Norwegian Cruise Line has officially dropped anchor in Jacksonville, marking the start of a new era for both the city and cruise travelers across the Southeast. The Norwegian Gem arrived at JaxPort on Oct. 31 to launch the line’s first-ever seasonal voyages from Jacksonville, a milestone that strengthens the city’s position as a growing cruise hub.
The partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the City of Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JaxPort) marks a shared commitment to expanding cruise options and boosting local tourism. With the Norwegian Gem now calling JaxPort home, Jacksonville joins a select group of U.S. cities offering direct access to world-class Caribbean cruising by giving local travelers less time on the road and more time at sea.
From Caribbean destinations to trip lengths, here’s everything travelers need to know about what to expect when sailing from Jacksonville this winter aboard the Norwegian Gem.
Cruise season and duration
The Norwegian Gem will serve as JaxPorts’s homeported ship throughout the 2025-2026 season, offering a variety of round-trip itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The voyages range from quick weekend escapes to longer, island-hopping adventures, all departing from Northeast Florida.
Norwegian’s seasonal service from Jacksonville will operate from November through April each year through 2028, giving travelers plenty of opportunities to plan warm-weather getaways during the winter months.
When did the first Norwegian Gem cruise sail from JaxPort?
The first time the Norwegian Gem left Jacksonville was on October 31, 2025, for a 3-day round-trip voyage to Freeport, Grand Bahama.
What destinations can travelers visit during the Norwegian Gem cruise?
Where does the Norwegian Gem sail to from JaxPort? How long are the cruises?
The Norwegian Gem offers 4-, 5-, 11-, and 12-day round-trip itineraries, all departing from Northeast Florida, and taking travelers on Caribbean adventures to top destinations such as Great Stirrup Cay, Key West, Grand Bahama Island, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, the Bahamas, and St. Thomas. Here’s a breakdown of the destinations based on the length of each voyage.
4 to 5 days at sea Norwegian Gem itineraries and destinations
11 to 12 days at sea Norwegian Gem ttineraries and destinations
How much are cruises from JAXPORT on the Norwegian Gem?
The cheapest cruise for sale for the Norwegian Gem is the 5-Day Bahamas Round-Trip Jacksonville: Great Stirrup Cay from November 16-21, 2025, departing from JaxPort, priced starting at $339 per person and includes taxes, fees, and port expenses. Meanwhile, the most expensive is the 12-Day Caribbean Round-trip Jacksonville: Bahamas & St. Thomas from February 1-13, 2026, departing from JaxPort, priced starting at $1169 per person, and includes taxes, fees, and port expenses.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Norwegian Gem anchors at JaxPort. When do cruises start and where are they going?
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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