With shovels in hand, Port Canaveral Commissioners officially started the digging of a $7.8 million project to widen and deepen the West Turning Basin with the removal of four acres of uplands. Canaveral is preparing for the arrival of four new 4000-plus cruise ships beginning in Spring 2009. The ships, in arrival order, are Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas; Carnival Dream, and two new Disney ships.

“With this project, Canaveral has positioned itself as a leader in the next era of cruising, says Stan Payne, CEO, Port Canaveral. “It continues to position Central Florida as the industry standard for cruise vacations and represents the Port Authority’s commitment to job creation and the Central Florida economy.”