Jacksonville Info Only

Since Jax has only one ship, the Fascination, I thought it might make it easier for folks to find all the info in one place. I have seen a lot of repeat posts on the same thing, and the reason is probably that the Jax threads end up past page 15 or more, since the other ports have many ships in each.

Here is one link that may help to get things started.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=11250847

Here is the link to All Things Fascination which also has a lot of the same info found in other threads.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=826275

Hopefully this will help out.

jw:cool:

 

Here is one link that may help to get things started.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=11250847

 

jw:cool:

Well, This link quit working. :mad:

It was a search result that actually worked, so I was hoping it would stick around. Any-hoo search for Jacksonville in this thread and when search is working, you'll get a lot of good info:rolleyes:

jw:cool:

Hope you don't mind a possible repeat question- can you mention a few of the hotels which are closest to the JAX pier?

Hope you don't mind a possible repeat question- can you mention a few of the hotels which are closest to the JAX pier?

No problem about the repeat, that is why I started this thread, to help consolidate the Jax Port and Fascination info in one place.

The Holiday Inn Express Blount Island, is 1/2 mile from the port. The only other closer hotels, are at the airport or to the south (about 15 miles) in the southside area off 9A or Southside Blvd, or downtown.

Here is one link for Hilton hotels, I will try to locate some others and add them to this thread over the next few days.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=820589&highlight=jacksonville

jw:cool:

We just made reservations for the new Microtel at JAX airport. It has great reviews on tripadvisor. Offers many discounts(50yr old and up, government and AAA ) We're paying $61.10 per night and offers free parking while on the cruise and a shuttle to and from the pier for $6pp each way. Includes free cont. breakfast and has a pool and was told if you don't have a car, there are many places to eat within walking distance. I'll write a review next month after our cruise.

Does anyone know the approximate cost of a taxi from JAX airport to the cruise terminal? On our Fascination cruise in Dec we will be driving in, but our DD will be flying in and will need a cab. Thanks

Does anyone know the approximate cost of a taxi from JAX airport to the cruise terminal? On our Fascination cruise in Dec we will be driving in, but our DD will be flying in and will need a cab. Thanks

Here's a link to another thread, where it appears to be around $25, but it is probably a bit more now.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=793105&highlight=jacksonville+taxi

Hopefully the recent 9/20 cruisers will post some updated info soon on this link.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=16424299#post16424299

jw:cool:

Another question- how far is the Amtrak station from the JAX pier?

Another question- how far is the Amtrak station from the JAX pier?

Total Estimated Time: 19 minutes

Total Estimated Distance: 14.25 miles

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=JAX

3570 Clifford Lane

Jacksonville, FL 32209

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1a=3570+Clifford+Lane&1z=32209&2c=Jacksonville&2s=FL&2a=%5B9000-9279%5D+August+Dr&2z=32226&2y=US&2l=30.3948&2g=-81.56505&2v=STREET

Another helpful website for Jacksonville cruisers is the one for the Jaxport Cruise Terminal:

http://www.jaxport.com/sea/cruise.cfm

Here are a few more links to threads with hotel info on them.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=791872&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=827215&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=845324&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=666449&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=658964&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=626452&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=619946&highlight=jacksonville+hotel

jw:cool:

We just made reservations for the new Microtel at JAX airport. It has great reviews on tripadvisor. Offers many discounts(50yr old and up, government and AAA ) We're paying $61.10 per night and offers free parking while on the cruise and a shuttle to and from the pier for $6pp each way. Includes free cont. breakfast and has a pool and was told if you don't have a car, there are many places to eat within walking distance. I'll write a review next month after our cruise.

Thanks for posting this! Looking forward to your review of the motel and the shuttle service as well as the cruise.

JW, thanks for starting this thread, already lots of good info on here. Also bluecruisin, thanks for the heads up on the Microtel, I'm going to check it out.

We currently have reservations at the HI at Blount Island. I will do a review with pictures when we return, but we don't sail until the end of November:mad:

Hi jbh!

Thanks Krooz for the Amtrak info.

Here is the link to the first review I have seen on the Fascination since it started sailing out of Jax.:)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=851547

There is also one posted in the review section, off of the main board at this link. The person was not impressed apparently with the overall experience.:rolleyes:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=47253

jw:cool:

Thanks for posting the link to the review. I'm choosing to disregard it. The tone of the review invalidates the comments for me.

We are sailing in November and flying in 2 days early. Currently, we have a room in Kingsland at the Comfort Inn Suites.

We were planning to go to the Okeefenokee swamp one day, and Savannah the next for some Carriage Rides and Haunted Pub tours.

Is Kingsland a decent place to hang out in? Anything in the area that we should absolutely "not" miss?

Thanks,

JB

Getting a bit worried. Sailing the Fascination on 10/09/08. Looking forward to a quick getaway with my DH. Didn't have the greatest summer...mostly spent time recuperating from major surgery. We really need some special time together. Thought the Fascination out of JAX would attract a more sedate crowd. When it sailed out of Miami, it had a bit of the "party boat" reputation. Nothing wrong with that, I sailed on her out of Miami once, and had a wonderful time. Just not up to real party-hearty atmosphere this time around. Not expecting, nor would want, it to be like a nursing home, just a little more tame. Anyone sailed her out of JAX with a report? From the recent review, I get the impression she's still a party girl!!!! Thanks

cruiseawaits- Have a great cruise and let us know if you find some quiet places to relax. The Tara Library on the Fascination must be like the Mark Twain Library on the Elation. That was a relaxing place.

We are sailing in November and flying in 2 days early. Currently, we have a room in Kingsland at the Comfort Inn Suites.

 

We were planning to go to the Okeefenokee swamp one day, and Savannah the next for some Carriage Rides and Haunted Pub tours.

 

Is Kingsland a decent place to hang out in? Anything in the area that we should absolutely "not" miss?

 

Thanks,

JB

I would say Cumberland Island would be a good choice. I found this link to the city's visitor website.

http://www.kingslandgeorgia.com/index.asp?nid=45

jw:cool:

In case you have been reading and hearing horror stories about embarkation and debarkation at JaxPort, this is the response I received around noon today from the Director of Cruise Operations at JaxPort.

Yes, we had significant issues with the first couple of turns on the Carnival Fascination. The original sailing was challenged with; first a late ship; it arrived more that 2 hours later than normal, then the computers on the ship would not talk to the reservation computers in the terminal. I have no clue as to why this happened. Carnival has been operating out of this terminal for more that 4 years and nothing at the terminal had changed. It took the ship until 3:00pm to straighten out the communications issue but by that time it was too late, the damage had been done and the back up was out of control.

 

The second turn was not much better, again because of a late ship. We had debark continuing on top of embark and again the problems mounted.

 

I am at the terminal right now. The ship arrived on time, the computers work, the traffic is under control, everything is working well and the passengers are happy.

 

I think everything is straightened out and it should be smooth sailing from here on.

 

Thanks for your comments !!!

 

Anthony F. Orsini

Senior Director, Cruise Operations

Jacksonville Port Authority

jw:cool:

jw, do you know if they take credit cards to pay for parking at the port? My dh isn't sure if she should hang onto cash for that. Thanks Trisha

jw, do you know if they take credit cards to pay for parking at the port? My dh isn't sure if she should hang onto cash for that. Thanks Trisha

JAXPORT Cruise Terminal

9810 August Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32226

GPS coordinates:

N30 degrees, 24.500'

W081 degrees, 34.650'

The terminal will open to embarking passengers at

10:30 a.m.

Parking Information

Parking is $15 per day per passenger vehicle ($60 for a 4-day cruise and $75 for a 5-day cruise), and $25 per day for oversized recreational vehicles ($100 for a 4-day cruise and $125 for a 5-day cruise). An oversized recreational vehicle is any vehicle that takes up more than one regular sized parking space. Cash or major credit cards are accepted. The parking lot is well lighted, fenced and patrolled by JAXPORT security 24 hours per day. The lot is located adjacent to the terminal building, requiring only a short walk. No reservations are required for parking.

For more information here is the link to the JaxPort Cruise Terminal web page

http://jaxport.com/sea/cruise.cfm

jw:cool:

I read in another thread that the taxi service companies here are not allowed to respond to port calls from area hotels until 11:00am on the day of the sailing. I know I have always liked to get the ports by 11:00, so if you are taking a taxi keep this in mind.

jw:cool:

Thanks for the taxi info.

Just returned from the Fascination's Oct. 9th sailing. Called for a taxi at 10 AM from local Hampton Inn. Taxi arrived within 5 minutes and we were at the port by 10:30 AM. VIP check-in and on board by 11 AM. Very smooth