BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – In order to meet the growing demands of the cruise industry, Port Canaveral announced its plan to build a new cruise terminal and parking garage.
During a press conference on Thursday, CEO John Murray said the need for a new terminal is urgent and necessary.
“All of our ports in Florida on the East Coast and southern ports are full,” Murray said. “Can’t go to Miami, can’t go to Tampa, the ships are too big. Jacksonville — same issue.”
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The expansion will be located at the existing North 8 berth and adjacent to Terminal 5, an area that Murray said is underutilized. Designed and built in 2018 for multi-purpose flexibility, the North 8 berth will require minimal modifications to extend the current 1,020 linear feet bulkhead to 1,344 feet to accommodate large cruise vessels.
Crews will also be able to build a terminal faster on the north side as opposed to the busier south side. The new terminal would help relieve congestion in the south side community and bring it to the north side.
The announcement comes as Port Canaveral prepares for more ships in 2024: Utopia of the Seas — the world’s second-largest cruise ship — is expected to set sail in July, Celebrity and Princess cruises are expected to begin in the fall, and the Disney Treasure’s maiden voyage is set for December.
Murray could not give details on production costs but did say the project is self-funded. The goal is to have the cruise terminal operating by mid-summer of 2026.
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