Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral Enter New Agreement, Expand Operations

by Jessica Montevago May 24, 2019

Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral have entered a new 20-year agreement, both parties announced Wednesday, bringing two of the Disney’s new ships to port when they debut.

The new ships are expected to be delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with two of them homeporting in Port Canaveral for at least their first five years of operation.

The cruise line’s two biggest ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, are currently homeported at Port Canaveral year-round, while the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder rotate homeports.

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Disney will also increase the number of sailings out of the port. It will continue to guarantee at least 150 cruises a year from Port Canaveral. Beginning in 2023, the number of calls will increase to 180, followed by 213 calls a year in 2024 and through the remainder of the 20-year term.

The new operating agreement will begin on June 1, 2019, and replaces an existing Marine Terminal Agreement that is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.

Through the new agreement, Disney Cruise Line will continue to have exclusive use of Terminal 8, as well as preferential use of Terminal 10 when the cruise line begins homeporting three ships from Canaveral.

Both cruise terminals are currently undergoing nearly $46.5 million of land and waterside improvements that will accommodate the growth of Disney’s fleet of cruise ships. The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved, earlier this year, renovations that include both floors of the Disney terminal, a new luggage screening building, ADA ramp, a new area for arrivals and technological improvements.

The deal states Disney will begin paying to Port Canaveral upon completion of the two terminal improvements a $3.15 per passenger cost over the 20 years that will allow Port Canaveral to recoup the cost of the improvements.