Port Canaveral Advances $175 Million Cruise Terminal Upgrade

Port Canaveral is moving ahead with a $175 million construction package to expand Cruise Terminal 5 and build a new 13-story parking garage near Cruise Terminal 6, part of an effort to improve passenger access and accommodate larger cruise ships as demand grows at the Central Florida port.

Two major projects aimed at handling bigger ships and heavier traffic

The work centers on two separate builds: a large expansion and modernization of Cruise Terminal 5, and a new multi-story garage designed to ease parking constraints on high-volume embarkation days. Both projects are being carried out while Terminal 5 remains in service, requiring construction teams to pause, reset, and secure work zones around ship calls as guests embark and debark.

Terminal 5 overhaul targets space limits and passenger flow

Cruise Terminal 5 is being expanded from about 90,000 square feet to approximately 170,000 square feet, nearly doubling the footprint of one of the port’s older facilities. Port officials have said the redesigned building is intended to improve passenger circulation from curbside arrival through screening and boarding, with more capacity in key pinch points such as seating, luggage staging, and security screening.

Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral’s CEO, said the existing terminal has become constrained as ships have grown. “It’s one of our oldest facilities, and it’s just not large enough to handle the larger vessels,” Murray said.

Project details provided by the port include a modernized entrance and refreshed interiors, along with operational changes designed to reduce peak-day congestion. The expansion includes larger luggage “laydown” space, expanded security screening areas, and additional passenger seating. The port has also said the upgraded terminal is intended to serve newer, larger vessels, including Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships such as Legend of the Seas and Hero of the Seas.

Keeping Terminal 5 open adds a stop-and-start construction challenge

Port leaders have described the need to keep Terminal 5 operating as the central logistical complication of the build. Murray said construction must be coordinated around ongoing cruise operations, which can require frequent shifts in work zones and schedules. In separate remarks about active-terminal construction, Murray said the port has had to “mobilize and demobilize every time there’s a ship here,” reflecting the rhythm imposed by sailing calendars.

Port Canaveral Vice President of Engineering and Construction Bill Crowe said crews repeatedly secure and clear work areas ahead of ship operations to maintain safe passenger movement. He framed the work around a goal of reducing friction between arrival and boarding. “We want to minimize the time from vehicle to vessel,” Crowe said.

New 13-story garage adds 3,700 spaces and new access features

Alongside the terminal build, Port Canaveral is constructing a 13-story parking garage adjacent to Cruise Terminal 6. The port has said the structure will add about 3,700 spaces, raising total parking capacity to nearly 17,500 spaces across garages and surface lots.

Port officials have tied the garage to how travelers arrive at the port, noting that about 80% of cruise guests drive to Port Canaveral. The garage is intended to ease parking constraints and improve access to nearby terminals during busy weekends.

Planned features outlined by the port include eight extra-large elevators designed for passengers traveling with luggage, twin two-lane vehicle ramps to improve entry and exit flow, and a pedestrian bridge linking the garage area with the terminal complex.

Cost breakdown, contractors, and construction-market pressures

Port Canaveral has put the combined investment at about $175 million, and has broken out the cost as $78 million for the Cruise Terminal 5 expansion and $93 million for the parking garage. Construction for the two-project package is being led by Merritt Island-based Ivey’s Construction, and design work for Terminal 5 has been attributed to BEA Architects of Miami.

Rocky Johnson, vice president at Ivey’s Construction, said the company is “proud to partner with the Canaveral Port Authority” on the improvements.

Port leaders have also pointed to broader construction conditions. Crowe said the tight construction market has required additional spending to keep work moving, including about $4 million in premium time and overtime.

Security and passenger-processing upgrades, including facial recognition

Beyond additional square footage, the port has highlighted changes tied to screening and access control. Crowe has said the work includes security enhancements such as facial recognition technology, along with updated screening protocols and equipment.

Timeline, workforce impact, and the wider capital program

The port has identified 2026 as the key year for delivery of both projects. The targeted completion date for the Cruise Terminal 5 expansion is December 2026, and the parking garage is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2026.

• Autumn 2026: Targeted completion window for the 13-story parking garage near Cruise Terminal 6, adding about 3,700 spaces and expanding total port parking capacity to nearly 17,500.
• December 2026: Targeted completion date for the expanded Cruise Terminal 5, increasing the terminal from about 90,000 square feet to approximately 170,000 square feet.

Port Canaveral has positioned the work within Port Canaveral Advantage, the port’s multi-year capital improvement program valued at nearly $1 billion. As of mid-July, the projects had contributed to more than 2,000 local jobs and logged more than 85,000 contractor and subcontractor work hours.

The upgrades come as the port reports continued high cruise volumes. Port Canaveral has said it surpassed PortMiami as the world’s busiest cruise port, reporting 8.6 million passenger movements in fiscal year 2025.

Separately, the port has also started work on the Cruise Terminal 10 expansion and renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Cruise Terminal 5 expected to be completed?

Port Canaveral has set a targeted completion date of December 2026 for the Cruise Terminal 5 expansion.

Will Cruise Terminal 5 remain open during construction?

Yes. Port leaders have said Terminal 5 will remain operational, with construction activity coordinated around ship schedules and passenger movements.

How many parking spaces will the new garage add, and what will total parking capacity be?

The new 13-story garage is planned to add about 3,700 spaces, bringing the port’s total parking capacity to nearly 17,500 spaces across garages and surface lots.

What security upgrades are included in the terminal and access improvements?

Port officials have said the work includes updated screening protocols and equipment, as well as facial recognition technology.

With construction continuing alongside daily cruise operations, port leaders have said the near-term focus is keeping passenger flow safe and efficient while delivering the expanded Terminal 5 and the new parking garage on the 2026 timeline.