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Port Canaveral Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida 32920

Cruise Terminal assignment is posted at the entrance to the port:

• A-Side North Cruise Terminals (Exit 54A) | Cruise Terminal #6: 9241 Charles Rowland Drive
• B-Side South Cruise Terminals (Exit 54B) | Cruise Terminal #3: 220 Christopher Columbus Drive

Google Maps : View Map

Website: www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Port

Parking Information Rates are subject to change. 

$17 USD per day, plus tax  ( including day of arrival and day of departure )

• Gated, secure outdoor parking lots and parking garages, patrolled 24 hours a day.
• No reservations are needed. 
• Full payment is due upon exiting the parking facility.
• Cash is not accepted.
• Visa, MasterCard, the Discover Card and American Express credit cards. 
• EPASS and SunPass accepted only  at the Cruise Terminal 3 parking garage.
• Oversized parking for RV's and buses is available at each Cruise Terminal. 
• Disabled Parking spaces are available. See website for restrictions. 
• For additional information, contact the Canaveral Port Authority at 321 783-7831. 

Arrival Tips

• For passenger safety, security and convenience please proceed directly to the cruise terminal to drop off passengers and baggage.
• Porters will assist with your baggage and parking personnel will direct drivers to the appropriate parking facility.
• Passenger and luggage drop off is available in front of the terminal or in the parking facility.

Departure Tips Passengers have the option to retrieve their vehicles and pick up their companions and luggage in front of the terminal entrance or they can walk with their luggage to their vehicle and depart when ready.  

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Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Information

Last updated on June 12th, 2023 at 03:07 pm

Modern, efficient, and bustling, Port Canaveral offers seamless embarkation. Enjoy stunning views, streamlined check-in, and attentive staff. With its prime location and top-notch facilities, the terminal sets the stage for an unforgettable cruise adventure.

Port Canaveral is located at 1492 Charles M. Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 .

The Orlando International Airport is located approximately 45 miles to the west of the port and is serviced by most domestic and many international airlines. Port Canaveral is located near the center of the east coast of Florida. With seven cruise terminals, it is well equipped to handle the millions of passengers that pass through its gates every year. Each terminal has it’s own parking lot for easy access to the ship and signs will direct which ships are docked at which terminal.

Port Canaveral – Cruise Terminal Locations 

The following terminals are on the A side – North Side of the port.  When coming in A1A from Orlando, take exit 54A:

• Cruise Terminal #5 – 9245 Charles Rowland Drive
• Cruise Terminal #6 – 9241 Charles Rowland Drive
• Cruise Terminal #8 – 9155 Charles Rowland Drive ( Disney Cruises Terminal )
• Cruise Terminal #10 – 9005 Charles Rowland Drive

The following terminals are on the B side – South side of the port. When coming in A1A from Orlando, take exit 54 B.

• Cruise Terminal #1 – 9050 Discovery Road
• Cruise Terminal #3 – 220 Christopher Columbus Drive ( Carnival Cruises Terminal )

Disney Cruises Terminal Port Canaveral

Terminal 8 is Disney Cruises Terminal in Port Canaveral. During the cruise hiatus in 2020, some updates were made to the terminal to enhance customer convenience. 

Take a look at this video to see a tour of the terminal:

Carnival Cruise Terminal Port Canaveral

Terminal 3 was built specifically for the 2021 arrival of Carnival’s newest and largest ship, the Mardi Gras. 

Check out this video tour of T3!

Click below for more information: – Port Canaveral Transportation – Cruise Parking in Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral Embarkation Tips :

– boarding can start as early as 11:00am, but lines can be long. It is recommended to arrive no earlier than a half hour before the departure time given you by your cruise line. – have your cruise tickets and ID out to show at the port gate

Cruises From Port Canaveral

The following cruise lines  call Port Canaveral their homeport:

Carnival Cruise  

Disney Cruise  

Royal Caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Weather in Port Canaveral

In Florida, summer typically begins in early May and lasts until September. During these months, temperatures can reach as high as 32°C (90°F), and there is a good chance of thunderstorms occurring. The weather is much cooler during January to March, but the temperatures never get really chilly, compared to winters in the more northern states.

Click the helpful links below: – Port Canaveral Webcam – check out what’s coming in and out of port – Port Canaveral Hotels Near the Port – See Excursions in Port Canaveral area

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

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Carnival Liberty: Tips for Cruising from Port Canaveral

• June 1, 2023

Sailing on the Carnival Liberty? This ship made waves when she joined Carnival’s Conquest Class in 2005, as their first ship to feature a poolside theater – which has since become the industry’s standard. The Carnival Liberty sports an artisan theme and is considered “mid-size” at 952 feet in length. Easy to navigate and ideal for 3-4 day getaways, you’ll find plenty of onboard activities and amenities to stay entertained. If you have plans of cruising from Port Canaveral on the Liberty, we have all the Carnival Liberty tips you need to make your vacation seamless before setting sail.

Tip #1: Fly Into the Orlando Airport (MCO)

When booking a flight for your Carnival Liberty cruise, it’s highly recommended to fly into the Orlando Airport (MCO) for numerous reasons. Even though this airport is located about 45 miles from the cruise terminals, it has the shortest travel time compared to other local airports due to its direct highway access. The Orlando Airport also offers cruisers the most variety in flights, as well as better hotel selections nearby, and more economical transportation options. Bonus Tip: When flying in the same day as your cruise, be sure to pick a flight that lands before 11:30 AM to ensure you have enough time to get to the port.

Tip #2: Arrive a Day Before Your Carnival Liberty Cruise

With unexpected travel delays being so common, a simple flight issue or heavy traffic can put you at risk of missing your cruise when flying in on embarkation day. Arriving the day before setting sail can give you added peace of mind and a more stress-free vacation experience. That’s why Go Port’s Fly Snooze Cruise packages are so popular among Port Canaveral cruisers. You can choose from various brand-name hotel options, such as Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, La Quinta, and Best Western –  with airport transportation and cruise transfers included in the package. If you opt to fly into the Sanford Airport to utilize Allegiant Airlines’ flight savings or prefer the close proximity of the Melbourne Airport featuring Delta and American Airlines, you’ll be pleased to know that Go Port also offers select Fly Snooze Cruise packages for cruisers flying into these airports as well.

Tip #3: Book Pre-Arranged Cruise Transfers

Don’t wait until the last minute to figure out transportation for your Carnival Liberty cruise. Counting on ride-share services, taxis, or rental cars can be both pricey and unpredictable. On top of that, luggage space is limited with these options – typically leaving only enough room to accommodate a couple travelers and their belongings. Instead, use the most reliable and convenient way to travel between the Orlando Airport and Port Canaveral by booking pre-arranged shuttle transfers. With a company like Go Port , you can purchase the same transportation as your cruise line for just $29.99 per person, compared to Carnival’s rate of $35.99. Plus, there is plenty of room for your suitcases, bags, strollers, and other mobility devices, with luggage assistance at your service to take care of it all. If you already booked a hotel stay, you can also reserve cruise transfers from select hotels near the Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral here .

Carnival Liberty Tip #4: Stay in a Hotel Near the Airport

Staying at a hotel near the Orlando Airport is the best option when cruising from Port Canaveral on Carnival Liberty. When you land, there’s no better feeling than relaxing in your room just minutes after a long flight. Saving the trip to the port for the morning of your cruise also allows you to avoid paying a premium to be near the terminals – meaning you can book a nicer hotel at a lower cost. Additionally, late flight arrivals have the convenience of Orlando restaurants being open late and plenty of shops close by to pick up any last-minute essentials.

Tip #5: Choose an Afternoon Return Flight

The Carnival Liberty starts disembarking around 7:00 AM and the process typically lasts until 10:00 AM. Once you exit the ship and depart your cruise terminal, the ride back to the airport takes about an hour, depending on traffic. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority recommends arriving three hours before your scheduled departure. This means you’ll want to book your return flight in the afternoon to ensure you have enough time to disembark, get to the airport, and make it to your gate.

Tip #6: Disembark From Carnival Liberty Early

Disembarking early is key for a smooth departure from Port Canaveral. Carnival offers a Carry Off disembarkation option that allows cruisers to bring their own luggage off the ship in order to avoid long lines while exiting and beat heavy traffic when leaving the port. To debark from the Carnival Liberty early, you will keep all your luggage inside your stateroom instead of placing it outside your cabin on the last evening of your cruise. The next morning, Carry Off guests will be called by muster station within the first hour after clearing customs to get off the ship first. Note that on your last full day aboard, you must cash out any casino ships or slips and complete your Customs Declaration. Guests are also encouraged to watch “debarkation talk” on channel 14 of their stateroom TV, where detailed instructions are provided. These Carnival Liberty tips for cruising from Port Canaveral are brought to you by Go Port — a one-stop shop for Port Canaveral cruisers, making travel arrangements ashore simpler than ever before. By partnering exclusively with brand-name hotels and reliable transportation providers, Go Port takes the guesswork out of booking hotel, transportation, and parking packages to complement your cruise. For any questions or booking inquiries please contact [email protected] with your travel request.

Don’t forget to join our Carnival Liberty Facebook group to get more Carnival Liberty tips, connect with fellow cruisers, ask questions, and share ship news! Become a member here .

Related Posts:

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• Categories: Cruise Ships , Tips

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Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 3 (Mardi Gras Homeport): Complete Tour & Walkthrough

First completed in June 2020, Cruise Terminal 3 (also known as CT3) at Port Canaveral is the port’s newest addition, but it may be best known as the new home of Carnival’s newest — and largest — ship, Mardi Gras.

While many are anticipating sailing Mardi Gras in the years ahead, they won’t be able to board before making their way through the new terminal. And after being given a, exclusive tour of the new $155 million facility, we think that the new building is not only a great place to start your cruise, but also one of the more impressive cruise terminals we’ve ever visited.

If you have a cruise coming up that’s departing from CT3, here’s what to know and what you can expect.

In This Article...

CT3 Location at Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is among the busiest cruise departure ports in the world, but thanks to its size and location, it can feel much smaller — and much easier — to navigate on cruise day. As for CT3, the terminal is located on the eastern end of the port, closest to the end of the channel. The closest cruise terminal is CT1, used by Royal Caribbean, which is still a considerable distance to the west.

Thanks to this location, it should be easier to get to without the traffic you might encounter on a busy day near other terminals clustered closer together.

Arriving at the Terminal on Cruise Day

Arriving at the terminal, you start to get a sense of the size of the facility. Given the size of Mardi Gras, a large terminal was needed to service the ship and the more than 10,000 passengers that could be embarking and debarking in a single day. To handle that traffic, the terminal is 185,000 square feet, making it the largest at Port Canaveral.

Adjoining the building is a nearly 1,800 parking spot garage, ensuring plenty of parking right next to the ship even if there are multiple ships sailing from the terminal at once. (For reference, Port Canaveral says the number of cars needing parking totals about 10% of a ship’s capacity. So a 5,000 passenger cruise would see roughly 500 cars parking at the port.)

When passengers arrive to cruise, they have two options to get to the terminal entrance, which is located on the second floor. First, those parking or people needing an elevator can enter through the parking garage. Here there is a walkway from the garage right to the front entrance of the terminal.

Passengers not entering through the garage can walk up the wide staircase that leads from the ground up to the main entrance. There is also a sloped ramp alongside for those with luggage or people with mobility issues who can’t take the stairs.

See transportation options to Port Canaveral here .

CT3 Check-In, Security, and Waiting Area

Enter the main doors, and you’ll now be in the debarkation hall. During our tour, the room was empty, giving extra emphasis to its size. As well, the high ceilings give even more space.

Given the new terminal and health protocols, the layout looks to be a bit different than you might be used to. There will be kiosks near the entrance of the terminal for check-in for most passengers (in addition to completely online check-in already available from Carnival), then a pass through security. For those that need more help there will still be check-in stations staffed, but the emphasis on the traditional method of check-in seems diminished.

After checking in, passengers will then head through security, where we counted at least 10 x-ray machines for carry-on luggage. If fully staffed, any security lines should be short for boarding.

While the initial check-in area and security screening is fairly utilitarian, passing through security you get a better feel for the style of the new terminal.

First, you’ll notice a large compass rose sitting on the floor in the center of the building, along with the image of the famous Carnival “whale tail” at its center. Above, you see the modern halo lights throughout the waiting area along with the large circular video board that scrolls through messages.

On either side of this you’ll find numerous alcoves, each with a large curved image of the ship. These spots are for getting that “welcome aboard” photo that is a classic cruise staple.

Past the compass and the photo sets is the general waiting area. If you come to the terminal and it’s not quite ready for passengers, CT 3 has room for 1,200 cruise passengers in this area, on either side of the main hallway.

Seating options include a number of curved metal and wood benches, row after row of airport-style seats with armrests and seat backs, as well as some small tables surrounded by movable chairs. Your wait here likely won’t be long but if you are looking for comfort, check out the soft bench-style seating that wraps around the outside of the VIP waiting area.

Fortunate enough to be a guest with access to the VIP waiting area? You’re in luck. The terminal features seating for 500 in an area that is sectioned off from the general boarding waiting room.

Step inside and you’ll see what looks similar to the general waiting, but definitely more luxurious. Here there are no rows and rows of airport-style seats. Instead, you’ll find much more comfy chairs and padded seats, with a center bar area in the middle of the room for refreshments. (Fun fact, the tile in the center bar matches the tile you’ll find on Mardi Gras.)

Outside of the center seating area of the VIP section you’ll find more benches and a large window at the end of the terminal that looks back out over the rest of the port. Need a charge for your phone? Try to find a seat next to one of the lamps, which feature a spot to plug in your cord.

No matter whether you’re a VIP or just a regular Joe, you’ll definitely be comfortable while you wait. And when it’s time to board, you’ll head through the large double doors into the boarding hallway to the gangway.

Debarking at CT3

As with most terminals, the experience when you get off the ship is different than when you board. While the boarding side of the terminal is filled with modern style, the debarkation area is decidedly more utilitarian.

After getting off the ship, you’ll head down the stairs, elevator, or sloped walkway to the luggage pick-up area. One smart detail of the terminal is the introduction of large stainless steel tables, greatly increasing the amount of luggage that can fit in the terminal. During our tour we were told that CT3 can hold up to 10,000 pieces of baggage.

Whether you pick up your bags here or simply carry them off the ship, you’ll then proceed through customs/immigration and then exit the facility back near the parking garage for transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about sailing from CT3? Let us know in the comments below. We’ve also tried to answer some of the more common questions you might have below.

How Much is Parking at Cruise Terminal 3? Parking costs $17 per car at the port, and this includes both the day you arrive and the day you leave. (So a 7-day cruise actually pays for 8 days of parking.) All major credit cards are accepted.

One thing to note is that you pay as you enter the garage the day your cruise departs. This way the lines to exit at the end of the cruise are shorter since there is no payment processing, getting everyone home more quickly. 

See all your Port Canaveral parking options here .

Are There Elevators at the Terminal? Yes. Elevators located in the parking garage take you up to the entrance level of the terminal. There are also stairs up and sloped walkways if you choose to walk instead of taking the elevator.

What’s the Best Spot for a Photo? In front of the building is a great place to get a photo before heading into check-in. On either side of the terminal are groups of palm trees framing the signage on the front of the building. While it might be busy with other passengers and cars on cruise day, this area as a backdrop makes a memorable spot to grab a picture.

Are There Things to Do Nearby? Unlike some ports, Port Canaveral isn’t just a place to get on the ship. There are a number of nearby restaurants that sit on the port channel (giving a great view of ships in port). There is also nearby Jetty Park that provides beach access.

A little farther away from the port is the nearby Kennedy Space Center to the north as well as the town of Cocoa Beach to the south. Cocoa Beach is a classic beach town with a large pier and plenty of “beachy” activities like putt-putt and go-karts, along with a number of restaurants.

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Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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I have parked here before for a 7-day cruise and I know you pay it up-front – but what if I am going to do a back-to-back cruise where I am not getting off the ship – A 7 day and a 8 day – Will it allow me to pay for the 15 days?

If you can’t find someone to explain this to at the port, you could just get off the ship when it returns after the first cruise and then deal with the upcoming week then.

For the first time, I won’t be parking at port Canaveral for my carnival Mardi gras cruise, my husband will be dropping me off, where can that be done?

Just head to the terminal and you’ll see signs for passenger drop off.

We purchased FTTF, our check-in time is 8-9 am. Because Mardi Gras returns to port at 7 am the day we embark. Our concern is whether there will be parking available in the garage to be able to check-in this hour in the morning as from past experience debarkation usually begins at around 9 am. I am concerned whether or not there will be available parking as there will obviously be Mardi Gras passengers parked from her cruise the week before.

There will be spots available, but it might be a bit hectic. If Carnival says you can come at 8-9 a.m., then I’m sure the port knows and expects some people to arrive at that hour.

My Grandson will be droping us off at the terminal 3 with our luggage. where should he go when he comes to pick us up . do they have parking places in front of the terminal.WE are leaving on May 21 2023 and coming back to port May 27 2023.

As you arrive, you’ll following the signs for pick-up and drop off. Just take note and meet there when you return.

Who is allowed in VIP waiting area? What status do you need to be?

I believe it’s Diamond and Platinum members.

What is the full price for a seven days cruise my trip is December 10-17=2022

How do I find out where to enter the terminal to pick up returning

If you head over to the terminal, you will see signs for picking up arriving passengers.

If I have Platinum and my daughter is Gold but is with me, can she sit with me in Platinum since I need assistance or do I have to sit in the regular area?

I’m not sure, but I would think it would be no problem. It seems unlikely that the cruise line would risk upsetting a loyal passenger that way.

What is the physical street address to Carnival Mardi Gras Terminal 3?

220 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920

Signage for oversize vehicle doesn’t exist, have to ask multiple people to find out where it is.

Where is the Wheelchair assistance area located?

Not entirely sure what you mean, but there are designated parking spots right at the front of the terminal.

Who will be allowed in VIP waiting area?

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Cruise Canaveral > Port Canaveral Cruise Lines > Carnival Cruises > Carnival Liberty

Carnival Liberty Cruises from Port Canaveral

The Carnival Liberty offers cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. This is one of the Carnival Fun Ships, so it's good for families and young couples.

Carnival Liberty features the 214-foot-long Twister water slide, Serenity adult-only retreat, 14,500-square-foot spa, EA Sports Bar, Punchliner Comedy Club, Playlist Productions, Mega Deck Party, Carnival Seaside Theater, Hasbro the Game Show, Seuss at Sea and supervised activities for kids in three age groups. Here's a Carnival Liberty cruise review .

The Liberty's complimentary dining choices include Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Lido Buffet, Old Fashioned BBQ, Swirls, Seaday Brunch and Carnival Deli. For an additional charge you can try Steakhouse, Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast, Seafood Shack, Coffee Bar and The Chef's Table.

See the calendar of Carnival Cruises from Port Canaveral .

Cruise Ship Terminal

Carnival uses cruise terminals 3 and 6. Royal Caribbean uses cruise terminals 1, 5 and 6. Disney uses cruise terminal 8. Norwegian uses cruise terminals 5 and 10. MSC uses cruise terminal 10.

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 1 9050 Discovery Road Port Canaveral, FL 32920 Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 3 220 Christopher Columbus Dr. Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 5 9245 Charles Rowland Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 6 9241 Charles Rowland Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 8 9155 Charles Rowland Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 10 9005 Charles Rowland Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Port Canaveral is 45 miles from Orlando International Airport. Parking is $17.00 per day (rates are subject to change by the Port Authority).

From North/South - Take I-95 to Exit 205 East to Hwy 528 East. Drive 11.5 miles on Hwy 528 East and exit to the "A" cruise terminals onto SR 401 North. Drive 1 mile on SR 401 North and follow signs to correct cruise terminal and pier (according to cruise line).

From Orlando International Airport - Take the North Exit from the Airport, staying to the right, to S.R. 528 (Beachline Expressway) East. Take S.R. 528 directly to Port Canaveral.

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Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-08-23 19:59

Port Port Canaveral cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Canaveral (cruise port to Orlando City, Florida USA) is currently ranked world's busiest cruise port (4,07 million cruisers/stats 2023) followed by Miami Florida .

As homeport, this is a major turnaround port destination (serving roundtrip itineraries) with annual shipping traffic 4,5+ million cruise ship tourists. Cape Canaveral is a leading USA homeport for all the world's largest cruise companies - CCL-Carnival , RCI-Royal Caribbean , NCL-Norwegian , DCL-Disney .

The world's top-10 busiest cruise ports (by annual passengers numbers/stats 2023) are in Florida USA (Port Canaveral/Orlando/4,07M, Miami /4,02M, Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale ), Mexico ( Cozumel ), Bahamas ( Nassau ), China ( Shanghai ), Spain ( Barcelona ), Bahamas (Out Islands), Texas USA ( Galveston ), Italy ( Civitavecchia-Rome ).

Cape Canaveral Port

Port Cape Canaveral (locode USPCV) is located on Florida's Atlantic coastline, between Miami and Jacksonville . Orlando City is bounded by Port Canaveral (north), Banana River (east), Cocoa Beach (south) and the Atlantic Ocean (west). As a deepwater seaport, Port Canaveral has a very high volume of traffic. From a total of 6 million cargo tons moved through the port annually, 2,7+ million tons (3 million short tons) are bulk cargoes. Common cargo includes petroleum, aggregate and cement. The port features hoppers and conveyors for loading products directly into trucks, as well as bulk cargo container facilities. The channel is about 13 m (44 ft) deep.

There are 70,000 m2 (750,000 ft2) of covered freight storage capacity. In 2004 Port Canaveral handled 3,6 million tons (4M short tons) of cargo. It exports fresh citrus and bulk frozen citrus juice is stored in one of the biggest freezer warehouses in the state. The port also receives salt for water softening, lumber, automobiles, steel sheets and plates. Port Canaveral transships items for sea, air, space and land. Its Foreign Trade Zone is one of the nation's largest general-purpose FTZs, more than 13 km2 (5 mi2). Each year the port boosts the economy by 1/2 billion dollars.

Port's cruise shipping business started in 1964, with SS Yarmouth Castle. The 1927-built steamship (for Chadade Steamship Company) was acquired by Yarmouth Cruise Lines in 1957. The liner was American-owned and Panama- flagged . In 1965, the ship burnt at sea (between Nassau and Miami).

The 1965-opened sea lock (part of Canaveral Barge Canal) is still in use, being maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Shipping and commercial fishing is also served by three 400 ft/120 m-long cargo piers constructed on the Port's north side in 1976. The seaport has supported NASA's space projects from the nearby JF Kennedy Space Center. During NASA's Apollo program, Saturn V rocket's segments transited via the lock. Space Shuttle's external tanks were floated for each mission into Port Canaveral, and the rocket boosters were towed back via the seaport, being fished from the Atlantic after each space launch.

In August 2015, commissioners approved USD 81 million port development project for upgrades of terminals 5 and 10, aimed at handling larger-sized vessels (details in the "terminal" section below). The project's financing was secured through bank loans and bonds.

Following President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, in late-January 2017 were officially issued reports about cruise passengers being detained by US Customs and Border Protection. All detainees had to provide background info about them, their families and also their past life in their native countries. Trump's executive order was signed on January 27th and includes a 90-day ban on travel to the USA by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen.

In early November 2017, RCI-Royal Caribbean announced the company's decision to homeport here in 2019 the world's largest passenger vessel - Harmony of the Seas (max capacity 6687 passengers plus 2100 crew). Starting May 2019, Harmony OTS offers 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries. Harmony replaced Oasis OTS (redeployed in 2019 to Miami ). Also in 2019, Mariner OTS (max capacity 4200 passengers plus 1180 crew) was homeported here for 3-4-night roundtrips to The Bahamas. The ship first arrived in Port Canaveral in 2003 (inaugural cruise on November 14).

In December 2017, Carnival Cruise Lines announced the homeporting of Carnival Elation in 2019. Starting May 12, 2019, the ship operates year-round scheduled 4-5-day "long weekend" Bahamas cruises. Departures are on Thursdays (4-day itinerary to Freeport and Nassau ) and on Mondays and Saturdays (5-day itinerary to Amber Cove Dominicana and Grand Turk Island ).

In December 2017, Port Canaveral completed the 6-month long West Turning Basin deepening project, now allowing max draft of 45 ft (13,7 m). Port's containership terminal (North Cargo berths 5 and 6) is operated by GT USA. The dredging works removed 22,3+ million ft3 (632,000 m3) of seabed material. For the dredging was contracted Dutra Group (based in San Rafael, California). The project's total cost was USD 7,5 million, with approx 2/3 of the cost covered by FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). The Port's entry channel was cleared from obstructions (bridges, power lines) and is now without air draft restrictions. West Turning Basin has quay length ~600 m (2000 ft) and draft 13 m/43 ft - making it one of East Coast USA's deepest cargo berths without vessel air draft limits.

In January 2018 was approved the construction of a new multi-purpose cargo ship berth NCB8 (North Cargo Berth 8). By the project were also built a seawall (900 ft / 274 m) and a pier extension (100 ft / 31 m) with capacity to handle vessels with max LOA length 850 ft/259 m.

• At the new berth can be handled various heavy project cargoes (including aerospace). Berth's depth is 35 ft (11 m).
• The USD 17,9 million berth construction contract was awarded to the Tampa -based company Orion Marine Group. The contract includes building the bulkhead, seawall, relieving platform and dredging. Construction works started in March 2018, with scheduled completion by mid-2019.

In May 2024 were approved the plans for the construction of a new multi-user cruise terminal (Terminal X) at the existing North 8 Berth, directly opposite to/sharing the turning basin with Terminal 5. Terminal X is planned for inauguration in 2026 July. For the design was contracted AtkinsRealis USA Inc.

In 2018, two port development projects received funding for maintenance works in the seaport. The contractor is USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers). For the projects were allocated USD 14,76 million (Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass and jetty upgrades) and USD 1,47 million (Harbor and Locks).

On December 5, 2018, Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) approved a series of bonds (up to USD 117 million) for financing "Cruise Terminal 3" (dubbed "Launch Pad") project. In 2021, at the new CT3 Terminal was homeported Carnival's newest and largest ( LNG-powered ) liner Mardi Gras .

• The project's financing package included bonds up to USD 80 million (30-year, Series A and B) and up to USD 37 million (20-year loan, Series C) by SunTrust Bank (specializing in mortgage, personal and small-business banking). The bank is subsidiary of the Atlanta GA-based SunTrust Banks Inc (reported assets in March 2018 USD 199 billion).
• Additionally was approved to increase Port's PNC Bank credit line from USD 25 to 50 million. The port also received from Florida Department of Transportation USD 6 million in grants for the infrastructure works.
• Carnival Cruise Terminal 3 has a dedicated wharf, adjacent parking (6-storey, capacity 1800 vehicles) and a newbuild road. The project's total improvements cost USD 163 million, of which $50 million were contributed by Carnival Corporation . The facility was completed in September 2020, but due to the crisis was inaugurated on June 4, 2021, with the arrival of Mardi Gras.

On May 22, 2019, Disney Cruises signed with CPA a 20-year operating agreement for homeporting two of its three newbuilds . Under the new deal, Disney has 3 boats homeported here (2 new, 1 old) which increased the number of guaranteed roundtrips from 150 per year (2019) to 180 (2023) and 216 (2024 and beyond).

In early March 2020 was launched an RO-RO Division in Port Canaveral - a dedicated vehicle terminal with max annual capacity 240,000 cars. The 16-acres terminal is at South Cargo Pier 4 and serves mainly new import automobiles. The terminal has a large climate-controlled warehouse (sized 20,000 ft2 / 1860 m2). In FY2019, the port handled a total of 12514 vehicles.

Following the port's ban for cruise ship dockings and passenger operations (due to the COVID pandemic), in the period April 3 through May 30, 2020, Canaveral Port Authority furloughed all its employees dedicated to cruise shipping operations.

For a 5-month refurbishment project in 2020 (June through November) was closed CT8 (Disney Cruise Terminal 8).

In April 2023, Port Canaveral officials proposed the construction of a new cruise terminal (Terminal 8). The US$175 million facility could be built on the Port's southern side, and completed and opened in July 2026.

In August 2023 was allocated US$68,16 million for two new cruise parking garages (an 8-level near Terminals 5 and 6, and a 6-level near Terminal 10.

Cape Canaveral port statistics

Note: Port's FY (fiscal year) runs from October 1 (current year) through September 30 (next year).

In FY2017, the cruise port handled 4,52+ million passengers (6,4% increase over FY2016). The number of multi-day passengers (4,234+ million) was 7,1% increase over 2016. Statistics showed that just in March 2017, the number of visiting cruiseship tourists was 469,847. This was the Port's 1-month record and a 19% increase over March 2016. Port's FY2017 total revenues were USD 47,4 million (freight and passengers).

For FY2018, the seaport reported a record year with USD 103,75 million in total revenues (218,9% increase over 2017). Cargo and cruise shipping volumes were also an all-time high. The number of handled cruise ship passengers increased by 7,7% - to 4,568431 million. Port's handled cargo tonnage increased by 6,9% - to 6,404944 million tons. Port's total economic output was USD 3,9 billion with around 32650 jobs supported (USD 1,3 billion in wages) including 17200 port workers (USD 0,7294 billion in wages).

For FY2019, the port had ~5% growth (over FY18) in revenues from cruise shipping. By homeporting operations (turnarounds) Port Canaveral is currently ranked the world's 2nd-busiest (after Miami) cruise port with handled in 2019 total 4,634154 million passengers (4,568431 million in 2018).

For season 2019, the cruise port reported a record berth booking with estimated 4,7+ million passengers.

In 2023, Port Canaveral reported a record year with handled 906 cruise ship calls, 13 homeporting ships, ~6,8 million cruise tourists, US$158 million in revenue from cruise shipping operations. For season 2024, the Port had booked 913 ship calls and expected ~7,3M passengers

Port Canaveral cruise terminal

Besides being a large cruise port, Port Canaveral is also among the USA's/and the world's largest naval and cargo ports. On average, each day 10 cruise vessels enter the port.

Port Canaveral's cruise terminals serve several major cruise shipping companies. Terminal 5 is the homeport for ships of RCI-Royal Caribbean , Celebrity , NCL-Norwegian , Marella UK . Terminal 6 serves ships of CCL-Carnival and Princess . Terminal 10 homeports ships of MSC and NCL.

The following cruise port map shows Port Canaveral port's infrastructure, the location of terminal facilities, connecting roads and transportation links to Orlando City.

Port Canaveral is the nearest Disney World city, situated about one hour east of Orlando by car. The Orlando Airport is 45 mi/70 km away. The driving distance to Tampa is 2 hours, to Jacksonville - 2,5 hours.

There are seven cruise terminals, but in regular use are 5 - numbers 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10. They are newer, located on the Port's north side, and serve larger ships. Southside terminals are older. Gambling ships use Terminal 2. Terminal 3 is the new Carnival Cruise Line's terminal.

Currently, Terminal 4 is also used, but rarely. In April 2024 was announced a plan for a new facility at Terminal 4, to be completed in 2026.

The cruise terminal parking rate is USD 15 per day (Port Authority subject to change). There is a parking lot beside each cruise terminal. Port Canaveral offers complimentary cruise parking for disabled Veterans. Approved are waiving cruise parking fees for vehicles with DV (Disabled Veteran) license plates issued under Florida Statutes "s.320.084", "s.320.0842" or "s.320.0845".

In August 2023, Port Canaveral commissioners allocated US$67,46 million for constructing two northside cruise parking garages. For the projects was contracted Ivey's Construction Inc. The larger facility (an 8-level garage with capacity 1940 vehicles) is adjacent to Terminals 5 and 6, while the smaller one (a 6-level garage with capacity 1081 vehicles) is near Terminal 10.

(NEW) Cruise Terminal 8 (2026)

In April 2023 was proposed the construction of a new cruise terminal on the Port's southern side.

The US$175 million facility could be completed and opened in July 2026.

This proposal for a new passenger terminal came after two newbuild large cruise liners were homeported year-round in Cape Canaveral starting in 2024-Q4.

Approved in May 2024, the proposal included in the Port's budget for FY2023 (October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023). FY23 was marked by increased cruise shipping traffic and stronger-than-expected, cruise-related revenues (including from parking) estimated at US$150,87 million. The previous estimate was US$124,48M. This represented ~83,7% of Port Canaveral's total projected operating revenue (US$180,35M) including from cargo shipping/handling, recreation, leasing, and other business activities. It was estimated that the Port's FY23 will have US$75,43M profit (including non-operating revenues and expenses) which was US$53,36M before FY23's budget began. The profit was used for port development projects and for reducing debt from previous projects.

In May 2023, were announced plans for a new cruise terminal at Bluepoints Marina's site. The facility (projected cost US$175M) would be ready/inaugurated in 2026.

The new multi-user Cruise Terminal 8 (aka Terminal X) is at the existing North 8 Berth (directly opposite to/sharing the turning basin with Cruise Terminal 5). The facility includes a multi-story parking garage (max capacity 3000 vehicles), road improvements (including turning lanes and a flyover ramp connecting Terminal 8 with State Road 401).

The project includes a pier extension and mooring improvements (Phase 1) and a bulkhead parallel to State Road 401 (between Terminal 5 and Terminal 8) in Phase 2.

(NEW) Carnival Cruise Terminal 3 (CT3-Launch Pad)

In late-April 2017, Port Canaveral started construction works on a new cruise terminal.

The facility is on the site of "Cruise Terminal 3" (port's southern / B side), west of Jetty Park and east of The Cove (dining-shopping-attractions complex). On June 7, 2017, engineering and design works for the new terminal were officially approved.

Canaveral Port Authority Commissioners approved US$1,2 million in funding for CH2M Engineering's project management contract. This was Phase I of the 2-year work plan to construct a modern facility with capacity to serve vessels with max capacity 8000 passengers.

At the new passenger terminal can berth even the world's largest cruise vessels of RCI's OASIS-class. CH2M Engineering provided engineering, support services and waterside design for the new Terminal 3.

The project's budget is USD 163 million (initially estimated cost was US$150M), of which US$50M contributed by Carnival Corporation . Ranked the USA's largest single building project, it included the demolition of the port's oldest terminal, construction of a brand new 2-story building (sized 17466 m2 / 188,000 ft2), upgrading the existing berth and building a new (adjacent to the terminal) parking garage, roadway and utility improvements.

The 20-month-long, multi-phased project included 5 separate contracts. Demolition works (of the existing Terminal 3 building) started in April 2018, at the cost of US$210,000.

• Following the building demolition, the project's next phases included berth demolition, dredging, dockside construction, building passenger boarding (mobile) bridges and terminal building, site works, building a covered parking garage (6-story building, sized 690,000 ft2 / 64,100 m2, capacity 1800 cars).
• On August 30, 2018, the Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a long-term terminal operation agreement with Carnival Cruise Line, allowing the company to homeport here its newest and biggest liner .
• Beginning September 1, 2018, the new agreement replaced the old (6-year concession) expiring in 2019. The new 25-year primary term has 4 additional 5-year renewal options. The minimum annual revenue from passenger fees (guaranteed by Carnival) was increased from USD 7 million (fixed, per year) to USD 14,5 million (with annual escalators).
• On January 8, 2019, the CPA Board of Commissioners awarded the company Ivey's Construction Inc the USD 79 million contract for building Cruise Terminal 3, plus USD 29,53M contract for building the adjacent parking.
• On April 24, 2019, Canaveral Port Authority commissioners unanimously approved several design changes in the CT3 Project to reduce building costs. Ivey's Construction Inc (Merritt Island-based) won the contract in January with a bid of USD 78,98 million. However, design changes resulted in total savings of USD 4,535 million, bringing the terminal's total cost down to USD 74,45 million. In all, "Cruise Terminal 3" costs USD 163 million when are added the costs of the adjacent parking garage, waterside improvements, two passenger boarding bridges, design services. Plans were redesigned after engineering studies reduced the number of needed piles (also their size and coating) without sacrificing the structural integrity.

The new Carnival Cruise Terminal (CT3) is a 2-story building (sized 187,000 ft2 / 17370 m2) with max passenger capacity 6500 at a time. Among its amenities are electronic systems to facilitate passenger screening, mobile check-in (for expediting boarding), ATMs, restrooms, waiting and baggage halls, retail shopping area, info kiosks.

Construction works officially started on March 18, 2019, and the Terminal was completed in September 2020.

At the new CT3 terminal was homeported Carnival's largest vessel Mardi Gras (GT 180,000 tons, LNG-powered , capacity 5286 berths / max passengers 6500). The new liner's LNG bunkering is dockside (barge-to-ship).

Mardi Gras docked for the first time on June 4, 2021, and was joined later on the same day by the fleetmates Carnival Freedom and Carnival Liberty .

North (A Side) Cruise terminals (5, 6, 8, 10)

They are located on the A dock at the north side. Along is the Charles M Rowland Drive.

All are up to date and can handle the biggest passenger ships. Especially for Disney Cruise Line ships was built Cruise Terminal 8.

For a 5-month refurbishment project in 2020 was closed Disney's Cruise Terminal 8 (June through November). The closure was for installing a new curtainwall-pile (breakwater), removing ticket counters, extending the drop-off canopy, replacing the current seating.

In 2016, about USD 2,3 million were spent at Disney Terminal 8's renovations. This cruise facility is used exclusively by Disney ships. Cruise Terminal 10 was reopened on November 19, 2016, following USD 35 million expansion and upgrade project which took 6 months to complete. Terminal 10 (1994-built) is used by NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) .

Renovation works included increasing the size of the 2-story terminal building (from 97,050 to 125,825 ft2 / 9016 to 11690 m2). Lower floor's baggage processing area was increased from 42,800 to 64,400 ft2 (3976 to 5983 m2). Upper floor's passengers check-in area was increased from 54,250 to 61,430 ft2 (5040 to 5707 m2).

The development project allowed the terminal to handle larger cruise ships (carrying up to 5,500 passengers). Previously, its max capacity was 3,600 passengers.

Among the major projects of the Cruise Terminal 10 renovations were:

• USD 25,69 million for terminal renovations, with H.J. High of Orlando as contractor. The downstairs area where baggage processing occurs increased from the previous 42,799 ft2 to 64,396 ft2. The upstairs area where passengers check-in increased from the previous 54,249 ft2 to 61,428 ft2.
• USD 4,48 million were invested into new mobile Passenger Boarding Bridges (by the Spanish manufacturer ADELTE). The new mobile bridge systems replaced the old fixed gangways and provide better flexibility when used by differently-sized cruise vessels that have different heights and boarding door locations.
• USD 1,79 million were used for the existing cruise pier strengthening. The contractor (Vortex Marine of Oakland, California) used carbon fiber polymer technology to reinforce and extend the pier's life and structural capacity.

In 2016 was completed a USD 48,4 million renovation project at Cruise Terminal 5 (used mostly by Carnival Cruise Line ). Among the improvements were terminal expansion, pier elongation (by 120 ft / 37 m), new mobile boarding bridges, new parking garage (capacity 1044 cars). The 1991-built Terminal 5 now allows berthing of larger ships (with up to 3500 passengers / previously up to 2500). For the project were contracted a total of 87 companies.

South (B Side) Cruise Terminals (2, 4)

They are located on the B dock at the southwest side. Along is George King Blvd. They were among the Port's first cruise facilities and can handle not more than 1900 passengers.

(NEW) Cruise Terminal 1

On November 5, 2016, Port Canaveral received its ever largest passenger ship - Oasis of the Seas . The mega-liner docked at the new "Cruise 1 Terminal" (inaugurated in December 2014). Oasis OTS was homeported here replacing the smaller Freedom OTS .

The facility's main tenant is RCI Royal Caribbean and was designed specifically to handle Oasis-class vessels. The new terminal is sized 188,000 ft2 (17,470 m2) and has a dedicated parking garage with capacity 1007 vehicles. The project cost USD 104,6M.

Port Canaveral tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center: NASA’s base where Apollo missions have been launched. Watch a movie at the center of IMAX, learn the space exploration future at the Exploration Space show, go to the Apollo Center and the LC39 Gantry or try the Shuttle Launch Experience.

US Astronaut Hall of Fame: 5 miles away from the Kennedy Space Center. Honor the American astronauts, watch the Science On A Sphere show, try the Sigma 7 Mercury rocket or a real training for astronauts.

Jetty Park: park at the coastline with a beach, camping and a playground, picnic areas and pavilions. Enjoy the amazing marine traffic view from the pier, favorite place for fishermen and tourists. You can have a coffee, eat or buy something at the Cove Waterfront area, located between the park and the port.

Cocoa Beach Pier: dating since 1962, Space coast best-known landmark located 4 miles away ftom Port Canaveral. It offers bars, souvenir shops, restaurants, live music and lively beach.

Orlando Amusement Parks: enjoy the attractions Walt Disney World , Disney/MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Sea World of Florida and much more.

2 Princess Cruises' ships to sail 90+ Caribbean voyages in Summer 2026

Princess Cruises has announced its largest summer Caribbean cruise season to date for 2026, featuring two ships - Regal Princess and Caribbean...

RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Star OTS to redefine family and luxury cruising in the Caribbean

RCI-Royal Caribbean International is set to enhance its presence in the Caribbean with the upcoming launch of the Star of the Seas, promising an...

USCG medevacs 52-yo passenger with chest pains from Royal Caribbean's ship Utopia OTS

A 52-year-old passenger aboard RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Utopia of the Seas was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Cape Canaveral after...

State officials urge Port Canaveral (Florida USA) to reevaluate cruise expansion

Florida state officials have advised Port Canaveral to reevaluate its decision to prioritize cruise terminal development over the needs of the space...

Cruise lines alter itineraries as Hurricane Debby approaches Florida

As Hurricane Debby approached Florida's West Coast, Margaritaville at Sea adjusted the schedules for two of MAS Islander ship's voyages. Originally...

Royal Caribbean's ship Utopia OTS debuted in the Bahamas

RCI-Royal Caribbean's newest ship - Utopia of the Seas, embarked on her maiden voyage on Monday, July 22nd, docking at Nassau Cruise Port with...

RCI-Royal Caribbean debuts Utopia OTS with grand summer event

RCI-Royal Caribbean International, along with GRAMMY-winning singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor, inaugurated the Utopia of the Seas with a grand...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils 2026 Spring/Summer itineraries

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled its 2026 spring/summer itineraries, featuring voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada, and...

Carnival Mardi Gras ship offers two Transatlantic cruises (USA-Europe-USA) due to drydock...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ship Mardi Gras (Excel Class vessel) will return to Europe for a drydock refurbishment, offering travelers the opportunity...

Port Canaveral welcomes world's second-largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Utopia OTS

Port Canaveral (Florida, USA) has welcomed a significant new addition to its lineup. The world’s second-largest cruise ship, RCI-Royal...

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Cruise Lines & Schedules

CLICK HERE to view Cruise Schedule

To contact a cruise line for lost luggage or other information, please use these numbers:

For more information on Port Canaveral's cruise business, call (321) 783-7831 or e-mail [email protected]  

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• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

* Coming Soon

Buckle up for big adventure on the Space Coast when you book a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Fun in the sun is a mission easily accomplished in Port Canaveral: before or after your cruise, take time to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center, hug the turns in a stock car at the world famous speedway, and zoom through the screaming roller coasters of Orlando's theme parks. In addition to all these man-made thrills, cruises from Port Canaveral depart from a coastline of sugary sand beaches and protected islands for native wildlife.

• See a rocket up close at the Kennedy Space Center ™ .
• Walk the bustling Cocoa Beach boardwalk before your cruise from Port Canaveral.
• Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at Disney's Animal Kingdom ® park.
• Enjoy an exciting wildlife and alligator tour by airboat.

Gotta see Port Canaveral (Orlando)?

We have a few ideas for you.

* Taxes and fees are included.

Carnival adds record fourth ship to its Port Canaveral lineup, with Liberty coming onboard

With Monday morning's arrival of the Carnival Liberty at Port Canaveral, Carnival Cruise Line now has four of its ships based there.

That's the most any cruise line has ever had at Port Canaveral, and also brings to a record 11 the number of home-ported cruise ships at Port Canaveral. Those ships represent five cruise brands.

Separately, Carnival said it is introducing new COVID-19-related safety procedures, starting at Port Canaveral , focusing on the submission proof of vaccination. It also is expanding its COVID-19 testing options.

"We’re thrilled to welcome back Carnival Liberty," Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray said. "Her homecoming marks another milestone for Port Canaveral, with four Carnival Cruise Line ‘sisters’ now home-ported here."

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Murray said Port Canaveral is "proud of our long-standing partnership with Carnival, and very excited to now have an exceptional lineup of 11 home-ported cruising options from our port."

The Liberty will sail on three- and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas out of Cruise Terminal 3. It will share the terminal with Carnival's newest ship, the Mardi Gras.

The two other Carnival ships based at Port Canaveral — the Elation and the Magic — sail out of Cruise Terminal 6. 

"We’re so excited to finally get Carnival Liberty back to her home at Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said. "She’s an important part of our guest offering from an important port in our network."

Duffy said Carnival's successful restart the COVID-19-related shutdown of the cruise industry "is possible, thanks to the support of our loyal guests and valued business partners like the team at Port Canaveral." 

Carnival now has 19 of its 22 U.S.-based ships in guest operation, sailing from eight ports on the Atlantic, Gulf and West coasts. 

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The Liberty is smaller than two of the other three Carnival ships at Port Canaveral. But, because it sails twice a week, it will be a strong revenue producer for the port, as cruise lines pay the port based on such factors of the number of passengers getting on and off a ship, as well as the docking fees for the ships to come into the port.

Here are some of the specs on Carnival's four Port Canaveral-based ships:

• The Elation, at 70,367 gross tons, has 1,026 staterooms, a capacity of 2,606 passengers and a crew of 920. It started sailing in 1998.
• The Liberty, at 110,000 gross tons, has 1,487 staterooms, a capacity of 3,756  passengers and a crew of 1,160. It started sailing in 2005.
• The Magic, at 130,000 gross tons, has 1,845 staterooms, a capacity of 3,690 passengers and a crew of 1,386. It started sailing in 2011.
• The Mardi Gras, at 180,000 gross tons, has 2,641 staterooms, a capacity of 6,465 passengers and a crew of 1,745. It started sailing in 2021, and is Carnival's newest and largest ship.

Other cruise ships based at Port Canaveral are Disney's Dream and Fantasy; MSC's Meraviglia ; Norwegian's Escape; and Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

Also, the Victory 1 gambling ship offers twice-daily sailings from Port Canaveral, Wednesdays through Sundays.

Added safety protocols

Carnival said that it will be using "VeriFLY" for its operations from U.S. ports, with a pilot program that started Saturday for passengers boarding the Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral.

It also is finalizing plans to expand in-terminal testing capabilities for vaccinated passengers prior to embarkation, specifically for short itineraries of three- and four-day voyages.

Carnival also said it will continue to operate under its current protocols, sailing vaccinated voyages, requiring pre-embarkation testing and following onboard indoor mask requirements until further notice.

VeriFLY is widely used in the airline industry, and it will allow Carnival passengers to upload their proof of vaccination and testing information so that it can be verified in advance of the sailing.

In announcing its plans, Carnival said that will result in "a streamlined embarkation experience at the terminal."

Once the pilot program at Port Canaveral is complete, "Carnival intends to move quickly to implement the solution across its fleet," the company said.

Verifly was created by Daon, which says the system is "the world’s first widely adopted digital wallet to help travelers and event attendees quickly and safely meet their destination’s COVID-19 requirements."

Carnival also is working to expand testing capabilities at the terminal for vaccinated passengers, specifically for three- and four-day voyages. Once implemented, vaccinated passengers will be able to meet the pre-cruise testing requirement as part of the embarkation process.

Pre-registration will be required, and there will be capacity limits, based on the resources of testing providers.

Carnival said testing sites to support short itinerary cruises will be phased in, and will be announced by the end of the month.

Carnival also said it intends to follow what it calls the "Have Fun, Be Safe" COVID-19 operating protocols until further notice.  

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY . Contact Berman at [email protected] . Twitter: @bydaveberman .

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Cruise Terminal Plans at Port Canaveral Shelved Due to Space Industry Pressure

• August 21, 2024

Port Canaveral has retracted its decision to build a new cruise terminal following pressure from state officials.

Florida’s Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue threatened earlier this month to withhold future funding. They said the planned port development would obstruct space industry expansion.

Port is Home to Both Cruise and Space Industries

Port Canaveral supports both industries at the site. In May, plans were announced to build a new cruise terminal at the site of North Cargo Berth 8 and use an adjacent parcel of land for a parking garage. The state opposed this. Port Canaveral is second only to PortMiami for cruise ship passenger traffic. It handled 6.92 million cruise passengers last year.

Space Industry is Also Expanding at a Rapid Rate

A board meeting resolution has confirmed the cruise terminal plan will be scrapped after a 4-1 vote. It comes as state aerospace agency Space Florida predicted it would need to almost double land use at the port to keep pace with the fast-growing private space industry in the coming years.

“It’s tough to keep everybody happy all the time, but we do our best,” said Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Murray. “Miami’s full. Everglades is full. We don’t want large brand-new assets moving over to Texas, California, or New York. We want to keep that business here in Florida.”

Port Canaveral expects significant growth, with passenger numbers projected to jump from 7.3 million in 2024 to 8.4 million in 2025.

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New cruise terminal plan halted at Port Canaveral

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Canaveral Port Authority commissioners voted to reverse its plan to add a new cruise terminal on Wednesday.

This would have accommodated large cruise vessels.

What You Need To Know

The canaveral port authority voted to reverse plans to add a new cruise terminal this comes at a time when commissioners received a letter from state leaders threatening to halt state funding the reason — state leaders reportedly say the port needs a place for everyone, and want there to be a focus on the space industry.

The change comes after commissioners received a letter from state leaders threatening to halt funding.

The reason — state leaders reportedly say the port needs a place for everyone, and want there to be a focus on the space industry.

“The letter specifically addressed the state’s disappointment in the location, and it reinforced that we are to support space and support cargo in that location,” said Micah Loyd, the chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority. “There’s no one interest, whether it be space, cargo, commercial fishing, cruising, that is more important than the other,” Loyd said. 

Chief Executive Officer for the Port Authority John Murray said the need for another cruise terminal won’t go away. But for now, he needs to keep the peace.

“We’re a very diverse port. It’s a challenge to keep all the interests happy at all times. That’s really what we do here, keep all of our constituencies happy,” Murray said. 

At Ludz BBQ, owner Brenda Bernard says her business thrives on busy port days.

While a new terminal doesn’t appear to be in the cards right now, she remains optimistic more people will still be coming her way.

“I think that is the part that is the most vital is to make sure the community, the businesses, and all the business opportunities that would have come from it still have an opportunity. It just may be some time before it takes launch and moves forward,” Bernard said.  

Sure, additional customers would be nice, she said, but Bernard is staying the course. 

“Right now, I think we’re good. I think that there’s enough to keep us afloat to do the things that we do. We’re just looking forward to capitalizing on the opportunities to continue to employ people and make sure we stay connected with our community,” Bernard said.  

Murray said he’s committed to this goal, bringing economic success to Central Florida. 

We also reached out to state leaders for comment on the decision and to obtain the letter that was sent to commissioners but have yet to hear back.

Port Canaveral backtracks on plan for new cruise terminal over concerns from state, space sector

F acing threats from state officials that many millions of dollars in state government grants might dry up or be withdrawn, Port Canaveral commissioners on Wednesday voted to halt plans to build a new cruise terminal on the site of its current North Cargo Berth 8.

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue earlier this month sent a letter to the five Canaveral Port Authority commissioners, claiming that the port's plan to turn the North Cargo Berth 8 site into a cruise terminal and cruise parking garage would negatively affect the space industry.

They said that's because of the effect it would have on the commercial space companies' current and planned future operations to recover and reuse launched rocket hardware like boosters and fairings.

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"Growing cruise capacity is important," the letter read. "But it cannot be accomplished by shouldering out the longer-term benefits presented by the commercial space launch industry."

"We encourage you — the commissioners of the port — to immediately rescind your announced plans."

Port commissioners reverse course

Port commissioners capitulated, voting 4-1 to reverse their decision to build a cruise terminal/parking garage complex on the North Cargo Berth 8 site. Port Commissioner Kevin Markey voted against that move.

Commissioners did not discuss an alternative plan.

The port had originally planned to build its new cruise terminal on the port's south side, at the current site of Blue Points Marina. But, in May, Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said developing a new cruise terminal there has complications that would take extensive time to sort out, leading the commissioners to choose the north side site.

Murray said after Wednesday's Canaveral Port Authority meeting that the port would "take a hard look" at all its options, "and start all over again," including potentially finding ways to more efficiently use its existing cruise terminals.

"We're going to look at everything," other than making North Cargo Berth 8 a cruise terminal, Murray said. "It's part of doing business. We're OK with it."

Murray did not discuss any timeline for implementing a solution.

Murray said he wants to create a balance between its various business sectors ― cruise, cargo, space, recreation, marinas, restaurants and real estate — adding that "it's tough to keep everybody happy all the time, but we do our best."

State officials' funding threat

Had Port Canaveral not reversed course, the state officials said in their letter:

• "FDOT will commence an immediate review of all current investments in Port Canaveral, and repurpose all planned investments for transportation work program priorities at other seaports and spaceports."
• The Florida Department of Commerce will cease to fund or support funding for Port Canaveral projects; will rescind current funding allocated to Port Canaveral; and will "stringently review the port’s performance with and adherence to the terms and conditions of its (fiscal year) 2017-18 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund award, which was granted, in part, to support of the aerospace industry."
• Neither the Department of Commerce nor FDOT will certify Port Canaveral’s three most recent applications to the Florida Seaport Tourism Economic Development Council for projects related to the cruise industry.

Canaveral Port Authority Chair Micah Loyd said, with the reversal of the port's cruise terminal plan, "we will work with the state, and we will ask for things that we need here."

"So let's turn the lemons into lemonade," he told the other port commissioners.

Murray said the port's current cruise terminal facilities would have difficulty handling more ships, and that has resulted in the port turning away potential cruise business that it could have gotten in a few years.

"It's going to compromise some of our businesses," Murray said.

He said the similar lack of berth space for cruise line expansion at PortMiami and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades means that cruise lines that might have expanded at Florida's ports instead will base their new ships in New York, California or Texas.

Once that cruise business leaves Florida, Murray said, "it's next-to-impossible to get back."

Murray noted that major cruise lines have many ships on order that are scheduled to enter service in the late-2020s and early-2030s — ships that might not have a cruise port to go to in Florida.

More than 82% of the port's operating revenue is derived from cruise ships and cruise passenger parking. Murray said only about 1% of the port's revenue comes from the space sector.

Port's 'most precious asset'

Murray said the waterfront is the port's "most precious asset."

Nevertheless, Murray said, the port wants to retain its good relationship with FDOT and the Department of Commerce, and that was a bigger issue than the potential loss of grants.

"There's obviously a concern, and we need to sort though that," Murray said, adding that he believes the port has a good relationship with the commercial space companies.

He said the space launch sector is an important industry for the state, and one that state officials don't want to lose to potential launch sites in Virginia, Texas or Alaska.

In a statement related to the latest developments at the port, Space Florida said: "Florida is fortunate that demand at the world’s busiest spaceport remains high now and for the foreseeable future. We look forward to continuing to work with local, state and federal partners and stakeholders on solutions that support the rapid growth of the space industry."

The number of recovered space components going through Port Canaveral is increasing with the increased cadence of launches. Murray said Port Canaveral's cargo facilities handled 54 recovered SpaceX boosters from Oct. 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024, up from 39 in the same period a year ago; and 128 SpaceX fairing, up from 82 in the same period a year ago.

Rick Neale contributed to this story.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] , on X at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Port Canaveral backtracks on plan for new cruise terminal over concerns from state, space sector