Best Cruises for Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida Cruise Port
During the 16th century, Northeastern Florida was a popular place repeatedly fought over by the French, Spanish and British. In 1513, Spain claimed Pascua Florida for the King of Spain. However, in 1562, Jean Ribault landed to claim it for the King of France. He constructed a stone monument honoring the event, and later established a colony after two years. It made the Spanish mad; they demolished both the colony and the French fleet. Finally the inexperienced United States government attained the territory and put an end to the matter once and for all. On June 15, 1822, Jacksonville city was established, 23 years before Florida was granted Statehood.
Prior to the civil war, lumber was a key business in Jacksonville, tourism dominated in the 1880s; when docks were constructed in the late 1890s; the city became a vital port.
Jacksonville, or simply referred by the locals as "Jax", is a beautiful urban atmosphere filled with nature and wildlife preserves. The city has the most public park space compared to any city in the U.S. The port is an ideal start or finish to a cruise to the Caribbean. The average high temperature in Jacksonville is 79 degrees.
The beaches in Jacksonville can compete with those of any tropical destination having soft white beaches and warm blue water ideal for relaxing and swimming. With numerous activities ranging from breweries to museums to entertainment complexes, your time in Jacksonville will be nothing but entertaining.
Attractions
- Golfing is a popular culture in Jacksonville. Golf enthusiasts should visit 'The Players Stadium' course at the TPC Sawgrass Facility.
- The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endangered cats of all sizes such as the tigers, lions and bobcats.
- Enjoy surfing plus other water sports at the Atlantic beach or you can just soak up sun rays on the low-key beach.
- Bust some moves at the Kona Skate Park - oldest operated private skate park in the world.
- Jacksonville's Beaches - It's one of the most famous tourist and local destinations, stretching 20 miles along the Atlantic. It includes Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach.
- Riverside/Avondale District - a great place to get a glimpse of the colorful history. A precisely well-preserved district with over 5,000 historic buildings, the Riverside-Avondale District is among city's most remarkable tourist attractions.
- Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art - Art aficionados will certainly find sufficient enough to enjoy at the Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The museum provides one of the most widespread collections of modern art in the Southeast United States. Most of the works is by American and European masters as well as from more contemporary artists.
- Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens - It covers 73 acres. The only zoo located in northeast Florida. The zoo has wide variety of animals and is divided into continents - Australia, Asia, Africa and South America.
Jacksonville Cruises FL provides the perfect mix of beachfront and urban exploration. You can enjoy fishing and see real alligators at St. Johns River and its Southbank Riverwalk.
Facts about Port
A cruise from Jacksonville is a great choice to get away on a cruise vacation if you live in northern Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
Carnival Cruise Lines is the only cruise line offering cruises from Jacksonville. Carnival cruise Jacksonville features Carnival Fascination, making a series of 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville fl. The main destination for cruises out of Jacksonville FL is East Coast and Canada. Jacksonville cruises are available throughout the year, making it convenient to get away on a fun filled vacation.
There are 4 or 5 day cruises out of Jacksonville sailing to the Bahamas all year round. Carnival cruise Jacksonville to Bahamas includes Freeport and Nassau to their itineraries, but also provide a stop at Key West.