PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Port Canaveral announced plans Thursday to build a new cruise terminal to accommodate large cruise vessels.

Port officials plan to build a new multi-user cruise terminal at the Port’s existing North 8 berth, which would require minimal modifications to extend the current 1,020 linear feet bulkhead to 1,344 feet.

Port Canaveral’s North 8 berth — which was designed and built in 2018 for multi-purpose flexibility — shares its basin with the Port’s Cruise Terminal 5 on the northside of Port Canaveral.

In addition to extending the North 8 bulkhead capacity, the project would also extend and improve the berthing capacity of Cruise Terminal 5 by improving the waterside to the northside of the shared basin.

“We have cruise partners with immediate needs to locate assets in Florida and Port Canaveral is where they want to be,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “Our ability to efficiently bring a new cruise terminal online was key to retaining and growing this important business segment that supports many jobs and delivers high value to our regional and state economy.”

Due to North 8’s location, current berth configuration and vacant uplands, port officials said construction would cause minimal disruption to current port and tenant operations.

The new terminal campus will include a multi-story parking facility to accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles and roadway improvements in and out of the new facility, including turning lanes and a “flyover” ramp directly connecting the site with State Road 401.

The port is often referred to as “the cruise capital of the world,”

Here, 6 terminals are already operating at maximum capacity, and officials say the need for a new terminal has become urgent.

Baking is her specialty. It’s Brenda Bernard’s day to day at Ludz Foodie Bar and Grill. Tourism that comes from the cruise ships makes up about 80% of Bernard’s clientele.

For her, today’s announcement is great news.

“What we look at is job creation, an opportunity to bring in more employees and get involved with the local community,” Bernard said.

For businesses in the area, accommodating these extra crowds will mean hiring more employees and expanding restaurants to accommodate the growth in Port Canaveral.

Officials are targeting summer 2026 to complete the new facility.