(June 10, 2023) Miami’s neighbor to the north, Port Canaveral, has emerged as a formidable contender in the cruise industry, claiming the title of the busiest cruise port in the world. This may surprise many, considering that Port Canaveral was primarily known for serving short itineraries to the Bahamas and private islands with seasoned vessels. However, recent developments have propelled the port to new heights, attracting new ships, nontraditional itineraries, and a growing number of drive-to visitors.
Situated about an hour east of Orlando on Florida’s Space Coast, Port Canaveral experienced a significant increase in cruise passenger volume, reaching 4.07 million passenger movements in 2022, surpassing PortMiami as the busiest cruise port. In comparison, Miami recorded approximately 4.03 million passenger movements during the same period, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades secured the third spot in the state, with 1.7 million passenger movements in 2022, as reported by CLIA. However, it is worth noting that none of the big three Florida cruise ports reached their pre-pandemic passenger volumes in 2022.
David German, the vice president of cruise business development for Port Canaveral, acknowledged that while they had attained the world’s highest cruise port ranking, their numbers still fell short of their previous record. Before the pandemic, PortMiami held a stronger position as the busiest port globally, with nearly 5.1 million passenger movements in 2019, compared to Port Canaveral’s 4.3 million, as reported by CLIA.
Despite Port Canaveral’s remarkable rise, Miami continues to make impressive strides. In 2023, PortMiami repeatedly broke its records for the busiest single port day, with a current record of 67,594 passenger movements on April 9, when the port hosted eight ships. This volume marked a nearly 15% increase from its previous record day in February, just before Valentine’s Day.
Both PortMiami and Port Canaveral are actively expanding their operations. MSC Cruises, for instance, is constructing a large terminal in Miami that will accommodate two ships simultaneously, increasing the port’s total terminal count to 11. Similarly, Port Canaveral is exploring constructing a seventh terminal to accommodate the growing demand.
So why has Port Canaveral emerged as a significant player in the cruise industry? Historically, Port Canaveral was well-known as the home port for Disney Cruise Line, boasting a Disney-themed cruise terminal. Disney Cruise Line promoted cruise-stay packages with Walt Disney World in Orlando and offered branded buses for transportation to the parks and airport.
Even before the pandemic, cruise lines had begun introducing nontraditional itineraries from Port Canaveral, including six- and eight-day sailings. However, after the resumption of cruise operations following the pandemic, cruise lines started basing different types of ships at the port. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean International and Princess Cruises began homeporting their newest and most impressive ships at Port Canaveral.
Princess Cruises, for example, announced that the refurbished Caribbean Princess, with a capacity of 3,140 passengers, would be based at Port Canaveral for the winter season in late 2024, making it the line’s first homeported ship at the port. The vibrant Central Florida community, convenient flight options to Orlando International Airport, and exceptional pre- and post-cruise experiences make Port Canaveral an appealing choice for cruise lines and passengers alike.
The demand for Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral has also caught the attention of Norwegian Cruise Line. In late May, the line canceled the winter itineraries in Europe for the Norwegian Epic and decided to base the vessel in Port Canaveral starting in December. This move reflects the strong market demand for Caribbean cruises during winter.
One of the key factors contributing to Port Canaveral’s success is its robust drive-to-market. When cruising resumed during the pandemic, the port experienced a surge in demand for on-site parking, even when ships were not operating at full capacity. Visitors from the East Coast and the Midwest flocked to Port Canaveral, leading to full parking garages. The convenience of reaching Port Canaveral by car is an attractive feature for many travelers, especially those residing in nearby areas like Charlotte, an eight-hour drive away compared to the 11-hour drive to Miami.
Additionally, Port Canaveral offers the advantage of combining a cruise vacation with a visit to nearby Walt Disney World. The improvement in hotels near the port has further enhanced the overall experience for passengers.
While Port Canaveral currently holds the title of the busiest cruise port in the world, the competition among Florida’s major cruise ports remains fierce. Both Miami and Port Canaveral continue to invest in infrastructure and attract new ships, aiming to provide exceptional experiences for cruise passengers. As the cruise industry evolves and recovers from the impact of the pandemic, these ports will continue to adapt and innovate, ensuring their positions as leading destinations for cruise enthusiasts worldwide.