There's a small sundry shop in the terminal lobby with sunscreen, phone chargers, and basic travel items — but prices are cruise-port level. The nearest Walgreens is 5 minutes south on SR-528 (exit at SR-401). If you need a real drugstore run, do it before heading to the terminal.
Cape Canaveral · Port Canaveral · What to Pack
What to Pack for Port Canaveral
The complete cruise packing checklist. Every essential item with explanations — so you don't forget anything for your cruise from Port Canaveral.
Provenance: 24 packing items · researched from public reviews and official sources
Packing for a cruise from Port Canaveral
Cruise terminals are not shops. Whatever you forget has to be bought before you reach the curb, so pack the checklist below and use these Port Canaveral notes to plan the last stop on the way in.
We have not walked Terminal 2's concourse, so this guide does not describe what is sold inside it. For a real store, the Publix on Astronaut Blvd in Cape Canaveral is about 7 minutes away and the CVS on N Atlantic Ave in Cocoa Beach about 10 — make that stop before you head into the port.
The terminal has a small convenience area near the check-in hall with overpriced basics. There's a Publix about 7 minutes away on Astronaut Blvd (SR-A1A) in Cape Canaveral — much better selection and prices for snacks, sunscreen, or medications.
There's a small gift shop inside the terminal for last-minute sunscreen or a magazine. For anything more, the closest option is the Walgreens on SR-528 (about 5 minutes). The Publix on Astronaut Blvd is about 8 minutes away.
The terminal lobby has a basic shop with essentials. The Cove is a drive from this side of the harbour rather than a walk, so treat it as a stop on the way in, not a stroll after you park. For a full store, the CVS on N Atlantic Ave in Cocoa Beach is about 10 minutes away.
The Disney terminal has a small shop with branded souvenirs and basic travel items (sunscreen, Advil, phone chargers) — prices are Disney-level. For anything substantial, hit the Publix on Astronaut Blvd (about 8 min) before heading to the terminal. Guests who meet Disney's age requirement may bring a limited amount of unopened wine, sparkling wine, or beer at the start of the voyage. It must be packed in carry-on luggage; check Disney's current policy before departure.
CT-10's terminal lobby has a convenience shop, at cruise-port markup. The nearest Publix is on Astronaut Blvd, about 7 minutes away. The CVS on N Atlantic Ave in Cocoa Beach is about 10 minutes.
Forgot something? Stops near Port Canaveral
Publix — Cape Canaveral — Groceries, snacks, water, sunscreen — closest grocery to the port
Walgreens — Cocoa Beach — Pharmacy, Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries
Walmart Supercenter — Merritt Island — Everything last-minute — cheapest sunscreen and snacks
1500 E Merritt Island Cswy, Merritt Island, FL 32952
USPS — Cocoa Beach — Post office — drop mail before you sail
The complete cruise packing checklist
Packing for a specific itinerary or wondering what each cruise line actually lets you bring aboard? Read the full cruise packing guide, or jump to the Alaska and Caribbean lists.
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Carry-On Day Bag
Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm
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Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
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Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
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Medications — Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Don't risk them being in delayed luggage.
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Passport, or birth certificate plus physical photo ID on a U.S. round trip — A photo ID alone, REAL ID included, is not accepted. Neither is a phone or digital license. Keep these in your carry-on
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Letter from any parent who is not sailing — Royal Caribbean requires a notarized one for a child sailing without a guardian. Bring papers that link different surnames
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Sealed snacks and an empty refillable bottle — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Carnival and Royal Caribbean allow factory-sealed snacks. Carnival and Norwegian refuse bottled water, and Margaritaville at Sea refuses all outside food and drink
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Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready
Cruise Essentials
Things that make the whole trip better
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Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
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USB multi-port charger (no power strip) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. Royal Caribbean bans power strips and Celebrity bans extension cords; Carnival allows strips without surge protection — a USB-only charger is safe on every line
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Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
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Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
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Over-the-door pocket organizer — With three or more in one cabin there is no counter space — the pockets hold toiletries, chargers and sunscreen on the back of the bathroom door
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Pop-up laundry hamper — Folds flat in the suitcase and keeps a week of kids' dirty clothes separate from the clean ones in a cabin with nowhere else to put them
Easy to Forget
The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop
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Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
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Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
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Small over-the-counter medicine kit — Pain reliever, antacid, anti-diarrheal, cold and allergy tablets, bandages. The onboard shop stocks little of this and the medical center charges for a visit — the pharmacy at home is where it costs a few dollars
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Small battery clock — Many cabins no longer have a bedside clock, and an interior cabin at 3am is too dark to find a phone
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Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
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Children's medicines (their usual brand and flavor) — Ships rarely sell children's formulas at all, and a feverish kid at midnight is not the moment to discover that
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