Plan a CruiseJacksonville Cruise Port Guide
Ships currently dock at Jaxport's Dames Point Cruise Terminal (located at 9810 August Drive). This terminal is approximately a 15-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville and even closer to the airport. It's important to note that larger cruise ships often cannot dock here due to height restrictions, and a new cruise port is in the planning stages. Jacksonville, a prominent city along the scenic St. Johns River, serves as one of the Southeast's major cultural, commercial, industrial, and financial centers. As the largest city in the U.S. by land area (758 square miles), it offers a diverse range of attractions and recreational activities. The city's significant waterfront provides easy access to boat cruises, riverfront boardwalks, and both inshore and offshore fishing. For sports fans, Jacksonville is home to the NFL Jaguars and hosts college football's Gator Bowl Classic. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy several premier courses, including The Players Championship Course (TPC) in Ponte Vedra.
Getting Around from the Port
Given Jacksonville's considerable size and low density, a car is highly recommended to fully experience the city, as most destinations are not within walking distance of each other or the cruise terminal. A taxi transfer from Jacksonville Airport to the Dames Point Cruise Terminal takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately $30. For those driving to the port, parking is available for $15 per day.
Attractions and Activities
Exploring Jacksonville independently requires transportation, as attractions are spread out. Here are some key options:
- Jacksonville Zoological Gardens: Discover a variety of animal exhibits and gardens.
- Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens: Established in 1961, this museum showcases art collections alongside Ninah Cummer’s original garden designs and historic home furnishings. It attracts about 130,000 visitors annually.
- MOCA Jacksonville (Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville): A cultural institute of the University of North Florida, focusing on modern and contemporary art from 1960 to the present.
- Jacksonville Beach: Enjoy the golden sands of this popular destination, just a short drive away.
- Waterfront Activities: Take advantage of boat cruises on the St. Johns River, stroll along riverfront boardwalks, or experience local fishing.
- Golf: Play at prestigious courses like The Players Championship Course (TPC) in Ponte Vedra.
- Sports: Depending on the season, consider attending an NFL Jaguars game or the college football Gator Bowl Classic. It is advisable to compare cruise line excursions with tours offered by independent providers such as GetYourGuide and Viator to find the best options for your visit.
Dining & Shopping
The provided reference guide does not contain specific details regarding restaurants, cafes, shops, or local specialties directly at or immediately near the Dames Point Cruise Terminal. As a large American city, Jacksonville offers numerous dining and shopping opportunities, but these will generally require transportation to reach.
Safety
The provided reference material does not highlight any specific safety concerns or areas to avoid in Jacksonville. Visitors should observe general precautions as they would in any major city.
Currency and Language
The official currency is the United States Dollar ($). Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted for most transactions, even small purchases, and can sometimes be the only method of payment. ATMs are readily available throughout the city.
Sales Tax: Be aware that prices for most goods and services in the U.S. typically do not include sales tax. An additional sales tax will be calculated and added to your total payment, usually ranging from 4-6%, though it can be anywhere from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price. Exceptions often include gasoline and alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises, where the tax might be included in the posted price.
Tipping: Tipping is customary and expected for services in the U.S. General guidelines are:
- Full-service restaurants: 15-20% of the bill. Tips can be left in cash or added to your credit card slip. Always check your bill, as a few restaurants may include an automatic service charge.
- Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%.
- Bartenders: $1 per drink for inexpensive drinks, or 15% of the total bill.
- Bellhops: $1-2 per bag, with a minimum of $3-5 regardless of the number of bags.
- Hotel Doorman: $1 per bag if they assist, and $1 for calling a taxi.
- Tour Guides: For half-day tours or less, $5-10 per person; for longer tours, $10-20 per person, depending on the tour's quality and length.
- Private Car & Limousine Drivers: 15-20%.
- Housekeeping (hotels): $1-2 per day for extended stays, or a minimum of $5 for very short stays (optional).
- Food Delivery (e.g., pizza): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders.
Language: English is the standard language for everyday use. For emergencies, dial 911.