Port Canaveral, the second busiest cruise port in the world, surpassed its previous records in March, reporting a 16% year-over-year increase in passenger traffic.
March marked the busiest month in the Port’s history, with a total of 925,994 passengers arriving in just one month. This surge contributes to an expected 8.4 million passengers for the year, up from 7.6 million in 2024.
The Port is home to 16 cruise ships from seven major lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), MSC, and Princess Cruises. These ships together operate more than 1,000 sailings annually.
In 2024, the port also saw a record number of cruise visitors, hosting 7.6 million passengers—an increase of 12% from 2023.
To accommodate this growth, Port Canaveral has made significant investments in infrastructure. The port has expanded its terminals, upgraded parking facilities, and introduced new technology aimed at speeding up passenger embarkation and debarkation.
The local cruise industry plays a vital role in Florida’s Space Coast economy, with 91% of cruise passengers staying in the area before or after their trip. Of these, 27% spend an average of $3,072 on pre- or post-cruise accommodations.
Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, reflected on the port’s impressive growth: “Not long ago, we celebrated 500,000 guests in a single month. Now, with nearly a million, it shows the strong demand for cruises from our port. We’ve been ready for this moment, and it’s truly remarkable.”
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