Port Canaveral is a major cruise destination and passenger port waiting to happen -- especially as plans for a new mega-terminal and a $150 million Ron Jon surf-themed resort move toward fruiton.
The Canaveral Port Authority is in negotiations with major cruise lines for 10 to 15 year agreements. Based upon those agreements plans are to build a new mega-terminal with 1,500 foot pier capable of handling 6,000 plus passengers and a terminal that can handle super mega-ships.
Several factors are motivating the push toward the newer, larger facilities, including the fact that Port Canaveral is the closest port to Orlando, which is a 45-minute drive away and is nearing 50 million visitors per year.
Port Canaveral is know as one of the world's least congested ports in terms of getting to the terminal and going through the embarkation process. In fact, Port Canaveral won six American Association of Port Authorities 2007 Communications Awards, including a nod for its "Cruise to Your Cruise" ad, which points out the ease of departing from there.
In addition, Orlando International Airport, the largest domestic airport in Florida, has overtaken Miami in terms of handling the largest number of passengers in the state, and it's the only airport in the state with land for expansion. The area's other airport, Orlando Sanford, is the number one airport in Florida for chargers from Europe.
Not only is it close to such theme parks as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, the port is also a 20-minute drive from Kennedy Space Center, which recently added a $60 million Space Shuttle experience ride.
Although Port Canaveral boasts proximity to major family destinations -- and such family-friendly cruise lines as Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International have ships homeported there - the port is talking to luxury cruise lines as well.
Orlando is one of the fastest-groing high-tech areas in the nation. The port is negotiating for 14-day cruises in an area where the longest itinerary is now seven days because the area will definitely support the high-end, luxury market. At the same time, the port is negotiating with another cruise line to operate two-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round.
Cruise offerings from Port Canaveral currently include three to seven-day cruises on board vessels from Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean. Ther port also has two resident gaming ships, which operate five-hour cruises to nowhere twice a day.
Cruise passengers arriving at Port Canaveral’s cruise terminals will find that parking areas are paved, gated and under 24-hour surveillance. Parking fees are:
$12 a day for vehicles up to 20 feet in length and $24 a day for vehicles over 20 feet. The total parking fee is due upon entry. You can pay by cash, Visa or Mastercard and Traveler’s Checks (issued in U.S. dollars). All fees are subject to change.
