In a groundbreaking transfer, the JAXPORT Board of Administrators has accredited a major partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), marking the addition of a second seasonal cruise operation from Jacksonville, Florida. This transfer guarantees to counterpoint the native tourism sector, create jobs, and provide an array of tropical getaway choices to passengers.
A New Period for Jacksonville’s Cruise Business
In an thrilling improvement, the JAXPORT Board of Administrators has unanimously accredited a three-year settlement with NCL. Beginning in November 2025, Norwegian Gem, boasting a capability of two,394 passengers, will homeport in Jacksonville.
The ship will provide seasonal cruises via April annually till 2028. The cruises will embrace locations to the Bahamas and Jap Caribbean, signaling a brand new period within the North Florida’s rising drive-to cruise market.
David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, expressed his enthusiasm concerning the partnership.
“As we speak marks a brand new milestone within the relationship between Norwegian Cruise Line and JAXPORT,” he stated. “We look ahead to Norwegian Gem’s arrival to Jacksonville in November 2025, and welcoming company from the world, in addition to neighboring cities and states.”
The initative is anticipated to considerably increase to Jacksonville’s tourism attraction, leveraging the strategic benefit of getting greater than 98 million shoppers dwelling inside driving distance of the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.
JAXPORT’s Strategic Enlargement
As JAXPORT, a full-service worldwide cargo and cruise seaport positioned in Jacksonville, embarks on a major enlargement via this collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line, it construct upon the legacy initiated by Carnival Cruise Traces.
The christening of Carnival Miracle on the Port of Jacksonville in February 2004 marked the start of Jacksonville’s journey within the cruise service business.
As we speak, as Norwegian Cruise Line turns into the second cruise operator to sail from Jacksonville, it represents a major milestone in JAXPORT’s ongoing efforts to diversify and develop its choices.
Learn Additionally: Jacksonville Port (JAXPORT), Florida Cruise Terminal Suggestions
In accordance with a 2019 examine, the cruise business in Jacksonville performs a vital function within the regional economic system, supporting practically 800 jobs and contributing over $187 million annual financial influence to Northeast Florida.
A key issue driving the recognition of cruising out of Jacksonville is the port’s quick access, with 60% of vacationers highlighting this as their major cause for selecting Jacksonville.
JAXPORT CEO Eric Inexperienced stated of the enlargement, “Increasing our standard cruise program offers passengers all through the Southeast U.S. and past with much more causes to decide on Jacksonville for his or her subsequent trip. We thank Norwegian Cruise Line for his or her partnership and look ahead to working with them to draw extra tourism, and the roles and financial influence it helps, to our neighborhood.”
The Norwegian Gem Expertise
Norwegian Gem is gearing as much as introduce passengers to tropical retreats, starting its journey from Jacksonville in November 2025. The vessel will provide three 12-day and two 11-day roundtrip voyages throughout the serene waters of the Jap Caribbean.
The voyages will embrace unique locales comparable to Nice Stirrup Cay, NCL’s non-public island within the Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas and St. John’s, U.S. Virgin Islands; Antigua; Basseterre, St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and extra.
Moreover, the ship will conduct a collection of 4- and 5-day cruises to The Bahamas, that includes stops at Nice Stirrup Cay, Freeport, and Nassau. Bookings for these sailings will open on February 15, 2024.
Carnival’s Continued Presence in Jacksonville
Carnival Cruise Line, because the pioneering cruise operator from Jacksonville, continues to supply quite a lot of brief cruises to the Bahamas from JAXPORT.
Carnival Elation, offering year-round voyages, contains 4- and 5-night itineraries to locations like Nassau, Freeport, Bimini, Princess Cays, and Half Moon Cay.
Beginning July 2025, Carnival Elation will even embrace visits to Carnival’s new Celebration Key non-public island in its itinerary, enriching the cruise choices out there from Jacksonville.
Scheduled to sail from Jacksonville via a minimum of April 2026, Carnival Elation underscores Carnival’s ongoing dedication to Jacksonville, complementing the town’s increasing cruise portfolio and enhancing its attraction as a flexible cruise vacation spot.
