Port Canaveral Begins Vertical Build on $93M Cruise Parking Garage

Port Canaveral marked the start of vertical construction on its new Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage after crews lowered a 600-square-foot, 36.7-ton pre-cast concrete wall section into place, the port said.

The milestone signals the $93 million project has moved beyond early-stage work and is now rising above grade. The 13-story garage is being built next to Cruise Terminal 6 to serve cruise guests sailing from Cruise Terminals 5 and 6, with an opening targeted for fall 2026.

A major parking expansion timed for a high-volume cruise gateway

Port Canaveral said the new facility will add 3,732 parking spaces at one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. The project is geared toward a customer base that largely arrives by personal vehicle, with the port estimating about 80 percent of cruise passengers drive to the terminals, while others arrive via shuttles, ride-shares, or drop-offs.

Once the new garage opens, Port Canaveral said it will offer nearly 17,500 parking spaces across eight garages and surface lots.

Garage design focuses on moving vehicles and passengers efficiently

The Cruise Terminal 6 East garage is planned as a 1.2 million square-foot structure with features intended to reduce congestion during peak embarkation and debarkation periods. Plans call for eight extra-large elevators designed to handle guests and luggage, along with twin two-lane vehicle ramps.

Connectivity is also built into the design. The garage is expected to include two vehicle connecting bridges to the adjacent Cruise Terminal 6 West garage and a pedestrian bridge linking directly to the Cruise Terminal 5 entrance.

Who the new garage will serve at Terminals 5 and 6

The garage is intended for passengers sailing from Cruise Terminals 5 and 6. Cruise Terminal 5 is home to operations for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, and the additional parking capacity is expected to help accommodate demand from those sailings as well as traffic generated by Terminal 6.

Parking rates and contractors on the project

Port Canaveral currently charges $20 per day for parking. The port increased the rate in October 2025, its first price adjustment since 2017, and the same daily rate is expected to apply to the new garage.

The port awarded the design-build contract to Ivey’s Construction of Merritt Island, Florida. Finfrock Construction of Apopka, Florida, is providing pre-cast elements.

How the project fits into Port Canaveral’s broader capital plan

The garage is part of Port Canaveral Advantage, a five-year capital improvement program that calls for nearly $1 billion in enhancements. Alongside the parking build, the port has pointed to multiple cruise-side projects moving forward.

• Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage: A 13-story, 3,732-space facility budgeted at $93 million, now in vertical construction and scheduled to open in fall 2026.
• Cruise Terminal 5 expansion: Work is already underway as part of the port’s broader effort to support passenger throughput.
• Cruise Terminal 10 upgrades: The port has said an expansion is planned to begin this fall, adding another major construction initiative tied to cruise growth.

What port leadership says the garage is meant to deliver

Port Canaveral CEO Captain John W. Murray framed the garage as part of a push to improve the cruise guest experience as demand continues to generate high volumes of vehicle traffic.

“This new parking garage is an investment in our commitment to making Port Canaveral the best it can be for our valued cruise partners and their guests,” Murray said.

Port context: sailings volume, recognition, and location

Port Canaveral has said it hosts more than 1,000 sailings annually and serves 18 cruise ships from seven major lines, including Disney, Norwegian, and Carnival. The port has also been named Best US Cruise Homeport in the Cruise Hive Awards for six consecutive years.

Located in Florida’s Space Coast region, the port serves itineraries ranging from short weekend sailings to longer voyages, and it is home to ships that include Disney Wish, Norwegian Prima, Star of the Seas, and Carnival’s Mardi Gras.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Port Canaveral’s new Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage expected to open?

Port Canaveral has scheduled the new garage to open in fall 2026.

How many spaces will the new garage add at Port Canaveral?

The Cruise Terminal 6 East garage is planned to add 3,732 parking spaces across 13 stories.

Will the new garage connect directly to Cruise Terminals 5 and 6?

Yes. The design includes two vehicle connecting bridges to the adjacent Cruise Terminal 6 West garage and a pedestrian bridge linking to the Cruise Terminal 5 entrance.

What is the current daily parking price at Port Canaveral, and will it apply to the new garage?

Port Canaveral currently charges $20 per day for parking. The rate increased in October 2025, the port’s first change since 2017, and the same daily rate is expected to apply to the new garage.

How many total parking spaces will Port Canaveral have once the new facility opens?

The port said that once the new garage opens, it will offer nearly 17,500 parking spaces across eight garages and surface lots.

Construction on the Cruise Terminal 6 East garage is expected to continue through build-out of the 13-story structure ahead of the planned fall 2026 opening, as the port also advances expansion work at Cruise Terminal 5 and prepares to begin the Cruise Terminal 10 expansion this fall.