Jacksonville, located on the northeast coast of Florida, just 35 miles south of Georgia, is one of the busiest cruise ports in the US and third largest seaport in Florida. Named after Andrew Jackson, America's 7th President and first military commander of the "Florida Territory", Jacksonville has a long rich history as a seaport. Its proximity to historical locations such as St. Augustine also makes Jacksonville one of the best port cities for lovers of history.

Cruises out of Jacksonville primarily visit the Islands of the Bahamas, with some stops in Key West, which let's face it, is also like going to another country. While Jacksonville offers little diversity in itineraries, it makes up for it in available departure dates. Currently, Carnival Cruise Lines is the only major cruise line with year-round departures out of Jacksonville, on it's Carnival Fascination ship.

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Facts

Where is the cruise port in Jacksonville?

Cruise ships dock at the JAXPORT temporary cruise terminal, which is located on the northwest corner of its Dames Point site on the St. Johns River, northeast of Downtown Jacksonville (see map).

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What language is spoken in Jacksonville? Do they speak English?

English is the official language.

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What is the time zone in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is on Eastern Standard Time (-5 GMT).

Current Time - Jacksonville, FL, USA

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Money & Currency

What is the national currency?

The US Dollar (USD).

Where can I get or exchange money?

If you are exchanging international currency, such as Euros or Canadian Dollars, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), located 12 miles northwest of the cruise terminal see map), and some downtown hotels are the most accessible locations to JAXPORT.

• Banks closest to cruise port: 

  There are many banks within a couple of miles of the Port of Jacksonville, below are a few:

  • Wells Fargo Bank, located at 4100 Heckscher Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32226, is little over a mile east of the cruise terminal (see map).
  • Regions Bank, located at 9768 Lantern Street Jacksonville, FL 32225, is a little under 7 mile south of the cruise terminal (see map).
  • Fifth Third Bank, located at 9125 Merrill Road Jacksonville, FL 32225, is a little over 5 miles south of the cruise terminal (see map.)
• ATMs closest to cruise port: 

  There are many ATMs located throughout the city and also in the cruise terminal.

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Stay in Touch

How can I stay in touch with home? (Ex. Email, phone, etc.)

Most cell phone plans in the US now offer free nationwide roaming. Contact your cell phone provider for information regarding roaming rates. Also, public phones are available throughout the city. If US is not home, you can purchase calling cards at most any gas station or convenience store to make international calls affordably.

Where are the Internet cafes?

Free WiFi is available at all Starbucks and most McDonald’s locations in the area. There are also several hotels in Jacksonville that offer a small business center or couple of computers with Internet access for hotel guests in case you did not bring your own computer.

What are the cell phone rates?

Most cell phone plans in the US now offer free nationwide roaming. Contact your cell phone provider for information regarding roaming rates.

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Typical Weather in Jacksonville

Jacksonville has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and short, dry winters. Summer days (months between late May and early October) will often include an afternoon shower in the middle of a steamy day and night. Winter includes about two weeks' worth of days below freezing temperatures, but is otherwise mild.

Current Temperature

Average Monthly Temperatures and Rainfall in Jacksonville

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Getting Around Jacksonville

Walking

Jacksonville is a large and spread out city, which does not lend itself to exploring by foot. Most attractions and points of interest are not near each other and can only be comfortably reached by some method of motor transportation.

Taxis

Taxis are available are available throughout the city and are metered. Taxis will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go in the city, however be aware that locations in Jacksonville tend to be spread out and fares can add up pretty quickly.

Public Transportation

Jacksonville’s bus system is by most accounts adequate, but stops are infrequent and often run late. Bus routes shut down fairly early (8-9PM in some cases) so be sure to check out the bus schedule plan out any trips made by city bus.

Jacksonville also has a trolley system that has two Downtown routes (Bay Street and Beaver Street), a beaches route and a route that links Downtown and Riverside/Avondale. It is an inexpensive way to get around certain parts of town although it runs infrequently most of the day.

The Downtown Jacksonville Skyway connects both sides of the St. Johns river. The Trolley system connects to the Skyway system in several stops on the north side of the river. The Skyway and Trolley system is an inexpensive way to get around Downtown with convenient stops near many Downtown area attractions, hotels and restaurants.

Car Rentals

All major rental car companies are represented in Jacksonville. Best bet it is to reserve your vehicle before you leave home. You will get better rates online and a shuttle will be able to take your car from the airport. There are rental car companies, such as Thrifty, that offer affordable rates and are probably your best value if you are going to fly into Jacksonville and be there a couple of days before or after the cruise. There are no rental car companies located at the Cruise Terminal, however, Avis and Hertz have dedicated phones outside of the Cruise Terminal so that you can speak with a representative to make arrangements to pick you up. ↑ Back to Top

Cruise Port to Airport

What is the best way to travel between the cruise port and the airport in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville International Airport is 12 miles northwest of the JAXPORT temporary cruise ship facility (see map.) Taxis ($30-33 by the meter) and shuttle services are both available for transportation to and from the JAXPORT cruise terminal and the Jacksonville International Airport. For more information on taxi services call (904)355-TAXI(8294) and for more information on shuttle services call (904)355-8880.

Hotels

Which hotels are convenient to get to/from the cruise port?

There are several hotels in the Downtown Jacksonville, Jacksonville International Airport and Jacksonville Beach areas that are more than adequate for one, two or several nights stay before and after your cruise. Below are a few different options depending on your needs:

• If you are driving from out of town to Jacksonville for your cruise:

  Best Western Jacksonville Airport is 9 miles northwest of the JAXPORT cruise facility (see map). The Best Western Jacksonville Airport offers free parking for up to 5 days (which can save you the cost of parking at the port) for cruise passengers that reserve the Cruise Package. Contact the reservations desk at (904)741-4980 for more details regarding parking for cruise guests.

  Free shuttle service is offered to and from the JAXPORT cruise facility for up to two guests. Complimentary breakfast and high-speed Internet is also available with the Cruise Package.

• If you are flying to Jacksonville for your cruise:

  Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport is 3 miles southeast of Jacksonville International Airport and 9 miles northwest of the JAXPORT cruise facility (see map). The Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport offers free shuttle service to and from the hotel and Jacksonville International Airport. Free shuttle service is also offered to and from the hotel and the JAXPORT cruise facility. Contact the reservations desk at (904)741-3500 for more details regarding shuttle service for cruise guests.

• For a hotel close to Jacksonville beaches:

  The One Ocean Resort Hotel and Spa is a great option for those spending a couple of days before or after the cruise. Located at 1 Ocean Boulevard Atlantic Beach, FL 32233, One Ocean is the closest oceanfront hotel to the JAXPORT cruise terminal at just 15 miles southeast of the port (see map.) Besides being on the beautiful beaches of Jacksonville it is also well located for visiting some of best attractions in and around Jacksonville.

Food & Drink

What are the must-eats?

While Jacksonville does not have a truly "signature" meal, it has plenty of good places to eat, with wonderful ambiance. One great example of this is Ruth's Chris Steak House on the Riverfront. True, there are many locations throughout the country, but add the Riverfront view and ambiance, and that U.S. Prime steak tastes a little better.

For tasty lunch, as recommended by our resident Jacksonville expert doug999, Benny's Steak & Seafood at The Jacksonville Landing is a great choice. Offering great views of the St. Johns River and Downtown Jacksonville, Benny's is not short on ambiance. ↑ Back to Top

What are the must-drinks in Jacksonville?

When you are down south there is nothing like some refreshing iced tea, unless it is some refreshing lemonade. Why not both together? An Arnold Palmer, as it is called, is a half lemonade, half iced tea beverage named after golfing legend Arnold Palmer. Try one while sitting by the Riverfront.

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Souvenirs

Which are the best souvenirs to buy in Jacksonville? Where can I get them?

Under $25:

Bob Hope Hall of Fame Golf Hat is a great souvenir or gift for the golf lover in your family. Nostalgic and classy, you can wear this hat while on the links or even on your cruise. This hat is available at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine.

$25-$75

Well if you can figure out how to get out of the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center with the Mayflower ship model under your jacket, you should be able to find something nice in the gift shop. Maritime themed shirts, hats and other souvenirs will make a fine gift from your visit to the "First Coast".

Over $75

A couple of bottles of fine wine or champagne may be a smart purchase in Jacksonville before you embark on your cruise. Take advantage of Carnival Cruise Line's policy on bring aboard wine and champagne: one bottle of wine or champagne, per person, is allowed on embarkation. $10 Corkage fee applies for consuming in the main dining room, $14 at the steakhouse.

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Attractions

What are the top attractions and must-sees in Jacksonville? How long will it take me to get there and to explore?

Attractions

• St. Augustine is the oldest city in the country. At just 44 miles south of the JAXPORT cruise terminal (see map), St. Augustine is a beautiful and historic city that you should make time to visit while in Jacksonville. Known as the "Ancient City", St. Augustine is home to Castillo de San Marcos. Built in 1672, Castillo de San Marco is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. With its Spanish Colonial buildings, 19th century architecture and quaint feel, St. Augustine is a must visit.

• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has the second largest collection of animals in the state. As you might imagine from a city whose NFL team is named the Jaguars, jaguars along with elephants and lions are featured at the Jacksonville Zoo. The Jacksonville Zoo is located just 5 miles west of the JAXPORT cruise terminal (see map.)
• There are a variety of museums in and around the Jacksonville area:
  • The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, located at the Downtown riverfront 13 miles southwest of the cruise terminal (see map), exhibits European and American paintings along with its gardens that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, located 13 miles southwest of the port (see map), has one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the Southeast.
  • The Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center, located at Jacksonville Landing on the Riverfront just 14 miles southwest of the cruise terminal (see map), features large scale models, artifacts, paintings, and photographs of ships.
  • The World Golf Hall of Fame, located 30 miles south of Jacksonville in St. Augustine (see map), is a must for the golf aficionado. Learn about the history of the game with the many permanent and featured exhibits. Also, try your hand at some of the more interactive exhibits.
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Beaches

Jacksonville offers more than 20 miles of beaches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches offer just about everything you want in a beach: water, sand, surf, sun and serenity. Atlantic Beach, the northern most beach of the Jacksonville beaches, is probably best for those that like a long, quiet walk/jog on the beach. Ponte Verda Beach, Jacksonville's southern-most beach is also a quiet, but is also distinguishable by being in a more affluent area. Neptune and Jacksonville Beach are livelier with restaurants, bars, shops and some nightlife and lie in between Atlantic and Ponte Verda Beach.

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Shopping

• The Jacksonville Landing, located 14 miles southwest of the JAXPORT cruise terminal (see map), is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex on the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville. Most of the shops in The Jacksonville Landing are locally owned retailers. There are also several art galleries, riverside dining and the Adams Class Naval Ship Museum.
• St. Johns Town Center, located in Jacksonville's Southside just 13 miles south of the cruise terminal (see map), is one of the trendiest shopping venues in and around Jacksonville. This open-air plaza offers 1.1 million square feet of shopping, entertainment and dining options that you already love and recognize.

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Golf

Jacksonville has several good golf courses in the area, below are a few of them:

• TPC Sawgrass, located in Ponte Verda, 25 miles southeast of the cruise terminal (see map), is the permanent home to one of four PGA major tournaments, The Players Championship. The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous courses in the world. Its 17th Hole Island Green is roundly regarded as one of the signature holes in golf. The Stadium Course, which is a 7,215 yard, par 72 course, is one of two courses at TPC Sawgrass. The Dye’s Valley Course, the sister course to The Stadium Course, is a 6,864 yard, par 72 course. If you plan on playing either one of these courses, make your reservations within the 14 Day advanced booking window or if you prefer to secure your tee time further in advance contact the vacation planning desk at 800-766-7939. Greens fees, including cart and caddie fees, are $149-$195 for Dye's Valley and $275 for The Stadium Course.
• The Queens Harbour Yacht & Country Club is home to one of Jacksonville's best public courses: The Queens Harbour Course. Located 14 miles southeast of the JAXPORT cruise facility (see map), the Queens Harbour Course has great views of the intercostal and the great scenery of the lush marshlands and Spanish oaks. This 18 hole 7,017 yard, par of 72 course designed by Mark McCumber offers a challenge to golfers of any skill level. Contact Queens Harbour for more details and tee times at (904) 221-1012.

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Scuba

Diving off the coast of Jacksonville can be a little challenging due to the dark waters and depths of the dives sites. However, the reefs, ledges and wrecks are teeming with fish making for excellent diving. To get to the better dive sites expect atleast an hour boat ride as most are 10 or more miles offshore. The depths are generally 60 to 100 feet with visibility of 100 feet on good days. For warm, calm waters summer is your best bet, but the visibility in August can be low.

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Tours

• The St. Augustine Tour from Jacksonville will to historic St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied city in America. This tour by motorcoach will head south from Jacksonville down A1A, which is the scenic coastal route. Once in St. Augustine you will tour one of the most unique cities in the U.S. St. Augustine's Spanish Colonial buildings, 19th century architecture and quaint feel, along with the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, Castillo de San Marcos, provide plenty to see and learn while on this tour.
• Fort George Island Tours are a fun way to get back to nature. This tour takes you by segway through the costal wildlife preserve of Fort George Island. EcoMotion Tours offers two daily tours: A 2 hour 15 minute morning tour and an hour and 15 minute tour in the afternoon. Contact EcoMotion Tours at (904) 251-9477 or online.

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