Port Canaveral is about 45 miles east of Orlando along the BeachLine (SR 528). From the airport the drive is 45 minutes; from the Disney area, closer to an hour. On Saturdays and Sundays, when several ships turn around at once, the last stretch into the terminals slows down noticeably between 10:30 and 12:30.
Pick the pickup time from your check-in window
Cruise lines assign a check-in window, usually between 11:00 and 14:00. Aim to arrive at the terminal at the start of your window, not the end. Leaving Orlando 90 minutes before that start time covers traffic, a bathroom stop and the terminal drop-off queue.
Flying in the same day?
It can work, but only with a morning flight. Count 45 minutes from touchdown to bags in hand at MCO, then the 45-minute drive. A flight landing after 11:00 leaves no margin; most families who do this book the transfer for the flight time and let us track the flight.
The return
Disembarkation runs from about 7:00 to 10:00. If you are flying home the same day, book a flight after 13:00 and the transfer for two hours after the ship docks. If you have a night in Orlando before flying, a stop at the outlets on the way back is the classic move.