Port Canaveral is Now the Busiest Cruise Terminal in the World
by Bruce Parkinson
Photo: Port Canaveral
After years of expansion and soaring demand for cruises, Florida’s Port Canaveral has surpassed every other cruise terminal on the planet in annual passenger traffic.
Port CEO Capt. John Murray said the port saw 8.6 million passengers in 2025, a 13% increase from the previous year, officially making it the busiest cruise port in the world, ahead of longtime leader PortMiami.
“It’s great for the state of Florida. It’s great for our tourism, our hotels and our tax base,” Murray said.
Port Canaveral is currently home to 18 cruise ships and handled more than 6 million tons of cargo in the past year. Murray credited employees for the growth, saying the port’s success is the result of daily work behind the scenes.
“It’s a very strong business market right now,” Murray said. “We’ve been fortunate to bring in some great numbers, which I think is a testament to all the folks at Port Canaveral who do the hard work every day.”
The port is planning for further expansion, including development of a seventh cruise terminal. The project will take several years to complete.
“Costs are going up, but it’s improving the overall guest experience,” Murray said. “A high guest satisfaction rate brings more business.”
