Downtown port of call for unique cruise ship

News

by Max Marbut

Staff Writer

If you’ve ever taken an excursion on the big cruise ships that pick up passengers in Jacksonville, you’re familiar with the Port Authority’s cruise terminal at Dames Point. Like most cruise terminals it’s set up for three things: parking, handling baggage and getting people on and off the ship.

That’s how the big ships do it, but there’s another cruise line that operates regularly out of Jacksonville and it has made a reputation for being “The Small Ship Cruise Line.”

American Canadian Caribbean Lines operates a fleet of three ships that share some unique features. They were designed by the late Capt. Luther H. Blount, a shipbuilder who had an appreciation for small cruise ships able to navigate waterways usually only accessible by private yacht. Over the past 40 years, the company has developed and marketed a variety of excursion packages taking passengers on tours of the Mid-Atlantic States, coastal New England, the Great Lakes and Canada. The line also offers a trip on historic rivers from New Orleans to Chicago and there’s a winter itinerary that includes Central America and the Bahamas.

Built in Rhode Island, all three ships are able to navigate coastal and inland waters that the big cruise ships would never even consider. That allows routes and cruise packages that appeal to a special group of maritime travelers, said ACCL Marketing Director Maria Prezioso.

“Our clientele tend to be active mature people,” she added. “And many of them are former yacht owners.”

The vessel that calls Jacksonville its southernmost port of call in the United States is the 183-foot Grande Caribe. It has been tied up Downtown on the Northbank Riverwalk near the Hyatt for several weeks for refurbishment. The vessel shoved off yesterday for what’s called a “repositioning” to Belize where the Grande Caribe will spend the winter cruising the inland waterways of Central America followed by an itinerary of destinations in the Bahamas.

The Grande Caribe has 48 cabins and staterooms that accommodate up to 96 passengers. There’s one seating for meals and since most cruises on ACCL last for 7-14 days, there’s plenty of time to get to know everyone on board.

Prezioso said ACCL has developed a great appreciation for the Downtown port of call based on feedback from passengers and crew members.

“Our guests tell us it’s very good logistically and our crews enjoy their layovers,” she said. “It’s close to the airport and we have great relationships with our suppliers and service providers.”

Prezioso described ACCL’s clients as “independent travelers.” Many schedule a few extra days here either before or after their cruise. With dining, nightclubs, cultural venues and entertainment within walking distance of their “cruise terminal,” tying up on the Riverwalk offers passengers amenities not found at other passenger facilities.

“We’re a small family company and we want to provide the most positive experience. Downtown provides the best atmosphere for us,” said Prezioso.

The Grande Caribe will return to Jacksonville in April to pick up passengers for a seven-day cruise to Charleston, S.C. For more information on ACCL and its 2010 schedule visit www.accl-smallships.com.