The Orlando Princess and its sister boat the Canaveral Princess are the deep sea fishing head boats for Port Canaveral, the cheapest and most accessible way onto the Atlantic here. They are big party boats, a 95 foot and a 90 foot, that sell seats by the person and put a day of bottom fishing within almost any budget, with the rod, the bait, the license, and lunch all included in the fare. For a first trip, a family, or a budget day out of the cruise port, they are the easy starting point, and they are more comfortable than most head boats. One real caveat keeps the score honest, and it is worth knowing before you drive out.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.7 the Orlando Princess is a strong choice and the value and access pick in Port Canaveral, the head boat rather than the top of the field. It suits a family, a first timer, or anyone who wants to fish without booking a whole boat. Two things set it apart among head boats: the boats are large and well appointed, and the fare includes food and gear. The caveat is service. A recurring strand of reviews reports trips canceled, sometimes with late notice after people have planned and driven, which is what pulls the track record and service scores down. If you want a named captain and a guaranteed private trip, the Sea Leveler fleet, Canaveral Charter Adventures, Patriot Charters, and Get Down Fishing Charters are the private options. The full field is on the Port Canaveral ranking.
The boat
The fleet is two large head boats out of Port Canaveral, by the Glen Cheek Drive docks between Rusty’s and Gator’s Dockside. The 95 foot Orlando Princess runs the half day trips and the 90 foot Canaveral Princess the full day, and both carry an air conditioned lounge, a full galley, separate restrooms, spacious fishing decks, and an upper sun deck, all United States Coast Guard certified. For a head boat they are genuinely comfortable, with room and shelter that a smaller party boat lacks. The honest caveat is the one every head boat carries: on a full boat the rail is crowded and lines tangle, and the day depends on the deck crew you draw.
The fishing and what you target
The boats fish the Atlantic bottom and reefs off Port Canaveral for black sea bass, vermilion and other snapper, grouper, amberjack, triggerfish, and kingfish, with the catch shifting by season. The half day stays closer in for a taste of bottom fishing, while the full day reaches better structure and gives you more time on the fish. The Atlantic seasons run differently from the Gulf: gag grouper is open in summer, black sea bass through much of the year, and red snapper, the prize, has had its 2026 season paused by a court order, so what ends up in the box depends on the calendar and the current rules.
Trips and prices
This is where the Orlando Princess earns its place: the fares are cheap and they include a lot. The half day runs about $60 per person and the full day about $80, with the rod and reel, fresh squid and sardine bait, the fishing license, lunch and soda, and free parking included, and breakfast added on the full day. Deal sites often discount the fare well below that, so the price you pay can be lower; confirm the current number when you book. Night shark trips are also offered. For how the per person head boat math compares with booking a private boat, our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide work it through.
The crew
A head boat runs on rotating licensed captains, so the deck crew is what makes the day, and on the water the sentiment is mostly good: reviewers regularly praise the mates and the galley staff and call it good value for the money. The problem sits off the water. A real strand of reviews describes trips canceled, sometimes on short notice, which sours an otherwise positive picture and is the single most common complaint. It does not show on every trip, but it shows often enough to plan around, so confirm your trip is running before you make the drive.
Booking and what to know
Book online or by phone, and call ahead to confirm the trip is sailing, especially in the shoulder seasons, given the cancellation reports. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to park and find a spot at the rail. The gear, bait, license, and lunch are included, so you can travel light; bring sunscreen, a hat, a soft cooler for your fillets, and motion sickness medication if you are unsure of your stomach.
How we scored it
The Orlando Princess scores 7.7: large, comfortable, Coast Guard certified head boats with cheap fares that include food, gear, and the license, marked down on a recurring pattern of canceled trips and the crowding that comes with a big walk on boat. Boat and equipment and value are its strongest factors; service and track record are where the cancellations pull it down. See how we scored this boat for the rubric and weighting, and the Port Canaveral ranking for where it lands.