Port Canaveral is rolling out a series of strategic infrastructure and guest experience upgrades aimed at bolstering its position as one of the world’s busiest cruise ports.
This enhancement is part of a broader facilities optimization plan under the leadership of Steve Shelton, the newly appointed Vice President of Facilities Optimization. Shelton brings a background in luxury hospitality to the role, with experience at premier hotels and resorts worldwide. “We’re applying best practices from the hospitality world to enhance every aspect of the guest journey—from curbside to gangway,” said Shelton, in a media statement.
Unfolding under the continuous improvement program called “Port Canaveral Advantage,” this comprehensive half-billion-dollar initiative spans landside and waterside enhancements and is set to reshape nearly every corner of the port’s operations. The multiyear project aims to address current demands and future growth across the board.
Renovations Underway
Significant cargo-side investments are also underway. Renovations to North Cargo Berths 3 and 4 are nearing completion, adding 1,800 linear feet of multipurpose bulkhead space. On the southside, plans are in development to convert existing pier structures into versatile, multiuser berths designed to improve vessel turnaround times.
Additional infrastructure enhancements include harbor deepening, berth box dredging, seawall and upland facility improvements, and the addition of a third mobile harbor crane expected later this year. Roadway improvements throughout the Port aim to reduce truck wait times, ease traffic congestion, and streamline terminal access.
Port Canaveral continues to play a unique role in the aerospace sector, supporting maritime operations for SpaceX and Blue Origin. Both companies use multiple cargo berths to offload and transport recovered launch vehicle components, reinforcing the Port’s strategic value beyond cruise and cargo.
Jetty Park, the Port’s popular beachfront and campground destination that welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually, is undergoing a significant refresh. New guest cabins, a camp store, upgraded bathhouses, a dog park and revamped playgrounds are just a few of the improvements underway.
Public boat ramps at nearby Rodney Ketchum Park are being redesigned, while The Cove—home to waterfront dining—has seen recent landscaping and entrance upgrades. These improvements further solidify Port Canaveral as a top-tier gateway for cruise travelers and an economic engine for Central Florida.
For more information, portcanaveral.com.
