BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Port Canaveral is the second-busiest cruise port in the world, second only to Miami, and now the Caribbean Princess makes it home here.
With 1,200 crew members and accommodations for more than 3,000 guests, the inaugural arrival of the 952-foot-long and 112,894-gross-ton Caribbean Princess Love Boat was celebrated Wednesday morning during a ceremony at Cruise Terminal #6.
Just last week, Port Canaveral issued its annual report card. Its revenue went up 12% since last year, generating $191 million in operating revenue with cruises bringing in $156 million of that money.
Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey says they expect to generate even more revenue next year.
“Well, it’s always a huge economic impact to have another cruise line in Port Canaveral, its new home port. The ships now are so large, they accommodate so many passengers. That just means so many more excited people frequenting the businesses of our community,” he told News 6. “The hotels and restaurants in this area get a boost since so many of the people going on a cruise come early before the cruise and stay in the community and spend money.”
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Vicki Johnson, Princess Cruises head of Communications, says it’s a win-win situation.
“We’re very proud to be part of this billion-dollar powerhouse that Port Canaveral is and we also benefit from the very focused work around guest service. This region is all about hospitality, and we take that as a bit of a challenge,” she said. “We know that because we know we’re not only sailing guests from all around the world, but we’re also going to be sailing residents and people who live in the community whose whole careers are built around hospitality.”
The port is expecting three new cruise ships to make their home here by the end of 2025.
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