Norwegian Cruise Line Makes History with First Sailing from Jacksonville

Norwegian Cruise Line just made a big splash in Florida. The cruise line celebrated its very first departure from Jacksonville, Florida aboard the Norwegian Gem. This marks a major milestone for both the cruise line and the city.

The new partnership brings exciting opportunities to Florida’s northeast coast. Jacksonville now joins the growing list of convenient cruise ports for American travelers.

A New Home Port for Norwegian Gem

The Norwegian Gem will call Jacksonville home during the 2025-26 cruise season. This ship can carry 2,344 guests on each sailing. The cruise line signed a three-year seasonal agreement with the port.

“Our new homeport partnership with JAXPORT underscores Norwegian’s commitment to providing guests with exceptional vacation experiences from convenient departure points,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Caribbean and Bahamas Adventures Await

Passengers sailing from Jacksonville can explore the Caribbean and Bahamas. The itineraries range from quick getaways to longer adventures. Guests will have access to Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Sommer promised travelers can “expect the world-class service, cuisine and entertainment that define a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation.”

Jacksonville Leaders Welcome Norwegian

City officials are thrilled about the new cruise partnership. Mayor Donna Deegan shared her excitement about the economic benefits.

“We’re excited to welcome the Norwegian Gem and the entire Norwegian Cruise Line family to Jacksonville,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “This expansion of cruise service at JAXPORT is another example of our commitment to growing tourism and economic opportunities for our community. Jacksonville’s cruise industry has never been stronger.”

City Council Vice President Nick Howland also celebrated the milestone. “On behalf of the City Council, I’m proud to welcome the Norwegian Gem to Jacksonville,” he said. “Thank you for choosing us. Your doing so has strengthened our reputation as a premier City in the southeast to live, work, and play.”

Perfect Location for Southeast Travelers

Jacksonville offers a smart choice for cruise passengers. The port sits within a one-day drive of more than 98 million people. This makes it super convenient for travelers across the Southeast.

JAXPORT Vice Chair Soo Gilvarry highlighted the port’s advantages. “We’re thrilled to welcome Norwegian Cruise Line to our port community and thank them for choosing Jacksonville as their next homeport,” she said. “Our location in the heart of the Southeast makes cruising from Jacksonville an easy choice for travelers, and we’re proud to partner with Norwegian to offer even more options for families looking to set sail close to home.”

Easy Access and Convenient Parking

The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal makes cruising hassle-free. The facility offers on-site parking for passengers. It’s also located near Jacksonville International Airport for easy flight connections.

Major highways like I-10 and I-95 provide quick access to the port. This means less driving time and more vacation time for cruise passengers.

Tourism Boost for Jacksonville

The new cruise service brings more visitors to Jacksonville. The city already welcomes over 10 million tourists each year. Now cruise passengers can explore what the area offers before or after their sailing.

Michael Corrigan, President & CEO of Visit Jacksonville, expressed his gratitude. “We are thrilled to see more cruising out of our city, thank you to Norwegian Cruise Line for investing in Jacksonville,” he said. “Thank you to JAXPORT for seeing the value of bringing new ships here to our port. We welcome over 10 million visitors a year to stay and explore our destination. We are excited to be able to introduce a whole new audience of visitors to Jacksonville.”

This partnership represents a win-win situation. Cruise passengers get a convenient departure port, while Jacksonville benefits from increased tourism and economic activity.