We're going on a cruise from Port Canaveral. We'll be coming a day ahead and are trying to find an inexpensive hotel to stay the night and hopefully allow us to leave our car in the lot for the 5 day cruise duration for free to avoid having to pay the $70.

Would you happen to know of any that allow this?

We stayed at the Radisson for a cruise on the Zaandam a couple years ago. We highly recommend this hotel.
cruise hotel

janetw,
There are actually a number of hotels in the Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach area that offer free parking and complementary shuttle to and from the cruise ship port. Here is a partial list: Radisson Resort, Doubletree, Four Points, Quality Suites and Comfort Inn. There are a number of others that you can check out at www.portcanaveral.org
Nancy