Cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean: The Norwegian Gem liner will arrive in Jacksonville in 2025

In 2004, the city of Jacksonville embarked on its cruise journey when Carnival Cruise Line introduced the 1,452-passenger Carnival Holiday for trips to the Bahamas. Twenty years later, a new cruise line is poised to set sail from Jacksonville, offering seasonal voyages to the Bahamas and the eastern Caribbean.

On Tuesday, February 6, JaxPort CEO Eric Green announced that the board of directors had approved an agreement for the Norwegian Gem, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship accommodating 2,394 passengers, to make port calls in 2025, enriching the city's cruise offerings. The Gem will utilize the same cruise terminal as Carnival's 2,190-passenger Elation, currently in use at the port, as jacksonville.com writes.

Travelers can anticipate cruises departing from Jacksonville between November and April each year until 2028. Some voyages will span 11 or 12 days, providing passengers with extended cruise options compared to Carnival's current offerings from Jacksonville. The ship is slated to sail to the Bahamas and the eastern Caribbean.

Three 12-day and two 11-day round-trip voyages will depart Jacksonville annually, making stops at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas, along with visits to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. John in the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, Basseterre in St. Kitts, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and other destinations.

Norwegian will also offer four-day and five-day cruises to the Bahamas, including stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Freeport, and Nassau. Bookings for a variety of itineraries will open on February 15 on the official website ncl.com.

Measuring 965 feet in length and with a maximum beam of 125 feet, the ship boasts a gross registered capacity of 93,530. The Norwegian Gem can accommodate 2,394 passengers in double occupancy, served by a crew of 1,070 members.

In addition to the main Grand Pacific and Magenta restaurants, the Gem features Le Bistro (French cuisine), Orchid Garden (Asian cuisine), Sushi and Teppanyaki (Japanese cuisine), O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill, Garden Cafe (buffet), La Cucina (Italian cuisine), Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), Cagney's Steakhouse, Bali Hai Bar & Grill, and more.

Entertainment options onboard include the Stardust Theater, showcasing Broadway and Vegas-style shows, as well as amenities like the Tahitian Pool on Deck 12, hot tubs, basketball/volleyball/tennis courts, a jogging/jogging track, fitness center, spa, and more.

For younger guests, the ship offers a video arcade, Splash Academy for children aged 3 to 12, a play area with guppies for babies and toddlers, and Entourage, a dedicated space for teens aged 13 to 17.