The largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas, is making her USA debut today, November 8, at Port Canaveral prior to sailing to her new homeport Miami FL.
The Royal Caribbean ship had her maiden voyage in April 2018, and has been sailing on short cruises in the Mediterranean this summer from Barcelona. Symphony of the Seas will now be based at line's new cruise terminal at PortMiami.
While the liner will be based in Miami FL, Royal Caribbean opted to make the first U.S. stop at Port Canaveral FL to clear customs as well as for a required USCG (Coast Guard) inspection.
According to Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray, travelers who made the transatlantic cruise would be required to get off the cruise ship at Port Canaveral, and reboard later in the day.
Symphony of the Seas is scheduled to arrive at port's Cruise Terminal 1 at about 4:00 a.m. and leave at about 5:00 p.m. That is the terminal on the south side, east of Cove restaurant district, so the ship will be visible from Cove and Exploration tower areas.
Starting May 2019, Royal Caribbean will base its Harmony of the Seas at Port Canaveral FL, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises and replacing Oasis of the Seas.