Port Canaveral is the #1 Port in the World and the new ranking is an indication of the city’s fantastic infrastructure and the variety of things it has to offer from the many places to eat to the many things to see and do. This destination is well known for how much people enjoy staying here before and after they cruise. Some major draws for tourism include Cocoa Beach and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as well as Disney World. What’s better than a combo vacation of Disney and a Cruise, or a space launch before your cruise or maybe even as you set sail.

Port Canaveral will have 13 homeported ships and is expecting over 8 million guests in 2024. This summer the Utopia of the Seas will follow from Royal Caribbean International as the cruise line puts its newest ship into the short cruise market. Another newbuild, the Norwegian Aqua, will start regular cruises from Port Canaveral in 2025 so for 2025, the port is expecting 16 or 17 homeported ships.

Here are some of the larger ones sailing or will be sailing from Port Canaveral, see one you would like to sail on, or maybe two?

You can sail out of Port Canaveral on Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, MSC, and soon Princess Cruise Line. The world’s largest cruise ship, Star of the Seas, is to debut at Port Canaveral in 2025 after its construction is completed in July. Port Canaveral will have some of the biggest ships in the World sailing from here.

Disney Wish 2024 itineraries is 4 days, round-trip Bahamian Cruise From Port Canaveral, Join Mickey and Minnie on an exhilarating water adventure into a colorful cartoon world inspired by the famous Mickey Mouse animated shorts. Awash in “immersive” show scenes, music, lighting and special effects, this fun-filled water experience invites Disney fans to glide up, down, around and off the side of the ship through 760 feet of twisting tubes providing breathtaking views of the ocean before splashing down into a lazy river.

Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas – Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures to San Juan, St. Kitts, Cozumel and beyond plus visit the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay on every itinerary. Take your pick of seven different pools, plus ten whirlpools and plunge into an all-you-can-swim buffet of splashes to satisfy every mood. All with next level ocean views to keep you connected to the sea. And refreshing cocktails are on tap across three decks at The Lime & Coconut® bar. It’s your day your way soak up every minute. The new Star of the Seas℠ doubles down on Icon Class thrills, chill and wows. Like six record-breaking waterslides and a fear-inducing challenge high above the sea. Seven splashy pools with epic views. Over 40 ways to dine and drink. Entertainment that rocks the hours.

Carnival Mardi Gras. When we launched our first ship, 1972’s TSS Mardi Gras, we made cruising a lot less stuffy, a bit less fancy, the kind of fun everybody could enjoy. Nobody expected this ship to change the cruise world, but… here we are! So here’s a brand-new ship with a familiar name. With this Mardi Gras^® we aren’t just paying homage to our first ship in cruising circles this name suggests innovation, signals the start of something big. Oh, and this Mardi Gras still shouts “fun!” at the top of its lungs. This ship introduces Zones six themed areas packed with brand new experiences for eating, drinking and spectacularly getting down to fun. There’s BOLT^®, the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril’s Bistro 1396^™ from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud^™ Live for everybody… plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller. Everybody can enjoy Mardi Gras, sailing now. I’ve sailed 4 times and it’s as great as it looks!!!

MSC Seashore is an evolution of her Seaside-class sister ships, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. The ship features 65 percent of her public spaces completely reimagined to enrich the onboard experience and has been extended and enhanced with new entertainment venues, bars and restaurants, and outdoor areas as well as more staterooms and public space. MSC Seashore pays tribute to New York City, a destination that represents the spirit of discovery and cultural experiences that is at the heart of the MSC Cruises guest experience. Venue names, public areas, and design features are inspired by the world-famous city, such as a 9.5-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty at the heart of the casino and an expansive retail and entertainment area aptly named Times Square. Here, an impressive 27.5-foot LED wall spans four decks and features a projection of the iconic Manhattan skyline that can change from day to night. 

Caribbean Princess prepares for its debut from Port Canaveral, Florida, the ship set sail on November 27, 2024, sailing its maiden journey from Port Canaveral to Turks and Caicos on a four-day Thanksgiving cruise. For the first time ever, Princess Cruises will homeport in Central Florida. The iconic “Love Boat” brand will re-position its Caribbean Princess ship in late November 2024 to sail eastern and western Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral for its winter season, the 3,140-passenger ship will sail four to 14-day cruises out of Port Canaveral. Itinerary highlights include:

• One departure of a 4-day Turks & Caicos Getaway over Thanksgiving holiday
• Five departures of our 8-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas sailing to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan and Grand Turk
• Five departures of our 8-day Western Caribbean with Mexico sailing to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize City and Roatan (Mahogany Bay)
• Nine departures of our 6-day Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos including Nassau, Grand Turk and either Amber Cove or San Juan
• Combine any of the 8-day and 6-day itineraries for a 14-day vacatio
• The exclusive Princess Medallion powers a personalized, customized and simplified experience for each and every guest. The connected guest experience maximizes guests’ vacation time by delivering a host of onboard conveniences including contactless payment for anything on board as well as in select shops and restaurants in ports; expedited embarkation; keyless stateroom entry; muster anywhere; friends and family locator; and ordering food, drinks, retail items or requesting service from their smart phone or stateroom TV and having their order delivered directly to them…even if they are moving.

Utopia of the Seas, there will be nothing better on planet Earth then Royal Caribbean’s new weekend party cruise ship coming to Port Canaveral in the summer of 2024. The ship will make 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas. Whether you’re stopping in for a pre-dinner drink en route to the Main Dining Room or settling in for a night of lively conversation, Pesky Parrot will keep you coming back for more. In addition to tropical beverages made with rum, tequila, and gin, Pesky Parrot will feature other “surprises” that have yet to be revealed. This brand-new, Caribbean-themed bar will take the place of the Bionic Bar in the Royal Promenade. It’s central location promises that it’ll become a favorite destination for guests onboard. Royal Caribbean’s resort-style pool bar, which will have three locations onboard Utopia of the Seas, is going to keep the party going all day (and night) long. Lime & Coconut is really going to open up the pool deck, and guests are going to be able to use the whole pool deck for their pool parties and their activations at night. The Vue, which first debuted on Wonder of the Seas, isn’t far from the pool deck. This bar is perfect for those who want to enjoy a beverage and soak in all the amazing panoramic views of the ocean. You’ll want to visit during sunset at least once!  Other returning bars and lounges include the fan-favorite Schooner Bar, Music Hall, and the Attic, as well as Boleros, the Latin hot spot for dancing, that will feature an updated menu with new drinks. At Bell & Barley, the iconic English-style pub, guests will be able to build their own gin & tonics in addition to ordering one of the traditional favorites. This will be be party ship!!!