Key Aspects:
- Port Canaveral is considering a parking rate increase from $17 to $20 per vehicle, per day.
- If approved, the new fee would take effect from October 1, 2025.
- This would be the first parking fee increase for the popular cruise port since 2017.
Parking at a cruise port can be a substantial expense, particularly for a longer sailing. It is one guests must budget for, however, if they will be driving to the ship’s homeport.
Later this year, guests driving to Port Canaveral may need to budget a bit more for parking fees. The port’s commissioners are now discussing the coming fiscal year, which includes a parking fee increase as part of the proposed budget.
The increase would raise parking rates to $20 per vehicle per day, up $3 per day from the current $17 rate. This would be an increase of 17.6%.
The last time Port Canaveral raised rates was in 2017. At that time, the parking fee was increased from $16 to $17 per day, a 6.3% increase.
If approved, the new fee would take effect from October 1, 2025.
When parking at Port Canaveral, guests pre-pay as they enter the parking facility, and no reservations are available.
Full-day fees are charged for both the day of arrival as well as the day of departure, regardless of what time cruisers actually park their vehicles or leave the cruise port.
Discussion of the increase began at the commission’s August 20 meeting. The proposed increase will not be voted on until the next meeting, scheduled for September 24.
If expected guest figures are reasonably accurate, the increased parking rate could generate as much as an additional $12.8 million in revenue for Port Canaveral.
That money could then be turned into additional projects to continue updating and expanding the port. This could include cruise terminal and parking facility projects to accommodate the dramatic increase in both ships and guests at Port Canaveral.
Cruise operations are far and away the largest part of the port’s budget, bringing in more than $175 million annually. This is in comparison to cargo operations, which are bring in roughly $24 million.
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During the upcoming fiscal year 2026 (from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), Port Canaveral is expected to have 994 cruise ship homeport calls and 89 day port visits.
Royal Caribbean is the port’s largest cruise line with three ships homeported year-round: the brand-new, just-named Star of the Seas, the ultimate weekend with Utopia of the Seas, and classic cruising with Adventure of the Seas.
Explorer of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas offer seasonal cruising from Port Canaveral.
Carnival Cruise Line has four year-round vessels from the Space Coast: Mardi Gras, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Vista. Seasonally, Carnival Venezia offers sailings from Port Canaveral.
Disney Cruise Line has homeported three ships year-round with Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Treasure. MSC Cruises only has one ship at the port year-round, MSC Seashore, though MSC Grandiosa will offer seasonal voyages beginning in December.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises all offer seasonal options from Port Canaveral, though they do not homeport ships there year-round.
How Much Parking Costs at Other Florida Homeports
While an extra $3 per day (a total of $24 extra for a 7-night sailing) may not seem significant, this rate increase would bring Port Canaveral’s parking fees closer to the fees charged at other Florida homeports.
At PortMiami, for example, rates range from $20-35 per vehicle per day, depending on the parking garage used.
At Port Tampa Bay, parking ranges from $75-96 per 4-night cruise or up to $155 for a 7-night sailing, with pre-pay and valet options available. Rates can vary depending on sailing date and type of parking space.
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale charges $20 per day per vehicle, or $25 per day for oversized vehicles.
In Jacksonville, JaxPort parking rates range from $85-170 per sailing for a 5-night cruise, or from $136-272 for 8-night sailings.
At all parking facilities at all cruise terminals, rates are subject to change. Guests driving to homeports should always check parking information shortly before their departure date to be sure of the most updated information and applicable rates.
