Carnival Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral
Everything you need for boarding Carnival Mardi Gras (Carnival) at Port Canaveral. Terminal info, parking, restaurants, hotels, and pro tips.
Upcoming Sail Dates
Official schedule · Verified Aug 9, 2026
Sources: Port Canaveral cruise ship schedule, Port Canaveral Master Cruise Schedule PDF
| Date | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 15, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Aug 22, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Aug 29, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Sep 5, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Sep 12, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Terminal: Cruise Terminal 3 |
Most cruise lines assign an arrival window during online check-in, and arriving inside that window is the best way to avoid the longest terminal lines. General boarding usually runs from late morning into the early afternoon, but the exact timing varies by ship, port, and sail date. Follow the check-in instructions your cruise line sends you — they always take priority over general guidance.
Where does Carnival Mardi Gras depart from at Port Canaveral?
The current schedule lists Cruise Terminal 3. Confirm your terminal with the cruise line before traveling.
Drop-off: Follow George King Blvd past Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. The drop-off lane curves in front of the building — look for the covered portico. Porters will grab your bags curbside. Tip $2-3 per bag and keep your carry-on with you.
When should I board Carnival Mardi Gras?
Carnival's online check-in typically opens about 14 days before sailing, and that is where you choose an Arrival Appointment — a specific window for arriving at the terminal. The earliest appointments typically go first, so check in as soon as your window opens if boarding early matters to you.
Windows and opening dates vary by ship, homeport, and loyalty tier, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.
Where can I park for a Carnival Mardi Gras cruise?
- Drive Yourself — Port Parking: $20/day plus tax + tolls from MCO
- Drive Yourself — Off-Site Parking: $8-12/day (free shuttle to terminal included)
Rates change — check parking and transportation options near Port Canaveral before you travel.
Official Terminal
Cruise Terminal 3
Drop-off: Follow George King Blvd past Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. The drop-off lane curves in front of the building — look for the covered portico. Porters will grab your bags curbside. Tip $2-3 per bag and keep your carry-on with you.
Parking: Park in the multi-level garage adjacent to CT-3 ($20/day plus tax). Parking is cashless and paid on arrival; no reservations are accepted. The garage is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway on the second level.
Check-in tips:
- CT-3 is one of two Carnival terminals here — Carnival Freedom and Vista sail from CT-6 instead, so check your booking documents for which one you want. The terminal pages list the ships currently scheduled at each. Download the Carnival Hub app and complete online check-in before you arrive
- Bring your boarding confirmation (digital or printed) plus a valid photo ID for everyone in your party
- If you purchased Faster to the Fun, you'll have a dedicated check-in lane — look for the priority signs on the left side
- Security screening is airport-style but moves quickly — have your bags ready to go through the scanner
Getting to the Port
Drive Yourself — Port Parking
Official Port Canaveral parking is next to each cruise terminal. The current rate is $20 per day plus tax for vehicles and RVs, and both the arrival and departure days are charged. Payment is due when you enter the lot; reservations are not accepted and cash is not accepted.
Drive Yourself — Off-Site Parking
Off-site lots near the port offer significant savings over on-site parking. Go Port advertises parking from $7.95/day at its plaza on North Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island, with departure-day shuttles from 10:30 AM and returns from 7:00 AM until debarkation finishes. Cruise Parking Port Canaveral on SR-528 is another reliable option at $8-10/day. Both offer covered and uncovered options — covered costs a few dollars more per day but is worth it if you're leaving your car for a week in the Florida sun.
Park-and-Cruise Hotel Package
Many hotels near the port bundle a night's stay with parking for the duration of your cruise plus a shuttle to the terminal. You drive in the night before, sleep, then shuttle to the port in the morning while your car stays at the hotel. Radisson Resort at the Port, Country Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral, and Residence Inn Cape Canaveral all offer reliable park-and-cruise packages. Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach is another solid option if you want a beach-adjacent stay.
Shuttle from Orlando Airport (MCO)
MCO is about 45 miles from Port Canaveral, roughly 45 min by car. Several shuttle companies run scheduled transfers from MCO to Port Canaveral. Shared shuttles cost $25-35 per person; private SUVs run $120-180 for up to 6 passengers.
Nearby Restaurants
Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar
Waterfront seafood with live music and a kids' menu that actually has good food
$$Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
Casual waterfront spot where you can watch cruise ships from your table
$$Brano's Italian Grill
Chef-owned Italian on N Atlantic Ave doing pizza, pasta, seafood and steak in generous portions
$$Pompano Grill
Small downtown Cocoa Beach dining room doing American Wagyu steaks, house-made pasta and local seafood
$$$Nearby Hotels
Affiliate links. If you book a stay through Booking.com we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep CruiseDayGuide free, and it never changes which hotels we recommend.
Residence Inn by Marriott Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
Suite-style rooms with full kitchens leave room for the whole family to spread out.
Radisson Resort at the Port
Resort-style property with a big pool area — the kids will want to stay an extra night
Country Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral
Budget-friendly and closest to the port, so you can save the money for the cruise.
Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral
Reliable beach-adjacent stay with cruise parking packages available
Local Tip
Carnival Mardi Gras sails from CT-3, which has a multi-level parking garage connected to the terminal by a covered second-floor walkway — park on levels 2 or 3 for the shortest walk. If you get there early, Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill is barely 5 minutes from the terminal and you can watch cruise ships from your table while you eat. Download the Carnival Hub app and finish check-in before you arrive; if you purchased Faster to the Fun, there's a dedicated priority lane on the left side of the check-in hall.
Other Ships Sailing from Port Canaveral
Carnival Freedom terminal & parking
Carnival
Carnival Glory terminal & parking
Carnival
Carnival Venezia terminal & parking
Carnival
Carnival Vista terminal & parking
Carnival
Norwegian Prima terminal & parking
Norwegian
MSC Seashore terminal & parking
MSC
Caribbean Princess terminal & parking
Princess
Adventure of the Seas terminal & parking
Royal Caribbean
Want the complete Port Canaveral cruise guide?
Restaurants, activities, hotels, terminal tips, parking, packing lists, and boarding advice — all in one page.
View Full GuideMore Port Canaveral Guides
Flying In?