Port Canaveral’s 2024 fiscal year saw a record 7.6 million passenger movements and over 900 calls, making it the world’s second busiest cruise port based on boarding and breaking up.
Although summer is slower than busy autumn and winter cruising seasons, Port Canaveral hosts 12 home-ported vessels with a three-day itinerary and two ships, as well as two ships calling Port Canaveral for day visits.
The Carnival will lead the way with four ships sailing from Port Canaveral this summer, followed by the MSC and the Royal Caribbean and Disney on the Norwegian voyage each. Port Canaveral’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, debuted in late April and will sail until mid-August.
The princesses and celebrities, both celebrating their Port Canaveral debut last fall, leave in the summer, but return to the winter sailing season.
This summer, the Carnival Cruise Line will celebrate its 35th year since sailing from Port Canaveral, sailing around 322,000 guests from the port between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This will have an estimated economic impact of $144 million on the region, according to a news release from the company.
Starting July 19th, Carnival will welcome passengers to Grand Bahama’s new 65-acre celebration key. The five “portals” include splash pads, pools, cabanas, bars, shopping, food and drinks for guests. Throughout Labor Day, the new Private Enclave welcomes 15 carnival ships from eight home ports with over 80 visits.
The world’s largest cruise ship will be tested by sea before it arrives at Port Canaveral
This August, the latest ship, which will win the title of the world’s largest cruise ship, will begin its voyage from Port Canaveral. The second icon class ship, Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas, is booking a “Star Showcase” cruise for guests interested in being on the first ship. The perfect day and 4 night cruise at the Bahamian sails will be sailed on August 16-20, August 23-27, August 31, and the 3 night itinerary will be sailing on August 20-23.
This is a guide for summer cruising in central Florida.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras cruise ship was docked at Port Canaveral in 2021 (Orlando Sentinel File)
carnival
Carnival Glory hosts guests on the Bahamas 3- and 4-day itinerary with ports such as Nassau, Bimini, Celebration Key and Princess Cay. The average cost ranges from $415 to $633 per person in a two-person room.
Carnival Freedom will be on four- and five-day cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas at ports such as Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, Grand Turk and Bimini. The average cost ranges from $446-829 per person in a two-person room.
Carnival’s Mardi Gras hosts a 6, 7 or 8-day cruise itinerary, including Alba, Curacao, Grand Turk, Nassau, Amber Cove, Celebration Key, St. Thomas and San Juans. The average cost ranges from $914 to $2,069 per person in a two-person room.
Carnival Vista sells six- or eight-day cruises to the eastern and southern Caribbean Sea, including ports such as Half Moon Cay, Amber Cove, Grand Turkey, St. Thomas, Celebration Key, Alba, Curacao and Bonaire. The average cost ranges from $622 to $1,224 per person in a two-person room.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas hosts guests for a 7-night cruise to St. Thomas. The average cost per person ranges from $1,300 to $1,880. In September, Star of the Seas will begin its voyage from Miami.
Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas offers a 3- and 4-night itinerary with a perfect day at Cocosei, stopping in Nassau. The average cost per person ranges from $663 to $997.
The Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas will sail on a 6- and 8-night cruise, including perfect days in Jamaica, Haiti, Grand Cayman, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Alba, the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and Cocosei. The average cost per person ranges from $975 to $1,922.
Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
Disney Cruise Line Ship Disney Wish will be provisioned at Port Canaveral Terminal 10 in 2022 ahead of the baptismal cruise to the Bahamas. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Disney
Disney Magic offers a 4- and 5-night cruise itinerary, offering one option for a 10-night Caribbean cruise to the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Disney Castaway Cay. Typical Bahamas destinations include Nassau, Disney Lookout Kay at Lighthouse Point, and Disney Customer Kay. The starting price ranges from $2,067 to $5,906 for two guests.
Disney Treasure invites guests on a 7-night Caribbean cruise that stops in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Disney Customer Cay, or in the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands, and Disney Customer Cay. The starting price ranges from $5,103 to $5,305 for two guests.
Disney will be suspended for its 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruise itinerary, which will stop at Nassau and Disney’s Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $1,646 to $2,094 for two guests.
Richard Toribou
MSC Seashore can be found on Ocean Cay. This is a pause for a regularly scheduled itinerary departing from Port Canaveral. (Richard Toribou/Orlando Sentinel)
MSC
MSC Seashore sails on itinerary ranging from 3 to 11 nights. The shorter cruise will be stopped at the Bahamas at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico and Honduras. Starting prices per person range from $325 to $1,774.
Norwegian
Norway’s Aqua hosts guests for a 7-day cruise to the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Cruises start from $1,398 per person.
Find @pconnpie on Instagram or send an email at pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with coverage of your latest travel, arts and events by subscribing to our newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
