Port Canaveral Expects 10.9 Million Passenger Movements in 2027

Port Canaveral expects 10.9 million passenger movements, 1,213 cruise ship calls and 23 homeported vessels in fiscal 2027, which begins Oct. 1. Operating revenue is forecast to reach $281.8 million, an increase of $44.4 million from the current fiscal year.

The projections compare with 9 million passenger movements, 1,080 calls and 20 homeported ships in the current year. Port Canaveral, which describes itself as the world’s busiest cruise port, recorded more than 8.6 million revenue passenger movements in fiscal 2025.

Cruise operations generate about 87% of the port’s operating revenue. The fiscal 2027 plan includes an expected $203 million for cruise-related capital improvements as the port prepares for more calls and a 33% increase in days with five or six cruise ships alongside.

Cruise lines increase Port Canaveral calls

Royal Caribbean is scheduled to make 319 calls during fiscal 2027, the largest share among the port’s cruise line partners. Carnival Cruise Line follows with 302 calls, Disney Cruise Line with 235, Norwegian Cruise Line with 155 and MSC Cruises with 146. Other operators account for the remaining 56 calls.

Norwegian’s total would be more than double the previous year’s figure. Port Canaveral Chief Financial Officer Jeff Long told commissioners in August that “all of our cruise line partners are increasing calls from this year to next year.”

The homeported fleet will also add two high-capacity vessels. Carnival Festivale, with capacity for 6,600 passengers, is scheduled to debut in May. The 6,800-guest MSC World Atlantic is due to follow in November.

“It’s not only a win for Port Canaveral, it’s a win for the communities and families that benefit from the economic activity,” Long said.

Terminal and parking capacity expands

The terminal and parking work falls under Port Canaveral Advantage, a five-year capital program valued at nearly $1 billion. A 13-story, 3,700-space parking garage at Cruise Terminal 6 is scheduled for completion in October, while Cruise Terminal 5 is being enlarged from 90,000 to 170,000 square feet for completion in December. The two projects are worth nearly $175 million combined.

Construction has also started on a $95 million expansion and renovation of Cruise Terminal 10. The shared-use terminal will remain active during the work and will increase to more than 145,000 square feet, nearly 30% larger than its current size.

The Terminal 10 project includes larger security-screening and luggage areas, new elevators and escalators, updated signage and HVAC equipment, and a glass facade. Bermello Ajamil designed the facility, with PCL Construction Services handling construction.

“We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about cruise operations to create a terminal that is highly functional and visually beautiful,” Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray said.

Completion is targeted for November 2027. The port regularly uses Terminal 10 for MSC Cruises and Disney Cruise Line operations, while Royal Caribbean ships also have calls scheduled there.

Fitch Ratings recently upgraded the Canaveral Port Authority’s port improvement revenue bonds from A to A+, with a stable outlook. The rating agency cited the port’s East Coast cruise position and infrastructure investment as factors supporting expected long-term revenue growth.

Other fiscal 2027 work includes a west parking garage at Cruise Terminal 3 and passenger boarding bridge upgrades. Port Canaveral expects to break ground on Cruise Terminal 4 in August 2027 on the 11-acre Bluepoints Marina site, with opening planned before spring break 2029.

See cruises departing Port Canaveral on Cruise Lookup.