Port Canaveral Named Best North American Homeport in Cruise Critic’s 17th Annual Best in Cruise Awards
By Space Coast Daily // December 6, 2025
Port Canaveral now busiest cruise port in the world with 8.6 million passenger in 2025
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Port Canaveral has been named Best North American Homeport in Cruise Critic’s 17th annual “Best in Cruise Awards” based on the experiences of cruise experts, as well as ratings and reviews submitted to the site by cruise enthusiasts.
Port Canaveral recently earned the distinction as the busiest cruise port in the world with 8.6 million revenue passenger movements in FY 2025.
Related Story:Port Canaveral Hosts Whopping 8.6 Million Passengers to Take Title of World’s Busiest Cruise Port
Currently homeport for 18 ships across seven leading cruise brands with over 1,000 sailings annually, Port Canaveral is home to some of the newest, largest, and most technically advanced ships in the world. It is also a popular drive-to market with approximately 75 percent of passengers driving to the Port.
With the Port Canaveral Advantage™, a $912 million five-year capital improvement initiative, the Port has made significant investments to meet an increasing demand for cruise sailings from Central Florida.
In addition to Port-wide facilities upgrades, the Port is expanding two existing terminals, adding parking facilities, and deploying technology to enable more efficient embarkation and debarkation. A seventh cruise terminal campus is planned, as well.
“Earning this kind of accolade validates our focus on providing a high-quality experience for all cruise guests sailing from our Port,” said 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.”
“What makes Cruise Critic’s awards stand out among a sea of ‘best of’ lists is the expertise behind the selections,” said Mark Patscher, General Manager of Cruise Critic.
“The ratings, reviews, and opinions from our community of more than two million cruisers ensure that these awards are a true gauge of the absolute best of the best of the cruise industry this year.”
Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, featuring more than 50 million opinions, reviews & photos, and hosts the world’s largest online cruise community. Additional details on the 2025 Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards are available at cruisecritic.com.
Led by the elected five-member Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners, Port Canaveral is Florida’s Premier Seaport with diverse business operations that include cruise, cargo, recreation, and real estate, while serving as a supporting partner for commercial fishing and aerospace enterprises.
For more information, visit PortCanaveral.com.
(Cruise Critic image)
