Florida help pleeeeease :) CRUISE!!

Hello all :) Would anyone familiar with Jacksonville Florida like to help with accomodation choices and things to do? Melissa F, Terry R, Amanda W and I are all going on the cruise January 31 that has been posted here many times by bamacruises. We have decided to make a whole vacation out of it and are meeting up in Jacksonville on January 29th. We will stay over for 2 nights before the cruise and then another night after the cruise. So what to do??? We need some advice on good hotels to use, close to the port before boarding and close to the international airport after. We will have all day on the 30th, the morning, early afternoon of the 31, all day february 4th to hang out or sight see.  Anyone with suggestions will be greatly appreciated :) Anyone who wants to meet up for hello's would be awesome too. For anyone else going on the cruise who also wants to also come early and stay late I will post our itinerary when Im all reserved so we can all meet up. Thanks :) PK

I lived in JAX for a short time, and loved it.  In fact if cir****tances were that I could live anywhere in the state of FL, it would be up there.  I can't really advise you on hotels near the port - when I go up, I stay with friends or out in the Mandarin area (where I used to live), however if you are looking for activities for filler time, there are lots of GREAT malls in that area!  The Avenues is my favorite.  JAX is HUGE - in fact it is the largest city in the US in terms of land mass, so you have lots to choose from.  There's also a great downtown area - I want to say River Walk or something like that.  I don't think that's the actual name, but it's similar to San Antonio.  Shops and cafe's....very nice area.  I'm sure your cruise ladies can give you some great suggestions. Enjoy your vacation and have fun in Jacksonville!!     ~ Terri

Awww Thank you so much Terri :) It will be wonderful, for 3 of my crew we will be coming from Boston, Iowa and me in eastern Canada so by January 29th a florida vacation will be AWESOME if all we did was sleep on the streets :P I LOVE to shop.. better steer clear of the malls or the other gals will desert me :P BTW you look stunning in the new avatar! keep up the great work :) HUGS PK

  You're makin' me blush!  Thank you!   One thing to mention (if the other ladies haven't already) - even though you're coming down from Canada, and know what REAL cold is (I can say that as a native Chicagoan!), it may still be cool in Florida in January.  By the time you get to the Bahamas though, it will definitely be warmer.  Your sailaway party onboard might be chilly, so you might want to keep an eye on the weather before you leave home so that if need be, you have some warm clothes just in case! If your cruise docks in Nassau, be SURE to visit Atlantis!  It is not to be missed!  The ship probably offers excursions - a walk and a ferry ride over, or you can probably just do it on your own, but however you can manage, if you can, check it out!  The aquarium there is top notch!   Thanks again for your compliment!  It made my day!    ~ Terri

Hi PK! I live in Jacksonville and there are things to do here if you know where to go.  We have a very nice Zoo which is just a short drive from the airport and the port.  I really can't advise on hotels because I have never stayed in any of them but there are several brand new ones on the main road from the airport to Interstate 95. I believe there is a Hilton Garden Inn.  A little closer to the port on Heckscher Dr. is a Holiday Inn (it may be an Express Inn).  This is the closest Hotel to the port.   The port is actually one turn off of Heckscher Dr. and the zoo is also off of Heckscher Drive.  This is a very scenic drive.  I drive out there often just because it is peaceful and I love it out there. The  St. John's River is on one side of the road and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.  There are a couple of riverfront or Ocean front parks out there (Heckscher Dr).  It is a very long road.  We also have a River ferry that will take you either on foot or in your car across the river to Mayport which is a quaint little fishing village that has been there forever.  On that side of the river are a couple of good little seafood places.  They look like dives but the food is great.  There is also a casino ship that leaves every morning and every afternoon from Mayport.  They sail out past the 3 mile zone and open the game tables and slot machines.  Don't know if gambling is your bag but it's a fun trip.  I have been several times over the years just for the ride.  I don't gamble.  Let's see as you drive out Hecksdcher Dr, you can see the large ships and lots of aircraft (Mostly helicopters) from Mayport Navy Base.  Hugenot Park is a nice place if the beach is your bag.  It is an oceanfront park.  It costs .50 each to get in but well worth it if you like to the beach or if you are a birdwatcher.  I often go out there too because I love the sound of the ocean waves.  It just calms me and awes me.   In fairness I must mention Fernandina Beach which is about an hour away in the other direction ((North of the port).  It is a lovely little town too.  There are several bed and Breakfasts down there and some very fancy places to stay on Amelia Island including a Ritz Carleton Hotel.  I also have to mention Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach which are east of Jacksonville Ptoper but very easy to find.  They both have lots of nice little shops and restaurants and of course the ocean.  There is a brand new Mall out by the airport  (off of I-95) with just about every store in Jacksonville represented and a large movie theatre as well. All of these places are on the North side of Jacksonville which is where the airport is.   The downtown area does have the Jacksonville Landing and a Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk.  I am not real sure what is downtown to see anymore because things open and close quickly down there.  The Landing is mostly retailers and restaurants but at holiday times there are events there.  Now there are some very nice Hotels in that area but they can be pretty pricey.  Not sure they are worth the extra cost especially with some of the nice new ones built out near the airport.  The only plus to the downtown hotels is that they are either on the river/Riverwalk or close to it.   I can't help much with the South and Mandarin areas of town as I am not that familiar with them . One thing you may want to think about is visiting St. Augustine.  It is about an hour from Jacksonville and it is the oldest city in the US.  It is a very nice little place.  Lot's of little shops to look for souvenirs.  If you like Spanish food there is a take out area  called The Columbia Restaurant  (There is a sit down Columbia Restaurant next door but I'm not sure if they are open for lunch or just dinner).  Anyway...the black beans are to die for and they give you a loaf of cuban bread with them.  I get mine with just a little rice and extra juice and dip the bread in the juice. YUMM!!!  Come to think of it I haven't been there since my surgery so I don't know how I would order them now.  But they have all the Spanish desserts like Flan and pastries.  Across the street is the Castillo De San Marcos Fort.  It was built to protect the new city from invasion by sea.  They offer an informative tour and  you can walk around at your leisure too.  I think the admission is $1.00 for each adult.  I may be off a little on the price cause I haven't been in a while but it isn't expensive.   OK hope that gives you some ideas and hope it isn't all too confusing.  If you need a tour guide when you visit let me know and I'll help you out.  You can email me at [email protected]     I agree with the poster that said it can be cool here in January. Yes and it can be downright cold here in Jan.  SO yes bring clothing for all weather but if you are planning to be near the ocean I'd say long sleeves,pants and a light jacket at the very least.  Then you may get here and find it is 80 degrees.  I will watch the weather for you if you tell me when you are coming and can maybe give you an idea how the temps. are looking for that time.  Hope this helps! Kat

I don't live in Jax but go up a couple of times to Orange Park which is probably 30 min or less from where you may be. Since you have time you may want to go to St. Augustine which may be 30 min drive south. It has a castle and beautiful historical area right by there. Contact Kathy for directions. Have a great time up there!! Im sure compared to up North this weather in January will be GREAT.

Hey PK....who's yer Momma?  I retired in Jacksonville.  I love Jax.  There's lots to do and I'm pretty familiar with the area.  I will be staying at one of the Marriott properties by the airport.  Thats close to the port (7miles) and right off I95 north of downtown.  I'll talk to Kathy about what days she will be here.  Maybe we can come up 2 days early too.  I would love to take all you guys down to St Augustine for a day.  The oldest city in the US and lots of walking and things to see.  Its about 45 minutes south of Jax.  I have a Mitsu Outlander but won't hold 6.  We might have to take 2 vehicles....more if we get more takers.   I am thinking Fairfield at the Airport, less than Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn....I think.  I'll go ahead and make reservations and let you know.  But airport hotels are your best bet.   I'm ready to go....getting packed now. Hugs from the beach Charlie

Charlie I have always thought you were awesome.. but now I have to rank you higher than that and Im not sure what to call this new category.. GREAT!!!! That would be so awesome. We are all just so excited to sit around a pool doing nothing.. so that could be a wonderfull fun day trip and get to know one another time :) You let me know when and where you reserve and we'll do the same spot :) BIG HUGS PK

Will certainly let you know.  I'll see if I can do this tonight or tomorrow at the latest.   Cya soon.....

Hey PK, I know I mentioned this before...but definately check out "The Landing" one night. If you guys can book a dinner steamboat cruise down the St. John's river I would highly recommend that.  Like someone else stated, St Augustine is a medium distance away, but well worth the travel time. Brick lined roads and preserved/restored shops, homes, school houses, Forts and churches from the late 1400s and 1500s. It's gorgeous!!! I would highly recommend that. You could spend two days in St. Augustine alone. Like someone else said, it can get cold in Florida in January....but usually one if a cold front is coming through. Our version of a colder January day would be lows in the 30s and highs in the high forties to low fifties.....so you can't guarentee beach or pool time even though it is Florida.