Celebrity Apex Launches Winter Cruises From Port Canaveral

Celebrity Apex has joined Port Canaveral’s lineup of homeported cruise ships, launching a winter program of weeklong sailings to The Bahamas and the Caribbean from Central Florida. The Edge-class vessel arrived Nov. 1 and replaced Celebrity Equinox, which operated Celebrity Cruises’ first season sailing from the port last year.

The deployment comes as Port Canaveral, described by the port as the world’s second-busiest cruise port, positions for higher overall volumes during the winter season. Port Canaveral is projecting 9 million passenger movements in the next year as schedules build across multiple cruise lines.

Celebrity Apex joins the port’s winter schedule

Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray said Celebrity’s first year operating from the port delivered strong results. “Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural season from Port Canaveral was hugely successful, and we’re thrilled to welcome home the stunning Celebrity Apex to our port,” Murray said, adding that the partnership continues to generate economic benefits for the region.

Celebrity Apex is part of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class series. The cruise line has five Edge-class ships in service and a sixth under construction, according to the reports.

Onboard, the ship’s features highlighted in port and cruise line materials include 29 dining venues, the Magic Carpet platform extending over the water, and a theater equipped with an expansive 4K LED screen.

Itineraries range from weeklong cruises to longer sailings

Celebrity Apex’s winter deployment from Port Canaveral is centered on seven-night itineraries to The Bahamas and the Caribbean, with published Port Canaveral information also describing sailings ranging up to 13 nights depending on the itinerary.

• Bahamas: Featured calls include Bimini on select sailings from Port Canaveral.
• Eastern Caribbean: Itineraries highlighted in port materials include stops such as St. Kitts and San Juan.
• Western Caribbean: Some sailings include destinations such as Cozumel, with other itineraries reaching additional ports across the region.
• Additional calls cited: Port and cruise line information also lists ports including Puerto Plata, George Town (Grand Cayman), Key West, and Turks and Caicos.

Arrival ceremony marked the ship’s homeport debut

To mark Celebrity Apex’s arrival as a homeported vessel, Port Canaveral and Celebrity Cruises held a traditional plaque exchange onboard the ship. The ceremony was led by Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and Celebrity Apex Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis.

Port leadership has emphasized repeat homeport operations with newer ships and the value of long-term cruise line relationships as the port’s cruise business expands.

More winter capacity: MSC and Princess deployments

Port Canaveral’s winter lineup also includes additional new-to-market deployments highlighted in the reports. MSC Grandiosa, described as MSC Cruises’ largest ship, is slated to join the port for a winter season with family-focused amenities including a waterslide park, ropes course, and entertainment such as bowling alleys and F1 simulators, joining MSC Seashore for seasonal cruises to the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess is also part of the winter mix, with the Royal-class ship offering seven-night sailings and onboard features highlighted in the reports such as an infinity pool, a thermal suite, and Movies Under the Stars. Sky Princess replaces Caribbean Princess for the winter schedule, according to the reports.

Why cruise lines keep expanding at Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral has marketed its strength as a drive-to market, saying about 75% of its cruise passengers arrive by car rather than flying. Cruise lines have also viewed the port as an alternative to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, supported by its proximity to Central Florida’s theme parks and its convenience for repeat homeport operations.

Murray said demand has helped bring additional brands and newer ships to the Space Coast. “Princess and Celebrity are two brands that people have been requesting for years,” he said, adding that the port tested those deployments last year and that they “overperformed.”

Port Canaveral has also projected about $200 million in cruise-related income during the current fiscal year, which began in October.

Terminal, parking, and traffic projects tied to larger ships

Port Canaveral is pursuing capital projects intended to support rising passenger volumes and larger vessels. At the port’s State of the Port event on Nov. 5, Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Marquee credited cruise line partners for the port’s trajectory, saying the presence of the “newest, largest and most technically advanced ships” reflects “the strength, confidence and popularity this port has earned.”

• CT-5 expansion: The port is expanding cruise terminal CT-5 in a project expected to nearly double the facility’s size to accommodate larger vessels, and the port has said the terminal will remain in operation during the 16-month construction period without interrupting scheduled ship turns.
• CT-10 and other terminal work: Upgrades at CT-10 are intended to enable it to handle ships carrying up to 5,600 passengers, while renovations at CT-1 have included new canopies, walkways, lighting, landscaping updates, and parking garage refurbishments.
• New terminal planning and traffic optimization: Murray said the port is planning a new cruise terminal on the southwest side of the port alongside development of a traffic optimization plan.
• Parking expansion: A new 3,700-car parking garage is under construction on the north side of the port to meet demand from drive-to passengers.

Murray said the port is preparing for additional large-ship calls already committed in cruise line agreements. “Big ships are coming… they’re in our contracts,” he said.

LNG readiness highlighted as newer ships arrive

Port Canaveral leadership has also pointed to LNG-related infrastructure as part of the port’s readiness for newer tonnage. Murray said the upgrades will support an influx of LNG-powered ships, referencing the arrival of Carnival’s Mardi Gras in 2021 as a milestone that ushered in expanded cleaner fueling capabilities at the port.

With Celebrity Apex now homeported for the winter season and additional ships joining the schedule, Port Canaveral’s near-term cruise calendar is expanding alongside terminal and parking projects, with the port tracking higher passenger volumes in the year ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which ship did Celebrity Apex replace at Port Canaveral?

Celebrity Apex replaced Celebrity Equinox, which launched Celebrity Cruises’ first season sailing from Port Canaveral last year.

What length cruises is Celebrity Apex sailing from Port Canaveral?

The winter deployment is centered on seven-night itineraries to The Bahamas and the Caribbean, and published Port Canaveral information also describes sailings up to 13 nights on certain itineraries.

Who participated in the arrival ceremony for Celebrity Apex?

The arrival was marked by a traditional plaque exchange led by Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and Celebrity Apex Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis onboard the ship.

How is Port Canaveral upgrading facilities to handle larger ships?

The port is expanding cruise terminal CT-5 in a project expected to nearly double the facility’s size, and it has upgraded CT-10 to handle ships carrying up to 5,600 passengers. Additional work cited in the reports includes renovations at CT-1, plans for a new cruise terminal on the southwest side of the port, a traffic optimization plan, and construction of a new 3,700-car parking garage.

What role does LNG play in Port Canaveral’s growth plans?

Port leadership has said its upgrades will support an influx of LNG-powered ships, pointing to Carnival’s Mardi Gras arriving in 2021 as an early marker of expanded cleaner fueling capabilities at the port.