This year, the Port was honored to be named the Best North American Cruise Port by the editors of Cruise Critic, the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community. (Port Canaveral image)
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Port Canaveral has held the position of one of the most popular cruise ports in the world for many years.
In this highly competitive industry, staying on top requires constant attentiveness.
Focused upon customer service, the Port’s mission is to evolve to meet the changing needs and expectations of cruise lines and passengers.
Last year, the Port was honored to be named the Best North American Cruise Port by the editors of CruiseCritic.com, the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community.
In their Awards review, editors said, “Previously overshadowed by other Florida ports, Port Canaveral is one of the most up-and-coming cruise hubs in North America.”
Along with praise for the Port’s nearness to family-friendly Orlando and coastal attractions, the review recommended recreation and shopping opportunities that make the Port itself “definitely worth a pre-or post-cruise visit?”
These attractions included the uncrowded beach and parks, miles of bike trails, the new Exploration Tower and “bustling Cove.”
Major cruise lines demonstrate their recognition of the Port’s popularity and high level of service by sending more ships to be filled.
Carolyn Spencer Brown
“Our editors live and breathe cruising, sailing year-round and covering every aspect of the industry,” explained Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic.
“These awards truly represent what our experts recognize as the best of the best.”
Canaveral’s home fleet will grow to 10 vessels next year, with the addition of mega-ships Carnival Magic, Norwegian Epic and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
The Port hosted 4.17 million passenger movements in fiscal year 2015 and expects an increase of nine percent in 2016.
Based upon current ship reservations and deployments, an additional jump of 18-22 percent is estimated for 2017.
To bring their best ships into a seaport, cruise lines want facilities of corresponding capacity and quality, while their guests want facilities that provide a hassle-free pleasurable experience.
Following the opening of the new S110 million Cruise Terminal 1 last year, the Port is renovating and upgrading Cruise Terminals 5 and 10.
The Port was honored to be named the Best North American Cruise Port by the editors of Cruise Critic.
These projects will delay the need for the next new terminal until the arrival of another ship of record-breaking capacity.
The 24-year-old Cruise Terminal 5 is being upgraded to serve Carnival Cruise Lines’ modern mega-ships — the line’s Valor, Sensation, Sunshine (soon to be replaced by the larger Carnival Magic) and Pride (ships already under contract) and other potential Carnival arrivals.
The total cost for terminal, parking and waterside improvements will be $41.8 million.
The renovation will rework roadways and internal terminal spaces for more efficient, safer flow of traffic, passengers and baggage; refresh interiors; give larger ships the berth space they need; and add a convenient multi-story 1,050-space parking garage.
Meanwhile, the construction contract for renovation of 21-year-old Cruise Terminal 10 is being bid and negotiated.
The project will modernize the facility and extend its lifespan, rework traffic flow and increase passenger capacity from 3,200 to 5,000.
“Port Canaveral follows Mr. Walt Disney’s philosophy of ‘do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends,’ said Robert Giangrisostomi, Senior Director of Cruise Business Development.
“With Cruise Critic’s award and two of the five largest ships in the world based here next year, it looks like we’re accomplishing our goal.”
