Port Canaveral’s 2024 fiscal year saw a record-breaking 7.6 million passenger movements and more than 900 calls, making it the second-busiest cruise port in the world based on embarkations and debarkations.
While the summer slows down compared with the busy fall and winter cruising season, Port Canaveral still hosts 12 homeported ships with itineraries from three to eight days plus two ships that call on Port Canaveral for day visits.
Carnival leads the way with four ships sailing from Port Canaveral this summer, followed by Royal Caribbean and Disney with three ships each while MSC and Norwegian sail one each. The Norwegian Aqua, Port Canaveral’s newest ship, debuted in late April and has sailings through mid-August.
Princess and Celebrity, which both celebrated their Port Canaveral debut last fall, are gone for the summer but will return for the winter sailing season.
This summer, Carnival Cruise Line celebrates its 35th year of sailing from Port Canaveral while sailing nearly 322,000 guests from the port between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This results in an estimated $124 million economic impact on the area, according to a news release from the company.
Starting on July 19, Carnival will welcome passengers to its new 65-acre Celebration Key on Grand Bahama. Five “portals” offer splash pads, pools, cabanas, bars, shopping, food and drinks for guests to enjoy. Through Labor Day, the new private enclave will welcome 15 Carnival ships from eight home ports on more than 80 visits.
World’s largest cruise ship performs sea trials before Port Canaveral arrival
This August, the newest vessel to earn the title of world’s largest cruise ship will begin sailing from Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, its second Icon-class ship, is now booking “Star Showcase” cruises for guests interested in being among the first onboard. Four-night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas sail Aug. 16-20, Aug. 23-27 and Aug. 31 while a three-night itinerary sails Aug. 20-23.
Here’s a guide for summertime cruising in Central Florida.
Carnival
Carnival Glory hosts guests for three- and four-day itineraries to the Bahamas with ports including Nassau, Bimini, Celebration Key and Princess Cays. The average cost ranges from $415-$633 per person for a two-person room.
Carnival Freedom sails with four- and five-day cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas with ports including Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, Grand Turk and Bimini. The average cost ranges from $446-$829 per person for a two-person room.
Carnival Mardi Gras hosts itineraries for six, seven or eight-day cruises to an array of Caribbean destinations including Aruba, Curaçao, Grand Turk, Nassau, Amber Cove, Celebration Key, St. Thomas and San Juan. The average cost ranges from $914-$2,069 per person for a two-person room.
Carnival Vista sails with six- or eight-day cruises to the eastern and southern Caribbean including ports such as Half Moon Cay, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The average cost ranges from $622-$1,224 per person for a two-person room.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas hosts guests for seven-night cruises to St. Thomas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, San Juan and other destinations in the Caribbean. The average cost per person ranges from $1,300-$1,880. In September, the Wonder will begin sailing from Miami following the arrival of Star of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas offers itineraries of three and four nights with stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The average cost per person ranges from $663-$997.
Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas sails with six- and eight-night cruises that include ports in Jamaica, Haiti, Grand Cayman, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The average cost per person ranges from $975-$1,922.
Disney
Disney Magic offers itineraries for four- and five-night cruises with one option for a 10-night Caribbean cruise to the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Disney Castaway Cay. Typical Bahamian destinations include Nassau, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $2,067-$5,906 for two guests.
Disney Treasure invites guests for seven-night Caribbean cruises that stop in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Disney Castaway Cay or the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $5,103-$5,305 for two guests.
Disney Wish sails with three- and four-night Bahamian cruise itineraries stopping in Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $1,646-$2,094 for two guests.
MSC
MSC Seashore sails with itineraries from three nights to 11 nights. Shorter cruises stop in the Bahamas at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Honduras. The starting price per person ranges from $325-$1,774.
Norwegian
Norwegian Aqua hosts guests for seven-day cruises to the Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bahamas. Cruises start at $1,398 per person.
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