Kennedy Space Center

[Punnymaker]

I am planning to visit the Kennedy Space Center while in Port Canaveral next month.  Should I go on the NCL excursion or go on my own?  When I priced it out (estimating about $40 each way for an uber, shared between two people, and including an NCL shore excursion credit) the prices were roughly the same.  On the one hand, the ease of going with NCL is appealing.  However, the Space Center is open until 7pm and the NCL tour leaves at 6pm (the boat is in port until 9pm, so I'm not worried about missing it) and I might want to spend the extra time at the Space Center.  Is it worth the slight extra hassle of going on my own (how hard is it to get an uber at the port/at the Space Center) to be able to arrive and depart on my own schedule as opposed to on NCL's?  Are there any other factors to consider that I'm missing? 

 

Thanks!

[lupaglupa]

When went a few years ago from the Breakaway we were let in early at the Space Center and had access to exhibits before the general public. If that is still the case it might influence your decision - we saw a lot in that early time.

[hallux]

Depending on the activities going on and when you're there, the excursion MAY be better.  I was there with Royal Caribbean last year, during spring break for many Northeast municipal schools and on launch day for SpaceX.  The excursion was on a KSC bus, we spent 3 hours on the bus getting to KSC from port.  Partway there they told us that no more walk-up tickets were being sold (we had tickets through the excursion).  The bus was also, at one point, able to detour onto KSC internal roads to bypass the traffic jam caused by folks being turned away.  If we had booked something on our own we might not have gotten there.

 

The above is obviously not going to happen every time, there were several scheduling events that all fell on the same day (to our benefit, it was great to be there for a launch).

[1025cruise]

I pondered the same thing last summer on RCI. They offered two excursions, one where they herded you, and one where it was just admission and transportation. We did the second one, again didn't seem worth it to deal with Uber/etc. It was fine for us. Yes, we had to stand in lines, for the bus tour that goes to the pads, but it was worth it.

 

While the buses start heading back at 6, we were actually ready to head back earlier. Another thought, the concession stands there must compete with Disney on who is more expensive. Just keep that in mind. It was a wonderful experience, glad I've been there, but I think once was enough.

[Traveling Fools]

Where are you beginning, Orlando or the Port Canaveral area?

• You have more flexibility if you are originating in the Port Canaveral area.
• Consider your luggage and storage related concerns while at KSC.  With Uber you are responsible for them.  With the excursion they should stay on/with the bus.

What time does the excursion get you to KSC?

• If you are there when the gates open, when 6:00 pm rolls around you will probably have seen all you wanted to and wouldn't gain anything by staying an extra hour.  It isn't like amusement parks where you stand in line for each ride.  It is more of a self-pace visit.
• Also consider NCL wants you onboard 2-hours prior to departure.  A 6:00 pm departure from KSC will accommodate that window of time.

What ages will be visiting?

• All adults?  If so, you will be more focused and tend to do and see more in less time than if accompanied by children.
• Mixed age groups?  As mentioned expect spending more time there.

 

Is there a launch scheduled for that day (afternoon)?

• If so and it is an afternoon event traffic will be a *****!

 

If you find you have an extra 2 or more hours before your drop dead departure time from KSC, consider Ubering to the TICO WARBIRD AIR MUSEUM / VALIANT AIR COMMAND.  If you go there be sure to factor in round trip travel time.

 

[Punnymaker]

Thanks everyone for the advice.  Just a little more info, we're two adults. We'll be on the Escape from NYC.  We are porting in Cape Canaveral and our scheduled port time is 1-9pm (so all aboard will be 8:30pm).  The NCL excursion departs the ship at 1:30pm and is due back at 6:30pm.

[fabnfortysomething]

1 hour ago, Traveling Fools said:

Where are you beginning, Orlando or the Port Canaveral area?

• You have more flexibility if you are originating in the Port Canaveral area.
• Consider your luggage and storage related concerns while at KSC.  With Uber you are responsible for them.  With the excursion they should stay on/with the bus.

What time does the excursion get you to KSC?

• If you are there when the gates open, when 6:00 pm rolls around you will probably have seen all you wanted to and wouldn't gain anything by staying an extra hour.  It isn't like amusement parks where you stand in line for each ride.  It is more of a self-pace visit.
• Also consider NCL wants you onboard 2-hours prior to departure.  A 6:00 pm departure from KSC will accommodate that window of time.

What ages will be visiting?

• All adults?  If so, you will be more focused and tend to do and see more in less time than if accompanied by children.
• Mixed age groups?  As mentioned expect spending more time there.

 

Is there a launch scheduled for that day (afternoon)?

• If so and it is an afternoon event traffic will be a *****!

 

If you find you have an extra 2 or more hours before your drop dead departure time from KSC, consider Ubering to the TICO WARBIRD AIR MUSEUM / VALIANT AIR COMMAND.  If you go there be sure to factor in round trip travel time.

 

 

a lot of your points are good for the OP

 

however that comment that NCL wants you back on board 2 hours prior to departure

that's only applies for embarkation port-others are 30 mins prior

the poor wording on NCL website often brings up that misconception

 

the previous mention of 3 hours on a bus to get there suggests that port must be Miami or Fort Lauderdale-port Canaveral is very close to space centre

[hallux]

2 minutes ago, fabnfortysomething said:

the previous mention of 3 hours on a bus to get there suggests that port must be Miami or Fort Lauderdale-port Canaveral is very close to space centre

 

Nope, it was simply traffic on that day due to spring breaks and the scheduled launch (which was explained in my post that you didn't read fully apparently).  It most certainly was Port Canaveral, I even have pics of the SpaceX drone ship as we sailed by it in the channel (it was an expendable launch so no first stage recovery).

[fabnfortysomething]

2 minutes ago, hallux said:

 

Nope, it was simply traffic on that day due to spring breaks and the scheduled launch (which was explained in my post that you didn't read fully apparently).  It most certainly was Port Canaveral, I even have pics of the SpaceX drone ship as we sailed by it in the channel (it was an expendable launch so no first stage recovery).

I did read your post but you seem to have taken offence unnecessarily

however it does show that unusual circumstances can cause traffic chaos which may influence OP concern whether best to DIY or go with ship excursion 

 

[Visigoth]

I'm sorry to jump in here but it is 17 miles from Port Canaveral to Kennedy Space center.  On a good day you can Uber it in under 20 minutes at a cost of $34 for up to 4 people.  On line tickets for the space center center tour cost $52 for an adult and $50 for military or senior.  That means it is about half the price of the NCL tour and you are not traveling with a throng.

[Traveling Fools]

22 hours ago, Punnymaker said:

Thanks everyone for the advice.  Just a little more info, we're two adults. We'll be on the Escape from NYC.  We are porting in Cape Canaveral and our scheduled port time is 1-9pm (so all aboard will be 8:30pm).  The NCL excursion departs the ship at 1:30pm and is due back at 6:30pm.

 

Thank-you for the updated information.  A SpaceX launch is scheduled for 2:00 AM March 2nd, which should not impact you.  There is at least one more launch scheduled in March, one on the 16th, time not yet determined and possibly two more;  1-Arabsat and 1-Canadian Space Agency times of launches not yet determined.  There is also one scheduled for an unspecified day in April.  If those are afternoon or early evening launches and become scheduled on the day you are in Port I would remain onboard and watch them.  You might not see them leave the gantry, but you will have a closer view of their ascent than most other people viewing the launch, not have to suffer from massive traffic jams, and enjoy a comfortable seating and viewing area with drinks close by.

 

2019 launch schedule

 

To reach the closest launch viewing areas, you have to drive on causeways bordered by canals on each side of the road.  There are limited ways in and out with "U" turns strictly limited.  Traffic in the vicinity of the roads to and leading to the closest viewing areas after a launch is horrific .

 

Now, having said all that, if you are there on a regular day traffic to and from the Port should not be an issue.  As would be the other considerations I mentioned.  And Ubering there and back would be something to strongly consider. 

[Punnymaker]

Thanks for all the advice.  I will definitely keep an eye on the launch schedule!

[BirdTravels]

The NCL tour is s private tour and the bus excursion is suppose to get you closer to the pads than the public tour. The ncl tour does keep you moving allowing you to do the launch simulator while at Atlantis and time for a snack at the Saturn V building. 

[muskrat191]

Access to anything at KSC is dependent on what else is going on there. We drove ourselves last year and did the public tour. We had to skip the launch pad portion because SpaceX had some equipment blocking the roads. 

[beepbeep428]

Hi all -- we have the KSC excursion booked through NCL for our cruise in April.  Just made a dining reservation at 7pm, do you think we'll be back on the ship in time? Thanks!

[Grand & Nana]

On 3/4/2019 at 1:24 PM, beepbeep428 said:

Hi all -- we have the KSC excursion booked through NCL for our cruise in April.  Just made a dining reservation at 7pm, do you think we'll be back on the ship in time? Thanks!

 

I'm looking for feedback/review on the NCL excursion with NCL.  As 2 active seniors who are DIY travelers, we have a cruise on the Sun in November 2019.  The airfare is part of our package, however; I can do a deviation to fly in a day early if we can do more than just a general admission visit, e.g., lunch with an astronaut.  The NCL excursion on the day we disembark is 7 hours 

[Peachypooh]

Our family did an NCL excursion on a day there was a launch. The launch was in the morning so by the time they

left on the bus it was over but it was still crazy busy. We headed to Cocoa Beach instead.One family member said that if they had known it was a launch day they wouldn't have gone.

The reason there were unaware is that it was not scheduled originally for that day but it had been delayed

due to poor weather a few days prior.

Edited April 12, 2019 by Peachypooh

[Paphillyguy]

There really is no benefit regarding the bus to the launch pads with NCL.  We were dropped at the main entrance and we got in the same line as everyone else for the buses to the launch pad with the $125 tour. 

[WestfieldTraveler]

We will be there next Feb 4th a Tuesday between 1 and 9pm. Assuming there is no launch just wondering if it is likely to be that crowded then? Considering renting a car to do it on our own.

[dexddd]

5 hours ago, WestfieldTraveler said:

We will be there next Feb 4th a Tuesday between 1 and 9pm. Assuming there is no launch just wondering if it is likely to be that crowded then? Considering renting a car to do it on our own.

We've been there several times and things are spread out.  The shuttle launch experience is great but you may have to wait for that.  Check times as it closes at like 5 but the NCL excursion supposedly goes later.

[alevyinroc]

On 2/28/2019 at 12:41 PM, hallux said:

I was there with Royal Caribbean last year, during spring break for many Northeast municipal schools and on launch day for SpaceX.  The excursion was on a KSC bus, we spent 3 hours on the bus getting to KSC from port. 

 

I was on that excursion too! 3 hours on the bus was terrible but completely worth it to see a launch.

[BirdTravels]

On 4/12/2019 at 12:44 PM, Paphillyguy said:

There really is no benefit regarding the bus to the launch pads with NCL.  We were dropped at the main entrance and we got in the same line as everyone else for the buses to the launch pad with the $125 tour. 

So,,, there was a difference between a port call and a post-cruise excursion. We were there last week and they just dropped us off. The line to do the bus tour was 1 hour long. 

 

When we we did a post-cruise excursion a couple of years ago, it was a fully escorted tour and they walked us to a private bus out to Saturn V (and we used the facility bus back from Saturn V) after Atlantis.