By
Alex Smith |
Carnival Cruise Line has resumed guest operations from JAXPORT in Jacksonville, USA, with the departure of Carnival Spirit.
Carnival Spirit is the first ship from a large cruise line to sail from Jacksonville in nearly two years, embarking on a five-day Bahamas cruise with stops in Nassau and Princess Cays. Her cruise also forms part if the cruise line’s ‘Sailabration’ festivities, which celebrate Carnival’s 50th anniversary.
Sarah Beth Reno, Carnival Cruise Line’s vice-president of guest operations, and Wendy Hamilton, chair of the board at JAXPORT, hosted a ‘Back to Fun’ and 50th Birthday event at the JAXPORT cruise terminal, cutting a ceremonial ribbon and officially welcoming the first guests onboard.
“Carnival brings passengers from all over the nation to Northeast Florida to enjoy our world-class beaches, shopping, history and attractions,” said JAXPORT Board Chair Wendy Hamilton. “As a drive-to cruise market with nearly 100 million residents within a day’s drive, Jacksonville offers convenient cruise access for passengers throughout the Southeast US and beyond. I want to thank all of the passengers joining us today for allowing JAXPORT to be a part of your family’s vacation memories.”
Carnival Spirit sailings from Jacksonville include four- and five-day Bahamas itineraries. The ship will offer cruises until 23 April, at which point Carnival Elation will move to Jacksonville and sail through to 2024.
“After nearly two years, the wait is over, and the sight of our guests boarding a Carnival ship at JAXPORT once again is certainly a welcome one,” said Sarah Beth Reno. “We’re proud to be the first major cruise line to return to Jacksonville and to contribute to the Jacksonville area economy.”
With the departure of Carnival Spirit, Carnival has now resumed operations in all its year-round homeports, with its entire fleet scheduled to be back in service by this summer.