This morning, the board of directors for the Port Canaveral Port Authority approved a new 20-year agreement with Disney Cruise Line that has been in the works for nearly a year. The new agreement replaces one that has been in place since 1995, but wasn’t set to expire until 2027. The new contract is will lead to two of the new Disney ships that are being built finding their home at Port Canaveral.
Currently Disney is required to have a ship call at Port Canaveral at least 150 times per year, and that number remains in place until 2023 when it is then increased to 180 calls per year. In 2024, that number jumps to 216 calls.
Disney has also committed that two of the three new ships it currently has in production will, at least initially, call Port Canaveral home. The first of those ships comes online in January 2022.
Capt. John Murray, Canaveral Port Authority CEO, called it “a significant deal.”
Officials also approved a contract for the design and construction of upgrades needed at Terminal 8, Disney’s current terminal, and Terminal 10 next door. Under the new agreement, Disney will have preferred use of Terminal 10.
Terminal 8 will see an upgraded 6,939 square foot baggage screening area, room for 24 more cars at the guest drop off area, an expanded arrivals hall, and a larger concierge area, plus a new ADA compliant debarkation ramp and new jet-way style passenger boarding bridge.
In addition, some check-in desks will be removed to allow for 1,000 more chairs in the seating area of the terminal.
During the 8 or 9 week construction process on Terminal 8, Disney will call Terminal 10 home. Construction is set to begin in April 2020.
Upgrades at Terminal 10 will be more modest, with an expanded entrance, new concierge area, and updated seating. The terminal will be “dynamic” in order to have the look of a Disney terminal some days, and switch to look like a Norwegian (or other cruise line) terminal the rest of the week.
The cost of the improvements is over $46 million, much of which will be coming from Disney through a capital cost recovery charge of $3.15 per passenger movement.
Both the new agreement with Disney and the contracts for the terminal upgrades were unanimously approved.
Sources: WFTV / Disney Cruise Line Blog / Port Canaveral
