Cruise Ships, Tips

Wonder of the Seas: Tips for Cruising from Port Canaveral

April 5, 2023

Sailing on Wonder of the Seas? This ship lives up to her name – stretching to a whopping 1,188 feet with redesigned top decks and a new “neighborhood” that makes her stand out from her Oasis Class sisters. If you have plans of cruising from Port Canaveral on Royal Caribbean’s second-largest ship in the world, we have all the travel tips you need to make your vacation seamless before it even begins.

Tip #1: Fly Into the Orlando Airport (MCO)

Tip #2: Arrive a Day Before Your Wonder of the Seas Cruise

Tip #3: Book Pre-Arranged Cruise Transfers

Tip #4: Stay in a Hotel Near the Airport

Tip #5: Choose an Afternoon Return Flight

Tip #6: Disembark From Wonder of the Seas Early

Tip #1: Fly Into the Orlando Airport (MCO)

When booking a flight for your Wonder of the Seas cruise, it’s highly recommended to fly into the Orlando Airport (MCO) for numerous reasons. Even though this airport is located about 45 miles from the cruise terminals, it has the shortest travel time compared to other local airports due to its direct highway access. The Orlando Airport also offers cruisers the most variety in flights, as well as better hotel selections nearby, and more economical transportation options.

Bonus Tip: When flying in the same day as your cruise, be sure to pick a flight that lands before 11:30 AM to ensure you have enough time to get to the port.

Tip #2: Arrive a Day Before Your Wonder of the Seas Cruise

With unexpected travel delays being so common, a simple flight issue or heavy traffic can put you at risk of missing your cruise when flying in on embarkation day. Arriving the day before setting sail can give you added peace of mind and a more stress-free vacation experience. That’s why Go Port’s Fly Snooze Cruise packages are so popular among Port Canaveral cruisers. You can choose from various brand-name hotel options, such as Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, La Quinta, and Best Western – with airport transportation and cruise transfers included in the package.

If you opt to fly into the Sanford Airport to utilize Allegiant Airlines’ flight savings or prefer the close proximity of the Melbourne Airport featuring Delta and American Airlines, you’ll be pleased to know that Go Port also offers select Fly Snooze Cruise packages for cruisers flying into these airports as well.

Tip #3: Book Pre-Arranged Cruise Transfers

Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out transportation for your Wonder of the Seas cruise. Counting on ride-share services, taxis, or rental cars can be both pricey and unpredictable. On top of that, luggage space is limited with these options – typically leaving only enough room to accommodate a couple travelers and their belongings. Instead, use the most reliable and convenient way to travel between the Orlando Airport and Port Canaveral by booking pre-arranged shuttle transfers. With a company like Go Port, you can purchase the same transportation as your cruise line for just $29.99 per person, compared to Royal Caribbean’s rate of $37.50. Plus, there is plenty of room for your suitcases, bags, strollers, and other mobility devices, with luggage assistance at your service to take care of it all. If you already booked a hotel stay, you can also reserve cruise transfers from select hotels near the Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral here.

Tip #4: Stay in a Hotel Near the Airport

Staying at a hotel near the Orlando Airport is the best option when cruising from Port Canaveral on Wonder of the Seas. When you land, there’s no better feeling than relaxing in your room just minutes after a long flight. Saving the trip to the port for the morning of your cruise also allows you to avoid paying a premium to be near the terminals – meaning you can book a nicer hotel at a lower cost. Additionally, late flight arrivals have the convenience of Orlando restaurants being open late and plenty of shops close by to pick up any last-minute essentials.

Tip #5: Choose an Afternoon Return Flight

The Wonder of the Seas starts disembarking around 7:00 AM and the process typically lasts until 10:00 AM. Once you exit the ship and depart your cruise terminal, the ride back to the airport takes about an hour, depending on traffic. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure. This means you’ll want to book your return flight in the afternoon to ensure you have enough time to disembark, get to the airport, and make it to your gate.

Tip #6: Disembark From Wonder of the Seas Early

Disembarking early is key for a smooth departure from Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean offers Self-Assist Early Departure that allows cruisers to exit the terminal as soon as customs has cleared the ship. To disembark from Wonder of the Seas early, you’ll need to keep any luggage in your stateroom on the last night of your cruise. Then on debarkation morning, simply depart before the time listed on your final invoice and proceed to the gangway with your bags and SeaPass card to exit the ship. This procedure allows travelers to avoid long lines getting off the ship and beat heavy traffic exiting the port.

These Wonder of the Seas travel tips for cruising from Port Canaveral are brought to you by Go Port — a one-stop shop for Port Canaveral cruisers, making travel arrangements ashore simpler than ever before. By partnering exclusively with brand-name hotels and reliable transportation providers, Go Port takes the guesswork out of booking hotel, transportation, and parking packages to complement your cruise. For any questions or booking inquiries please contact info@goport.com with your travel request.