2025's forecast 8.4m pax moves at Port Canaveral top 2024 record

Port Canaveral chalked up a record 7.6m passenger movements in fiscal 2024, a 12% increase over 2023, and expects to best that in 2025.

The 2025 forecast is for 8.4m passenger movements.

World's second busiest cruise port

The world’s second busiest cruise port (after Miami), Canaveral in 2024 handled 13 homeported cruise ships, 911 calls and 914,000 vehicles parked. Over the past year, the port added new parking facilities and an upgraded parking processing system, making it more convenient for passengers and more attractive to cruise lines.

Total earned revenues came in at $191m with cruise operations contributing $156m, cargo $23m and non-ship operations at $12m.

'Cruise continues to be a significant segment of our business portfolio with some of the newest and largest ships in the world based at Port Canaveral. This speaks volumes to the confidence our cruise partners have in our ability to consistently deliver exceptional results for their guests,' Port CEO Capt. John Murray said at Wednesday's State of the Port briefing.

SOURCE: CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY

Port Canaveral anticipates another robust year in 2025 that includes growth in both cruise and cargo sectors with total projected revenues of $211m, $175m of that from cruise.

16 homeported cruise ships

The cruise business will grow to 16 homeported ships with a projected 8.4m passenger movements, 1,030 calls and multiple ship upgrades and exchanges, including Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class, LNG-powered Star of the Seas and the addition of two new cruise partners. Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises will each homeport at Canaveral for the first time.  

Port Canaveral is an economic driver for the region and the state of Florida. Besides cruise and cargo, its businesses span recreation, commercial fishing, military and aerospace operations.