How Many Ports Does Jacksonville Have?
The Port of Jacksonville, also known as JAXPORT, is a seaport in Northeast Florida. It is a gateway for cargo, vehicles and cruise passengers, and it matters to businesses, travelers and anyone who wants to understand how the port works. In this guide, we walk through the terminals and facilities that make up the Port of Jacksonville, step by step, and then we show you what to check when you pick a parking lot near the cruise terminal. If you are sailing from Jacksonville, you can compare lots for your dates on King Parking.
Here is the short answer for cruise travelers: Jacksonville has one passenger cruise terminal. The other JAXPORT facilities handle cargo, so you will never board a ship at them. Keep reading and we will show you where the cruise terminal is, how to get there and how to plan your parking.
Overview of the Port of Jacksonville
Introduction to JAXPORT
JAXPORT describes itself as a full-service international trade seaport in Northeast Florida, at the crossroads of the nation's rail and highway network along the St. Johns River. It handles cargo, automobiles and cruise passengers. The port says it offers worldwide cargo service from dozens of ocean carriers, including direct service with Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Why the Port Matters
The port connects Northeast Florida to the rest of the country by water, rail and highway. JAXPORT says it is linked to three U.S. interstates, on-dock rail and more than 100 trucking firms, which helps goods move between ships and their destinations.
Number of Ports in Jacksonville
Main Terminals of the Port of Jacksonville
The answer depends on what you count. JAXPORT says it owns, maintains and markets three cargo terminals, two intermodal container transfer facilities and one passenger cruise terminal. Its three marine terminals are:
Blount Island Marine Terminal, Dames Point Marine Terminal and Talleyrand Marine Terminal.
Other Facilities
In addition to the marine terminals, JAXPORT lists two intermodal container transfer facilities, known as ICTFs: one at Talleyrand and one at Dames Point. It also lists the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal. These facilities are listed on the port's website.
Summary of Ports and Facilities
In short, JAXPORT lists three marine terminals (Blount Island, Talleyrand and Dames Point), two ICTFs and a cruise terminal. These parts work together as one port system along the St. Johns River.
How Many Cruise Ports Are in Jacksonville, Florida?
If you are here for a cruise, count it this way: one. JAXPORT lists a single passenger cruise terminal in Jacksonville. If your boarding pass says Jacksonville, this is where you are going. No other dock in the city boards cruise passengers.
Where Is the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal?
The address is 9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226. JAXPORT says it sits off Heckscher Drive, near I-295, in Northeast Jacksonville. Type that address into your phone or GPS a few days before you leave, and save it so it is easy to find.
Is JAXPORT the Same as Jacksonville Airport?
No. They are two different places. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is the airport, and the cruise terminal is a separate stop. JAXPORT says the airport is about 12 miles from the cruise terminal. If you fly in, plan a ride from the airport to the ship. JAXPORT lists taxi and shuttle service between the terminal and the airport.
Role of Each Terminal
Blount Island Marine Terminal
The port says Blount Island is its largest marine terminal, at 754 acres, and one of the largest vehicle import and export centers in the United States. The terminal also handles containerized, Ro/Ro, heavy lift, breakbulk and liquid bulk cargo.
Talleyrand Marine Terminal
The port says Talleyrand handles containerized and breakbulk cargo, automobiles and liquid bulk goods such as molasses and vegetable oils. Its breakbulk cargo includes steel, lumber and paper, along with a variety of frozen and chilled goods.
Dames Point Marine Terminal
The port says Dames Point offers direct container ship service between Jacksonville and ports throughout South America, and it handles autos and bulk cargo. The port also says Dames Point is where cruise service to The Bahamas is offered.
The Intermodal Yards
The intermodal container transfer facilities, or ICTFs, help cargo move between rail and the port's docks. The port says the Dames Point yard serves its northside terminals. It also says the Talleyrand yard offers direct switching to CSX and Norfolk Southern through a short line railroad.
The Cruise Terminal at JAXPORT
Cruises From Jacksonville
The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal is at 9810 August Drive in North Jacksonville. The port says two cruise lines sail from there. Carnival Cruise Line offers year-round service, including four-day and five-day cruises to The Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line offers seasonal service from November through April, with four- and five-day cruises to The Bahamas, Key West and its private island, along with some longer sailings. Check with your cruise line for your own sailing dates.
Parking Near the Port
Here is an easy way to plan your parking, one step at a time. First, find your sailing dates on your cruise confirmation. Second, enter those same dates on King Parking, so every total you see covers the whole trip. Third, open the lot listing and read it from top to bottom. Each lot lists its own rules, so the listing is your guide.
Here is what to look for on a lot near the port:
- The shuttle: when it runs, how often, and where you board.
- The return trip: how to get picked up after the cruise, and what to do if the ship docks early or late.
- Check-in and your keys: what the lot asks you to do when you arrive.
- Cancellation: what the listing says if your plans change.
- The full total: the price for all of your days, shown before you pay.
If a detail is not in the listing, ask the lot before you book. Then save your confirmation where you can find it on sailing day.
Comparing Your Options
If you want to compare parking for your sailing dates, enter the same dates for every option and check the full total. Read each listing before you decide. On King Parking, you can open each lot's page and compare the details side by side.
Parking Lots Near the Jacksonville Cruise Terminal on King Parking
Right now, King Parking lists one lot for the Jacksonville cruise port, so choosing is simple.
The Parking Mall
The Parking Mall is at 3372 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL. The listing shows it 0.3 mile from the port, and the lot describes itself as across from the cruise terminal. It is an outdoor, self-park lot. Here is what the listing says today:
- Check-in starts at 9:00 AM. The lot asks you not to come earlier.
- The shuttle to the cruise terminal runs from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and the shuttle for returning guests starts at 8:00 AM.
- The shuttle ride is included with your reservation, for up to four passengers.
- Staff are on site to help with luggage and parking questions.
- Return instructions are given to you when you check in.
- Spots are subject to availability for your sailing date, so check live availability when you pick your dates. Match that to your cruise before you book.
Our rate for your dates shows live on the lot page (from $6.95/day). Enter your sailing dates first, so the total covers every day of your trip. Lot details can change, so read the listing again when you book.
Getting to JAXPORT From Georgia and North Florida
Many guests drive in for the weekend. Here is a simple plan for the road.
- Put 9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226 in your GPS.
- Coming on I-95 from Georgia or from the south, take Exit 41 for Heckscher Drive (FL-105). JAXPORT says to head east, follow the signs to the cruise terminal and turn onto August Drive.
- Coming on I-295, JAXPORT lists the same Exit 41. From there, head west and follow the signs to the terminal.
- Check road conditions on FL511 (fl511.com) before you leave. It shows live traffic, crashes and closures.
Cruise Embarkation Day in Jacksonville, Step by Step
Step 1: Check In Online and Get Your Time
Do your online check-in with your cruise line first. JAXPORT says embarking passengers should arrive during their scheduled arrival appointment window. Your cruise line gives you that window, so look for it on your boarding documents. Online check-in opens ahead of your sailing, and your cruise line shows the exact dates.
Step 2: Pack Your Papers and Bags
Keep your boarding pass, photo ID and citizenship papers in your carry-on bag, not in a checked bag. Put your luggage tags on before you reach the terminal.
Step 3: Park and Ride
Go to your lot first. Use the lot's own check-in steps, then take the shuttle listed in your reservation.
Step 4: Drop Your Bags and Board
JAXPORT says drop-off at the curb is open to vehicles. The terminal building itself is for ticketed passengers and cruise staff.
Do You Need a Passport for a Jacksonville Cruise?
It depends on your citizenship, your cruise line and your trip. For Bahamas cruises, JAXPORT's cruise FAQ says Carnival recommends a current passport to cut wait times on the way back. It also says a state driver's license plus an original or certified birth certificate can prove U.S. citizenship, though that slows down the return. Check your cruise line's travel document page, and the U.S. State Department, before you go.
Getting Back to Your Car After the Cruise
When the ship docks, plan a calm exit. JAXPORT says self-assist debarkation starts around 7:15 a.m. and general debarkation starts around 10:15 a.m. Your ship may differ, so check the times your cruise line gives you. Then follow these steps:
- Open your lot confirmation and read the return instructions again.
- Get your bags and walk to the shuttle pickup spot you were told about at check-in.
Economic Impact of the Port of Jacksonville
Jobs and Local Business
A working seaport supports many kinds of jobs, from dockworkers and truck drivers to logistics staff and office teams. JAXPORT lists a large local labor force and many trucking firms among the reasons shippers use the port. For exact numbers, check the port's own reports.
Trade and Commerce
By connecting ships, rail and highways, the port helps businesses move goods to and from global markets. This connection matters to local industries that ship and receive goods through Jacksonville.
What to Watch at the Port of Jacksonville
Changes and Updates
Ports change over time, with new services, new rules and updates to their facilities. If you plan to ship cargo or sail on a cruise, check the port's website for the latest information, since schedules can change. For parking, the listing you booked is the place to read your lot's current details.
Jacksonville Cruise Parking Questions
How Many Cruise Terminals Does Jacksonville Have?
One. JAXPORT lists a single passenger cruise terminal, at 9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226.
Where Can I Park Near JAXPORT for a Cruise?
Enter your sailing dates on King Parking to see the lot listed for the Jacksonville cruise port. Read the address, shuttle hours and return steps before you book.
What Time Should I Arrive at the Cruise Terminal?
Arrive during the appointment window your cruise line gave you. There is no single time for every sailing, so check your boarding pass.
Is There a Shuttle From the Parking Lot to the Cruise Terminal?
Shuttle details are different for each lot, so read the listing. The Parking Mall lists a shuttle to the terminal from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and a return shuttle from 8:00 AM, included with the reservation.
Conclusion
The Port of Jacksonville, or JAXPORT, is a seaport made up of three marine terminals (Blount Island, Talleyrand and Dames Point), two intermodal container transfer facilities and a cruise terminal. Each one has its own role, from vehicles and containers to cruise passengers. If you are sailing from Jacksonville, confirm your dates, read each lot's listing and compare the total for your stay. When you are ready, compare parking options on King Parking and reserve your spot before you go.
Current pricing at JAX (from $6.95/day) — check live availability for your dates.