Port Canaveral Engineering Solutions to Welcome More Cruisers

Construction continues on the new 13-story parking garage adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6 at Port Canaveral. Photo submitted by Port Canaveral.

Port Canaveral has long been regarded as the best cruise ship port in the country. In December, the Port celebrated being named “Best North American Homeport” in Cruise Critic’s 17th annual “Best in Cruise Awards,” as well as the No. 1 ranking on Cruise Hive for the sixth consecutive year.

“Thoughtful, forward-facing investments and development projects keep the port at the forefront of technology and innovation, ensuring an updated and ever-adapting experience for millions of cruise guests each year,” noted Cruise Hive editors.

The Port’s investment in high-profile engineering and architecture projects has helped it maintain its top ranking. Port Canaveral leaders are continuing those investments with the Port Canaveral Advantage, a $912 million five-year capital improvement program that includes facilities upgrades, the expansion of two existing terminals, additional parking facilities and technology that accommodate more passengers and create more efficient embarkations and debarkations. 

The capital improvement program impacts “cruise and other aspects of our operations,” said Bill Crowe, Vice President of Engineering and Construction for Port Canaveral. “The program includes large-scale, high-value critical infrastructure projects associated with new cruise ship arrivals, modernizing and expanding cargo berths and bulkheads, upgrading facilities maintenance, deploying new technologies and renovations to recreational facilities like Jetty Park.”

Terminal Redesign to Improve Passenger Experience

The Port is redesigning Cruise Terminal 10 to accommodate the cruise industry’s largest ships that carry up to 6,700 passengers. Construction is set to begin this summer, with a target completion date of November 2027. According to Port Canaveral’s RFP for the project, the terminal will continue operations during construction with improvements completed in phases during non-ship days or night shifts.

Rendering of the renovated and expanded Cruise Terminal 10. Photo provided by Port Canaveral.

Designed by architectural firm Bermello Ajamil, the new $95 million facility will feature spacious, modern interiors with a streamlined look and feel, colorful artwork and other design elements to create a welcoming and inviting environment. The expansion to the building will provide additional queueing areas, improve the passenger security screening, general and VIP passenger seating, and a separate building for luggage laydown area is anticipated. 

A striking glass façade will introduce more natural light, while updated signage and HVAC systems – will enhance the overall guest experience.

Terminal Expansion to Accommodate Larger Ships, More Passengers

The expansion to Cruise Terminal 5 is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken at the Port, Crowe said. Miami-based BEA Architects designed the $78 million expansion, which is scheduled for completion in December – about a year earlier than planned.

“We are essentially doubling the size of the facility to 170,000 square feet to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships,” he added. “Making the project even more impressive is that work is being done while the terminal is in service – a testament to the tremendous hard work, effort and coordination put forth by our team, our partners, contractors and subcontractors.”  

In addition to a modern entrance and refreshed interiors, the terminal will include expanded luggage and passenger seating areas, and additional areas for passenger security screening and Customs and Border Protection. 

Expanded Parking Capacity Makes Room for More Passengers

Port Canaveral’s new 13-story, $93 million parking garage, adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6, is progressing along as scheduled and ready to welcome cruisers this fall, providing another convenient and accessible parking option at the Port. The project is the largest and most complex parking project in the Port’s history, Crowe said.

Encompassing 1.2 million total square feet, the garage will add more than 3,700 new parking spaces, bringing the Port’s total parking capacity to nearly 17,500 spaces across eight garages and surface lots. The design-build contract for the new garage was awarded to Merritt Island-based Ivey’s Construction, with pre-cast subcontractor Finfrock Construction of Apopka.

The addition solidifies Port Canaveral’s distinction as one of the country’s leading drive-to markets. Approximately 80% of Port Canaveral passengers drive to their cruise.

“Underscoring our commitment to providing cruise guests with a high quality experience, the new garage will feature eight extra-large elevators, each able to accommodate multiple passengers and their luggage,” Crowe said. 

Twin two-lane vehicle ramps will expedite vehicular traffic through the garage floors, while two vehicle connecting bridges will allow access to the adjacent recently constructed CT6 west garage. In addition, a pedestrian bridge will provide passengers with easy access to the Cruise Terminal 5 entrance.

Port Evolving with Cruise Industry

As cruise ships have evolved, so has Port Canaveral’s ability to accommodate the industry’s newest, largest and most technically advanced ships. This includes the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s 248,000-ton Star of the Seas, which debuted from the Space Coast in August 2025. 

The Port will soon welcome the brand-new Carnival Cruise Line’s Festivale and MSC’s World Atlantic in 2027, diversifying its cruise portfolio and providing guests with an even greater variety of shipboard experiences from the Space Coast. Port Canaveral continues to invest in infrastructure enhancements to be able to attract newer and larger ships, including current projects that will renovate and expand Cruise Terminals 5 and 10.

In addition to being the world’s first North American homeport to accommodate cruise ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Port Canaveral will have eight LNG-powered cruise ships homeported on the Space Coast by 2027, the most in the cruise industry. 

With new ships and new projects set to come online, Port Canaveral looks to continue its reign at the top of the U.S. cruise port rankings. 

For Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, the transformative engineering behind the improvements around the Port are worth more than just the accolades – although the accolades from the cruise industry are nice.

“Earning this kind of accolade validates our focus on providing a high-quality experience for all cruise guests sailing from our Port,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “We are the start and finish of every cruise, and our continued investments in improving the guest experience at Port Canaveral is our commitment to the business growth of our cruise partners.”