JAXPORT in Jacksonville, Florida is a smaller but growing cruise homeport, with Carnival operating Western Caribbean itineraries from its Blount Island terminal. Located about 12 miles from Jacksonville International Airport and 20 miles from downtown, it's one of the most convenient ports in Florida for embarkation — and one of the few with free parking.
Jacksonville's Atlantic beaches — Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach — are just 25 minutes from the cruise terminal, making a pre-cruise beach day an easy and enjoyable addition to any sailing. The city's Riverside and San Marco neighborhoods offer a vibrant independent restaurant and bar scene well worth exploring if you're spending a night before departure.
What's New for 2026
- Carnival homeports the Elation and Sunshine seasonally from Jacksonville on Western Caribbean itineraries
- JAXPORT offers free surface parking at the Blount Island terminal — one of the few major cruise ports with no parking fee
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is only 11 miles from the terminal — one of the most airport-convenient homeports in Florida
- Jacksonville Beach is one of Florida's most underrated beaches — great for a relaxed pre-cruise day before boarding
Hot Tip
JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida – Quick Facts
JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida Cruise Terminals
Know your terminal before you arrive — each serves different cruise lines.
JAXPORT's cruise terminal is located at Blount Island, north of downtown Jacksonville. The modern terminal handles Carnival's Jacksonville homeport operations.
Carnival — Blount Island Terminal
9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Carnival Cruise Line · Western Caribbean sailings · Free surface parking on-site. Take I-95 to Heckscher Drive East and follow signs to the cruise terminal.
Getting to JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida
Transportation options from nearby airports, train stations and downtown.
From Jacksonville Airport (JAX)
Jacksonville International Airport is only 11 miles from the JAXPORT cruise terminal — about 20 minutes by car. Served by most major US airlines. One of the most airport-convenient homeports in Florida.
Taxi ~$30–$40 · Rideshare ~$25–$35
Taxi & Rideshare
Gator City Taxi and zTrip serve Jacksonville. Uber and Lyft are both available at the port. For advance booking: Jaxport Taxi (904) 355-8294 · Port Shuttle (904) 353-8880.
Airport Shuttles
Go Airport Shuttle and Shuttlefare offer shared shuttle service from JAX to the cruise terminal. Private luxury transfers are also available and can be booked in advance online.
Shared shuttle from ~$20/person
Driving & Parking
Take I-95 to Heckscher Drive East and follow signs to the cruise terminal at 9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226. Free surface parking is available directly at the terminal — no fee, no reservation needed. Arrive early during peak season for the best spots.
Plan Your Visit
Everything you need for a smooth departure from JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida.
JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida – Frequently Asked Questions
Everything cruise passengers ask before sailing from JAXPORT – Jacksonville, Florida.
Where is the JAXPORT cruise terminal?
The JAXPORT cruise terminal is at 9810 August Drive on Blount Island, Jacksonville, FL 32226. It is about 12 miles from Jacksonville International Airport and 20 miles from downtown Jacksonville.
Which cruise line sails from Jacksonville?
Carnival Cruise Line is the primary operator from Jacksonville, homeporting the Carnival Elation and Carnival Sunshine seasonally on Western Caribbean itineraries to Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Grand Cayman.
Is there free parking at JAXPORT?
Yes — JAXPORT is one of the rare major cruise ports that offers free surface parking directly at the terminal. This is a significant advantage for drive-in passengers from the Southeast.