The stats for 2025 are now in, and once again, Florida is the busiest global destination for cruise fans. The two largest ports in the state – Port Canaveral and PortMiami – are the two busiest cruise ship ports in the world, with more than 16 million people passing through the docks to embark on cruises over the years. Almost all of the biggest cruise operators in the world have liners launching from these two ports every day. But why is Florida so popular with cruise lovers and operators?
This article examines the key geographic and demographic factors that make Florida a strong base for cruise departures, the infrastructure and investments that have enabled this success, and provides a brief overview of the booming global cruise business and how it has translated to Florida.
Florida is Home to the Two Busiest Cruise Ports in the World
In 2025, the world’s two biggest cruise ports by passenger numbers were Port Canaveral and PortMiami. Port Canaveral recorded 8.6 million passengers over the year, while PortMiami was close behind at 8.54 million.
Guests aboard cruises can now take in an enviable range of activities on what are essentially floating resorts. All large cruises now have large onboard casinos. Although they can’t rival the slot game collections of online casinos like Jackpot City, they are a significant attraction to international guests who might not have casinos within a reasonable distance at home.
Both ports had record years in 2025, with substantially more passengers than in 2024. Together, they are home ports for more than 30 ships and have nearly 20 terminals. Operators currently sailing from the Florida coast include:
- Carnival
- Royal Caribbean
- Norwegian Cruise Lines
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruises
- Virgin Voyages
Port Miami Has Long Been a Cornerstone Global Port
PortMiami was the global leader in cruise ports in 2023, before losing the title to its northern Florida neighbor, Port Canaveral, in 2024. Nevertheless, it has seen record numbers and continues to grow, with 8.5 million in 2025, up from 7.299 million in 2024.
The previous record was set in 2019 at 6.832 million, showing just how much interest in cruises has grown since the end of the last decade. The world’s largest cruise ship – Royal Caribbean’s The Icon of the Seas – first departed from PortMiami for its maiden voyage in 2024.
Located on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay, just across the water from Downtown Miami, the port is also a busy international freight port. This existing infrastructure helped PortMiami remain at the top for many years, but an emerging competitor just up the coast would soon take the crown…
How Port Canaveral Got to the Global Top Spot
Although long behind Miami, in recent years, Port Canaveral, near the famed Cape Canaveral NASA centre and launch site, has vied for the top global position as the busiest port.
Local factors are also important. PortMiami attracts more international cruise passengers due to its proximity to a major airport and its more recognizable name. However, Port Canaveral says more than 75% of its visiting travellers are domestic and drive to the port.
Florida’s proximity to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, as well as its good weather, has long made it popular with affluent American retirees. Many of these people take a couple of cruises a year.
The port may not be as big as Miami, with a dozen or so fewer cruise ships homeported here and around half as many terminals, but its domestic accessibility and award-winning ratings kept it at the top of the rankings in 2025.
Disney Cruise Line’s decision to base any new ships at Port Canaveral rather than PortMiami, possibly due to its proximity to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, has also contributed to the line’s surge in popularity over the past few years.
Why the Cruise Business is Taking Off in Florida and Globally
Florida is also home to another large cruise port, Port Everglades, which is not in the Everglades and is located on the far southern tip of Florida, just north of PortMiami. Technically, in fact, still in Miami.
This is also a busy port for cruises, with half a dozen departures each day and more than 5 million cruise passengers passing through each year.
Florida’s geographic proximity to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, two hugely popular cruise destinations, plus its three large ports, and its high population of the target demographics for cruise operators, mean it’s unlikely to be overtaken as the global cruise destination anytime soon.
Global cruise operator revenue is around $42 billion, with estimates suggesting it could reach $50 billion by 2030. So, if anything, with new cruise liners and new terminals under construction at all three ports, it seems that Florida’s status as the top spot for cruises will only grow if the cruise business continues to.