Port Canaveral, Beachside Florida

If you've had the pleasure of vacationing aboard one of the many opulent cruise ships that sail the open ocean, there's a good chance you departed from Florida's fast-growing Port Canaveral. Located in Brevard County, a few minutes from Cocoa Beach is Port Canaveral, the second busiest cruise port in the world.

Millions of passengers each year come to Port Canaveral to vacation on board one of the major cruise lines docked here. Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America, and Norwegian Cruise Line regularly dock at one of the six cruise terminals. Sail off to the Caribbean, Bahamas, or Mexico on a 3, 4, or 7-day trip on one of these majestic ships. Along with the major cruise lines, you'll find the SunCruz Casino ship. Departing twice a day, the SunCruz Casino offers a few-hour getaway on the Atlantic Ocean to allow for gambling. Play some slots, try your hand at Blackjack, try to win big at Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Craps, or Poker. If you're not into gambling, there's always the delicious buffet to dive into and the sundeck to relax on while you relish the warm sunshine and expansive oceanic view.

Port Canaveral also features The Cove, a busy waterfront recreation area fraught with restaurants, lounges, shops, and charter boats. Many of the restaurants and tiki bars have outdoor seating, so that you can savor the invigorating ocean breeze. Be sure to sample some delicious fried gator bites (a favorite around here) or some of their fresh seafood. There's a nice variety of fare to choose from. At night, The Cove comes alive with live entertainment-- DJs, live bands, dancing and karaoke. Sip a few frozen Margaritas, chat with friends, and possibly serenade the crowd with a great 80's hit.

With all this sparkling sapphire water surrounding you, you'll certainly want to take advantage. Boat chartering services are available at Port Canaveral with the option of half-day, full-day and night excursions. From Port Canaveral, your boat can sail the Atlantic Ocean and part of Florida's Intracoastal Waterway system. Plan a fishing voyage, join an ocean tour, or charter a boat with friends'celebrities aren't the only ones who know how to party VIP-style.

Fishing is a major hobby in this area. Each year several major deep-sea fishing tournaments are held at Port Canaveral, including the largest single day fishing tournament in the world, the Annual Florida Sport Fishing Association's Offshore Tournament. The surrounding parks are also great for fishing enthusiasts and other water sports. Thousands of Anglers visit Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier at Jetty Park every year for a chance to reel in snook, Spanish mackerel, drum and other game fish. Jetty Park is 35-acres of beach, campsites, and welcomes a full range of water activities. Bike paths run through the Port, from the eastern boundary at Jetty Park to Freddie Patrick Park, allowing for easy accessibility to the parks.