Tips

Smooth Sailing: A Stress-Free Guide to Embarking on Your Port Canaveral Cruise

October 29, 2015

Updated February 2025

Embarking on your Port Canaveral cruise should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one. However, the process of getting to the port and onto your ship can be surprisingly complex.

Fortunately, with a little planning (and the right travel arrangements) you can actually enjoy the embarkation process and start your vacation worry-free.

At Go Port, we make it easy to get to your cruise on time with our Fly Snooze Cruise, Snooze Park Cruise, and Cruise Transportation packages. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth, stress-free cruise embarkation from Port Canaveral.

#1. Arrive Early and Stay at a Port Canaveral Hotel

One of the best ways to guarantee a hassle-free embarkation is to arrive a day early in Orlando or the Port Canaveral area.

Flying In

Unexpected flight delays or cancellations can cause you to miss your cruise entirely if you arrive on the same day your cruise departs.

Consider booking a convenient Fly Snooze Cruise package, which includes a pre-cruise hotel stay, airport transfers and cruise transportation to Port Canaveral. This way, you can relax and enjoy a comfortable night’s stay before heading to your ship on embarkation day.

Driving In

Driving to your Port Canaveral cruise instead? A Snooze Park Cruise package is the ideal solution. You’ll receive a hotel stay, parking for the duration of your Carnival Mardi Gras or Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas cruise and convenient round-trip shuttle service to the cruise terminal—all at an affordable rate.

Cruise Transfers

Already have your hotel booked? No problem! Go Port offers convenient and affordable shuttle service from Orlando hotels to Port Canaveral and Sanford hotels to Port Canaveral.

By booking your overnight hotel accommodations and cruise-day transportation ahead of time with Go Port, you eliminate the stress of coordinating travel logistics, so you can focus on the excitement of setting sail.

#2. Have Your Travel Documents Readily Available

Before you even think about climbing aboard your cruise ship, you need to ensure your travel documents are in order. In most cases, US citizens who are sailing on closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same US port) are not required to have a passport—but it’s strongly recommended.

If you don’t have a passport, you’ll need a government-issued photo ID and a certified birth certificate. However, be aware that some cruise lines may have stricter policies, so always check with your cruise provider in advance.

Why You Should Cruise with a Passport

While a passport may not be mandatory, traveling without one can be risky. If you need to leave the ship unexpectedly (due to an emergency at home or a medical issue), re-entering the US by air without a passport can be difficult. A passport also makes the embarkation process smoother and allows for easier re-entry at foreign ports.

Special Requirements for Minors

Children under 16 sailing on a closed-loop cruise do not require a passport or photo ID. However, they must bring a state-certified birth certificate. If your cruise returns to a different US port than it departed from, a passport will be required for all travelers, including infants. For information on obtaining a passport for minors, we recommend visiting the U.S. State Department’s travel site for complete details.

Travel Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens

Non-US citizens will need a valid passport and a visa that allows multiple entries into the US. The exact requirements vary by country, so travelers should confirm visa regulations with US Customs and Border Protection before departure.

To save yourself any avoidable stress and reduce the risk of missing out on your cruise vacation, always double-check your paperwork and your cruise line’s requirements before leaving home.

#3. Complete Your Check-In Online

Most major cruise lines allow passengers to complete an online check-in before their departure date. Doing this in advance will save time at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal and ensure a quicker boarding process.

Once you complete the process, you’ll receive a boarding pass that you’ll need to present at check-in, so be sure to print it or have it saved on your mobile device.

During online check-in, you’ll also set up an onboard spending account linked to your key card. For most of the cruise lines, this card serves as your room key, payment method, and re-boarding pass whenever you return from port excursions.

#4. Pack Your Carry-On Bag Wisely

Many cruise lines enforce luggage restrictions and checked bags may not be delivered to your stateroom until later in the day.

Be sure to pack a small carry-on bag with essentials, including:

Travel documents (passport, ID, cruise boarding pass)
Medications
Electronics and chargers
Swimsuit (if you want to hit the pool right away!)
A change of clothes and toiletries

Having these items on hand at embarkation ensures you’re prepared to enjoy the first few hours of your cruise without waiting for your checked luggage to arrive.

#5. Understand Boarding Policies for Your Cruise Line

While embarkation processes are similar across cruise lines, each company has slight variations in policies. Always review your cruise line’s specific requirements before arriving at the terminal.

Some key points include:

Bag Screening: Large suitcases must be checked with a porter and delivered to your stateroom later.
Key Cards & Spending Accounts: In most cases, you’ll receive a key card to access your cabin and make onboard purchases.
Embarkation Grouping: Some cruise lines assign boarding groups based on check-in time, so plan accordingly.

To avoid surprises, we recommend visiting your cruise line’s website to familiarize yourself with their boarding policies before it’s time to set sail:

Make Embarkation Day Easier with Go Port

The key to a stress-free embarkation experience is careful planning—and that’s where Go Port comes in.

Our Fly Snooze Cruise Packages, Snooze Park Cruise Packages and Port Canaveral transportation options take the guesswork out of pre-cruise travel, so you can start your vacation without any roadblocks.

Why risk missing your embarkation when Go Port makes getting to your Port Canaveral cruise easy and affordable?

Book your preferred Port Canaveral hotel and cruise transportation package today and let us handle the rest!