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Jacksonville Port Launch
More than 50 Jacksonville companies helping JAXPORT to launch city's first cruise service. Celebrity's Cruises' Zenith to sail October 27 from "JAXPORT Cruise Terminal" More than 50 local companies, small business owners and non-profit organizations have helped JAXPORT to prepare Jacksonville for its first ever cruise season.
Cruises begin October 27 when Celebrity Cruises' Zenith arrives at the newly-constructed temporary JAXPORT Cruise Terminal in North Jacksonville, where it will take on a full load of 1,375 passengers and two dozen tractor trailer loads of provisions for the 13-night cruise, then sail the same afternoon -- inaugurating homeported cruise service from the city. The vessel returns on November 9 to continue its series of cruises through April 2004.
The new 63,000-square foot JAXPORT Cruise Terminal was constructed by more than two dozen local contractors and suppliers in less than 125 days. The terminal is located just off Heckscher Drive about four miles east of the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens.
Now that the building is complete, JAXPORT has enlisted the help of a number of local organizations to help passengers inside the terminal enjoy their experience taking the first cruise October 27.
The Morocco Shrine Steelers band will provide live music both inside and outside the building. Proceeds from the band benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Jacksonville Zoological Gardens and the St. Augustine Wild Reserve will bring birds and small animals for viewing, and passengers will be entertained by a local magician, Darrell Mac; a dance troupe, Dance Elite; a clown, Liz Peacock from Decor and More; and an artist, Shaquito Samuel. An ice sculpture will be on display by Mike Riesmeyer from Designer Ice. Celebrity Cruises has contracted with the firm Cruise Services USA to coordinate processing of passengers inside the terminal.
The Jacksonville and the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau is providing a visitors booth inside the cruise terminal to welcome out-of-town passengers, discuss local tourism opportunities and answer questions about Northeast Florida.
Other individuals and organizations have helped, too, and JAXPORT officials say the launching of cruise service has been a true team effort. (Source: Jacksonville Port Authority)
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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