Jacksonville Info Only

[NCTribeFan]

Hyatt Place was an excellent room for the price. VIP parking was just down the street.

 

Would definitely use both again.

[celkins]

This is our first cruise - 2 families with 4 kids (2 age 10, and 2 age 7). We thought it would be a surprise for the kids if we took a limo to and from port. Does anyone know of such a service, or has anyone ever done this. Maybe it's not a good idea - how would we know considering we've never cruised before and have no idea how everything works. All thoughts or any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edited January 19, 2012 by celkins

[jwjax]

I thought I would let all the folks looking for Jax Port Info that I will be updating this thread soon. It has been awhile since I last cruised and I forget to look for new info for everyone.

 

BTW, KroozFoolz has a lot of great info on these boards for JaxPort and several other places. Search for their posts and you'll find a lot of great info!!..

 

jw

:cool:

[jwjax]

Here is the latest JaxPort FAQ link.

 

http://www.jaxport.com/cruise-ferry/cruise-terminal-info/cruise-faq

 

A lot of the answers point you to Visitjacksonville which has updated info on the hotels and services in the area.

 

http://www.visitjacksonville.com/beaches-waterways/section/cruising

 

jw:cool:

[DG2007]

We sail on the Fascination soon. I'm trying to decide if we should take the Carnival shuttle back to the airport after the cruise or if we should just take a taxi. It's me, my husband and our two daughters (2 and 1). I know the Carnival shuttle is $15 per person over 2 so we'd pay $45 for that. How much would a taxi cost? And do we need to schedule that before or just hail one after leaving the terminal?

 

 

Thanks!!!

[gsu_paintballer]

Taxi to the airport was quoted to us as ~$30, but that was a couple years ago.

 

There were two of us, so I don't know how that'd apply to your situation.

[jwjax]

We sail on the Fascination soon. I'm trying to decide if we should take the Carnival shuttle back to the airport after the cruise or if we should just take a taxi. It's me, my husband and our two daughters (2 and 1). I know the Carnival shuttle is $15 per person over 2 so we'd pay $45 for that. How much would a taxi cost? And do we need to schedule that before or just hail one after leaving the terminal?

 

 

Thanks!!!

 

As posted above by GSU, the taxi rate is at least $30 these days, maybe a bit more. There are contracted taxi's queued up at the port on arrival days, some have minivans, others are 4dr sedans. $30+ and tip will almost match the shuttle rate.

 

There may be other shuttles available, but I am not sure what they may cost. I will take a look around on the web and see if anything else is out there.

 

jw:cool:

[KroozFoolz]

LOTS of choices for park and cruise hotel packages in Jacksonville, especially considering there is only one cruise ship that sails from there.

 

Here is a list I complied recently while looking for a park and cruise hotel package for May 2013:

 

Holiday Inn Express Blount Island - hotel closest to the cruise port

http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/jacksonville/jaxsn/hoteldetail

Airport area:

Jacksonville Plaza Inn and Suites JAX

http://www.jacksonvilleplazahotel.com/parkflysailsave.php

Hilton Garden Inn JAX

http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-garden-inn-jacksonville-airport-JAXAHGI/index

.html

Hampton Inn JAX

http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hampton-inn-and-suites-jacksonville-airport-JAXHSHX/in

dex.html

Fairfield Inn JAX

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxap-fairfield-inn-and-suites-jacksonville-airport/

SpringHill Suites JAX

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxjk-springhill-suites-jacksonville-airport/

Courtyard by Marriott JAX

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxca-courtyard-jacksonville-airport-northeast/

Residence Inn JAX (through parksleepfly)

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxra-residence-inn-jacksonville-airport/

Hyatt Place JAX (currently offering park and cruise through 12/31/12)

http://jacksonvilleairport.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-jacksonvilleairport-place/place/index.jsp

Best Western JAX

http://www.bwjax.net/special-pkg/jacksonville-port-hotel-pkg.aspx

Travelodge JAX (also available through stay123)

http://www.travelodgejax.com/html/jacksonville-cruises-pkg.asp

Crowne Plaza JAX

http://www.crowneplaza.com/hotels/us/en/jacksonville/jaxap/hoteldetail/hotel-packages

Quality Inn JAX

http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-jacksonville-florida-FL766

Comfort Suites JAX

http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-jacksonville-florida-FL793

not in airport area:

Candlewood Suites East

http://candlewoodjax.com/

Days Inn Neptune Beach

http://www.dineptunebeach.com/html/neptune-beach-cruise-pkg.asp

Other helpful sites:

http://www.visitjacksonville.com/deals/category/cruise

http://hotelguides.com/florida/jacksonville-fl-cruise-port-hotels.html

http://hotelguides.com/attraction-maps/florida/map-hotels-near-jacksonville-cruise-port-fl.html

Map and list of stores at River City Marketplace:

http://www.rgpt.com/portfolio/river-city-marketplace/site-plan/8/

 

Enjoy your cruise on Fascination!

compiled 10/02/2012

[Naomi John]

I'm sorry I do not have time to scroll through 10 pages, but if you can refer to known posts for my answers, that is fine.

 

How is embarking at this port for VIP? Only been out of NOLA and Galveston?

 

What is the difference from the port parking and off site parking?

 

Is this port very strict on the water and soda brought aboard? (yes it will be in my carry on). For a 5 night I usually bring 24 pack of water and same amount of soda.

[GTO-Girl]

I'm sorry I do not have time to scroll through 10 pages, but if you can refer to known posts for my answers, that is fine.

 

How is embarking at this port for VIP? Only been out of NOLA and Galveston?

 

What is the difference from the port parking and off site parking?

 

Is this port very strict on the water and soda brought aboard? (yes it will be in my carry on). For a 5 night I usually bring 24 pack of water and same amount of soda.

 

We will be sailing for the 4th time out of Jax in April. The check-in process is very quick and they do have an area for VIP's which are boarded first. We usually arrive around 10:30 and have always been onboard by 11:15-11:30 (and we were not VIP.....we will will be this time :D)

 

We used VIP parking (at the airport) the first time and while they did a great job, we just prefer to park at the port for the convenience. It is $15 per day and you pay when you go in.

 

They were kinda of "spot checking" the water and sodas, but this was in Jaunary & April. I would think if you are traveling during Spring Break or summer holidays they will become more picky.

 

We very much enjoy the Fascination......it's a great ship with a great crew.

 

Happy Sailing!!!!

Edited February 14, 2013 by GTO-Girl

[rafinmd]

I don't know if jwjax is still monitoring this thread, but I have a bit of a different question. I'll be visiting Jacksonville in November as a port call on the Crystal Symphony (8AM-5PM). Can anyone recommend a good way for a group of passengers to do a tour of St. Augustine?

 

Thanks

 

Roy

[jwjax]

I don't know if jwjax is still monitoring this thread, but I have a bit of a different question. I'll be visiting Jacksonville in November as a port call on the Crystal Symphony (8AM-5PM). Can anyone recommend a good way for a group of passengers to do a tour of St. Augustine?

 

Thanks

 

Roy

 

Hi, You best bet is to check here on TA,

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34599-Activities-c25-Saint_Augustine_Florida.html

 

Since I am a local, I don't have much info on tours from Jax Port to St Augustine. But, I will add that to my info list for the thread, once I do some checking.

 

If you are inclined, you may want to consider renting a car/van and then going into the City and taking some of the short tours that are offered from a variety of vendors.

 

I will check and see what else I can find, but bottom line! Don't Miss St. Augustine, if you have never been there. Lot's of things to see and experience!:)

 

You may do better, if the ship offers an excursion, sometimes they find some gems when it comes to tours!:)

[rafinmd]

Thanks

 

Roy

[Lois R]

I don't know if jwjax is still monitoring this thread, but I have a bit of a different question. I'll be visiting Jacksonville in November as a port call on the Crystal Symphony (8AM-5PM). Can anyone recommend a good way for a group of passengers to do a tour of St. Augustine?

 

Thanks

 

Roy

 

Crystal Cruises is stopping here?:eek:

WOW...I would love to take a peek inside that ship:)

And I agree, I LOVE St Augustine too!

Edited June 13, 2013 by Lois R

[mspink98]

We also absolutely love St. Augustine. I'm not sure about transportation down there, but I can tell you it's probably a 45 minute drive each way, and taxis should be plentiful at the port and definitely are in St. Augustine. Just keep the round trip drive time in mind when planing your day. A ship tour could be worth it, even if you just use it for the transportation and set off on your own once in St. Augustine. I'll try to think of other transportation options.

 

As far as tours when you get there, I highly recommend St. Augustine Gold Tours and St. Augustine Bike Rentals, specifically for a Segway tour. We took a tour with my parents for the holiday lights with Peter (SA Gold Tours) and it was a great experience. We went on the Segway tour with Sandy and she was a great guide, we found it especially fun because it was us and one other couple, all local, so we got a different tour than usual. We're looking forward to doing it again with some out of town guests in September, and getting the tourist version then. Check out Trip Advisor for both, I'm not the only one who recommends either one.

 

St. Aug is definitely a don't miss. November should be great weather, too.

[steve4031]

Where is the best place to drive and park so that we can see the ocean? Is there a boardwalk?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[jwjax]

Where is the best place to drive and park so that we can see the ocean? Is there a boardwalk?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

 

I don't think there is a boardwalk per se at St. Augustine Beach, but there are several access points to the beach with parking etc.

 

Now in Jax Beach there is a boardwalk, just not the kind you would find back in the 60's/70's. No roller coaster, Ferris Wheel etc...

 

If you just want to drive ON the beach and park, then Huguenot Park is the place to go. It is one of the last natural drive on beaches in Florida, and is about 8-10 miles due East of the JaxPort Cruise Terminal on Heckscher Drive.

[steve4031]

I don't think there is a boardwalk per se at St. Augustine Beach, but there are several access points to the beach with parking etc.

 

Now in Jax Beach there is a boardwalk, just not the kind you would find back in the 60's/70's. No roller coaster, Ferris Wheel etc...

 

If you just want to drive ON the beach and park, then Huguenot Park is the place to go. It is one of the last natural drive on beaches in Florida, and is about 8-10 miles due East of the JaxPort Cruise Terminal on Heckscher Drive.

 

Got it. Thank you. We arrive early in the morning on June 28. Just looking for something low key to later in the day if we are not to sleepy from our early morning flight out of ORD>

[rafinmd]

Crystal Cruises is stopping here?:eek:

WOW...I would love to take a peek inside that ship:)

And I agree, I LOVE St Augustine too!

 

November 8. Kind of a strange story. Original itinerary was overnight in New York, Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, and repo to Miami. Charleston and Savannah were dropped due to "port congestion" and replaced with Wilmington NC and Jacksonville. When the change drew howls of protest we got to version 3. We miss the NY overnight, leaving at midnight the day of embarkation, and visit Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah a day earlier than planned with Jacksonville remaining on the new itinerary.

 

Crystal is very good about allowing visitors on the ship. You might look at Crystal's future booking thread and the roll call for the cruise, and see if you know anybody on the sailing to sponsor you.

 

Roy

[bookwerm1980]

Hi, I am in the early stages of planning a b2b2b on the Fascination next spring. My last several cruises have been out of Miami, and I usually take the Amtrak down and spend the night at the Intercontinental. Although this past May, I drove the 12 hrs to Miami with a friend and I flew back to NC.

Iplan to take the train and it gets to Jax at 0930 hrs and I would like to go straight to the port.

My question is, does anyone know the approximate cost of taking a taxi from the train station to the port?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jwjax]

Hi, I am in the early stages of planning a b2b2b on the Fascination next spring. My last several cruises have been out of Miami, and I usually take the Amtrak down and spend the night at the Intercontinental. Although this past May, I drove the 12 hrs to Miami with a friend and I flew back to NC.

Iplan to take the train and it gets to Jax at 0930 hrs and I would like to go straight to the port.

My question is, does anyone know the approximate cost of taking a taxi from the train station to the port?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I'm am guessing, but based on my past experience from the port to my home (which is about 7 miles for the port and 6 miles from the Amtrak St.), I would say $30-$40. But taxi rates have gone up with the price of gas, so it could be a little more.

 

Just be sure they take the most direct route, which is:

 

US1 N. to Edgewood Ave to I95 N to Heckscher Drive.

[bookwerm1980]

Jwkax, thank you for the info. I will put those directions in my phone.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ajagent]

Planning a trip on the Fascination. I was wondering what time the ship gets back in. We will have priority self assist. My flight choices are 1020 or 500. I don't want to wait all day in the airport but I am nervous about the 1020 flight.

[GTO-Girl]

Planning a trip on the Fascination. I was wondering what time the ship gets back in. We will have priority self assist. My flight choices are 1020 or 500. I don't want to wait all day in the airport but I am nervous about the 1020 flight.

 

We have sailed on the Fascination 4 times now and I have to say it has one of the SLOWEST debarking of any ship I have ever been on. I don't know if it's a problem with Customs being so slow or what the deal is, but don't expect to get off quickly.

 

I'm thinking it has to do with Customs because it takes forever for them to clear the ship to start letting passengers off. We also do self-assist and I think the earliest we ever made it off was probably close to 9:00........so no way would I try a 10:20 flight because I think you would be stressing yourself out the whole time.

[ajagent]

Thanks. Looks like we will just have to tough out the drive.