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Our top tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando trip for the best vacation possible

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An Orlando vacation is pretty incredible in itself, but there’s a way to take it to uncharted territory. With Orlando’s ideal location in the middle of Florida (we don’t call it Central Florida for nothing!), it is easy to get to one of the nearby cruise ports and head out to the high seas for adventure.

I have been on more cruises than I can count, and I am here to share my favorite tips for adding a cruise to your Orlando vacation. I have only ever cruised out of Port Canaveral, so keep in mind these tips are based on that experience.

 

Schedule your cruise after you’ve enjoyed the theme parks

Let’s be honest: as much as I tell people not to exhaust themselves when touring Orlando’s theme parks, you’re still going to exude a ton of energy doing so.

Cruising can also be tiring if you try to do too much, but it really can be one of the most relaxing ways to vacation.

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

So start off your trip enjoying day after day in the theme parks, then use the cruise to relax and recover.

 

Pack for your entire vacation, cruise and all

Whatever hotel you choose in Orlando, if you are going to cruise during your vacation, choose a hotel with either a laundry facility or laundry service.

Check your cruise line’s website for information about your itinerary. Are there any theme nights, such as Pirate Night aboard the Disney ships, that you’ll want to dress for? Longer cruises sometimes have a dressy or formal night, and I encourage families to participate; it makes for very special memories. Keeping that – and all the extra airline fees for luggage – in mind, you’re going to need to repeat a few outfits between your time in the theme parks and your cruise.

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

So take advantage of your hotel’s laundry facilities and head to the ship with fresh and clean clothing.

 

Pack a day bag

What’s a day bag, you ask? Well, it is like a carry-on bag where you keep any vital items you may need, like medication and toiletries.

Most cruise ships let you board around noon, but the staterooms are not usually ready until around 1:30pm, so there’s no place to put your luggage if you elect to carry it with you rather than using the assistance of a porter (like a bellman).

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

So if you get on the ship early and want to enjoy its pools, you’ll need to have your swim wear and change of clothes ready in your day bag.

Personally, I prefer to get on board the ship right at 1:30pm, go straight to my stateroom, then grab lunch before the mandatory lifeboat drill.

 

Book a night at the beach near your port

I can’t think of any major Florida cruise port that isn’t near a nice beach community.

Cruising is very relaxing, but if you overdo it, you may not feel rested. And it is not fun to have to rush off the ship and worry about catching a flight that same day.

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

So if the beach is a novelty to you, then I recommend booking a night at the beach near your port for the night your cruise ends. This way, you can get off the ship, head to the beach, and end your Orlando-area vacation chilled and relaxed.

 

Rest well and hydrate the night before your cruise

If you select a cruise out of Port Canaveral, you’re only an hour away from Orlando, so you won’t have to deal with the typical travel-day fatigue. Just hop on the “Beach Line” (the 528 Toll Road), and it’s practically a straight line. Yes, it is a toll road, but it will only cost you $3.50 (with a SunPass) or $4.25 (cash) each way, which is pretty much worth it just for the ease of the drive.

Plus, towards the end of your journey, you’ll reach a bridge welcoming you to the sparkling ocean waters and an awesome view of the cruise ships waiting to welcome you at Port Canaveral.

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

But I digress.

You’ll want to rest well so that you can fully enjoy your first night on the cruise. Plus, traveling of any kind can take its toll on you. While you’re out in the parks, you should be keeping yourself hydrated.

However, it is even easier to get dehydrated on the cruise ships for a couple of reasons: the air is recirculated, you’re catching some rays, and the food is usually pretty rich. And many adults like to indulge in the local elixirs while sailing.

 

Research your options for transportation to the Port

If you have your own car – not a rental – then I recommend just driving on down. Yes, you will pay to park your car while you cruise, but lots of hotels near the ports will offer park-and-stay packages with discounted parking at the hotel if you book a night before or after the cruise, with transportation service to the port from the hotel, to boot.

Port Canaveral is the closest port to Orlando, so chances are you will chose a cruise from here. To park right next to your ship at Canaveral, the rates are: three days $60; four days $75; five days $90; and seven days $120.

There are some satellite parking lots, but I have never used one and, thus, cannot personally vouch for their convenience or security.

The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.
The best tips for combining a cruise with your Orlando vacation.

Disney Cruise Line offers transfers from the Walt Disney World resorts. This transfer service is $70 per person over the age of three roundtrip, or $35 one way.

There are other transportation vendors in the area that can get you to the port for less money, but I assure you, the voyage from Orlando to Canaveral or from Canaveral to Orlando is the more magical for using Disney’s transfer service.

 

Wrapping it all up

Essentially, my recommended Orlando and cruise vacation itinerary looks like this: theme parks, then cruise, then one night at the beach before heading home.

If you are embarking on a Disney cruise, don’t spend your time at the Disney theme parks worrying about getting character pictures and autographs – the character experiences on the Disney Cruise ships are more unique and plentiful.

Finally, don’t overdo it during any part of your vacation; enjoy each moment and return home rested, rejuvenated, and full of unforgettable memories.

I hope you get an opportunity to use my tips soon! If you’re looking for more advice, check out all the great posts in the OI blog archive filed under vacation planing.

 

[sws_author_bio user=”danidennison” size=”105″ authorposts=”More OI posts by Dani” name_format=”About the author”] [/sws_author_bio]

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Joanne Halling
Joanne Halling
March 1, 2014 1:06 pm

Doing it in August can’t wait 🙂

Jen Romaniello
Jen Romaniello
March 1, 2014 1:12 pm

Just did this last November. 3 days at Universal and 5 days in the Caribbean. It was the perfect vacation!

Karen Taylor
Karen Taylor
March 1, 2014 1:18 pm

Done this twice! Flew over from Scotland, a week in Hard Rock Hotel then a week cruising the Caribbean – perfect combination 🙂

Paul Roberts
Paul Roberts
March 1, 2014 1:23 pm

The port of Tampa is only a hour away also.

Richard Hilliard Jr.
Richard Hilliard Jr.
March 1, 2014 1:28 pm

We’re going to do this next year!!

Karen Kilday
Karen Kilday
March 1, 2014 1:46 pm

We’ve done it twice perfect holiday

Marlyn Yajaira Chico
Marlyn Yajaira Chico
March 1, 2014 2:29 pm

That’s what I want to do w/my daughters!!! How can I go by to do that???

Brandie Evans
Brandie Evans
March 1, 2014 2:46 pm

Yes! Universal and then a Disney cruise. Can’t wait!!

HelenB
HelenB
March 1, 2014 3:19 pm

I disagree with your first suggestion. While I know some people prefer to go to the theme parks and then cruise, we prefer cruising first. We are doing just such a vacation this coming June (and have done so multiple times before). Since we come from the west coast, we have a 3 hour time adjustment in the ‘wrong’ way. This makes it difficult to get to rope drop the morning after we land on Florida. However on a cruise, we have days to adjust to the time change and get our bodies onto ‘Florida time’. This makes it much… Read more »

Jennifer Locke-Thornhill
Jennifer Locke-Thornhill
March 1, 2014 8:26 pm

We did this last month, a week in Orlando, and then a week on the Allure of the Seas. Maybe someday they will build a Harry Potter themed Cruise ship for me!

MoviesHateUToo
MoviesHateUToo
March 2, 2014 3:47 pm

My wife and I took a cruise from Tampa in 2012 after spending three days in Orlando visiting the parks.  The drive from Orlando to Tampa is very easy and if you’re dropping off a rental car at the Tampa airport the car rental company may offer to drop you off at the pier at no additional cost.  Our shuttle driver was great, he even picked up at the end of our cruise and took us back to the airport. This October we’re taking a cruise from Port Canaveral after spending a week in Orlando; hopefully we’ll get to go to… Read more »

Dora Fragga
Dora Fragga
March 2, 2014 9:01 am

VAI que é muito bom!!!!!!

About Dani

Born and raised in the land of sunshine and dreams-come-true, Dani has always had a passion for tourism and hospitality. She is a proud Orlando native who loves sharing her hometown with others. With work experience in theme parks, hotels, and reputation management she brings this background to her freelance writing endeavors. Follow her adventures on Twitter at @thisfloridalife.

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