Port Canaveral in Central Florida has surpassed PortMiami to become the busiest cruise homeport in the world for fiscal year 2025. This marks a significant shift in the competitive Florida cruise market, with Port Canaveral reporting over 8.6 million passenger movements, slightly ahead of PortMiami's figures.
The achievement highlights Port Canaveral's rapid growth and strategic investments in its cruise infrastructure, solidifying Florida's position as the global epicenter of the cruise industry.
Key Takeaways
- Port Canaveral recorded 8,602,047 passenger movements in FY 2025.
- This figure represents a 13% increase over the previous fiscal year.
- Port Canaveral edged out PortMiami by a narrow margin of 0.4 percent.
- The port is undertaking a $912 million capital improvement plan.
- Florida ports continue to drive strong growth in the global cruise market.
A New Leader in Cruise Passenger Traffic
Port Canaveral officially reported 8,602,047 passenger movements for the fiscal year 2025. This number represents both embarkations and debarkations, counted separately. This figure is a substantial increase of more than 13 percent compared to the previous fiscal year, exceeding the port's own projections of 8.4 million passengers.
The central Florida port has seen consistent growth, particularly due to its proximity to Orlando's theme parks. This location makes it an attractive starting point for many cruise travelers.
Fact Check
Port Canaveral's 8.6 million passenger movements surpassed PortMiami by just 0.4 percent in fiscal year 2025.
Growth Trajectory and Strategic Advantages
This is not the first time Port Canaveral has claimed the top spot. It previously led PortMiami in 2022 during the initial rebound from the pandemic, handling 4.21 million passengers compared to Miami's just over 4.0 million. Since then, passenger numbers have more than doubled at Port Canaveral.
Historically, Port Canaveral benefited from ships offering shorter, twice-weekly cruises. However, in recent years, it has also become a major homeport for 7-day voyages. The port is now home to some of the world’s largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, which operates 7-day cruises, and its fleet mate, Utopia of the Seas, offering 3- and 4-day itineraries.
Record-Breaking Monthly Performance
March 2025 was a record-setting month for Port Canaveral. The port hosted 925,994 passenger movements, a 16 percent increase over March 2024. This surge in traffic underscored the strong demand for cruises departing from the port.
"It wasn't long ago when we exceeded 500,000 guests in a single month. Now, with numbers like this approaching nearly a million, it's not just remarkable, it demonstrates the strong demand for sailings from our port. We've been predicting it, and we were ready for it," stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, in April 2025.
Industry Context
The cruise industry in Florida continues its robust recovery and expansion. Ports across the state, including Port Everglades and Port Tampa Bay, are also experiencing strong demand and growth.
Major Infrastructure Investments
Port Canaveral is actively pursuing a $912 million five-year capital improvement initiative. This ambitious plan includes expanding two existing terminals and developing a seventh cruise terminal. These investments aim to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and larger ships.
The port also moved quickly to establish Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering capabilities. This foresight allowed it to welcome North America's first LNG-fueled cruise ships. Future developments include Princess Cruises bringing one of its largest ships to the port, Carnival Cruise Line sending its new giant Carnival Festivale in 2027 alongside the Mardi Gras, and MSC expanding its operations with the MSC World Atlantic.
PortMiami's Continued Growth
Despite being edged out of the top spot, PortMiami also reported significant growth. The port handled a record 8,564,225 cruise passengers in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. This represents a 4 percent increase in its passenger totals.
Known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," PortMiami continues to be a vital hub for the industry. The port anticipates welcoming 10 first-time cruise ships in the new year, including five newbuilds. The spring of 2025 saw the opening of the new MSC Terminal (AA), which is considered the world's largest cruise terminal. PortMiami has also successfully handled 10 cruise ships in a single day, showcasing its operational capacity.
Did You Know?
PortMiami’s new MSC Terminal (AA) is billed as the world's largest cruise terminal.
The Future of Florida Cruising
The friendly rivalry between Port Canaveral and PortMiami underscores the strong health and growth of the cruise market, particularly in Florida. The state remains a critical component of the global cruise industry, significantly contributing to Florida's overall tourism economy.
Both ports are strategically positioning themselves for continued expansion, promising an even more dynamic and competitive landscape for cruise travelers in the years to come. The ongoing investments and increasing passenger numbers demonstrate the sustained popularity of cruising as a vacation choice.
