Since 2004, Jacksonville has always had only one cruise line sailing from JaxPort: Carnival. That changed Friday with the arrival of the Norwegian Gem cruise ship.

The Gem sailed south from Boston down the East Coast and made it to JaxPort on Friday morning.

The ship can hold 2,394 guests and a crew of almost 1,100 people.

The Norwegian Gem might seem familiar to cruise lovers in Jacksonville. It was one of the ships JaxPort accommodated during the temporary suspension of cruises at the onset of the pandemic.

It has been renovated in 2022 and includes a “world-class spa experience” with more than 50 available treatments, many dining options, a casino, a climbing wall, and -- of course -- swimming pools.

The ship will take visitors from JaxPort to the Bahamas on four-day and five-day c

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