Soon-to-be-completed projects represent nearly $175 million investment, account for more than 2,000 jobs in Central Florida
Port Canaveral’s new parking garage adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6 will include more than 3,700 spaces, bringing the Port’s total parking capacity to nearly 17,500 spaces. (Image by Canaveral Port Authority)
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Port Canaveral today unveiled additional details on two substantial capital improvement projects – a reimagined Cruise Terminal 5 expansion project that will double the facility’s size to 170,000 square feet and the construction of a new 13-story parking garage adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6 that will add 3,700 parking spaces to the Port’s existing capacity.
“Every investment we make is focused on ensuring the Port can continue to support the level of guest experience and operational efficiency our cruise partners expect from us, while readying ourselves to meet future business commitments,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “Projects like these intentionally align with a business strategy that underscores our role as an economic driver for our Port community, supporting growth and new business opportunities at the local and regional level.”
Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 5 is being expanded to 170,000 square feet to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships. (Image by Canaveral Port Authority)
Together, both projects represent a nearly $175 million investment by the Canaveral Port Authority to meet the continued demand for cruising from Central Florida. Construction for both projects is being led by Merritt Island, Fla.-based Ivey’s Construction. Port Canaveral has grown to be one of the leading drive-to markets in the U.S. with more than 80 percent of all guests driving to the Port for cruises.
“Ivey’s Construction is proud to partner with the Canaveral Port Authority and other stakeholders on these state-of-the-art improvement projects,” said Rocky Johnson, Vice President, Ivey’s Construction. “As a local business for more than 50 years, Ivey’s can attest to the significant economic impact this project brings to the local economy. Nearly two thousand local construction workers and their families are proud to play a role in bringing these transformative new facilities to Central Florida.”
The two projects account for more than 2,000 jobs in Central Florida totaling more than 85,000 work hours from contractors and subcontractors thus far during the construction process (as of mid-July).
Port Canaveral’s reimagined Cruise Terminal 5 and new Cruise Terminal 6 east parking garage accounts for more than 2,000 local jobs. (Image by Canaveral Port Authority)
Cruise Terminal 5
One of the most ambitious construction projects in Port Canaveral’s history, the renovation and expansion of Cruise Terminal 5 is underway while the terminal remains operational and supporting multiple sailings weekly. Once completed, the facility will be nearly double in size – from 90,000 square feet to approximately 170,000 square feet –to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships carrying up to 5,600 passengers.
In addition to a modern entrance, refreshed interiors, and a new look and feel, the reimagined terminal will include expanded luggage laydown and passenger seating areas, and expanded areas for passenger security screening.
Materials used in the Cruise Terminal 5 project include 750 tons (1.5 million pounds) of steel, 650,000 linear feet of electrical wire (equal to 123 miles), 600,000 linear feet of communications cable (114 miles) and 225,000 linear feet of conduit (43 miles).
Designed by BEA architects of Miami, total project construction cost is $78 million with targeted completion in December 2026.
Cruise Terminal 6 East Garage
The new Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage is the largest and most complex parking project in Port history. Located on the north side of Port Canaveral adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6, the $93 million facility will add approximately 3,700 parking spaces, bringing the total number of available parking spaces on Port to nearly 17,500 across eight garages and surface lots.
The 13-story structure will feature eight extra-large elevators, each able to accommodate multiple passengers and their luggage. Twin two-lane vehicle ramps will promote efficient traffic flow and a connecting bridge will allow vehicle access to the adjacent Cruise Terminal 6 West garage. In addition, a pedestrian bridge will also provide passengers with easy access to the entrance of Cruise Terminal 5.
Materials used to construct the new Cruise Terminal 6 East Garage include 1,600 tons (3.2 million pounds) of steel, 30,000 cubic yards of concrete (3,000+ truckloads) and 2.6 million linear feet of prestressed strands (475 miles, enough to circle Lake Okeechobee six times). Encompassing 1.2 million total square feet, the massive structure includes 3,644 precast concrete components, as well as 982 concrete foundation piles extending a combined 13 miles below ground.
Planning for the Future
The Cruise Terminal 5 renovation and Cruise Terminal 6 East garage construction are part of the Port Canaveral Advantage, a nearly $1 billion capital improvement program focused on expanding infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting growth across all areas of the Port over the next five years.
Port Canaveral is currently home to seven leading cruise brands operating over 1,000 sailings from 18 homeported ships, including some of the newest, largest, and most technically advanced ships in the world offering a wide range of itineraries, from weekend getaways to week-long adventures and beyond, visiting some of the world’s most popular destinations.
