Key Aspects:
- Port Canaveral has quietly raised the prices for on-site parking from $17 to $20 per day, which is the first increase since 2017.
- The purpose of the price increase is to generate additional revenue to maintain port infrastructure and support expansion projects to accommodate record-breaking cruise tourism rates.
- The change went into effect on October 1, 2025.
Port Canaveral is the world’s second busiest cruise port, with a record-breaking 8.4 million cruise passengers already passing through the port in 2025 – but future guests may need to budget a bit more to visit.
This follows a record-breaking 2024 in which Port Canaveral welcomed 7.6 million passengers across 13 homeported ships and 911 ship calls.
It also precedes a busier 2026, in which approximately 9 million guests are expected to pass through the port.
After much consideration, port commissioners voted to raise parking fees at the popular homeport from $17 to $20 per vehicle, with the new price taking effect as of October 1, 2025.
This marks the first price increase since 2017, when the daily parking rate jumped up from $16 to $17 per vehicle.
“Parking at Port Canaveral is $20.00 per day plus tax for both vehicles and RVs. This rate includes the day of arrival and the day of departure,” Port Canaveral’s website now states.
“Parking is pay-on-arrival, so please be prepared to complete your payment when you enter the lot.”
While the change will be annoying to some guests, it’s still less than what other popular Florida cruise ports charge for parking.
PortMiami, for example, has parking options that start at $20 per day and go all the way up to $35 per day.
And with cruise tourism continuing to break records, port authorities need enough funding to maintain Port Canaveral’s six main cruise terminals, which can accommodate up to six cruise ships at once.
Plans are also already underway to expand cruising infrastructure with new terminal facilities, enhanced cruise berths to accommodate larger vessels, expanded parking, and advanced security systems.
The three dollar increase is expected to bring in up to $12.8 million in additional revenue for Port Canaveral, which will help port authorities accomplish these goals.
Who Will be Impacted?
The parking price increase will primarily impact cruisers who are embarking on ships that homeport in and sail round-trip out of Port Canaveral.
Even then, this will only impact people who would be driving to the cruise port.
There are also other options, such as using rideshare apps or booking a shuttle service, for those who would like to avoid parking on-site.
Read Also: Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal: Your One-Stop Guide
In the now-concluded 2025 fiscal year, 16 different cruise ships made Port Canaveral their home base.
During the newly begun fiscal year for 2026 (from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), Port Canaveral is expected to host 994 cruise ship homeport calls and 89 day port visits.
Royal Caribbean has the largest presence in terms of homeporting operations.
The cruise line will have three vessels in Port Canaveral year-round, which includes Utopia of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and the brand-new Star of the Seas.
Additionally, Explorer of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas will offer seasonal cruising from the Orlando-based port.
Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line has four of its Fun Ships based out of Port Canaveral all year, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Vista.
Carnival Venezia also temporarily homeports in the cruise port for part of the year.
More From Cruise Hive
Up next is Disney Cruise Line, which uses Port Canaveral as a homeport for Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, and the new Disney Treasure. Disney Magic also makes seasonal appearances.
Last but not least, MSC Cruises has one ship at the port year-round, which is MSC Seashore. MSC Grandiosa will soon join her to spend the winter in Port Canaveral.
