Cruise FAQ

To reduce wait times when returning to the U.S., Carnival Cruise Line recommends passengers travel with a current passport. If a passport is not available, a state-issued driver’s license PLUS an original or certified copy of a birth certificate are sufficient to prove U.S. citizenship, but this does slow down the debarkation process.

For more information, please review Carnival’s statement on passport requirements, or consult the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. State Department.

You can also call Carnival Cruise at 1-800-764-7419, U.S. Customs at (904) 714-3100 Opt. 7#, or Linda Moore with Intercruises at (904) 616-4902.

Embarking passengers should arrive at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal during their scheduled arrival appointment window, reserved or received in advance through Carnival.

JAXPORT’s cruise facility is located off of Heckscher Drive near I-295 in Northeast Jacksonville.

JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
9810 August Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32226

Click for directions to the cruise terminal.

If you have lost an item or lost luggage at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, call Dan Nicholson, Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services, at (904) 704-1667.

If you left luggage or items on the ship, call Carnival at 1-800-929-6400.

Information on Carnival’s Liquor and Beverage Policy can be found here.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers year-round service from Jacksonville, Florida. Service includes four-day and five-day cruises to The Bahamas.

View the schedule for Carnival Cruise Lines.

Costs vary depending upon the cruise. For pricing, call any travel agent or call Carnival Cruise Line at 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.

Click here to read how you can reserve your cruise vacation.

JAXPORT offers secure parking for Jacksonville cruise guests. The well lighted and fenced parking area on JAXPORT property is located adjacent to the Cruise Terminal building, and the parking area is patrolled by JAXPORT security 24 hours per day. JAXPORT also provides designated handicap parking spaces.

View parking rates

Cash or major credit cards are accepted on-site. You can also pay for cruise parking online in advance here. No reservations are required for parking.

JAXPORT’s franchised taxi service provides taxi and mini-van service from the cruise terminal to Jacksonville International Airport. For taxi information, call (904) 999-9999; for shuttle information, call (800) 258-3826.

There are several rental car companies nearby at the Jacksonville International Airport. Contact a company directly for information on transportation to and from the cruise terminal from their closest location.

For more Jacksonville transportation options, please go to Visit Jacksonville or contact your travel agent.

Self assist debarkation begins around 7:15 a.m. and general debark starts around 10:15 a.m.

The cruise terminal building and berth for the cruise ship is a “restricted area” as defined by the Seaport Security Act, F.S. 311.12. Entry into the cruise terminal building is restricted to authorized cruise ship personnel, JAXPORT operations staff and passengers holding tickets for that particular cruise.

However, vehicle access for passenger drop-off at curb side to the terminal is unrestricted

No lockers are available for cruise passengers.

There is a small shop that sells drinks, snacks and other miscellaneous items on-site. For details about dining options and recreational activities in North Jacksonville, please go to Visit Jacksonville.

JAXPORT owns the cruise terminal building and the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal site. Carnival and its affiliated companies staff their offices and operations within the cruise terminal building. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security, clears arriving passengers through the terminal.

The city’s major airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). Located about 12 miles from the cruise terminal, the airport provides non-stop flights to major U.S. cities, including those that serve as international gateways. More than a dozen major airlines and a network of regional carriers provide some 200 daily arrivals and departures. Jacksonville International Airport is located one mile west of I-95 (exit 363-B). Taxi and shuttle service is available to the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.

For more information about the Jacksonville International Airport, please visit flyjacksonville.com.

To view a list of hotels in Jacksonville, go to Visit Jacksonville.

To learn about things to do along the First Coast, go to Visit Jacksonville.

Go to Visit Jacksonville for information about hotels, lodging and dining options in Jacksonville.

To work directly for Carnival Cruise Lines on one of their ships or in their corporate offices, please call 1-800-599-2600 or go to Carnival Fun Jobs.

To learn about jobs in the cruise terminal service industry, please visit Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services.

To work for the Jacksonville Port Authority, please check job openings here.

If you have a product or service for the cruise ship or the cruise lines, then please contact that cruise line directly. You can visit www.carnival.com for more details.

For services and products for the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal building, please check JAXPORT’s current projects for bidding.

In February 2005, the City of Jacksonville hosted five cruise ships for about one week during Super Bowl. The ships docked along the St. Johns River – including downtown and at JAXPORT terminals – providing several thousand temporary hotel rooms, as well as restaurants and entertainment venues for thousands of visitors.