Port Canaveral Invests Millions in Cruise-Specific Enhancements

Port Canaveral, the third-largest cruise port in Florida, is investing $500 million into a series of enhancements and upgrades, across all facets of its operations. The five-year plan will see several enhancements to its cruise terminal, as well as renovated cargo facilities, roadway improvements, and enhanced recreation opportunities.

Of importance to the travel industry, several cruise-related projects are about to get underway at Port Canaveral, in order to keep up with the growing demand from cruise lines and passengers.

“We’re about an 85% drive market,” Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, told TMR. “Most of our guests are in the southeast and west part of Florida… and historically they had to go to Miami to get on one of the newer ships, but since COVID and when the Mardi Gras first came to Port Canaveral, we’ve been able to draw the newer vessels here.”

Other new ships that already call in Port Canaveral are Disney Treasure, Utopia of the Seas, and Norwegian Aqua. Star of the Seas will sail from the port when it launches in late August and Carnival Festival will debut at the port in 2027.

Of the upcoming upgrades, the most ambitious will be the expansion of Cruise Terminal 5 (CT-5), which will see the terminal’s size increase by 65% to accommodate larger vessels.  Currently, Captain Murray, said, the facility can handle a 3,800 to 4,000 passenger ship “without any difficulty.” But to accommodate larger ships the building needs to be larger. (The berth, itself, is fine.)

“I like to use the comparison that you’d never board a 747 aircraft at a 737 gate. There’s just not enough space for all the people that are getting on the airplane, and the gangway would be too small. You’d need multiple gangways. Same on the ship side.”

During an estimated 16-month construction period, the cruise terminal will continue to operate without interrupting scheduled ship turns.

In addition to expanding CT-5, the Port plans to enhance Cruise Terminal 10 (CT10) to expand its capacity beginning with a feasibility study that is expected to be completed by June 2025.  The project’s goals include expanding the terminal’s capacity to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships up to 5,600 passengers and berthing up to 1,200 feet in length.

Exterior upgrades at Cruise Terminal 1 (CT1) will begin this month and include new canopies and walkways, updated landscaping, and new lighting to create a refreshed west entrance for cruise guests arriving at the busy terminal. These terminal upgrades are in addition to refurbishments to the adjacent cruise parking garage with new paint, landscaping, and perimeter fencing plus gangway upgrades.