Disney to Homeport Two New Ships in Port Canaveral (03/20/08)

Disney Cruise Line has finalized an agreement with Port Canaveral to extend the company's current contract 15 years through 2023. In addition, the company said it would homeport its two new ships in Port Canaveral when launched in 2011 and 2012. The agreement was ratified Wednesday by Port Authority Commissioners. As part of the new agreement, the Canaveral Port Authority will expand and modify the Disney port facility including an extension of the dock and enlargements and enhancements to the terminal building to allow for additional luggage and passenger capacity. A multi-level parking structure, scheduled to be completed by 2011, will also be built for Disney. "We are very excited to call Port Canaveral our home and look forward to bringing our new ships here," said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. "The new enhancements being made to our terminal will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea."
Once completed, the enhancements will provide for improved passenger flow and additional guest conveniences. Disney will work with Port Canaveral to create a state-of-the-art facility, which will contain several Disney touches. The terminal and dock enlargements are necessary to accommodate the new and larger Disney ships, which will be significantly larger than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Port Canaveral continues to be one of the world's busiest cruise ports. More than 3.5 million Disney Cruise Line guests have sailed from Port Canaveral since the line's beginning in 1998. Future itinerary information for Disney ships beyond 2009 will be released at a later date.