A second cruise line hopes to begin offering service from Jacksonville soon, JaxPort’s CEO Eric Green says.
Speaking to the Jacksonville Port Authority board meeting Jan. 22, Green said the incoming cruise company was seeking board approval to operate from the JaxPort Cruise Terminal.
He said the company wanted to be put on the Jan. 22 agenda, but documents for the deal couldn’t be completed in time for the meeting. The cruise line was “anxious” to finalize the agreement and requested a special meeting to expedite the approval, Green said.
Board Chair Daniel Bean agreed to set a special meeting in the next two weeks.
In an interview after the meeting, Green said the incoming company would operate a ship with more capacity than Carnival Cruise Line’s Elation, the only ship sailing from JaxPort’s Cruise Terminal. The Elation holds about 2,400 passengers.
“This is not Carnival saying we’re going to bring in a bigger ship,” Green said.
“This is an added service from another cruise line.”
Carnival offers four- and five-day Caribbean cruises year-round from Jacksonville, according to JaxPort’s website.