Six cruise ships docked in the port as it experienced its busiest month ever in March 2025
Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, stated: “It wasn’t long ago when we exceeded 500,000 guests in a single month. Now, with numbers like this approaching nearly a million, it’s not just remarkable, it demonstrates the strong demand for sailings from our Port. We’ve been predicting it, and we were ready for it.” The port handled 4.42 million passengers in the first six months of fiscal year 2025, projecting a full-year total of 8.4 million, up from 7.6 million the previous year.
The surge was supported by 16 cruise ships operating over 1,000 trips annually, primarily short 3- and 4-day voyages to the Bahamas. Despite briefly surpassing PortMiami post-pandemic, Port Canaveral now ranks second in passenger counts. The port’s operating revenue reached $23 million in March, contributing to $111 million for the first half of the fiscal year, exceeding forecasts.
Port Canaveral’s appeal as a homeport stems from its accessibility for drive-in passengers and proximity to Central Florida’s theme parks, with over 25 percent of passengers staying locally pre- or post-cruise, boosting hotels, restaurants, and tourism. The port is investing in expanded terminals, updated parking, and advanced technology to enhance passenger convenience. It was the first North American port to homeport an LNG-fueled cruise ship, reflecting its forward-thinking infrastructure planning.
Looking ahead, Port Canaveral will welcome Norwegian Aqua this weekend and Star of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, this summer. In 2027, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Festivale and MSC’s MSC World Atlantic will join the port, alongside newer ships from Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The port plans to expand an existing terminal and is exploring new terminals to accommodate growing cruise demand while supporting its cargo and space industry operations.
