Guests also could get a unique glimpse at cruise ship operations. Crew members often run short safety drills on port days. “You'll see them doing mock emergency simulations,” Griffiths said.

A new emissions control barge, designed to filter exhaust fumes from docked cargo ships, began running in the Port of Hueneme in June.

Most sections of a ship have odd names, such as port and starboard. These refer to the left and right sides of the ship, respectively, if you are facing the bow (or front) of the ship.

The latest-available Port Canaveral numbers, for March, showed that 925,994 cruise passengers got on or off ships at the port that month — a record for any month in the port's history.

MSC Cruises plans to expand its footprint at Port Canaveral beginning next year and shift up capacity in 2027 by bringing in what will be its newest World Class ship when it debuts.