Disney Cruise Line and the Canaveral Port Authority have agreed to a new 20-year deal that will make the Florida port the home for two of the cruise line’s three new ships, both sides announced Wednesday.
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The new operating agreement is scheduled to begin June 1, replacing an existing Marine Terminal Agreement set to expire after 2027. The agreement includes a 20-year primary term with two additional five-year renewals. The call guarantee remains at 150 calls initially but increases to 180 calls in 2023 and 216 calls in 2024 through the remainder of the two-decade term.
Disney Cruise Line will continue to operate exclusively from Cruise Terminal 8. What’s more, the agreement provides preferential use of Cruise Terminal 10 for a third homeport vessel.
Disney’s new ships are expected to be delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Once launched, two of the vessels will be homeporting in Port Canaveral for at least their first five years of operation. Improvements are planned for the port’s Cruise Terminal 8 and Cruise Terminal 10 to accommodate Disney’s growth.
“Port Canaveral was the inaugural homeport for our first ship and has served as a gateway for magical cruise vacations ever since,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line, in a statement. “We value our longstanding relationship with Port Canaveral and look forward to expanding our presence there as we introduce new ships and new family cruise experiences.”
“For decades we have worked with Disney Cruise Line building a partnership based on our mutual commitment to excellence. We are tremendously proud of our joint success and looking ahead at growing an even more exciting future with Disney Cruise Line and Port Canaveral as the homeport for its newest class of vessels,” added Canaveral Port Authority Port Director and CEO Capt. John Murray.
