which is decidedly not PG and is absolutely hilarious.

For some retail therapy, browse the shops on the Promenade for souvenirs such as logowear, liquor, beauty products, purses, fine watches and jewelry. The photo gallery and portrait studio is on Deck 3; look up photos on touch screens using your cabin number (we've moved on from searching through hundreds of printouts).

The Deck 4 Casino Royale has a special subway-style entrance from the Promenade. Try your luck at the slots and gaming tables. The casino is a popular evening spot, so you'll have plenty of company to cheer your wins and console your losses.

Related: I earned a 'free' cruise in a Royal Caribbean casino — here's what it cost, plus tips for getting comped

All the fun isn't just for adults. The kids rule the school on Deck 12 aft, with all the kids hangout spaces conveniently grouped around Johnny Rockets and the arcade. You'll find numerous table tennis set-ups in the deck areas around the kid spaces.

The Royal Babies & Tots Nursery entertains the youngest cruisers for a fee, but kids ages 3 and up can enjoy supervised fun for free at Adventure Ocean. The different groups of kids — Aquanauts (ages 3-5), Explorers (6-8) and Voyagers (9-11) — have their own play space, but depending on the number of children on board, they might get play time in another age group's space. Tweens and teens ages 12 to 17 can play video games and hang out in The Living Room and show off their dance moves in the Fuel teen nightclub.

Note: Kids ages 17 and under must be in their cabins by 1 a.m.

By day, Studio B offers both open ice skating sessions and glow-in-the-dark laser tag (both require advance signups). Feeling cerebral? Sign up for the Escape Room, which has a scientific observatory theme. It's pricy at $35 per person (minimum age 12), and there weren't as many puzzles to solve as in commercial escape rooms on land. It is a fun way to meet and interact with other guests, but I wouldn't prioritize it.

Guest services, the shore excursions desk and future cruise sales are all located on the aft end of the Promenade, near the dining room. If you're looking for a quiet space away from all the hubbub, sneak away to the library on Deck 5 aft. It's hidden within the Star Lounge lobby, but once inside, you can borrow a book, check email on the computer stations or hide out from the crowds (or your kids, you never know).

Independence of the Seas shows

The resident Broadway musical at the Royal Theater on decks 3 and 4 is a 90-minute version of "Grease." If that's not the show you want for some summer lovin', you can enjoy guest acts, such as comedians and ventriloquists on the other nights.

Don't confuse the main theater with the Deck 5 Star Lounge, which is a secondary performance space. Here, you'll find karaoke and audience-participation games such as "Finish That Lyric."

Royal Caribbean's ice shows are always a good time and Independence of the Seas' trip through the decades, called "Freeze Frame," is no exception. You'll be impressed as much by the numerous costume changes as what the skaters manage to accomplish on a tiny ice rink. Bring a sweater.

I did not have to make reservations for either "Grease" or "Freeze Frame" in advance on this cruise, as I've done for shows on other Royal Caribbean ships. Check the app when you're on board, but unless this changes from cruise to cruise, you'll only need to show up 15 to 20 minutes in advance to get the best seats.

If you've been on other ships in the fleet, please note that the Promenade on Independence of the Seas does not stage parades or concerts. A few themed parties were listed on the daily schedule, but usually it meant that a DJ was playing louder-than-normal music with nothing else special going on.

Independence of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Independence of the Seas currently sails three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando) to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau, Bahamas .

However, in late October 2023, the ship will reposition to Miami, where it will sail a mix of four-night Eastern and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, as well as three- and four-night Bahamas sailings .

Related: Eastern Caribbean vs. Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

The majority of the ship's five-night Western Caribbean cruises visit CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, while a handful go to Nassau, Grand Cayman Island or Falmouth, Jamaica instead. The four-night Eastern Caribbean sailings call on Royal Caribbean's private beach in Labadee, Haiti, with two days at sea.

Rates start at the following prices:

• $223 per person for an inside cabin or $385 for a balcony cabin on four-night Eastern Caribbean cruises
• $290 per person for an inside cabin or $442 for a balcony cabin on three-night Bahamas cruises from Miami
• $320 per person for an inside cabin or $431 for a balcony cabin on four-night Bahamas cruises from Miami
• $333 per person for an inside cabin or $521 for a balcony cabin on five-night Western Caribbean cruises

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Since Independence of the Seas is currently sailing round-trip from Florida, U.S. citizens can sail with either a current passport or an official copy of their birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo I.D. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

The name on your reservation must be the same as what's printed on your passport or other official proof of nationality. Double-check if you've recently gotten married or go by a different version of your name.

Related: What documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take

The room stewards and dining staff on Independence of the Seas are friendly and helpful and deserve an extra thank-you. Royal Caribbean makes that easy by charging you an automatic gratuity of $16 to $18.50 per person per day, depending on your cabin category, added to your onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking, but please don't — even if you are disappointed by the service. Gratuities are an important part of crewmembers' paychecks.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar, specialty dining and spa/salon bills. You should not feel pressured to add an additional tip.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems at sea, called Voom, and you can take advantage of this on Independence of the Seas. Currently, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth start at $26.99 per day for one device (or $20.99 per day per device for packages accommodating two, three or four devices), though prices do change over time. You can also purchase 24-hour access for a flat rate of $29.99.

Often you can get the best discounts on onboard Wi-Fi by purchasing your plans online in advance of your cruise. Members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program may also be eligible for discounts on Wi-Fi packages.

Certain suite guests and upper-tier loyalty program members receive complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks before you sign up for a package.

Having trouble logging in? A Voom help desk on the Promenade (outside The Collection store) is staffed daily.

Related: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? We put it to the test

Carry-on drinks policy

Royal Caribbean guests of legal drinking age can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto Independence of the Seas at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

If you want to toast your good fortune in your cabin, you're good, but if you want to bring your preferred vintage to a restaurant or lounge, you'll need to pay a $15 corkage fee.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 cleaning fee.

Passengers can smoke in Independence of the Seas' casino (cigarettes only) and designated outdoor lounges on decks 4 and 11 portside. The Deck 11 smoking area is adjacent to the seating for Fish & Ships. The casino does offer nonsmoking tables, but the cigarette smoke from the smoking section tends to waft throughout the entire space, and even into the Playmakers Sports Bar next door.

Independence of the Seas does not offer self-service launderettes. Passengers can pay extra for laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

You'll find two North American-style 110-volt outlets and one European-style 220-volt outlet by the desk/vanity in your cabin. You will not find outlets by the bed or in the bathroom (other than a shavers-only outlet — look up by the mirror as it's not easy to spot).

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar, but you won't need cash on the ship. You'll receive a SeaPass card that functions as your shipboard ID, room key and credit card. You'll charge shipboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions and so on) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will charge your credit card on file once the cruise ends. You can check your onboard bill in the cruise line's app or at Guest Services.

The shops on CocoCay also take your SeaPass card.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Independence of the Seas.

During the day, people dress casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, casual sundresses and bathing suits are commonly worn on board and ashore. Bring a cover-up to go from the pool back indoors.

In the evening, the ship does have a suggested dress code. On my cruise, the themes were resort casual, dress-to-impress and tropical. Specialty restaurants state their dress codes are smart casual (Giovanni's and Izumi) or formal (Chops), but on a three-night cruise, the only dress code is nearly anything goes.

I ate at Chops Grille on dress-to-impress night, and I can say that Royal Caribbean cruisers have varied notions of how to impress with their fashion. In Chops, I saw men wearing both shorts and jeans though most were wearing collared polo or button-down tropical-style shirts.

Around the ship on dress-to-impress night, I saw a couple in full-on pirate attire, a group in an across-the-decades theme (one woman wore go-go boots and a mini dress, another wore an '80s Jazzercise outfit and a man had a '70s-style shirt and vest with a peace-sign necklace) and several guys in loud tropical-style outfits with matching shirts, shorts and hats. I also saw plenty of guests in floor-length gowns, sparkly dresses and suits.

Figure that the only thing that will get you side eye from the crew in the main dining room and specialty restaurants will be swimwear, bare feet, pajamas and athletic-style tank tops.

Related: Ultimate cruise packing list

Bottom line

Independence of the Seas helps vacationers pack a lot of activity into a quick getaway. The vibe is upbeat and fun, and the ship is large enough to accommodate all types of travelers but not so big as to feel overwhelming on a short cruise. Whether you're a family with kids, a couple or group of family and friends, you'll find your happy place on this ship.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda Cruise Ports

Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-03-27 17:58

Port Port Canaveral cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Canaveral (cruise port to Orlando City, Florida USA) is currently ranked world's busiest cruise port (4,07 million cruisers/stats 2023) followed by Miami Florida .

As homeport, this is a major turnaround port destination (serving roundtrip itineraries) with annual shipping traffic 4,5+ million cruise ship tourists. Cape Canaveral is a leading USA homeport for all the world's largest cruise companies - CCL-Carnival , RCI-Royal Caribbean , NCL-Norwegian , DCL-Disney .

The world's top-10 busiest cruise ports (by annual passengers numbers/stats 2023) are in Florida USA (Port Canaveral/Orlando/4,07M, Miami /4,02M, Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale ), Mexico ( Cozumel ), Bahamas ( Nassau ), China ( Shanghai ), Spain ( Barcelona ), Bahamas (Out Islands), Texas USA ( Galveston ), Italy ( Civitavecchia-Rome ).

Cape Canaveral Port

Port Cape Canaveral (locode USPCV) is located on Florida's Atlantic coastline, between Miami and Jacksonville . Orlando City is bounded by Port Canaveral (north), Banana River (east), Cocoa Beach (south) and the Atlantic Ocean (west). As a deepwater seaport, Port Canaveral has a very high volume of traffic. From a total of 6 million cargo tons moved through the port annually, 2,7+ million tons (3 million short tons) are bulk cargoes. Common cargo includes petroleum, aggregate and cement. The port features hoppers and conveyors for loading products directly into trucks, as well as bulk cargo container facilities. The channel is about 13 m (44 ft) deep.

There are 70,000 m2 (750,000 ft2) of covered freight storage capacity. In 2004 Port Canaveral handled 3,6 million tons (4M short tons) of cargo. It exports fresh citrus and bulk frozen citrus juice is stored in one of the biggest freezer warehouses in the state. The port also receives salt for water softening, lumber, automobiles, steel sheets and plates. Port Canaveral transships items for sea, air, space and land. Its Foreign Trade Zone is one of the nation's largest general-purpose FTZs, more than 13 km2 (5 mi2). Each year the port boosts the economy by 1/2 billion dollars.

Port's cruise shipping business started in 1964, with SS Yarmouth Castle. The 1927-built steamship (for Chadade Steamship Company) was acquired by Yarmouth Cruise Lines in 1957. The liner was American-owned and Panama- flagged . In 1965, the ship burnt at sea (between Nassau and Miami).

The 1965-opened sea lock (part of Canaveral Barge Canal) is still in use, being maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Shipping and commercial fishing is also served by three 400 ft/120 m-long cargo piers constructed on the Port's north side in 1976. The seaport has supported NASA's space projects from the nearby JF Kennedy Space Center. During NASA's Apollo program, Saturn V rocket's segments transited via the lock. Space Shuttle's external tanks were floated for each mission into Port Canaveral, and the rocket boosters were towed back via the seaport, being fished from the Atlantic after each space launch.

In August 2015, commissioners approved USD 81 million port development project for upgrades of terminals 5 and 10, aimed at handling larger-sized vessels (details in the "terminal" section below). The project's financing was secured through bank loans and bonds.

Following President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, in late-January 2017 were officially issued reports about cruise passengers being detained by US Customs and Border Protection. All detainees had to provide background info about them, their families and also their past life in their native countries. Trump's executive order was signed on January 27th and includes a 90-day ban on travel to the USA by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen.

In early November 2017, RCI-Royal Caribbean announced the company's decision to homeport here in 2019 the world's largest passenger vessel - Harmony of the Seas (max capacity 6687 passengers plus 2100 crew). Starting May 2019, Harmony OTS offers 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Harmony replaced Oasis OTS (redeployed in 2019 to Miami ). Also in 2019, Mariner OTS (max capacity 4200 passengers plus 1180 crew) was homeported here for 3-4-night roundtrips to The Bahamas. The ship first arrived in Port Canaveral in 2003 (inaugural cruise on November 14).

In December 2017, Carnival Cruise Lines announced the homeporting of Carnival Elation in 2019. Starting May 12, 2019, the ship operates year-round scheduled 4-5-day "long weekend" Bahamas cruises. Departures are on Thursdays (4-day itinerary to Freeport and Nassau ) and on Mondays and Saturdays (5-day itinerary to Amber Cove Dominicana and Grand Turk Island ).

In December 2017, Port Canaveral completed the 6-month long West Turning Basin deepening project, now allowing max draft of 45 ft (13,7 m). Port's containership terminal (North Cargo berths 5 and 6) is operated by GT USA. The dredging works removed 22,3+ million ft3 (632,000 m3) of seabed material. For the dredging was contracted Dutra Group (based in San Rafael, California). The project's total cost was USD 7,5 million, with approx 2/3 of the cost covered by FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). The Port's entry channel was cleared from obstructions (bridges, power lines) and is now without air draft restrictions. West Turning Basin has quay length ~600 m (2000 ft) and draft 13 m/43 ft - making it one of East Coast USA's deepest cargo berths without vessel air draft limits.

In January 2018 was approved the construction of a new multi-purpose cargo ship berth ("North Cargo Berth 8" / NCB8). By the project were also built a seawall (900 ft / 274 m) and a pier extension (100 ft / 31 m) with capacity to handle vessels with max LOA length 850 ft/259 m. At the new berth can be handled various heavy project cargoes (including aerospace). Berth's depth is 35 ft (11 m). The USD 17,9 million berth construction contract was awarded to the Tampa -based company Orion Marine Group. The contract includes building the bulkhead, seawall, relieving platform and dredging. Construction works started in March 2018, with scheduled completion by mid-2019.

In 2018, two port development projects received funding for maintenance works in the seaport. The contractor is USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). For the projects were allocated USD 14,76 million (Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass and jetty upgrades) and USD 1,47 million (Harbor and Locks).

On December 5, 2018, Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) approved a series of bonds (up to USD 117 million) for financing "Cruise Terminal 3" (dubbed "Launch Pad") project. In 2021, at the new CT3 Terminal was homeported Carnival's newest and largest ( LNG-powered ) liner Mardi Gras .

• The project's financing package included bonds up to USD 80 million (30-year, Series A and B) and up to USD 37 million (20-year loan, Series C) by SunTrust Bank (specializing in mortgage, personal and small-business banking). The bank is subsidiary of the Atlanta GA-based SunTrust Banks Inc (reported assets in March 2018 USD 199 billion).
• Additionally was approved to increase Port's PNC Bank credit line from USD 25 to 50 million. The port also received from Florida Department of Transportation USD 6 million in grants for the infrastructure works.
• Carnival Cruise Terminal 3 has a dedicated wharf, adjacent parking (6-storey, capacity 1800 vehicles) and a newbuild road. The project's total improvements cost USD 163 million, of which $50 million were contributed by Carnival Corporation . The facility was completed in September 2020, but due to the crisis was inaugurated on June 4, 2021, with the arrival of Mardi Gras.

On May 22, 2019, Disney Cruises signed with CPA a 20-year operating agreement for homeporting two of its three newbuilds . Under the new deal, Disney has 3 boats homeported here (2 new, 1 old) which increased the number of guaranteed roundtrips from 150 per year (2019) to 180 (2023) and 216 (2024 and beyond).

In early March 2020 was launched an RO-RO Division in Port Canaveral - a dedicated vehicle terminal with max annual capacity 240,000 cars. The 16-acres terminal is at South Cargo Pier 4 and serves mainly new import automobiles. The terminal has a large climate-controlled warehouse (sized 20,000 ft2 / 1860 m2). In FY2019, the port handled a total of 12514 vehicles.

Following the port's ban for cruise ship dockings and passenger operations (due to the COVID pandemic), in the period April 3 through May 30, 2020, Canaveral Port Authority furloughed all its employees dedicated to cruise shipping operations.

For a 5-month refurbishment project in 2020 (June through November) was closed CT8 (Disney Cruise Terminal 8).

In April 2023, Port Canaveral officials proposed the construction of a new cruise terminal. The US$175 million facility could be built on the Port's southern side, and completed and opened in 2026-Q4.

In August 2023 was allocated US$68,16 million for two new cruise parking garages (an 8-level near Terminals 5 and 6, and a 6-level near Terminal 10.

Cape Canaveral port statistics

Note: Port's FY (fiscal year) runs from October 1 (current year) through September 30 (next year).

In FY2017, the cruise port handled 4,52+ million passengers (6,4% increase over FY2016). The number of multi-day passengers (4,234+ million) was 7,1% increase over 2016. Statistics showed that just in March 2017, the number of visiting cruiseship tourists was 469,847. This was the Port's 1-month record and a 19% increase over March 2016. Port's FY2017 total revenues were USD 47,4 million (freight and passengers).

For FY2018, the seaport reported a record year with USD 103,75 million in total revenues (218,9% increase over 2017). Cargo and cruise shipping volumes were also an all-time high. The number of handled cruise ship passengers increased by 7,7% - to 4,568431 million. Port's handled cargo tonnage increased by 6,9% - to 6,404944 million tons. Port's total economic output was USD 3,9 billion with around 32650 jobs supported (USD 1,3 billion in wages) including 17200 port workers (USD 0,7294 billion in wages).

For FY2019, the port had ~5% growth (over FY18) in revenues from cruise shipping. By homeporting operations (turnarounds) Port Canaveral is currently ranked the world's 2nd-busiest (after Miami) cruise port with handled in 2019 total 4,634154 million passengers (4,568431 million in 2018).

For season 2019, the cruise port reported a record berth booking with estimated 4,7+ million passengers.

In 2023, Port Canaveral reported a record year with handled 906 cruise ship calls, 13 homeporting ships, ~6,8 million cruise tourists, US$158 million in revenue from cruise shipping operations. For season 2024, the Port had booked 913 ship calls and expected ~7,3M passengers

Port Canaveral cruise terminal

Besides being a large cruise port, Port Canaveral is also among the USA's/and the world's largest naval and cargo ports. On average, each day 10 cruise vessels enter the port.

Port Canaveral's cruise terminals serve several major cruise shipping companies. Terminal 5 is the homeport for ships of RCI-Royal Caribbean , Celebrity , NCL-Norwegian , Marella UK . Terminal 6 serves ships of CCL-Carnival and Princess . Terminal 10 homeports ships of MSC and NCL.

The following cruise port map shows Port Canaveral port's infrastructure, the location of terminal facilities, connecting roads and transportation links to Orlando City.

Port Canaveral is the nearest Disney World city, situated about one hour east of Orlando by car. The Orlando Airport is 45 mi/70 km away. The driving distance to Tampa is 2 hours, to Jacksonville - 2,5 hours.

There are seven cruise terminals. In regular use are 5 - numbers 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10. They are newer, located on the Port's north side and serve larger ships. Southside terminals are older. Gambling ships use Terminal 2. Terminal 3 is the new Carnival Cruise Line's terminal. Terminal 4 is also used, but rarely.

The cruise terminal parking rate is USD 15 per day (Port Authority subject to change). There is a parking lot beside each cruise terminal. Port Canaveral offers complimentary cruise parking for disabled Veterans. Approved are waiving cruise parking fees for vehicles with DV (Disabled Veteran) license plates issued under Florida Statutes "s.320.084", "s.320.0842" or "s.320.0845".

In August 2023, Port Canaveral commissioners allocated US$67,46 million for constructing two northside cruise parking garages. For the projects was contracted Ivey's Construction Inc. The larger facility (an 8-level garage with capacity 1940 vehicles) is adjacent to Terminals 5 and 6, while the smaller one (a 6-level garage with capacity 1081 vehicles) is near Terminal 10.

(NEW) Cruise Terminal (2026)

In April 2023 was proposed the construction of a new cruise terminal on the Port's southern side.

The US$175 million facility could be completed and opened in 2026-Q4.

This proposal for a new passenger terminal came after two newbuild large cruise liners were homeported year-round in Cape Canaveral starting in 2024-Q4.

If approved, the proposal will be included in the Port's budget for FY2023 (October 1, 2022, thru September 30, 2023). FY23 was marked by increased cruise shipping traffic and stronger-than-expected, cruise-related revenues (including from parking) estimated at US$150,87 million. The previous estimate was US$124,48M. This represented ~83,7% of Port Canaveral's total projected operating revenue (US$180,35M) including from cargo shipping/handling, recreation, leasing, and other business activities. It was estimated that the Port's FY23 will have US$75,43M profit (including non-operating revenues and expenses) which was US$53,36M before FY23's budget began. The profit was used for port development projects and for reducing debt from previous projects.

In May 2023, were announced plans for a new cruise terminal at the site of the Bluepoints Marina. The facility (projected cost US$175M) could be ready/inaugurated in 2026-Q4.

(NEW) Carnival Cruise Terminal 3 (CT3-Launch Pad)

In late-April 2017, Port Canaveral started construction works on a new cruise terminal.

The facility is on the site of "Cruise Terminal 3" (port's southern / B side), west of Jetty Park and east of The Cove (dining-shopping-attractions complex). On June 7, 2017, engineering and design works for the new terminal were officially approved.

Canaveral Port Authority Commissioners approved US$1,2 million in funding for CH2M Engineering's project management contract. This was Phase I of the 2-year work plan to construct a modern facility with capacity to serve vessels with max capacity 8000 passengers.

At the new passenger terminal can berth even the world's largest cruise vessels of RCI's OASIS-class. CH2M Engineering provided engineering, support services and waterside design for the new Terminal 3.

The project's budget is USD 163 million (initially estimated cost was US$150M), of which US$50M contributed by Carnival Corporation . Ranked the USA's largest single building project, it included the demolition of the port's oldest terminal, construction of a brand new 2-story building (sized 17466 m2 / 188,000 ft2), upgrading the existing berth and building a new (adjacent to the terminal) parking garage, roadway and utility improvements.

The 20-month-long, multi-phased project included 5 separate contracts. Demolition works (of the existing Terminal 3 building) started in April 2018, at the cost of US$210,000.

• Following the building demolition, the project's next phases included berth demolition, dredging, dockside construction, building passenger boarding (mobile) bridges and terminal building, site works, building a covered parking garage (6-story building, sized 690,000 ft2 / 64,100 m2, capacity 1800 cars).
• On August 30, 2018, the Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a long-term terminal operation agreement with Carnival Cruise Line, allowing the company to homeport here its newest and biggest liner .
• Beginning September 1, 2018, the new agreement replaced the old (6-year concession) expiring in 2019. The new 25-year primary term has 4 additional 5-year renewal options. The minimum annual revenue from passenger fees (guaranteed by Carnival) was increased from USD 7 million (fixed, per year) to USD 14,5 million (with annual escalators).
• On January 8, 2019, the CPA Board of Commissioners awarded the company Ivey's Construction Inc the USD 79 million contract for building Cruise Terminal 3, plus USD 29,53M contract for building the adjacent parking.
• On April 24, 2019, Canaveral Port Authority commissioners unanimously approved several design changes in the CT3 Project to reduce building costs. Ivey's Construction Inc (Merritt Island-based) won the contract in January with a bid of USD 78,98 million. However, design changes resulted in total savings of USD 4,535 million, bringing the terminal's total cost down to USD 74,45 million. In all, "Cruise Terminal 3" costs USD 163 million when are added the costs of the adjacent parking garage, waterside improvements, two passenger boarding bridges, design services. Plans were redesigned after engineering studies reduced the number of needed piles (also their size and coating) without sacrificing the structural integrity.

The new Carnival Cruise Terminal (CT3) is a 2-story building (sized 187,000 ft2 / 17370 m2) with max passenger capacity 6500 at a time. Among its amenities are electronic systems to facilitate passenger screening, mobile check-in (for expediting boarding), ATMs, restrooms, waiting and baggage halls, retail shopping area, info kiosks.

Construction works officially started on March 18, 2019, and the Terminal was completed in September 2020.

At the new CT3 terminal was homeported Carnival's largest vessel Mardi Gras (GT 180,000 tons, LNG-powered , capacity 5286 berths / max passengers 6500). The new liner's LNG bunkering is dockside (barge-to-ship).

Mardi Gras docked for the first time on June 4, 2021, and was joined later on the same day by the fleetmates Carnival Freedom and Carnival Liberty .

North (A Side) Cruise terminals (5, 6, 8, 10)

They are located on the A dock at the north side. Along is the Charles M Rowland Drive.

All are up to date and can handle the biggest passenger ships. Especially for Disney Cruise Line ships was built Cruise Terminal 8.

For a 5-month refurbishment project in 2020 was closed Disney's Cruise Terminal 8 (June through November). The closure was for installing a new curtainwall-pile (breakwater), removing ticket counters, extending the drop-off canopy, replacing the current seating.

In 2016, about USD 2,3 million were spent at Disney Terminal 8's renovations. This cruise facility is used exclusively by Disney ships. Cruise Terminal 10 was reopened on November 19, 2016, following USD 35 million expansion and upgrade project which took 6 months to complete. Terminal 10 (1994-built) is used by NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) .

Renovation works included increasing the size of the 2-story terminal building (from 97,050 to 125,825 ft2 / 9016 to 11690 m2). Lower floor's baggage processing area was increased from 42,800 to 64,400 ft2 (3976 to 5983 m2). Upper floor's passengers check-in area was increased from 54,250 to 61,430 ft2 (5040 to 5707 m2).

The development project allowed the terminal to handle larger cruise ships (carrying up to 5,500 passengers). Previously, its max capacity was 3,600 passengers.

Among the major projects of the Cruise Terminal 10 renovations were:

• USD 25,69 million for terminal renovations, with H.J. High of Orlando as contractor. The downstairs area where baggage processing occurs increased from the previous 42,799 ft2 to 64,396 ft2. The upstairs area where passengers check-in increased from the previous 54,249 ft2 to 61,428 ft2.
• USD 4,48 million were invested into new mobile Passenger Boarding Bridges (by the Spanish manufacturer ADELTE). The new mobile bridge systems replaced the old fixed gangways and provide better flexibility when used by differently-sized cruise vessels that have different heights and boarding door locations.
• USD 1,79 million were used for the existing cruise pier strengthening. The contractor (Vortex Marine of Oakland, California) used carbon fiber polymer technology to reinforce and extend the pier's life and structural capacity.

In 2016 was completed another (USD 48,4 million) renovation project at Cruise Terminal 5 (used mostly by Carnival Cruise Line ). Among the improvements were terminal expansion, pier elongation (by 120 ft / 37 m), new mobile boarding bridges, new parking garage (capacity 1044 cars). The 1991-built Terminal 5 now allows berthing of larger ships (with up to 3500 passengers / previously up to 2500). For the project were contracted a total of 87 companies.

South (B Side) Cruise Terminals (2, 4)

They are located on the B dock at the southwest side. Along is George King Blvd. They were among the Port's first cruise facilities and can handle not more than 1900 passengers.

(new) Cruise Terminal 1

On November 5, 2016, in Port Canaveral arrived its ever largest passenger ship - Oasis of the Seas . The mega-liner docked at the new "Cruise 1 Terminal" (inaugurated in December 2014). Oasis OTS was homeported here replacing the smaller Freedom OTS .

Facility's main tenant is RCI Royal Caribbean and was designed specifically to handle Oasis-class vessels. The new terminal is sized 188,000 ft2 (17,470 m2) and has a dedicated parking garage with capacity 1007 vehicles. The project cost USD 104,6M.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center: NASA’s base where Apollo missions have been launched. Watch a movie at the center of IMAX, learn the space exploration future at the Exploration Space show, go to the Apollo Center and the LC39 Gantry or try the Shuttle Launch Experience.

US Astronaut Hall of Fame: 5 miles away from the Kennedy Space Center. Honor the American astronauts, watch the Science On A Sphere show, try the Sigma 7 Mercury rocket or a real training for astronauts.

Jetty Park: park at the coastline with a beach, camping and a playground, picnic areas and pavilions. Enjoy the amazing marine traffic view from the pier, favorite place for fishermen and tourists. You can have a coffee, eat or buy something at the Cove Waterfront area, located between the park and the port.

Cocoa Beach Pier: dating since 1962, Space coast best-known landmark located 4 miles away ftom Port Canaveral. It offers bars, souvenir shops, restaurants, live music and lively beach.

Orlando Amusement Parks: enjoy the attractions Walt Disney World , Disney/MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Sea World of Florida and much more.

Port Canaveral tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Port Canaveral - user reviews and comments

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Gear up for a glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff in Battle for Planet Z℠ and indulge your sweet tooth at Sugar Beach℠. Catch a wave on the FlowRider®* surf simulator and race down The Perfect Storm℠ dueling waterslides. Independence of the Seas® is overflowing with bolder ways to fill your time between shores. 

NOW STREAMING THRILLS

The new Independence of the Seas® is loaded with surprises to thrill even the boldest weekend warriors. Hang ten on the FlowRider®* surf simulator or race down The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides. Show off your gaming skills at Playmakers ℠. And go head-to-head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z℠.

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BOLD IN EVERY BITE

Say “Konnichiwa” to a reimagined favorite at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi. Sashimi, sushi and more are all made-to-order with intense flavors, the best ingredients and impeccable presentation. Or order up batter-fried favorites at Fish & Ships℠ — the new seafood spot that’s just within splashing distance of the pool. Then treat your sweet tooth to every candy under the sun — plus a few sugarcoated surprises at Sugar Beach℠.

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SCORE AN AWESOME TIME

At Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade, it’s all about winning. Watch your home team dominate on the field, or make your own legendary plays at the arcade. When it’s time to refuel, you’ll find wings, french fries, sliders and our signature Playmaker Burger to keep you going, along with ice-cold brews.

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ADVENTURE SAILS FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE

A thrill-topping Caribbean adventure awaits onboard the Amplified Independence of the Seas®. Sail from Miami to The Bahamas and our award-winning private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Or unlock the shores of the Eastern and Western Caribbean and max out memories like never before.

OCEAN VIEWS IN ALL THE HUES

Unlock  Eastern and  Western Caribbean  shores like never before. Explore underground aquariums in the Bahamas. Then hop on a cable car for sky-high views in the  Dominican Republic . Or dial up the thrills on a half-mile zip line ride in Labadee, Haiti. And slow it down on a tubing river ride in Falmouth, Jamaica.

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MEMORY MAXING STARTS IN MIAMI

Kick off an unforgettable adventure from Miami onboard the Amplified Independence of the Seas®. Dial up the thrills on a half-mile-long zip line ride over the ocean at Labadee , our private destination in Haiti. Climb the iconic Dunn’s River Falls in Falmouth. And swim alongside sea turtles and tropical fish at the Cayman Turtle Center in George Town . This is the epic vacation you’ve been waiting for.

EXPLORE CRUISES FROM MIAMI

OUR BOLD ROYAL AMPLIFIED SHIPS

Royal Caribbean® is amping up your favorite ships with never-before-seen thrills, the cuisines you crave, and more unforgettable experiences day and night. This is Royal Amplified℠ — the future of adventure.

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Port Canaveral adds ninth ship to lineup, after ending budget year $41 million in the red

Port Canaveral on Monday will match its record for most cruise ships based here at any one time.

That's when Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas joins the port ship lineup as the ninth home-ported ship at Brevard County's seaport.

The addition of the Independence is a welcome addition for Port Canaveral officials, who on Wednesday officially closed out a budget year they would just as soon forget because of the cruise industry shutdown resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

Canaveral Port Authority commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved operating budget amendments for the 2020-21 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, showing a loss of $41.06 million.

The losses stemmed from the shutdown of the cruise industry, which ran from mid-March 2020 to July 31, 2021, when Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras debuted at Port Canaveral, marking the restart of cruising there.

Mardi Gras: Carnival's giant new Mardi Gras officially gets its name during ceremony at Port Canaveral

Profitability: Port Canaveral returns to profitability after cruises resume, after 16 months of losses

There were various changes to the budget, as commissioners accounted for $17.85 million in American Rescue Plan Act money the port received in September to help cover its losses stemming from the shutdown of the cruise industry because of COVID-19.

The budget amendments simultaneously moved $17.4 million from the port's operating budget back into the capital budget for future construction and renovation projects.

The $41.06 million loss was slightly better than the estimate of $43.12 million in losses that were projected in the 2020-21 adopted budget.

Most of the port's $34.51 million in revenue during 2020-21 came from three areas: $11.17 million from cargo; $10.13 million from cruise operations; and $9.25 million from leases. Cargo revenue set a record, boosted by incoming shipments of lumber, aggregates and slag for the construction industry.

Cruise ship boost

Port officials expect a more normal 2021-22 budget year, with the bulk of revenue coming from cruises.

The addition of cruise ships to the lineup should help.

Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray said having nine ships based at Port Canaveral ties a record. And that record will be broken soon, when two more ships enter the lineup.

This also will be the first time that three Royal Caribbean ships are based at Port Canaveral at one time. Murray said there will be some stretches when Royal Caribbean will have ships boarding passengers at its Cruise Terminal 1 on 10 consecutive days.

In addition to the Independence of the Seas, ships now in the Port Canaveral lineup include the Carnival Elation, Magic and Mardi Gras; the Disney Dream and Fantasy; the MSC Divina; and the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

In all, there have been 113 revenue sailings out of Port Canaveral from July 31 through Wednesday, including port-of-call stops by yet another Royal Caribbean ship, the Oasis of the Seas.

And that doesn't count twice-daily sailings by Victory Casino Cruises' Victory 1 gambling ship, which was able to resume operations on May 28, 2020, after a 2½-month COVID-19-related shutdown. 

"Our numbers are starting to go up the way they should," Murray said.

Port Canaveral Chief Financial Officer Michael Poole said September was the second consecutive month in which the port's revenue exceeded expenses, after 16 consecutive months of losses.

Port commissioners last month approved a budget plan for the 2021-22 budget year that began Oct. 1. That budget includes $84.32 million in operating revenue projected to come from cruise lines and cruise-related parking. In addition, $15.21 million in revenue is projected from cargo operations. 

The port is projecting an overall profit for 2021-22 at $68.46 million, boosted by the second phase of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, totaling $49.88 million.

Ship passenger counts 

In preparing the 2021-22 budget, Poole said the port estimated that cruise ships would have passenger counts of 50% of their double-occupancy capacity from October through December, with the figure increasing to 75% of double-occupancy capacity from January through September 2022.

That's to account for steps the cruise lines were taking to help maintain social distancing on the ships.

But Murray said a majority of the ships sailing from Port Canaveral already have been operating at between 74% and 84% of capacity on their recent sailings.

That means the revenue already is exceeding budget estimates, as part of the formula for cruise line payments to the port is tied to passenger counts.

Additionally, ships sailing out of Port Canaveral now generally are larger than the ships than were sailing from there before the pandemic.

The Independence of the Seas, for example, has a double-occupancy capacity of 3,858 passengers and a full capacity of 4,560 passengers, plus a crew of 1,440.

"We're optimistic that they're going to do well with this product," Murray said. "Demand has been strong. Business is getting back to normal."

Poole said the port is projecting that there will be an average of 55 cruise sailings a month out of Port Canaveral in the current budget year.

"The future is bright." Canaveral Port Authority Vice Chairman Jerry Allender said during Wednesday's meeting. "Happy days are here again."

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY . Contact Berman at [email protected]. Twitter: @bydaveberman .

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Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas Cruise Parking Info

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas Facts

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas currently sails out of Port Canaveral’s CT1 (Cruise Terminal 1). Port Parking Space provides the closest and most convenient parking for CT1 with regular shuttle service for its parking customers.

Homeport: Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal: Usually CT1 Closest Off-Site Parking: portparkingspace.com Current parking discount code: WINTER23

Get To Know Your Fellow Travelers

There are several social media groups that communicate both before and after they cruise on the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas. Here are some links to some of the most popular Facebook groups:

• ROYAL CARIBBEAN INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS
• Independence of the Seas – Port Canaveral
• Independence of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean Cruising Tips and Tricks
• Royal Caribbean Information

Ship Class: The Independence of the Seas is a flagship vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class cruise ships, known for their expansive amenities and modern design. This class promises a sophisticated and adventure-packed cruise, offering passengers a remarkable blend of comfort and excitement.

Maiden Voyage: Making its debut on April 22, 2008, the Independence of the Seas embarked on its maiden voyage, introducing passengers to a new standard of cruise luxury and innovation synonymous with Royal Caribbean’s commitment to excellence.

Capacity: With a spacious passenger capacity of around 4,370 guests, the Independence of the Seas provides a luxurious and comfortable cruise experience, catering to a diverse array of travelers seeking both relaxation and thrilling adventures.

Features and Amenities: Independence of the Seas stands out with its extensive features and amenities, including a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, and a variety of dining options. Passengers can indulge in a mix of exhilarating entertainment and upscale experiences that redefine the traditional cruise experience.

Itineraries: The Independence of the Seas embarks on captivating itineraries, often exploring destinations like the Caribbean and Europe. These journeys not only showcase stunning locales but also offer passengers the chance to experience Royal Caribbean’s exceptional service and entertainment.

Entertainment: Onboard the Independence of the Seas, entertainment is diverse and dynamic, featuring Broadway-style shows, ice-skating performances, and the thrilling FlowRider. Passengers can immerse themselves in a variety of activities, creating an atmosphere of excitement and enjoyment throughout the cruise.

Dining: Culinary excellence is a hallmark of the Independence of the Seas, with a diverse range of dining experiences, from specialty restaurants to casual eateries. The ship’s innovative dining options cater to various tastes, ensuring a delightful gastronomic journey that complements the overall luxury cruise experience.

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Independence of the Seas - September 1, 2023

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September 1, 2023

September 1 - 4, 2023

Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean

3 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day

from Port Canaveral, Florida

The September 1, 2023 cruise on the Independence of the Seas departs from Port Canaveral, Florida. On this 3 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day sailing, the ship will visit a total of 3 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Independence of the Seas sets sail on a Friday (September 1, 2023) and returns on a Monday (September 4, 2023).

The Independence of the Seas was built in 2008 and is amoung Royal Caribbean's 27 ships in it's fleet. The Independence of the Seas is included in the cruise line's Freedom Class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the Independence of the Seas vs all other Royal Caribbean ships.

All Itineraries

Port Canaveral

You won't find many places where nature exists in harmony with technology, but it does in Cape Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast. Visit the world-famous Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, or, on the same land, check out the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. You'll also find pristine beaches, fabulous fishing and great golfing all within driving distance of Florida's biggest attractions.

You won't find many places where nature exists in harmony with technology, but it does in Cape Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast. Visit the world-famous Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, or, on...

Perfect Day At Coco Cay

Nassau/Paradise Island is the capital of the Bahamas. Explore Parliament Square, the government center that dates back to the early 1800s or check out the port's vibrant night life, including more casinos, theatres, and fabulous cuisine than you could possibly fit into a short stay. During the day, there's plenty of golfing, tennis, and swimming.

Nassau/Paradise Island is the capital of the Bahamas. Explore Parliament Square, the government center that dates back to the early 1800s or check out the port's vibrant night life, including more...

Baltimore Bridge collapse creates chaos for cruise ships: Royal Caribbean & Carnival ships out of Baltimore now port in Norfolk

R ight now, some travelers who left the Port of Baltimore on a cruise ship, won't be porting back in the same place. The Baltimore Key Bridge collapse is creating all kinds of chaos, including in the travel world. 

READ THE LATEST ON THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE

Fortunately,  there are only two ships, the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas and Carnival's Pride ship that leave from the Maryland-based port. At least one of those cruise lines is due back in in less than a week. 

"Both cruise lines are implementing the Norfolk Cruise Terminal which really isn't in use. They're coming into Norfolk and the cruise lines are bussing the passengers back to Baltimore," said Ginny Maurer of  Cruise Planners . 

Maurer says for the foreseeable future the plan is for all Baltimore cruises to now go in and out from Norfolk. Thankfully,  Baltimore is not a major cruise port. To put it into context for you she says about 450,00 people cruise out of there per year. Compare that with Port Canaveral in Florida with 6.8 million passengers a year. It is the busiest port. 

The big 2 Wants To Know takeaway from all this is travel insurance and there's a difference in who covers what. 

"Cruise lines sell insurance but generally, that only includes the cruise portion, and for some of those they will only give you a cruise credit. What we recommend is third-party travel insurance which covers you from the day you book it and everything, air, hotel, even if you had a car accident on your way, all those incidental things," said Maurer. 

Maurer shared the names of two insurance companies her business uses the most: Allianz and  Trip Mate . 

"I would note that even within the companies all policies and who you purchase it from are not created equal. It is very important to review the coverages and terms and conditions," said Maurer. 

Keep in mind, that your regular medical insurance will cover you in the States, but on a cruise ship or internationally, your coverage can be limited. 

Jacksonville will get a second cruise ship when Norwegian Cruise Line joins Carnival

Norwegian Cruise Line is on its way to Jacksonville in 2025, giving cruise travelers boarding here a second option for their tropical voyages.

The JaxPort board unanimously approved an agreement Tuesday for a 2,394-passenger Norwegian Cruise Line ship that will offer seasonal sailings starting in November 2025 from Jacksonville to the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. Some of the trips will be 11-day and 12-day voyages, adding a longer cruise option than exists today from Jacksonville.

"There's been a lot of buzz around town about this move, so let's get right to it," JaxPort CEO Eric Green said as he brought the agreement before the board at a special meeting.

The ship called the "Norwegian Gem" will depart from Jacksonville between November and April every year through 2028. It will use the same JaxPort cruise terminal as Carnival Cruise Line.

More on the Norwegian Gem: The Norwegian Gem is coming to Jacksonville in 2025. What you should know about the ship.

Talleyrand shift: Enstructure will become one of JaxPort's biggest tenants. Here's the cargo it will move.

More: JaxPort gets $13.7 million in relief money to offset pandemic-cost cruise business loses

Carnival Cruise Line has had a ship sailing out of Jacksonville since 2004, currently with the Elation ship to the Bahamas. Carnival will keep doing its year-round trips out of Jacksonville.

Green said Carnival is the cruise line "that got us to the dance" and will continue to be a mainstay of the city's cruise business.

"It was always a question of whether or not we could host two cruise lines at the same time, but we're able to do it," he said.

What does Norwegian bring to Jacksonville?

Norwegian , known for its colorful hull art , is one of the biggest cruise operators in the world with trips spanning the globe. Headquartered in Miami, Norwegian has used Port Canaveral, Miami and Tampa as its departure ports from Florida. Norwegian cruises also go to Key West. Jacksonville will become its latest homeport.

"Today marks a new milestone in the relationship between Norwegian Cruise Line and JaxPort," company president David J. Herrara said.

Norwegian is no stranger to Jacksonville. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian moved three of its ships — the "Norwegian Sky," “Norwegian Gem“ and "Norwegian Pearl" — to JaxPort docks in 2020 because of the industry's  voluntary suspension of cruises . That shutdown forced cruise lines to bring their ships back to ports and PortMiami didn't have enough room for all the ships, so Jacksonville stepped in to offer dock space.

The cruise ships didn't let any passengers on board during their time in Jacksonville. Now Norwegian is set to put the "Norwegian Gem" on the itinerary for cruise passengers out of Jacksonville.

Norwegian will start taking reservations on Feb. 15 at its web site ncl.com for a mix of travel itineraries.

The three 12-day and two 11-day round-trip journeys each year will depart Jacksonville and make calls on Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas, with other stops at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, Basseterre in St. Kitts, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and other destinations.

Norwegian also will have four-day and five-day cruises to the Bahamas with stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Freeport, and Nassau.

The "Norwegian Gem's" capacity of 2,394-passengers would be a bump up in size from the Carnival Elation whose normal guest capacity is 2,052 when estimating two guests per stateroom, according to JaxPort.

The "Norwegian Gem" was built in 2007 and refurbished in 2015. It sails now from Boston.

The JaxPort cruise terminal is off Heckscher Drive west of Interstate 295 and the Dames Point bridge. The height of the bridge limits the size of cruise ships that can pass under its so the jumbo-sized ships that use Port Canaveral and Miami are too large to call on Jacksonville.

Jacksonville has built its cruise business by catering to travelers who like the convenience of boarding here rather than driving farther south. In November, Jacksonville surpassed the 3 million mark for cruise passengers . JaxPort says the city is a growing drive-to cruise market with 98 million consumers living in driving distance of the cruise terminal.

How did JaxPort strike the deal with Norwegian?

The four-year agreement will have three two-year renewal options. JaxPort will pay Norwegian a $2.7 million trademark licensing fee. Norwegian will pay $1.6 million per year to JaxPort to use the cruise terminal.

The contract talks began late last year and moved quickly to reach a deal for Norwegian to use the JaxPort cruise terminal.

In addition to Norwegian's experience of JaxPort from when its ships docked here during the pandemic, the company's Seven Seas Navigator boat has come to Jacksonville for port-of-call visits. A division of Norwegian operates the 496-passenger Seven Seas.

"Today's agreement is a natural evolution of that partnership," Green told the board.

The deal also had a personal connection between Green and Juan Kuryla, the senior vice president of port development and construction for Norwegian. Kuryla previously was port director and CEO of PortMiami so he knew Green from their work in the port industry. In the "it's a small world" nature of that industry, JaxPort almost hired Kuryla to be its CEO in 2013 but Kuryla decided to stay at PortMiami.

When he interviewed for the JaxPort CEO job back then, Kuryla said he would want to bring more cargo and cruise ships to Jacksonville.

He represented the company Tuesday afternoon and told the board Norwegian was pleased at the relationship it has with JaxPort.

"Something we like to say is we go where we are wanted," he said. "We go where we are felt as a partner and as a stakeholder."

City Council President Ron Salem and Mayor Donna Deegan's chief of staff Darnell Smith joined JaxPort leaders for the ceremonial signing of the agreement.

"We all know our city is a gem, and soon it will be fitting to have this ship at our port," Salem said in remarks to the board.

Smith noted a study found the cruise industry in Jacksonville generates about 800 jobs, thousands of hotel room nights, and $187 million of economic impact.

He said when people come to Jacksonville for their cruises, he hopes they will spend time and money in the city's various neighborhoods as part of their vacations.

"We want them to enjoy Jacksonville," he said. "We want them to see all the great things we have to offer."