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THE NEXT ICON OF VACATIONS

Port Canaveral | Summer 2025

Icons never stop pushing limits.

Finally, a sequel as good as the original. The new Star of the Seas℠ doubles down on Icon Class thrills, chill and wows. Like six record-breaking waterslides and a fear-inducing challenge high above the sea. Seven splashy pools with epic views. Over 40 ways to dine and drink. Entertainment that rocks the house. Plus, stops at the award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay on every sailing. And much more to be revealed as we await the big arrival in summer 2025.

LARGER THAN LIFE

OVER THE TOP

VACATION GOALS START HERE

Max the memory-making on Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures to San Juan, St. Kitts, Cozumel and beyond — plus visit our private island Perfect Day at CocoCay on every itinerary.

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NONSTOP THRILLS --> NONSTOP THRILLS

Take your best-ever vacation and crank it up — way up. Brave six record-breaking slides at the largest waterpark at sea. Find the courage to conquer the Crown’s Edge℠. And open the floodgates on family fun at Surfside℠. This is the best family vacation in the world.

CATEGORY 6 WATERPARK

CROWN'S EDGE

WATER'S EDGE

SPLASHAWAY BAY

ADRENALINE PEAK

SPORTS COURT

NEXT LEVEL CHILLS  

Take your pick of seven different pools, plus ten whirlpools — and plunge into an all-you-can-swim buffet of splashes to satisfy every mood. All with next-level ocean views to keep you connected to the sea. And refreshing cocktails are on tap across three decks at The Lime & Coconut® bar. It’s your day your way — soak up every minute.

THE HIDEAWAY

Floating in mid-air eight stories up, the first suspended infinity pool at sea brings beach club vibes to the back of the ship at this adults-only paradise. Spend the day sipping bubbly champagne cocktails while the DJ spins relaxing beach beats until after the sun goes down.

Reach for the sky at Cloud 17℠ — an upscale retreat tucked away on the top deck. This elevated oasis achieves a new stratosphere of chic with a secluded pool, plenty of cushioned loungers and daybeds, and private access to The Lime and Coconut® bar.

SWIM & TONIC

Drift on over to the Swim & Tonic℠ swim-up bar for ice-cold drinks and sun-kissed beats. This is the coolest way to sip — so grab a seat at the bar or kick back on one of the in-water loungers for just a splash of the action.

The new Star of the Seas℠ amps up the artistry like never before. Superhuman stunt-filled performances push the bounds of bravery beneath a towering waterfall at the shimmering AquaDome℠. Skaters unleash bold feats as digital projection transforms everything around you at Absolute Zero℠. And Broadway-worthy stage sensations, comedy masterminds and master musicians cue the applause with finely filtered precision.

BOLD AS ICE

ABSOLUTE ZERO

AWE INSPIRING

ALL NEW ADVENTURES

Stay tuned as we reveal all-new adventures coming to Star of the Seas℠.

CRUISE FROM PORT CANAVERAL

The next Icon of Vacations℠ sails from Port Canaveral — launching your family adventures into a new stratosphere. Blast off for discovery at the Kennedy Space Center, swim with manatees, go museum hopping, or explore world-famous theme parks in Orlando, just a short drive away.

EXPLORE CRUISES FROM PORT CANAVERAL

PERFECT DAY ADVENTURES

With stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay on every sailing, the best family vacation in the world extends from the ship to our award-winning private island. It’s 20 total waterslides onboard and on shore. Luxurious lounging at Coco Beach Club®. And party-pumping beats at the adults-only Hideaway Beach℠.

EXPLORE PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get the latest news on Star of the Seas℠ ahead of its arrival, Summer 2025. Plus get special offers and last-minute cruise deals.

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Star of the Seas® is Orlando’s best family vacation.

The next Icon of Vacations℠, Star of the Seas℠, sails weeklong getaways from Orlando, Florida beginning Summer 2025 from Port Canaveral. Whether your ideal beach getaway involves larger-than-life thrills or unwinding at a peaceful waterfront chill spot, you’ll find it at our award-winning private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. So take your pick from Eastern to Western Caribbean and wander for a weeklong onboard the best family vacation in the world.

Everything You Need to Plan a Perfect Day at Cococay

May 13, 2024

Planning on maximizing your experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay discover everything you need to know from record-breaking slides and rides, free kid-friendly attractions to delicious restaurants, and chilled out activities.

Weekend Getaways: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas [Infographic]

May 6, 2024

Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas gives you the best opportunity to create your own great weekend getaway the way you want to travel!

Top Free Activities and Free Things To Do at Perfect Day at CocoCay

April 12, 2024

The best free activities and free things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay®, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

How to Have Your Best Family Vacation Onboard Icon of The Seas℠

April 11, 2024

There are many reasons why Icon of The Seas℠ offers the best family vacation out there, from exceptional pools to daytime activities and rocking nightlife.

Take Your Perfect Day at CocoCay® to the Next Level | Royal Caribbean Cruises

March 8, 2024

Who said you shouldn't mess with perfection? Visit a thrilling water park or a relaxing lagoon to make your Perfect Day at CocoCay® even better.

Traveling With a Toddler to Perfect Day at CocoCay | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Traveling with a toddler is easy when you book a cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Read on for advice and tips for traveling with a toddler.

One Day, Three Ways At Perfect Day At Cococay

Planning your time at the new CocoCay? If you want to unwind, head to Chill Island on the east side of CocoCay. Or visit the Oasis Lagoon or the Thrill Waterpark to get on the side of adventure.

Ultimate Guide To Oasis Lagoon

The best Oasis Lagoon at Perfect Day at CocoCay insider Tips to discovering all the amazing things to do, family-friendly attractions and thrills you don't want to miss. Find cruise deals to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Best Cruises From Miami

Cruise from Miami and start your vacation in one of the worlds best places to visit, then set sail from the Port of Miami to The Bahamas, Mexico, Puerto Rico and beyond on weekend getaway cruise or a longer Caribbean adventure. Here are the best cruises from Miami

Perfect Day Honeymoon Guide

Celebrate your newly-wedded bliss on a romantic Caribbean honeymoon cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the best Caribbean destination for newly married couples. Find cruise deals to Perfect Day at CocoCay

The Ultimate College Spring Break Cruise Vacation

If you are looking for an all-out college spring break vacation filled with beach vibes, thrilling rides and amazing parties it doesn’t get any better than a spring break cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Find cruise deals to Perfect Day at CocoCay

Top 7 Most Thrilling Things to do at Perfect Day At CocoCay

Experience the top 7 most thrilling things to do at the Perfect Day at CocoCay from sliding down the tallest waterslide in North America to zip lining across the island and much more.

Top 4 Insider Tips to Thrill Waterpark

Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day At CocoCay top 4 insider travel tips uncovers free things to do, places to go and thrills you can share with friends. Find cruise deals to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Best Restaurants at Perfect Day At CocoCay

Explore all the restaurants on the Perfect Day at CocoCay island and discover all the complimentary dining venues that offers loads of food and drink favorites that will fuel you up in between adventures.

Guide To Chill Island at Perfect Day

Discover Chill Island insider tips to all the relaxing things to do from renting overwater cabanas with VIP services, snorkeling with the friendly manta rays to finding the best places to unwind and soak up the island vibes.

The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Vacation to Perfect Day at CocoCay

Set sail to the best kid-friendly destination in the world on a cruise from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando to Perfect Day at CocoCay and discover all the amazing family-friendly activities, award-winning shows, and record-breaking attractions.

Amazing Family Friendly Summer Cruise Vacations

Enjoy your family summer vacation on a cruise to Perfect Day CocoCay and discover the private islands beautiful beaches, kid-friendly attractions, great restaurants and record-breaking water rides and activities for all ages. Find summer cruise deals.

The 5 Most Relaxing Things to do at Perfect Day At CocoCay

Discover the most relaxing things to do on your luxury getaway to Perfect Day at CocoCay from the luxury CocoCay Overwater Cabanas to the most popular Chill Island Cabanas and much more.

Relaxing Weekend Caribbean Vacation Ideas

Envision your next weekend Caribbean vacation, plan a short cruise or quick getaway to the best travel destinations to visit. Adventure awaits!

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Port canaveral reveals first ships that will use new cruise terminal.

Port Canaveral commissioners this week approved the first of a series of contracts for construction of a new cruise terminal on the port's north side. Port officials also revealed two of the cruise lines expected to use the new terminal.

The new terminal — being referred to "Terminal X" for the time being — will be built on the current site of North Cargo Berth 8 and directly across from Cruise Terminal 5.

Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a $1.45 million increase in a purchase order with AtkinsRealis USA for marine improvement design at North Cargo Berth 8 that will be phased in for use of the berth for cruise ships. Phase 1 of AtkinsRealis' project will be design of a pier extension and mooring improvements, with Phase 2 including a bulkhead parallel to State Road 401 between Cruise Terminal 5 and North Cargo Berth 8.

Port officials announced earlier this month that they would transform the North Cargo Berth 8 site into a cruise terminal and parking garage that they want to be completed by July 2026.

The port's announcement pushes back — but does not eliminate — the port's previously announced plans to build a $175 million south side cruise terminal and parking garage at the current site of Bluepoints Marina. Under those plans, the marina operation would move elsewhere at the port before the cruise terminal opens.

Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said there is no total cost estimate for the cruise terminal and parking garage at the site of North Cargo Berth 8. But it is expected to be less than the cost estimate for the proposed south side terminal because some of the needed infrastructure already is in place at the North Cargo Berth 8 site.

What ships might use new terminal?

Cruise terminal plan: Port Canaveral announces plans for new north side cruise terminal at cargo berth site

Murray said Cruise Terminal X will be large enough to accommodate the world's largest cruise ships. It will be used by two or three cruise lines, in contrast with some of the port's terminals that are used exclusively or predominantly by one cruise brand.

Murray said Terminal X will be used for "the extra-large vessels that need the extra berth length and the larger-sized terminal for passenger flow."

William Crowe, the port's vice president of engineering, construction and facilities, told port commissioners that the first ship to use the new cruise terminal could be the Norwegian Joy , which will be joining the port lineup in November 2025. It is possible for the terminal to operate while final construction is still progressing. The Joy will predominantly sail seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Port Canaveral, with some four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas.

Another ship that could use the new terminal is the MSC Grandiosa , which will start sailing from Port Canaveral in December 2025.

However, port officials emphasized that those plans are tentative, and could change, based on the progress of the terminal's construction and other factors.

Amended MSC operating agreement approved

Expanded MSC presence: MSC to base second cruise ship, the Grandiosa, at Port Canaveral starting late next year

In a separate vote, port commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the port's operating agreement with MSC that will roughly double the guaranteed annual revenue Port Canaveral receives from MSC, with the addition of the Grandiosa. That will give Port Canaveral two home-ported ships, as the Grandiosa joins the MSC Seashore.

Under the current operating agreement, the annual guaranteed fees payment from MSC to the port is about $6.84 million. That will increase to $13.16 million after the Grandiosa joins the lineup. It will rise to $14.52 million the following year and to $14.95 million the year after that.

The port also will get more parking revenue from MSC cruise passengers, with the second ship and resulting increased passenger counts.

"This is kind of a big deal," Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Micah Loyd said. "It's been in the works for quite some time."

Loyd noted that MSC is "moving up the ranks" among cruise lines at Port Canaveral, in terms of passenger counts.

The Grandiosa will sail seven-night voyages from Port Canaveral to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, while the Seashore will sail three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas.

Additionally, the MSC Meraviglia will continue its weekly port-of-call deployments to Port Canaveral.

MSC cancellations cut port's April revenue

Port Canaveral Chief Financial Officer Michael Poole reported that the port's operating revenue during April fell short of projection by 6.5% because of five canceled cruise ship sailings.

Port officials said those April sailings included two on the Port Canaveral-based MSC Seashore and three on the New York-based MSC Meraveglia, which makes port-of-call stops at Port Canaveral. The cancellations ― which were announced by MSC after Port Canaveral completed its budget projections last fall ― were the result of construction work MSC is doing on its private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. That reduced the total number of cruise sailings from Port Canaveral in April to 74, down from a projected 79.

A few additional MSC cancellations were expected in May.

Port officials were not concerned, however, about their financial results. The port's total operating revenue for the first seven months of the budget year that began Oct. 1 is at 2.3% above projection, and total profits are at $44.76 million.

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 OKs first contract for new northside cruise terminal

Royal Caribbean’s new ship 'Utopia of the Seas' to homeport at Port Canaveral

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Sea. [Credit: Royal Caribbean International]

ORLANDO, Fla. - A new cruise ship is coming to Central Florida that will homeport year-round at Port Canaveral beginning in the summer of 2024.

Construction of Utopia of the Seas started in 2022 at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. When finished, Royal Caribbean's newest addition will become the second-largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 1,188 feet long, 211 feet wide, and featuring 18 decks to accommodate 5,668 guests. Utopia of the Seas , an Oasis-class ship, will also be the first in its class to be fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Royal Caribbean says.

"Royal Caribbean's  Utopia of the Seas  is one of the most anticipated new cruise vessels in the industry.  We are thrilled to have her join us and looking forward to her arrival next year," stated Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral. "Homeporting this first LNG-powered Oasis-class ship at Port Canaveral to sail these very popular shorter itineraries exemplifies the trust and commitment our valued cruise partners have in our Port and this community to deliver a high-quality guest experience. We are tremendously proud."

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Sea Solarium Suite Living Room. [Credit: Royal Caribbean International]

The ship will arrive in Brevard County in July 2024 and will embark on three and four-day journeys to Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas.  Utopia will join her sister ships, Wonder of the Seas and Voyager-class Adventure of the Seas , establishing Port Canaveral as the homeport for two of the world’s largest three ships. 

Utopia will boast five pools, three water slides, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, two casinos, and eight hot tubs. It will also be the only Oasis-class ship to include two Solarium Suites. 

"The debut of Utopia of the Seas will introduce an array of signature adventures alongside innovative features and reimagined experiences. Notably, it will include access to the newly unveiled adults-only  Hideaway Beach , set to open in early 2024," Port Canaveral officials said. "Guests can look forward to indulging in a new Caribbean tiki bar, an immersive dining experience like no other, the longest and most thrilling dry slide at sea, newly designed resort-style pools, and much more." 

Bookings will open on Royal Caribbean's website on Friday, June 23, 2023.

Travel | Port Canaveral now home to 2 of world’s largest…

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Travel | port canaveral now home to 2 of world’s largest cruise ships as florida winter sailing season shifts begin.

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas arrived at the Central Florida port on Wednesday to begin three- and four-night Bahamas trips, a first for the massive Oasis-class vessels that will add thousands to the port’s ever-growing passenger count.

The port recently added 1,000 parking spaces to support the busy Terminal 1, also home to current record holder for world’s largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas.

“This is a game changer,” said Allure of the Seas Capt. Tobias Oster to Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray during a ceremony to welcome the ship. “Not just for us, but for you as well.”

The port commission meeting earlier in the day went over its final fiscal year 2023 numbers that ended Sept. 30, with a record 6.8 million passengers, a number that’s expected to grow even more in fiscal year 2024.

That includes more ships, larger ships and more frequent sailings. Royal’s addition of Allure of the Seas will pave the way for the line’s newest Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas, coming next July and keep the double Oasis offering going year-round.

The demand is there, Oster said, noting the ship was sailing with 6,300 passengers on its first sailing. Its maximum capacity is 6,828. A sister ship to the original Oasis of the Seas that debuted in 2009, Allure of the Seas began sailing in 2010 and features the neighborhood concept. It carves the ship up into spaces, including the Jersey Shore-inspired Boardwalk at the aft of the ship and the outdoor Central Park space in the middle.

“Royal Caribbean’s three- and four-day product has been steadily improving over the last few years and one of or most successful ships was Independence of the Seas,” Murray said. “She’s been sailing full since post-pandemic, and this was the next logical step to go to the Oasis class.”

Each of the Oasis-class ships claimed the title of world’s largest cruise ship and Allure held the title until Harmony of the Seas’ debut in 2016, which has since been handed over to the more recent Symphony of the Seas and current title holder Wonder of the Seas.

Port Canaveral has now become the home to four of the five existing Oasis-class ships and will be the first home for the sixth and possibly final Oasis-class ship when it debuts.

The ship’s arrival heralds the beginning of a parade of new arrivals to not only Port Canaveral, but also PortMiami and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the three busiest cruise ports in the world.

Port Canaveral will see three more ships in November that are calling it home for the first time including Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas on Nov. 10, a new class of ship from MSC Cruises, the MSC Seashore, coming Nov. 16, and Carnival Vista coming on Nov. 26.

Also returning to the port beginning Dec. 24 will be Norwegian Epic, which was a late add to the port’s stable of offerings after Norwegian Cruise Line canceled four months of Mediterranean sailings.

It continues to host Disney Wish and Fantasy, Carnival’s Mardi Gras and Norwegian Escape among a winter stable that will see 13 ships among five brands.

The few brand-new ships that debuted in 2023 will be making their way to the two South Florida ports.

Port Everglades will once again be home to the latest in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ships, the Celebrity Ascent, when it begins sailing on Nov. 22. It’s the fourth iteration of the groundbreaking class. The 3,260-passenger, 140,600-gross-ton vessel is about 60 feet longer than the original Celebrity Edge that debuted in 2018, but once again features the Magic Carpet.

It’s an exterior elevator platform that acts primarily as an innovative way for passengers to disembark and reboard the ship at ports of call but also doubles as an entertainment and dining venue.

Another big debut for Port Everglades isn’t a new ship, but a new second home for Disney Cruise Line as it shifts away from Miami where it had been sailing to some degree since 2012 by bringing Disney Dream to the Fort Lauderdale port’s Cruise Terminal 4 beginning Nov. 20. It’s one of the terminals closest to the city’s convention center coupled with a massive renovated parking garage and hotel.

Fort Lauderdale will also play host to the latest luxury offering from Silversea Cruises with the Silver Nova. The line’s 11th ship has a first-in-class asymmetrical design with an outward-facing pool deck, al fresco dining area and a sky bar with panoramic views from the aft of the ship. It pops in and out of Florida as it carves its way around the Caribbean, Central and South America between January and April.

Miami isn’t hurting for customers, though.

Norwegian’s second Prima-class vessel, the Norwegian Viva, will sail out of PortMiami on just a pair of sailings beginning Dec. 2, and then make its winter home based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s the second of six planned vessels in the new class, smaller than the last several ships for the line, coming in a 142,500 gross tons with a 3,100-passenger capacity based on double occupancy.

On the higher end, Oceania Vista, the first new ship from culinary-focused Oceania Cruises in more than a decade, has already made its maiden call to PortMiami when it arrived earlier this month. The 1,200-guest ship then left for a pair of Panama Canal cruises, but will return for four months out of Miami on Caribbean itineraries. The upper premium brand to sister line Norwegian, Vista is the biggest ship in Oceania’s fleet with 11 dining venues including a new concept of American dining called Ember with menu items conceived by the line’s executive culinary director Jacques Pépin. The ship’s godmother, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, is also bringing dishes to the ship’s Italian venue while the popular culinary test kitchen gets its largest space yet across the Oceania fleet.

Miami will also get stops from the latest from Regent Seven Seas, the luxury, all-inclusive sister brand to both Norwegian and Oceania, when the 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur makes its way to the Magic City on Dec. 14 and revisits Miami amid an array of unique sailings through March. The ship has more than 600 crew for a 1-to-1.4 passenger-to-crew ratio.

And Miami will welcome a new foray by MSC Group into the luxury class with its first ship under the brand Explora Journeys. The Explora 1 is the first of six ships on order, a 63,900-gross-ton vessel with a 922-guest capacity that plans to visit 132 ports in more than 40 countries during its first year in service including several embarkations from Miami beginning Nov. 3 and running through March 2024.

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'world's largest cruise ship' coming to port canaveral, officials say.

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A new cruise ship is coming to Port Canaveral.

According to the Canaveral Port Authority, Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas is set to come to Port Canaveral in July 2025.

Canaveral Port Authority also says the Star of the Seas will be the "world's largest cruise ship."

"This is tremendous news, and we are very proud to be the homeport for this remarkable new ship. Star of the Seas will add even more excitement to the Royal Caribbean fleet that calls Port Canaveral home," Capt. John Murray, Port CEO, said in a statement. "We're looking forward to her arrival in 2025 and will be ready to welcome her and the many cruise guests who will enjoy all that she has to offer."

Port Canaveral has been upgrading and expanding facilities to keep pace with the record-breaking flow of cruisers heading out to sea from Central Florida.

“This design of this ship, it will be an industry game-changer,” said Stewart Chiron with TheCruiseGuy.com. “It’s a testament for the hard work that the port has put in to developing its facilities to attract ships. And realize, all those ships are also competing with Disney."

Star of the Seas is still being built in Finland, and once she’s done in 2025, she’ll be homeport at Port Canaveral.

This is coming about a year and a half after the Miami debut of a sister Icon Class ship, Icon of the Seas.

“There aren’t a lot of places for these ships to be homeported. So, Canaveral for the second Icon class ship was a given,” Chiron said.

The new class of ships, while larger, won’t hold a great deal more passengers.

However, the facilities and activities are the focus on the Icon class, according to Royal Caribbean.

According to their website, Royal Caribbean will open booking on Star of the Seas next week on Dec. 6.

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Port Canaveral now home to world’s largest cruise ship

Royal caribbean wonder of the seas begins departures.

James Sparvero , Reporter

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – After previously sailing this year out of Fort Lauderdale and Europe, Royal Caribbean says its fifth ship in its Oasis class will now call Port Canaveral home for at least the next two years.

Weighing more than 230,000 tons with a total capacity of nearly 7,000 passengers, Wonder of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship.

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Strategic Account Manager Joanne Cotterman says all guests are now welcome – a big change from when cruising restarted a year ago during the pandemic.

“We will take guests whether they are vaccinated or not vaccinated,” Cotterman said. “And we’ve actually just eliminated the testing requirements as well for all guests, no matter what their vaccine status is.”

The world’s largest cruise ship now calls @PortCanaveral its home. @RoyalCaribbean ’s Wonder of the Seas departing the port tonight on a seven night cruise across the Caribbean. Full @news6wkmg report tonight at 11:30. pic.twitter.com/PvqPvRuW6O — James Sparvero (@JamesSparvero) November 20, 2022

By eliminating COVID-19 rules, Cotterman said Royal Caribbean is boosting ticket sales.

A Wonder of the Seas passenger boarding the ship Sunday shared his thoughts on how the cruise industry has navigated the pandemic.

“I think that the industry’s doing a lot to keep everybody safe and secure,” Gary Emard said.

After seven nights across the Caribbean, Wonder Of The Seas is scheduled to return to Port Canaveral next Sunday morning and depart on another trip next Sunday afternoon.

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James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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Princess Cruises to begin sailing from Port Canaveral next year

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — A new cruise ship operation announced Tuesday that it will start sailing from Port Canaveral starting next year.

Princess Cruises announced it’ll be sailing to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral starting in 2024.

>>> STREAM LIVE NEWS <<<

The company’s president, John Padgett, said he only wishes it had happened sooner.

Princess Cruises said its ship Caribbean Princess will start sailing to the eastern and western Caribbean on Nov. 27, 2024. It will mostly sale six and eight-night cruises.

Watch: Port Canaveral sees more passengers, meaning more money for projects

Officials said Princess Cruises plans for 38 departures between November of next year and April of 2025.

Adventure awaits! Get ready to sail eastern and western Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral on #CaribbeanPrincess starting November 27, 2024! 🌊 #PrincessCruises #ComeFeelTheLove pic.twitter.com/oraqpT8Rtg — Princess Cruises (@PrincessCruises) May 9, 2023

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2024-25 Deployment: Here Are All the Cruise Lines Sailing from Port Canaveral

• October 15, 2023

With more brands and larger ships, Port Canaveral is set for a record offering during the 2024-25 winter season.

Cruise Industry News looked at the plans of the key players sailing from the Central Florida homeport in 2024-25:

Carnival Cruise Lines Ships: Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras and Carnival Venezia Destinations: The Bahamas, Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean

With five ships sailing from Port Canaveral in 2024-25, Carnival Cruise Line is set for a record winter season at the homeport.

Joining the company’s lineup in Port Canaveral, the new Carnival Venezia is one of the highlights of the season. After debuting in New York City earlier this year, the Vista-Class vessel is set to bring the Carnival Fun Italian Style concept to Florida for the first time .

Carnival’s season also includes the LNG-powered Mardi Gras, in addition to the Carnival Vista, the Carnival Freedom and the Carnival Glory.

Royal Caribbean International Ships: Utopia of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas Destinations: The Bahamas, Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International’s 2024-25 season in Port Canaveral includes two of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Debuting in mid-2024, the Utopia of the Seas is set to join its sister ship Wonder of the Seas in Central Florida, while offering three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas .

In addition to the two Oasis-Class ships, Royal Caribbean is also deploying the Adventure of the Seas and the Voyager of the Seas in Port Canaveral.

Disney Cruise Line Ships:  Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy Destinations:  The Bahamas, Western and Eastern Caribbean

Continuing their year-round program from the homeport, the Disney Wish and the Disney Fantasy are also scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral.

After debuting in mid-2022 , the Wish is set to offer a series of short cruises to the Bahamas, while the Fantasy will continue to sail seven-night cruises to the Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships:  Norwegian Epic

Destinations:  Western and Eastern Caribbean

The Norwegian Epic is slated to return to Port Canaveral for the 2024-25 winter. One of the largest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, the vessel is scheduled to offer a full season from the homeport.

The ship’s program includes a series of seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, featuring visits to Mexico, St. Thomas, Jamaica and more.

MSC Cruises Ships:  MSC Seashore Destinations:  The Bahamas and Western Caribbean

After arriving in Port Canaveral in late 2023 , the MSC Seashore is set to continue operating from Central Florida during the 2024-25 winter.

Part of MSC Cruises’ Seaside Class, the 2021-built vessel will offer a mix of itineraries that include short cruises to the Bahamas and week-long sailings to the Western Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises Ships:  Celebrity Equinox Destinations:  Western and Eastern Caribbean

Celebrity Cruises is debuting in Port Canaveral during the 2024-25 season.

Sailing from Central Florida for the first time, the company is set to offer 20 cruises to the Caribbean onboard the Celebrity Equinox .

Princess Cruises Ships:  Caribbean Princess Destinations:  Western and Eastern Caribbean

Another cruise line joining the lineup in Port Canaveral , Princess Cruises is deploying the Caribbean Princess in the homeport for the 2024-25 season.

Between November 2024 and April 2025, the 2004-built vessel is set to offer an alternate schedule of seven-night itineraries to the Western or the Eastern Caribbean. Sailing to different destinations in both regions, the cruises can be combined into a single 14-night voyage.

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Travel | MSC Cruises to bring a 2nd ship to Port Canaveral

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MSC Grandiosa was the first Meraviglia Plus class ship for MSC Cruises. It debuted in 2019. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Wild Forest Aquapark on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Safari pool on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Galleria Grandiosa on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

L'Atelier Bistro on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

The Lego-themed kids club on MSC Grandiosa. (Courtesy/Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)

MSC Grandiosa will begin seven-night Caribbean itineraries in December 2025 for the winter sailing season while MSC Seashore remains, but sailing short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings to Nassau and the cruise line’s private island Ocean Cay.

It’s the largest MSC ship yet to sail from the port. The Meraviglia Plus-class vessel is among the top 20 largest cruise ships worldwide at 181,541 gross tons and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,334. It debuted in 2019 and features a water park, five pools, nine hot tubs, spa, the MSC Yacht Club exclusive area and a Lego partnership in its kids clubs.

One of the more dramatic features is the 323-foot-long Galleria Grandiosa promenade with an LED projection screen over the length of the walkway. The ship features 10 restaurants including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi, Kaito Tepanyaki and L’Atelier Bistrot.

This is its first time taking on North American duties, and its arrival coincides with the debut out of PortMiami of the MSC World America, which will be even larger.

“The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that,” said MSC Cruises USA President Rubén A. Rodríguez in a press release. “We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamorous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”

MSC first began sailing from the port in 2021, joining mainstays Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. It has shuffled several ships for short runs for what Rodríguez said was a taste of what MSC has to offer. That has included MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seashore.

The family-owned cruise line has its roots in Europe, so the line plays up its “unique international flavor” compared with the other lines, while also touting its environmental efforts such as can be found on the private Bahamas island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. It is undergoing a major expansion effort to support excursions and on-island activities.

MSC Grandiosa will trade off alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Eastern trips will visit Nassau and Ocean Cay, Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands. Western trips will visit Nassau; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay and Falmouth, Jamaica; and Belize City, Belize.

“We are honored that MSC Cruises chose Port Canaveral for the North American debut of their magnificent MSC Grandiosa,” said Port Canaveral CEO John Murray in the release. “Expanding their homeport fleet at Port Canaveral underscores their confidence in our partnership and shared commitment to success.”

The growing port for a time took on the title of world’s busiest cruise port after the pandemic, and while PortMiami has since retaken that title, Port Canaveral continues to expand its ship offerings.

The last sailing season saw 16 ships that either homeported year-round or sailed seasonally, and it expects that number to grow to 19 for the 2024-2025 sailing season, including the debuts of Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises this fall.

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5 things to know about new Port Canaveral cruise ship, including why locals can't sail

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Marella Cruises is scheduled to start service out of Port Canaveral on May 7, when the Marella Discovery begins sailing from there.

But Space Coast residents generally won't be able to book a cruise on the Marella Discovery.

Here's are answers to why that's the case, plus other information about the ship and its cruises out of Port Canaveral, the world's busiest cruise port.

Why can't I buy a ticket to sail on the Marella Discovery?

Marella is component of the TUI Group, a major international travel company.

We're No. 1: Port Canaveral surpasses Miami as world's busiest cruise port

Port Canaveral officials say TUI's business model is to sell full-scale travel packages. So the cruise is part of a package that includes a flight from a United Kingdom airport to Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Some packages have an option to add a hotel stay in Florida.

When will the Marella Discovery start sailing from Port Canaveral?

The ship will have its first cruise from Port Canaveral's Cruise Terminal 5 on May 7, with 26 sailings scheduled between then and Nov. 5. Most are seven-night sailings, departing and returning on Sundays.

Marella will be the sixth cruise line with ships based at Port Canaveral, joining Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

Marella originally planned to base the Discovery at Port Canaveral in 2021, but those plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where will the Discovery cruise?

There are various itineraries from Port Canaveral. A typical one is called "American Dream," with stops in Charleston, South Carolina; New York City; and Freeport, Bahamas.

Is the Discovery a big ship?

Not compared with some of the megaships now operated by other cruise lines.

Positive outlook: CEO Murray delivers upbeat report on state of Port Canaveral after record year

The Marella Discovery has 915 cabins; a double-occupancy capacity of 1,830 passengers; and a full capacity of 2,076 passengers. It is 866 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 69,130 tons.

It has sailed under various names over the years. It initially sailed for Royal Caribbean International as the Splendour of the Seas, starting in 1996. The ship was refurbished in 2016, after being acquired by TUI.

In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Port Canaveral-based Wonder of the Seas ― the world's largest cruise ship now in operation — has 2,867 cabins; a double-occupancy capacity of 5,734 passengers; and a full capacity of 7,084 passengers. It is 1,188 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 235,600 tons.

What are some other features of the Discovery?

The ship has seven restaurants and seven bars, plus an 800-seat Broadway Show Lounge, an outdoor cinema and a five-story atrium.

It also has a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course and two pools onboard, one of which is indoors.

Contact Berman at   [email protected] , on Twitter at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

Best Cruises from Port Canaveral

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Celebrity Apex

The Celebrity Apex – which made its inaugural sailing in June 2021 – can hold up to 2,910 passengers and 1,320 crew members. Guests can wine and dine at 29 restaurants, bars and lounges, then spend the night testing their luck at the casino or enjoying live music at the Magic Carpet (which offers great ocean views). Specialty restaurants include a steakhouse and a raw bar, while main dining options feature Mediterranean, Italian and French cuisines. There are also meeting spaces and multipurpose areas on board, as well as upscale shops. 

Visit the spa or adults-only Solarium pool to stay relaxed throughout your stay at sea. For younger travelers, there are some kid-friendly areas of the ship – such as a Camp at Sea. However, the ship is geared more toward adult clientele (or families with older children) looking for a relaxing escape.

The ship's staterooms, which start at 181 square feet, offer smart TVs, customizable air conditioning and plenty of storage space. Many rooms also offer private verandas. If you're willing to splurge, consider booking a room in The Retreat. This exclusive section of the ship features luxury accommodations as well as access to a private restaurant, sun deck and lounge. Plus, rooms in The Retreat offer more space, measuring up to 1,892 square feet.

The Celebrity Apex sails to European destinations like Greece, Italy, Croatia and Portugal, as well as to Caribbean hot spots like St. Thomas , Puerto Rico , Belize and Grand Cayman . 

Disney Magic

The 2,713-passenger Disney Magic is the oldest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet (it first launched in 1998). It was last refurbished in May 2023, when it received updates like a "Soul"-themed lounge, concierge-level upgrades and a new "Encanto" live show. The ship also features family favorites such as the AquaDuck waterslide, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique dress-up shop and Edge, an interactive game center for tweens.

Disney Magic features diverse entertainment, including live shows, an open-air Wide World of Sports deck, three pools and a splash area for children younger than 3. Unique to the Magic is the teens-only Chill Spa. When it comes to dining, the ship offers eight eateries, including an adults-only specialty restaurant and buffet options. Recent cruisers gave the food quality mixed reviews.

In terms of lodging, 70% of cabins offer ocean views or verandas. All cabins are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, sitting areas and bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Suites include extra perks such as concierge service and media libraries. Past cruisers noted that the service on this ship is up to Disney's standards, but so is the price tag.

Disney Magic sails from Galveston, Texas ;  San Diego ;  Miami ; Fort Lauderdale, Florida ;  New Orleans ; and  San Juan, Puerto Rico . It visits destinations across the Bahamas , the Caribbean, Mexico and the Panama Canal.

U.S. News Insider Tip : Once per sailing, guests are invited to watch Tangled: The Musical in the Walt Disney Theater. This Broadway-style show retells the story of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider with three new original songs, puppets, and beautiful costumes. This show is very popular, so it's best to get to the theater about an hour before the show starts to get a good seat. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. – Megan duBois, Contributor

Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas, which embarked on its maiden voyage in March 2022, holds 7,084 passengers and 2,204 crew members. The ship measures 1,188 feet long and 215 feet wide, and it weighs 235,600 gross tons. It surpasses its sister ship, Symphony of the Seas , as one of the largest cruise ships in the world.  

Guests can enjoy plenty of thrill activities on board, such as the Ultimate Abyss – a 10-story dark tunnel slide – or the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf stimulator. The ship also offers a fitness center, shopping venues, rock climbing, a carousel and clubs for kids and teens. When it's time to dine, cruisers have the option of 21 dining venues ranging from Italian fare to Southern cuisine. Travelers can also indulge in a few cocktails at 14 bars and lounges.

Accommodations include Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite staterooms. If you're looking for something more spacious, check out the ship's all-new Suite Neighborhood. Located on the upper decks, these suites offer guests ample private quarters to recharge during the cruise. Amenities included in the exclusive suites include priority boarding, a members-only dining facility and a dedicated check-in line. For families, the new neighborhood may be of particular interest because it features the Ultimate Family Suite. The family suite offers two floors of space with stunning ocean views, in-suite movies and video games and a kids slide between the floors.  

Wonder of the Seas sails from Orlando , Florida, to ports in the Caribbean.

Disney Wish

The fifth Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Wish made its maiden voyage in July 2022. The 4,000-passenger and 1,555-crew-member ship features the first Disney attraction at sea – AquaMouse – which takes thrill-seekers through 760 feet of water tubes high above the cruise deck.

Family-friendly cabin options include Concierge, Verandah, Oceanview and Inside staterooms. Rooms feature a 43-inch flat-screen TV, ample closet space and individual climate control. For fun, kids can head to Hero Zone recreation space (inspired by the movie "The Incredibles"), Vibe (an exclusive teen space) or the onboard nursery. Guests loved the variety of kid-friendly activities.  

For adults, there are retail shops, spas, bars, live entertainment and 10 pools and water play areas – including the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool. A welcome escape among older cruisers, some passengers wished the adults-only spaces were bigger.

When it comes to food, travelers can enjoy California cuisine at 1923, French cuisine at the adults-only Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement or steak at the adults-only Palo Steakhouse. The ship also has interactive dining experiences based on several Disney films. Feast at the first Frozen-themed theatrical dining – Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and enjoy Norwegian-inspired cuisine. Or, explore the Worlds of Marvel with the Avengers: Quantum Encounter, featuring international dishes alongside superheroes like Ant-Man, Captain America and more.

Disney Wish sails to the Bahamas  from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. 

U.S. News Insider Tip : The Disney Wish features Disney's first infinity pool in the Quiet Cove. Unlike Disney's other ships, the Quiet Cove is located on Deck 13 all the way in the back of the ship, so it feels more intimate and doesn't see kids walking through the space throughout the day. – Megan duBois, Contributor

Disney Fantasy

Disney Fantasy launched in 2012 and underwent a dry dock in 2017. The ship features activities such as Pixar Day at Sea, Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular and the 765-foot AquaDuck water ride.

Staterooms are designed with families in mind. Inside cabins can accommodate up to four guests, and over 85% of the ship's cabins have an ocean view or a veranda. All cabins are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minifridges and iPod docking stations.

Onboard entertainment is just as family-oriented, with Goofy’s Sports Deck activity center, a virtual sports simulator (for an extra fee), nightly live performances and 3D movies. While younger guests play in age-appropriate youth clubs, adults can relax at the Quiet Cove Pool or enjoy an evening at an adults-only bar or lounge.

When it comes to dining, the ship offers 10 themed dining venues, including two adults-only specialty venues, three main dining rooms and an ice cream shop: Sweet on You.

Fantasy sails from  Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida , to the Bahamas , Bermuda and a variety of ports in the Caribbean.

U.S. News Insider Tip : Between Palo and Remy is a secluded adults-only bar called Meridian. The bar is known for its martini program, where the bartenders will ask you a few questions and then whip up something off-menu for you to enjoy inside or outside on the exclusive patio. (Meridian can also be found on the Disney Dream ). – Megan duBois, Contributor

Allure of the Seas

The 6,826-passenger Allure of the Seas, unveiled in 2010, is among the largest cruise ships in the world. There are a whopping 2,054 crew members on board to cater to passengers' needs. Along with signature line amenities like rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks, the ship houses seven unique neighborhoods with a variety of activities, shows and dining options. The ship underwent a $165 million refurbishment in 2020, which added approximately 50 new staterooms, the Ultimate Abyss (the tallest slide at sea), redesigned kids and teens spaces, new dining venues and more.

Other standout features include a zip line that descends 10 decks, two surf simulators and a science lab. Plus, with 19 dining options – and a Starbucks at sea – every member of the family will be satisfied.

In terms of lodging, about 65% of cabins feature balconies, and all staterooms are appointed with TVs and minifridges. Interior staterooms are the most economical option, but those who splurge on Suites are granted larger balconies and concierge service. Crowd-free areas might be difficult to find due to the outrageous capacity of the ship, but some recent cruisers praise the nonstop activity and entertainment. 

Allure of the Seas departs from Miami, Orlando, Florida, and Galveston , Texas, for sailings in the Caribbean.

Celebrity Equinox

The 2,852-passenger Equinox was introduced in 2009 and underwent a full renovation in June 2019. It offers a mix of classic Celebrity amenities and unique activities. The ship features 18 premium retail shops, a half-acre Lawn Club and the Hot Glass Show, where professional artists demonstrate glassblowing techniques. Updates include the new Retreat sundeck and lounge, luxurious bedding and all-new amenities. 

Recent cruisers appreciated the variety of dining options on the ship, which include 10 eateries ranging from light fare at Spa Café to craft beer and comfort food at the Craft Social Bar to a frozen cocktail bar on the pool deck. Other highlights include the spa and enrichment programs like cooking demos and dance lessons.

In terms of accommodations, 85% of the ship's staterooms offer verandas. Cabin categories include Inside, Ocean View, Veranda and Suite rooms, and all are appointed with flat-screen TVs, 24-hour room service and sitting areas. Suites offer extra perks like afternoon appetizers and butler service. Past cruisers assured that even if you don't splurge on a butler-serviced room, you'll still receive individualized attention, as everyone from the room stewards to the restaurant servers were friendly and helpful. 

Celebrity Equinox offers a variety of itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe.

Sky Princess

Debuted in October 2019, Sky Princess can accommodate 3,660 passengers and 1,346 crew members. With so much space, you'll find plenty of things to do on board. Spend your days playing ball at the sports court or swimming in one of three pools, or shop until you drop at the onboard boutiques. Nightfall brings deck parties, movie screenings under the stars and live performances at the theater by musicians, comedians and magicians. Kids won't be bored, either, as there are clubs designed specifically for three different age groups.

Sky Princess features traditional Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as a number of Suite-category cabins – some of which are equipped with the largest balconies at sea. Every room comes fitted with a queen-sized bed or two twin beds, a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV and complimentary 24-hour room service.  The biggest accommodation on board are the Sky Suites. They are approximately 1,873 square feet and provide guests with 270-degree panorama views while cruising. The suite also comes with additional amenities such as complimentary balcony breakfast and dinner, luxury balcony furniture and a deluxe telescope for stargazing at night. 

When it's time to chow down, cruisers will have their choice of nine inclusive dining venues and five specialty options. In the main dining room, passengers can choose between a set dinner time every evening or the line's Anytime Dining option, which will allow them to dine whenever – and with whomever – they want. You'll also find a complimentary buffet, a pizzeria, a seafood bar, a gelateria and afternoon tea. For a specialty dining experience, consider the intimate Chef's Table Lumiere or Bistro Sur La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut, a three-starred Michelin chef.

Sky Princess sails throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the Mediterranean. The ship also completes some transatlantic sailings.

Carnival Mardi Gras

There's a good reason why Carnival named one of its newest ships Mardi Gras. The ship – which launched in July 2021 – is not only named after the first Carnival ship that entered service in 1972, but also features amenities and activities that keep guests entertained and the atmosphere energized. Carnival designed the ship with six different zones, each with a unique flair. Kids can play all day in the Ultimate Playground, which features WaterWorks (the onboard water park), SkyCourse (a ropes course) and Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, an onboard roller coaster that travels up to 40 mph. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of Lido, where the RedFrog Tiki Bar flanks one of the ship's pools. Additional activities include a comedy club, a casino, Family Feud Live (yes – it looks like the famous show's set) and a spa.

As you might expect from its large-scale amenities, Mardi Gras is sizeable: It accommodates up to 6,465 passengers and 1,745 crew members. To keep up with demand, the ship offers close to 20 different dining venues serving everything from sushi to burgers to fried chicken. When travelers need refreshments or a nightcap, they can visit one of seven bars and lounges.

Following a full day of fun, cruisers will need a quiet retreat to rest their heads. Staterooms feature Carnival Comfort Collection linens, TVs and a dedicated room steward. Upgraded rooms may include perks like exclusive access to ship amenities, bottles of water, in-room coffee makers and priority check-in and disembarkation. Rooms range in size from 158 square feet for interior staterooms to the massive 1,120-square-foot Carnival Excel Presidential Suite.

Catch Mardi Gras in Caribbean locales like San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Cozumel and Grand Turk .

U.S. News Insider Tip: To dine at Bonsai Teppanyaki (available on Celebration , Horizon , Panorama , Venezia and Mardi Gras), make your reservation as soon as possible. The restaurant only seats 16 people at a time, so reservations go fast. –  Karon Warren , Contributor  

Norwegian Joy

Built in 2017, the 3,804-passenger, 1,821-crew-member Norwegian Joy was refurbished in 2020. Accommodation options include Inside, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as Suites, Concierge rooms (which come with concierge service) and The Haven cabins (which include 24-hour butler service and private sundecks). 

There are 11 dining venues on board including eight specialty restaurants, the latter of which offers American, French, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and Thai cuisines. Complimentary restaurants include the ship's three main dining rooms.

Cruisers will find plenty of things to do on board, from shopping at duty-free stores and luxury boutiques to watching stand-up comedians. The ship also offers a spa, laser tag, a racetrack, a casino, mini-golf, a fitness center, two aqua parks and more. 

Norwegian Joy sails from Miami , Los Angeles , New York , Panama City and Quebec City  to ports across the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Bermuda and more.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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• Cruise News

7 MSC Cruise Ships Will Homeport in the US for Winter 2025-2026

Andrea Santillan

• June 3, 2024

MSC Cruises just announced that its winter 2025 to 2026 season includes a record number of ships and home ports sailing from the United States. 

MSC is expanding its US presence with seven ships homeporting from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City, and Galveston. MSC Grandiosa will join MSC Seashore at Port Canaveral, while MSC Seascape will begin cruising from Galveston in November 2025.

Most sailings feature stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise operator’s private destination in the Bahamas. 

Check out which cruises you can enjoy from your favorite US port:

Miami Itineraries

• MSC’s newest flagship vessel, MSC World America , offers alternating 7-night trips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean trips will call on Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras. Meanwhile, Western Caribbean trips will include visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, and the Dominican Republic.
• MSC Seaside will depart Nassau on 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries to the Western and Eastern Caribbean.
• MSC Divina will embark on 7-, 10-, and 11-night Caribbean journeys. Longer journeys include visits to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Port Canaveral Itineraries

• Marking the cruise line’s first US deployment of a Meraviglia-class ship, MSC Grandiosa will take guests on 7-night Caribbean trips. Eastern routes include stops at Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Nassau, The Bahamas. Western itineraries will explore Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Nassau, The Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands.
• MSC Seashore offers shorter 3- and 4-night voyages to Nassau.

New York City Itineraries

You can also explore the Bahamas and Florida onboard MSC Meraviglia . Seven-night cruises will call on Nassau, The Bahamas, and Port Canaveral, Florida. 

Galveston Itineraries

Homeporting in the country for the first time, MSC Seascape will treat vacationers to 7-night Western Caribbean adventures. Stops include Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras.

MSC is increasing its local capacity with a fourth cruise terminal in Galveston and bringing MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral. 

The cruise line’s winter season will nearly double the number of its cruise vessels in the US from four ships during the summer 2025 cruising season to seven.

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News & Information

The annual fireworks event is organized by the Cove Merchants Association who put out this statement: From: Fish Lips -Cove Merchants Association To our valued guests, We are deeply saddened and disappointed to tell you that due to unforeseen circumstances affecting technical difficulties in executing our fireworks display, we are canceling the show tonight. This is a 15 year event that is close to our hearts and something we love doing for our community, but it is out of our control, and we have exhausted every effort to no avail. Thank you for your understanding.

The Cruise Hive Cruise Ship Awards are an annual event recognizing the best in the industry, as voted on by Cruise Hive readers. One of the most closely contested categories is Best Homeport, which recognizes the top ports that serve as the starting point for cruise vacations.  “We’re thrilled to have earned this valued distinction three years in a row,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “What an honor for us and our cruise partners to be so well recognized for providing a high quality guest experience. It’s tremendous gratitude of our efforts from the millions of cruise guests sailing from Port Canaveral year after year.”

Port Canaveral, FL – October 21, 2022 – Port Canaveral has signed an agreement with the Liebherr Group to acquire another mobile harbor crane from the company to support the Port’s growing cargo operations.  The 320-foot-tall Liebherr LMH 600 is the second mobile harbor crane to be deployed at Port Canaveral and is part of a new mobile harbor crane product line recently launched by Liebherr. The Port’s first, a Liebherr LHM 600, was entered into service in early 2019.

On May 12, the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) membership elected three officers and six directors to its Board as the group gathered in Washington to engage in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law implementation process. Paul Anderson, President & CEO of Port Tampa Bay, is now CAGTC’s fifth Chairman, while former CAGTC Treasurer Rick Cameron, Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Development, Port of Long Beach was elected Vice Chairman and Erin Aleman, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, was elected Treasurer. Each officer will serve a three-year term. Capt John Murray, Chief Executive Officer and Port Director, Canaveral Port Authority was re-elected to serve another three-year term on the Board of Directors.

Port Canaveral has worked with the State of Florida to establish an on-site COVID-19 vaccination center at the Port.

The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) have executed an “Interlocal Agreement for Electronic Parking Fee Collection” to implement the E-PASS automated system at the Port that will enable customers to use contactless payment for parking at Port Canaveral-owned parking facilities with an  E-PASS prepaid account. The CPA Board of Commissioners voted to unanimously approve the agreement at its October 28, 2020 regular meeting followed by the unanimous approval by the CFX Board at its November 12, 2020 meeting.

Port Canaveral boat ramps are open and parking is available on a  first-come, first-served  basis. All users are reminded to follow the recommendations of the CDC and FL Dept. of Health for social distancing, and the Governor’s Executive Order limiting gatherings of 10 or more people to limit potential spread and exposure to COVID-19 virus.

Port Canaveral, FL – The largest sand bypass project in the Port Canaveral area in more than two decades will get underway this week.  The five-month effort will move approximately 1.34 million cubic yards of sand to replenish 3.5 miles of beach south of Port Canaveral. The Canaveral Harbor Federal Sand Bypass Project (Phase V) will pump sand taken from the shoreline north of Port Canaveral along Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to beaches south of the Canaveral Inlet, from Jetty Park to a half-mile south of the Cocoa Beach Pier. Locally sponsored by the Canaveral Port Authority, the $18 million federally-authorized project is scheduled to begin this week and last through late April 2019.   

Port Canaveral – Port Canaveral is reconfiguring its public boat trailer parking near the Freddie Patrick Park Boat Ramp to accommodate construction of a state-of-the art Cruise Terminal 3. Access to the public boat ramps remains unchanged, as well as the trailer washdown facilities. The boat ramp will remain open during all phases of construction with no reduction in boat-trailer parking spaces.

Port Canaveral - August 30, 2018 – Norwegian Sun will complete her first season of cruises to Cuba from Port Canaveral, Florida with her last sailing on September 3, 2018 before she moves to Miami, Florida for select sailings then repositioning to South America for her fall/winter season.

Port Canaveral, FL –  Moody’s Investors Service has rated Canaveral Port Authority ‘A2 Stable’ in its annual Credit Opinion.  The Moody’s bond rating opinion released late last week acknowledges the Port’s healthy financial metrics, established competitive position as a cruise port, and revenue diversity from cargo operations.

Port Canaveral, FL – Canaveral Port Authority employees gathered on the front lawn of the Port’s Maritime Center to raise a commemorative flag in what will be the first of a series of events acknowledging sixty-five years of Port Canaveral history, growth and success.  

Port Canaveral, FL – Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Enchantment of the Seas was welcomed back to Port Canaveral today launching a new season of three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas from the Port. Port Canaveral was the homeport for the 2,950 passenger Enchantment until 2016.  All Enchantment sailings from Port Canaveral feature a port-of-call at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. 

Port Canaveral, FL – The Canaveral Harbor and Canaveral Sand Bypass projects will receive priority funding in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fiscal Year 2018 Workplan. The Corps has allocated $14,760,000 to the Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass project and $1,470,000 will be provided for maintenance of the Port’s harbor and the Canaveral Locks. 

As Port Canaveral continues to prepare for Hurricane Matthew, we ask that Port tenants and businesses take all necessary precautions to protect life, property and the environment. 

Port status hotline:, 321-394-3411.

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Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-06-04 04:27

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.

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.

Port Canaveral tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Port Canaveral - user reviews and comments

Port Canaveral Plans New Florida Cruise Terminal

W ith the cruise industry experiencing substantial growth, Port Canaveral has announced a strategic plan to enhance its infrastructure. The decision to construct a new multi-user cruise terminal accommodates increase in demand and the burgeoning needs of the sector. The new terminal promises to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Port Canaveral is set to provide modern facilities by utilizing the existing North Cargo Berth 8 area. The project’s expediency and cost-effectiveness stem from the conversion of current infrastructure. Greater operational flexibility, cost savings and quicker construction timelines enable Port Canaveral to better serve the industry and its patrons.

The plan includes the development of a terminal as well as a parking garage complex. Port Canaveral, recognized for its role as a gateway for sea travel, is taking a proactive approach, aiming to address the needs of new cruise ships and their passengers.

Keeping an eye on the future positions the port to continue its trajectory of growth and success. A new cruise terminal ultimately benefits the local economy, the broader travel sector and cargo needs.

Strategic Importance of the Port Canaveral New Cruise Terminal

Port Canaveral’s initiative to construct a new cruise terminal is a significant undertaking that is expected to yield positive economic and touristic outcomes. The proposed cruise terminal is not merely an expansion; it’s a thoughtful integration with the port’s current facilities. The new cruise terminal is setting new standards in providing exceptional service and seeks to meet increasing consumer demand.

Enhanced Economic Impact of Florida’s Port

The proposed cruise terminal at Port Canaveral is a multi-user facility. This aspect of the project provides significant cost savings and operational flexibility . The substantial construction investment is forecasted to boost the local economy by creating jobs. Analysts expect more local employment during both the construction and the operational stages.

Enhancements at the North 8 berth enable the port to handle more ships and thereby increase the volume of passengers. More passengers create ripple effects on local businesses and service providers.

New Cruise Terminal Has Potential to Spur Tourism Growth

Port Canaveral is reinforcing its role as a gateway to the attractions of Florida’s Space Coast with the new cruise terminal . By anticipating the needs of the ever-expanding cruise market, the terminal supports a surge in tourist numbers. With added berthing capacity and upgraded facilities, Port Canaveral will be able to welcome larger vessels and more tourists, which could help to reinforce the region as a premier cruise destination and mitigate the risk of a cruise ship accident due to overcapacity.

Port Canaveral’s Safety and Regulation Considerations

The construction of a new cruise terminal at Port Canaveral involves meticulous planning to ensure navigational safety, robust emergency protocols, and adherence to stringent environmental regulations.

Navigational Safety at New Cruise Terminal

Port Canaveral’s new terminal design incorporates advanced navigational safety features to mitigate the risk of cruise ship accidents. The inclusion of state-of-the-art radar and surveillance systems aims to provide clear and real-time navigational data to port operators and incoming vessels. Additionally, strict traffic separation schemes ensure safe passage for cruise ship traffic entering and leaving the port.

Emergency Protocols in Place

The terminal will have comprehensive emergency protocols in place in case of an incident. There will be clear evacuation routes, with signage visible throughout the terminal. The staff will receive in-depth training on how to manage various types of emergencies, from medical crises to security threats. Enhanced training ensures an efficient response that prioritizes passenger and crew safety.

Terminal to Focus on Environmental Sustainability

Port Canaveral’s expansion plan team are committed to environmental stewardship . It will comply with all environmental regulations , including those related to waste management and pollution control. Measures like shore power connections and wastewater treatment facilities will minimize the environmental impact of the terminal operations and the cruise ships docked there. The goal is to balance industry growth with the preservation of Florida’s coastal ecosystem.

Author Chelsey Fox has worked in digital content marketing for 12 years. Before beginning her career as a writer, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University and her Master’s Degree in Writing from Full Sail University. She now resides in South Florida. She wrote this post for sponsor Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. maritime lawyers who focus on maritime and admiralty personal injury claims against cruise lines and other boat owners.

The post Port Canaveral Plans New Florida Cruise Terminal appeared first on My Family Travels .

7 Best Cruises for Singles in 2024

Updated : May 29, 2024

AAA Travel Editors

Table of contents.

• Celebrity Millennium: Bali, Malaysia and Thailand
• Celebrity Apex: Norwegian Fjords
• Celebrity Summit: Grand Heartland Adventure
• Celebrity Edge: Taste of Luxury
• Disney Wish: Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral
• Oceania Cruises: In the Path of Cartier — Boston to Montreal
• Oceania Riviera: Ancient World Wonders — Athens to Istanbul

Plan Your Cruise With AAA

With many cruise lines now catering to the single crowd, going on a cruise as a single adult can be a great way to meet interesting people to make new friends, new connections and lifelong memories.

No matter what you envision from your dream singles cruise, you can find a ship and a series of destinations that will create unforgettable memories. There are a lot of options to explore, however and the sheer range of choices can quickly feel overwhelming. To help, we've highlighted several of the best cruises for singles. Keep reading to learn what, exactly, sets these expeditions apart. 

1. Celebrity Millennium: Bali, Malaysia and Thailand

Many singles gravitate towards exciting adventures in exotic destinations such as Bali, Malaysia and Thailand, which hold appeal simply because they provide such distinct scenery and such powerful cultural experiences.

Not all singles are willing or prepared to navigate these destinations on their own, however and this is where the Celebrity Millennium comes into play: an upscale cruise removes the hassle of planning and, instead, encourages you to relax in style.

This particular Celebrity Millennium adventure spans nearly two weeks, incorporating a unique blend of serene island adventures, cosmopolitan exploration and meaningful temple visits. Onboard, globally inspired menus and resort-style lounges are to be expected, along with plenty of adults-only spaces that will appeal to singles. 

2. Celebrity Apex: Norwegian Fjords

If Norway's iconic fjords are on your bucket list, you can't afford to miss this awe-inspiring Celebrity Apex trip . Departing from Southampton, the eight-night cruise meanders along the coast of Norway, hitting pleasant spots such as Geiranger or Kristiansand for spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures. Side trips are available and, with up to ten hours docked, there is plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

Accommodation options abound and, when traveling alone, the staterooms' king-size mattresses feel extra spacious. An adults-only solarium will appeal to relaxation-oriented solo travelers, while abundant dining and entertainment options make it easy to find and connect with new friends. 

3. Celebrity Summit: Grand Heartland Adventure

If you're struggling to choose between glamorous onboard experiences and outdoorsy experiences on land, you're in luck: Celebrity Summit provides the best of both worlds with its various Cruisetour offerings. There are many excellent options that depart from Vancouver, Anchorage or Fairbanks — but the Grand Heartland Adventure is worth considering if you crave something new.

During the Grand Heartland Cruisetour, you'll explore the stunning Inside Passage by cruise ship, before docking in adventure-oriented destinations such as Juneau and Sitka. From there, you'll continue to observe national treasures such as the Hubbard Glacier. Further exploration takes place aboard a glass-domed railcar and even a riverboat.

There's also a lot to experience onboard. The AquaClass stateroom represents a true oasis for single travelers, but the exclusive cocktail lounge and martini bar also warrant a visit. With nearly two weeks of cruising and exploration, you'll have plenty of time to unwind on your own but can also form fast friendships with similarly adventurous travelers. 

4. Celebrity Edge: Taste of Luxury

Cruises for singles over 50 often emphasize the finer things in life, like elevated cuisine or exquisite wines. These sophisticated details are in abundant supply aboard the Celebrity Edge, which offers a decidedly elegant experience with its Taste of Luxury tour. Although often frequented by retired couples, Celebrity Edge's trips work well as singles cruises.

Available for three or four nights, this remarkable journey begins in Sydney and primarily emphasizes curated on-board experiences. That being said, there are enticing opportunities to explore while docked in Tasmania. With such glamorous suites, restaurants and clubs on board, however, the best attractions can be enjoyed without ever leaving this luxury cruise ship. 

5. Disney Wish: Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral

Don't assume that Disney cruise adventures are only for kids or families. If you are a proud Disney adult, you can make amazing memories aboard a thematic cruise for singles. This is a popular vacation among theme park enthusiasts, who enjoy a dose of Disney magic while also finding valuable opportunities to indulge and relax.

Disney Wish's three-night Bahamian cruise is also an excellent option for singles who crave a sea-based experience but only have a few days to spare. Yes, young travelers will be around, but there are plenty of adult-only spaces, including sports bars, dance clubs, dedicated pools and even an onboard spa and salon. Musicals, 3D films and fireworks encourage you to embrace your inner child. 

6. Oceania Cruises: In the Path of Cartier — Boston to Montreal

As we've mentioned, smaller ships provide some of the best cruises for singles over 50. Not everyone desires a river-based trip, however and with Oceania Cruises , there is no need to choose between exclusivity and ocean liner grandeur.

A signature experience can be found aboard Oceania Cruises' iconic Nautica ship, which is calming, yet elegant. Echoing the journey of the famed explorer Jacques Cartier, this tour provides a powerful introduction to Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick.

The land-based excursions are highly educational and, of course, beautiful to behold, but there's also a lot to love on board. Belgian chocolate, Bulgari amenities and turndown service await, with many accommodations also providing spectacular views. Open-seating dining makes it easy to interact with other vacationers while wine-tasting and guest lectures promise plenty of onboard enrichment. 

7. Oceania Riviera: Ancient World Wonders — Athens to Istanbul

Another appealing option for singles who prefer slightly smaller ships, Oceania Cruises' Ancient World Wonders tour provides stops at some of the world's most iconic locations, such as Santorini and Corfu. Adventures in Dubrovnik and Istanbul can also be expected. On board this remarkable vessel, you'll gaze in awe at the Lalique Grand Staircase and, in general, enjoy a refined ambiance.

Be prepared to try new flavors and forms of expression as you explore unique offerings such as the Artist Loft and Culinary Center. Deep relaxation awaits at the Aquamar Spa or within your luxuriously contemporary stateroom or suite. This ten-night voyage provides plenty of time to lose yourself in the grandeur of the ship and the treasures of Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Turkey.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your cruise today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets.

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