Port Canaveral Increases Cruise Parking Fees

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

  • Parking Fee Increase: The daily rate was raised from $17 to $20 plus taxes, effective October 1, 2025.
  • Cashless Payment: Parking is pay-on-arrival and requires a major credit card, as cash is not accepted.
  • Disabled Parking Exemption: Fees are waived for vehicles displaying a Florida Toll Exemption Permit or a Florida Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate, and those with special accessibility equipment.
  • Reason for Increase: The hike was prompted by record passenger volumes, with 8.4 million guests in 2025, leading to limited parking space.

Port Canaveral has implemented an increase in parking fees at its cruise terminals, marking the first rate change since 2017. The new daily parking charge is $20 plus taxes for both standard vehicles and RVs, up from the previous rate of $17. This revised pricing structure became effective on October 1, 2025.

The fee covers both the day of arrival and the day of departure, and the port reserves the right to adjust this rate without prior notification. Parking payment is processed upon arrival and is exclusively cashless, requiring the use of major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

However, the port maintains a policy of waiving the parking fee for specific individuals with disabilities. This exemption applies to vehicles that display either a Florida Toll Exemption Permit or a Florida Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate. Furthermore, vehicles equipped with special accessibility features for use by a disabled person, such as ramps, lifts, or hand and foot controls, are also eligible for the fee waiver, and designated disabled parking spaces are provided.

Port commissioners began considering the rate hike in late August. Port officials proposed the increase in response to the limited parking availability, which they attributed to a record high in passenger numbers. In 2025, the port welcomed 8.4 million guests at its cruise terminals. Officials anticipate continued growth, projecting that passenger arrivals will reach 9 million in 2026.

As a significant global cruise homeport, Port Canaveral serves numerous major cruise lines. These include Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises. Disney Cruise Line also operates the majority of its fleet from the port year-round.