Port Canaveral Reveals $69M Terminal 5 Expansion to Keep Pace with Cruise Industry Surge

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Amid booming demand in the cruise industry, Port Canaveral has unveiled plans for a $69 million expansion of Terminal 5, aiming to accommodate larger vessels and an increasing number of cruise passengers.

What’s Planned:

The renovation will nearly double the size of the existing terminal, expanding it from 90,000 square feet by an additional 80,000 square feet. Once complete, Terminal 5 will be able to serve cruise ships carrying up to 5,000 guests.

Upgrades will include:

Expanded embarkation and luggage areas
Enhanced security screening lanes
New seating and guest waiting zones

The project is part of Port Canaveral’s broader effort to modernize its facilities and improve the overall passenger experience as larger ships continue to enter service.

What’s Still Unknown:

While the plan is moving forward, officials have not yet announced a construction timeline, nor have they detailed how the renovation might impact current terminal operations. Funding specifics — including whether it will rely on port revenues, state support, or private partnerships — have also not been disclosed.

It’s also unclear which cruise lines or vessels will be based out of the upgraded terminal once it’s completed.

Why It Matters:

Port Canaveral has emerged as one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, seeing sustained growth as the industry rebounds post-pandemic. With cruise lines deploying larger ships and reporting record-breaking bookings, the port is under pressure to scale up infrastructure to match demand.

“This terminal is currently 90,000 square feet. We could expand it by as much as 80,000,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, emphasizing the need to ease congestion and better handle modern cruise ship capacities. “They’re bigger, there’s more people, and the cruise lines have been very, very successful.”

What’s Next:

The Terminal 5 expansion is just one piece of Port Canaveral’s multi-year growth and modernization strategy, which includes additional terminal upgrades and port infrastructure investments to ensure long-term competitiveness in the global cruise market.

Port Canaveral Reveals $69M Terminal 5 Expansion to Keep Pace with Cruise Industry Surge

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