Cruising from the Atlantic seaboard will soon be even easier. On November 6, 2013, port commissioners unanimously approved $80 million for the expansion of Port Canaveral in Florida. Slated to be completed in November of next year, the project will include a 185,000 square-foot cruise terminal able to handle the largest ships being designed and built today, some of which carry more than 6,000 passengers.
Port Canaveral is already a busy port of embarkation and port of call for a number of cruise lines affiliated with Royal Holiday, including Norwegian and Carnival. The coming expansion will kick off a decade-long growth plan that will dramatically extend the services offered at Port Canaveral. Cruise Terminal 1, to be completed in a year, will provide ample parking facilities for those departing from Port Canaveral, as well as many dining and shopping opportunities for visiting cruisers on a port of call. Additionally, Port Canaveral’s innovative Exploration Tower, which opened earlier this year, will be just a short walk away. Exploration Tower, along with popular regional attractions such as Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach, promise to keep Port Canaveral a prime cruise destination for the foreseeable future.
In addition to providing parking, sightseeing, and retail facilities for cruisers, the project will also enable Port Canaveral to serve as the home port for at least two additional cruise ships in the near term, and more expected in coming years. This is a positive development for the region, as each additional large ship based in the area represents a boost of around $250 million to the local economy.
Port Canaveral is just one of several tourist and industrial ports receiving funds for expansion. Ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville are deepening harbors and inlets for the super-sized “Panamax” cargo vessels that will begin arriving in 2015, when the Panama Canal widening project is complete. Like Port Canaveral, the port of Palm Beach will be expanding its services for cruisers. Overall, Florida is generously spending to ensure the continued growth of its shipping industry as well as the high quality amenities and services it offers to cruise passengers.
