Royal Caribbean Excusion, Kennedy Space Center Shuttle

[Shae_W]

Does this excursion also include admission to the Kennedy Space Center? Normally when they list excursions that say shuttle it will also state in bold letters or in the description that it does not include admission to the attraction but in the details of this excursion it claims;

 

"Blast off into out-of-this-world adventure as you independently enjoy hands-on exhibits at Kennedy Space Center that explore America's interplanetary program, all with the convenience of roundtrip coach transfers. A 30-minute bus ride brings you to Kennedy Space Center, where you'll have several hours of independent exploration (duration depending on ship arrival time). Through the center's interactive Mission Zones, you'll get up-close to sky-high rockets in the Rocket Garden and marvel at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. See the historic countdown clock — or go behind the gates to launch operations headquarters. Watch a 3D IMAX film, meet a real-life astronaut, snap photos with the space shuttle Atlantis, and stand before the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown."

 

Which leads me to believe that admission should be included? there also some other details in the featured highlights that lead me to believe that admission should be included but then again I'm not sure

 

I did try to call customer support but it proved unhelpful as they just read everything word for word off the details page of the excursion giving me no further answers to my question.

[GJustice]

Last year we had two options, like you said, one was the tour and the other was JUST the shuttle. The description you quote "sounds" like the admission-included full tour. Our guide actually went above and beyond the "standard" tour you'd get buying it at the door.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, GJustice said:

Last year we had two options, like you said, one was the tour and the other was JUST the shuttle. The description you quote "sounds" like the admission-included full tour. Our guide actually went above and beyond the "standard" tour you'd get buying it at the door.

 

Hope this helps.

Ours also included admission. And our driver guide was just an amazing lady. She was a local and had so much knowledge. It was a great day !!!

[PolicromaSol]

Given the sheer number of cruises that start there, I feel like it's easier to start a cruise from Cape Canaveral, then go the day before and enjoy a day at the space center. As an added bonus, it gives you a buffer day in case anything goes wrong on the way.

 

But I figure if you're asking about excursions you've already booked, so it's probably too late to suggest this, huh? 😢

 

Anyway, last we went, admission was along the lines you'd expect going somewhere like Sea World. ($75 for adults, $65 for kids.) So if the excursion price seems too good to be true, it probably is just a ride over. But if it sounds like they tacked on a fee on top of the above prices, then it's likely included.

Edited November 24, 2022 by PolicromaSol

[nferr]

My ship doesn't dock till 12 and it says the tour leaves at 12:30 which is probably ambitious.Takes a half hour to get there. The Space Center closes at 5 so it doesn't seem worth $75 admission plus the excursion cost of $71 (I don't know if the admission is included in the $71 but I don't see how) for a few hours IMO. That would be really rushed.

Edited November 24, 2022 by nferr

[ZoeyVictoria]

I think the number of times the word “independent” is used is a hint. 

[maysill88]

Yes, it includes admission.  My family just did this excursion last week.

 

You will have to tour the facilities without a tour guide.  They no longer offer a guided tour excursion.

[Shae_W]

On 11/23/2022 at 9:15 PM, PolicromaSol said:

Given the sheer number of cruises that start there, I feel like it's easier to start a cruise from Cape Canaveral, then go the day before and enjoy a day at the space center. As an added bonus, it gives you a buffer day in case anything goes wrong on the way.

 

But I figure if you're asking about excursions you've already booked, so it's probably too late to suggest this, huh? 😢

 

Anyway, last we went, admission was along the lines you'd expect going somewhere like Sea World. ($75 for adults, $65 for kids.) So if the excursion price seems too good to be true, it probably is just a ride over. But if it sounds like they tacked on a fee on top of the above prices, then it's likely included.

Thanks for the Tip but the cruise doesn't leave from Canaveral, its a stop along the way, I definitely understand the confusion 😅

[FionaMG]

On 11/24/2022 at 2:29 AM, nferr said:

My ship doesn't dock till 12 and it says the tour leaves at 12:30 which is probably ambitious.Takes a half hour to get there. The Space Center closes at 5 so it doesn't seem worth $75 admission plus the excursion cost of $71 (I don't know if the admission is included in the $71 but I don't see how) for a few hours IMO. That would be really rushed.

I think Royal must have an arrangement with KSC to get the admission tickets cheaper than the gate price. Someone on another board said that the buses are official KSC buses. The $71 price tag for the excursion is the sale price and has limited availability. I actually got ours at this price during the Labor Day sale and had not seen it go down that far again until last Friday. However, for my cruise, it's now back up to $84, so I guess they've sold out the cheap seats.

The person on the other board said they had 4 hours there. Obviously that's not ideal but if, like us, the chances of another visit are practically zero, I'll take the 4 hours over none. 🙂

[LittleJoefromKokomo]

Yes admission is included, we were there in September but remember that since the ships dock at noon, you will not have enough time to see everything there.

We only got about 3 or 4 hours there and couldn't visit both parts. You will need to decide before what parts you want to visit, either Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex (with the space shuttle Atlantis) or the other part Apollo/Saturn V center where you need to take another bus ride to. And the wait time for the bus made us choose the main Visitor complex, but that was just our choise. But don't count on seeing both parts.

[Daycare Provider]

We hired a limo to see the space center.

[1025cruise]

I did the excursion a few years ago. We were given wristbands on the bus that were our tickets. We ran straight to the line for the bus tour. That took the bulk of the time there. We also saw the Atlantis building.

Didn't get to the IMAX.

Just a note, the concessions there give Disney a run for your money. I had half a heart attack paying for 2 hot dogs and 2 drinks. That was before eating the hot dogs.

[nelblu]

We did the KSC on Easter.  The description is confusing, and we had to contact Royal to be sure that it included the entrance fee.  The Shuttle/Bus takes about a little over an hour, depending on traffic.  The bus driver was like having a tour escort as he was quite knowledgeable regarding the happenings at the Space Center.  At that time, the KSC closed at 6PM.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

Can tell you tomorrow when we dock and do the ship excursion with airport drop off. I do know it’s all self guided as they had an issue with the tour contractor and dropped the guided part. 

[Nabalab]

Now on Anthem… we’re in Port Canaveral on Tuesday.

 

Our KSC excursion was just cancelled - refunded back as OBC.  Guest services says it’s because KSC is closed that day.  They’re not (according to their website), but there is a launch - which may have something to do with it.

 

Tried to book this excursion thru Royal 2x in 2021 and again on the current sailing.  All cancelled.

Guess my wife and I will have to book a cruise out of Port Canaveral and fly in a few days ahead of time.
 

[alfaeric]

9 minutes ago, Nabalab said:

Now on Anthem… we’re in Port Canaveral on Tuesday.

 

Our KSC excursion was just cancelled - refunded back as OBC.  Guest services says it’s because KSC is closed that day.  They’re not (according to their website), but there is a launch - which may have something to do with it.

 

Tried to book this excursion thru Royal 2x in 2021 and again on the current sailing.  All cancelled.

Guess my wife and I will have to book a cruise out of Port Canaveral and fly in a few days ahead of time.
 

Sorry about losing the tour, but thanks for the heads up for the launch!!!!  We will be out on the top deck to watch for sure!!!!!

[Nabalab]

Got back to my stateroom late last night, and found this. Unfortunate (in a first-world problem sorta way) - but I am glad they specified the reason.

 

Not going to book anything else - so like Nassau, it’ll be another “sea day” for us.

Edited December 5, 2022 by Nabalab

[alfaeric]

Checking the various sources, it looks like the launch was delayed a day. That happened not too long ago. 

[Nabalab]

47 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

Checking the various sources, it looks like the launch was delayed a day. That happened not too long ago. 

Wow, yeah. On the KSC website. Ah well.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/category/fl/

 

Best site I found to track.  Once it gets within an hour or so of launch then go on the SpaceX www site for the live feed.  Sadly, we had a possibility of three during Thanksgiving week and none went as scheduled.  We did the KSC tour post-cruise and my suggestion is first thing when you get there go directly to the bus tour out to the launch sites and then come back and tour the buildings.  If they are just canceling your tour and the launch is still scheduled I would stay on the ship and watch it.  There wouldn't be any better place to see it.  

Edited December 7, 2022 by ATSEAMYLIFE

[luckyinpa]

make sure you know the time KSC is open when you are there. a few years ago we had an overnight docking in FL and assumed the cruise tour would have us there at the crack of dawn. no!  arrived well after 10. long lines. and told be back on the bus 230 for a 5pm departure. cruise tours build in traffic time to get you back. i dont feel it was worth the trip after all that. most time was waiting in lines. 

 

back in the days spirit had 50 dollar flights and i had planned to go back down for 2 full days which is what you really need there. but now flights are so expensive i think a cruise then end of cruise self tour would be best. 

[Monkey0313]

I’m thinking about booking this excursion. What time do you leave the space center to head to the airport for drop-off?