Port Canaveral has started construction on a new $50.5 million cruise terminal on the south side of the harbor within walking distance of restaurants and entertainment.

The new Cruise Terminal 1 will measure 187,500 square feet and is scheduled to open in November. This project is the first phase of a larger, $80 million to $85 million cruise complex that will include a new 1,000-space parking facility, passenger gangway and infrastructure improvements.

“Couple this with the (November) opening of the new Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral with the restaurants, retail and entertainment currently available, then add in our plans for additional Cove expansion, and the passengers and crew who will sail from this new terminal will have destination options available for the first time within walking distance of their ship,” said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh.

The Exploration Tower has an observation deck, exhibits, gift shop and café.

The new cruise complex will be able to handle the largest cruise ships currently sailing as well as the 6,000-passenger vessels in design. To accommodate the new terminal, the port will replace the current boat ramps at Freddie Patrick Park in the Cove with a larger recreational boat ramp complex just west of Jetty Park at the channel’s entrance.

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