Florida has three major cruise ports within a few hours of each other. Here is how Port Canaveral stacks up against Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the things that actually decide your trip.
Port Canaveral is the closest of the three to Orlando and has the lowest official port garage rate, $20 a day. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale caps garage parking at $25 a day, and PortMiami charges $28 a day in its county garages and $35 at some line-specific garages. Fort Lauderdale is about 185 miles south of Port Canaveral and Miami about 205.
| Port | City | Main airport | Port garage parking (car, per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Canaveral | Cape Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando | Orlando International (MCO), about 45 miles | $20 |
| Port Everglades | Fort Lauderdale, about 185 miles south | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) | $25 daily maximum, no reservations |
| PortMiami | Miami, about 205 miles south | Miami International (MIA) | $28 in county garages C, D and G; $35 in Garages AA and B |
Rates are the ports' own published garage rates as of October 2026: Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and PortMiami. Ports change rates without notice, so confirm before you travel. Distances are driving miles from our Fort Lauderdale and Miami drive guides.
The biggest practical difference is where each port sits. Port Canaveral is on Florida's east coast near Cape Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando and the theme parks, which makes it the natural choice if you are combining a cruise with an Orlando vacation or flying into Orlando International. PortMiami and Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, sit about three to four hours south, serving the Miami and South Florida metro and the Fort Lauderdale airport. If you are coming from central or north Florida, or from the Orlando airport, Port Canaveral is simply closer.
All three ports are major homeports with big fleets. Port Canaveral is a stronghold for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, MSC, and Norwegian, including some of the newest and largest ships in the world sailing Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries. Miami and Fort Lauderdale host an even broader mix of lines and a heavier concentration of longer and more exotic itineraries. If a specific ship or sailing only leaves from one port, that often decides it; otherwise all three offer strong Bahamas and Caribbean options.
Parking economics are similar across the three. Each port runs its own garages at a premium daily rate, and each has a ring of off-site lots that undercut the garage and shuttle you in. At Port Canaveral the port garages are $20 a day and off-site lots run from about $6 to $15. Port Everglades garages top out at $25 a day, and PortMiami's county garages charge $28 a day for overnight parking, so the port garage is cheapest at Port Canaveral. Wherever you sail, reserving an off-site spot in advance is usually the lowest cost and the surest way to guarantee a space. Our cost breakdown covers Port Canaveral in detail.
Port Canaveral is served primarily by Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the country, about 45 minutes away. Miami and Fort Lauderdale each have their own major airports minutes from the port, which is convenient for fly-in cruisers. If you are flying, all three are easy; the difference is that flying into Orlando for Port Canaveral also puts you next to the theme parks for a pre or post-cruise stay.
This is where Port Canaveral pulls ahead for many families. Because it is an hour from Orlando, you can spend a few days at the theme parks and then drive to the ship, or cruise first and hit the parks after, all on one trip. Miami and Fort Lauderdale pair naturally with a South Florida or Keys vacation instead. If your ideal trip is cruise-plus-Orlando, Port Canaveral is built for it; if it is cruise-plus-Miami-nightlife-or-Keys, look south.
For most travelers coming from central or north Florida, flying into Orlando, or combining a cruise with the theme parks, Port Canaveral is the convenient, lower-hassle choice, and it offers plenty of Bahamas and Caribbean sailings on major lines. Choose Miami or Fort Lauderdale when a specific ship or itinerary sails only from there, when you are already in South Florida, or when you want a longer or more exotic voyage. Once you have picked Port Canaveral, our complete parking guide and terminal guide handle the rest.
It depends on your location and plans. Port Canaveral is about an hour from Orlando and the theme parks, ideal if you are flying into Orlando or combining a cruise with a park trip. Miami is better if you are in South Florida or want a longer or more exotic itinerary. Both are major homeports with strong Caribbean options.
Port Canaveral is the closest major cruise port to Orlando, about an hour away via SR-528. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are roughly three to four hours south. If you are flying into Orlando International, Port Canaveral is the natural choice.
Yes, at the port garages. Port Canaveral charges $20 a day, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale has a $25 daily maximum, and PortMiami charges $28 a day in its county garages and $35 in Garages AA and B, based on each port's published rates. All three also have cheaper off-site lots with shuttles; at Port Canaveral those run about $6 to $15 a day, and reserving off-site in advance is usually the lowest cost at any of them.
Port Canaveral is usually better if you live in central or north Florida, fly into Orlando, or want to add a theme park stay, since it is about an hour from Orlando and its garage parking is $20 a day. Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades is better if you are already in South Florida, want to fly into FLL minutes from the port, or your ship or itinerary only sails from there. The two ports are about 185 miles apart.
Port Canaveral is served primarily by Orlando International Airport, about 45 minutes away. Miami and Fort Lauderdale each have their own major airports closer to their ports. From Orlando International it is about 45 miles to Port Canaveral via SR-528, the Beachline. Fly-in cruisers who rent a car can park it at an off-site lot like Portside for the length of the cruise and ride the free shuttle to the terminal.
$14.95 a day, free shuttle straight to your terminal, guaranteed spot, and 5% back in member cash.
Reserve my parkingPopular: parking cost · discounts · free parking options · FAQ · all articles
$14.95 a day, free shuttle straight to your terminal, no hidden fees.