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PORT CANAVERAL SHATTERS RECORDS

By  //  December 5, 2012

Cruise Passengers, Revenue Rise Significantly

Thanks to a record-breaking year, Port Canaveral is now the fastest growing port in all of Florida in terms of traffic and generated revenue. (Image courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Record growth continued for Port Canaveral this year, surpassing all previous marks for cruise traffic and resulting in record revenue.

The new cruise Terminal 6 opened at Port Canaveral for use by passengers in September. (Image courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

Port officials say that during the past two years, multi-day cruise passengers increased by 38 percent to 3,761,056 from 2,722,751 in Fiscal Year 2010.

For that same period, port of call ship visits increased from 86 to 123.

According to the 2011 Cruise Line Industry Association Economy Impact Study, Port Canaveral is now the fastest-growing cruise port in Florida and the largest fleet of year-round ships currently sails from Port Canaveral.

Port Canaveral’s new record for multi-day passengers – 3,761,056 million— is 21 percent above the Fiscal year 2011 record of 3,100,199 million.

“Our business strategies and board decisions have put Port Canaveral in a position of strength to continue to expand our operations and improve our infrastructure in 2013,” said Bruce Deardoff, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners. “As we attract more cruise and cargo business and develop Port Canaveral into a destination, our community reaps the benefits of the increased jobs and business opportunities.”

More than 3.7 million cruise ship passengers sailed from Port Canaveral in 2012, breaking 2011’s record of 3.1 million, (Image courtesy of Canaveral Port Authority)

Total revenues in Fiscal Year 2012 were more than $68 million, an increase of more than 17 percent above the previous record established in 2011.

Revenue associated with multi-day passengers climbed 47 percent percent to $50,590,907 from $34,473,349 in 2010.

Revenues are reinvested back into Port Canaveral infrastructure since the Canaveral Port Authority stopped collecting ad valorem taxes in 1986.

“The numbers are reflective of the Port Authority’s dedication to a sound business plan and efficiencies. Success in the marketplace means strong positive economic impact for our community,” said Port Canaveral CEO J. Stanley “Stan” Payne.

In 2012, the 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy joined its sister-ship Disney Dream, in sailing from Port Canaveral and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines announced it will replace the departing Monarch of the Seas cruise ship with the Enchantment of the Seas in April 2013.

The Canaveral Port Authority also celebrated the opening of its new $65 million Cruise Terminal 6 facility in September.