11 Night Roundtrip Jacksonville Cruise and Land Tour from Jacksonville

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Native Americans saw the desirability of northeast Florida and Greater Jacksonville was their first year-round settlement area in North America. During the 18th and 19th centuries the region thrived as a hotbed for agriculture. Today, Jacksonville continues to flourish as a business center, though it isn't your typical Florida vacation destination. It's not right on the beach like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, it's not a family mecca with theme parks like Orlando, and it's not small and quaint like Key West. As a result, it doesn't draw the crowds of the other tourism hot spots in Florida. Most travelers use this city primarily as a jumping-off point for the nearby beach communities of Amelia Island and Ponte Vedra Beach. Whether Jacksonville guests make a beeline for the neighboring white-sand beaches on the coast or choose to hike through neighborhood parks and breathe in local culture at a variety of bustling downtown attractions, Jacksonville piques curiosity, captures attention, and demands exploration. This young and quirky city showcases its beauty in diversity. Contemporary urban areas and the undeveloped natural world accompany one another in creating an adventure-friendly vibe. Historic sites like the Kingsley Plantation, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art will appeal to the cultured and curious. And all visitors are sure to appreciate downtown's Tudor mansions and new brand of Southern hospitality. Optional tours visit the Jacksonville Zoo, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Historic San Marco Square, and Veterans Memorial Wall, which honors local military heroes

Savannah, a Georgia port, is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It's known for horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone squares, lighthouses, and manicured parks, such as Forsyth Park shaded by live oak trees covered with a veil of Spanish moss. A stroll through its historic district provides the proper backdrop for a Renaissance of emotion. At the center of this impressive neighborhood is the landmark, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. The collaborative efforts of its architectural artisans have inspired a Southern-Gothic aesthetic different from that of any other place. Savannah is well-known known throughout the country for its beautiful coastal landscapes, its well-preserved buildings and its rich, vibrant history. In this pedestrian-friendly city, art and trendy boutiques, enchanting ghost stories, the freshest catch from the coast, cocktails served at every meal, and mustard-based barbeque, all come together in a welcoming embrace. Savannah has a world-class reputation for hospitality, grace, and charm and is consistently named one of the "world's friendliest cities" by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Stand on just about any street corner and feel the rich personality of Savannah. This isn't a city to rest on past accolades, though, as seen in the evolving Starland and Moon River districts, where collaborative people entice visitors to stay and savor Savannah just a little bit longer. No visit is complete without taking in the bounty of the centuries-old City Market and explore history at Davenport House and other intriguing highlights on an included narrated tour through the cobblestone streets.

This South Carolina port is the quintessential Southern city, ripe with charm and hospitality. Charleston is a veritable living museum, its cobblestone streets overflowing with history. From horse-drawn carriages to the expertly preserved, candy-colored houses on waterfront Rainbow Row, traces of the past can be found everywhere. However, Charleston is also a bustling epicenter of culture, invigorating outdoor activity, and fine dining that welcomes millions of visitors annually. In the spring of 1670, more than 150 English colonists and their entourage disembarked at Charleston harbor. The first name, Charles Town, was given to honor King Charles II. The settlement was in an excellent strategic location, so it had more than 1,000 residents in just 10 years. And in 1680s America, that was a lot, so the city port became popular, and the primary hub of commerce in the southern American colonies. Since it was so popular and developed, the city was attractive to pirates. And in 1718, the notorious Blackbeard blockaded the place. Fortunately, his wishes were fulfilled, and the city was free. As you can see, throughout the 20th century, lots of organizations started buying old and famous houses around the city and turning them into museums. And with so many historical sites, you can turn the whole place into a museum. It's good that residents didn't want to lose the past as they managed to maintain much of the city's authenticity. And in many ways, Charleston is the same as it was back then; not many 300-year-old cities can make the same claim.

In the anchor town serving the barrier Golden Isles, wander downtown Brunswick's streets, lined with swaying palms side by side with mossy oaks. Watch shrimp boats unload their fresh fare at the docks and perhaps sample their catches in a rustic seafood shack. Markers throughout town tell the history of this seaport George Washington proclaimed as one of the five original ports of entry for the colonies in 1789. However, American Queen Voyages guests may well wish to visit one of Georgia's storied barrier islands - including St. Simons and Jekyll Island - just off the Brunswick coastline. According to the poet Sidney Lanier, across the Marshes of Glynn, "heavenly woods and glades" grace unspoiled, unhurried St. Simons Island. The little island is known for its salt marshes and sandy stretches of beach, home to birds like spoonbills and gannets. It is also home to the World War II Home Front Museum, where visitors gain a glimpse into life during that time as it was lived among three critical military facilities. The museum is housed in the historic St. Simons Coast Guard Station, built in 1936. Located just across the water from St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island was once home to some of America's most wealthy and prominent citizens, including the Crane family, the Pulitzers, Morgans, Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Goodyear clan to name but a few. These privileged families used Jekyll Island as a hunting and golf retreat, spending lazy summers here and building historic homes that have been lovingly restored to their former glory.

This Victorian-style seaport is the stomping ground of adventuresome legends. It tells tales of bootleggers and pirates, shrimpers and seamen. Downtown is an enchanting village that flaunts its historic district in rich, lovingly preserved architecture. This neighborhood boasts seafaring characters of all walks of life who continuously compose sagas of the sea. Eclectic shops, enchanting eateries, and a welcoming atmosphere ensure that adventure here is unending.

Port Canaveral is 59 miles from Orlando; the estimated travel time is one hour. Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks. Chief among them is Walt Disney World, comprised of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and water parks. Another major destination, Universal Orlando, offers Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you have decided to stay local, welcome to Florida's space coast, home to the Kennedy Space Center, sugary beaches, and plenty of outdoor adventures. If you are visiting from up north or the Midwest and fun in the sun is paramount, use this port to get some need Vitamin C. You have two close-by beaches to experience: Jetty Park offers lots of amenities and a vibrant scene, whereas Cheri Down Park has more of a low-key vibe. Other outdoor pursuits include discovering the nature paths and wildlife that make this area home. Depending on how much time you have, anglers may be able to participate in a fishing charter. The rich waterways are home to some world-class inshore fishing for popular sport fish like redfish, snook, speckled sea trout, and tarpon. Exploration Tower is seven stories of fun and education but if you have never been before, your time is better spent at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It's not too far and prepare to be impressed. If you prefer to stay nearer the port (10 minutes), grab a bite or a cold drink at the Cocoa Beach Pier, extending 800 feet over the Atlantic.

In 1955, the second-most populated city of The Bahamas was little more than a pine forest. There were no beach resorts, no casinos or yachts in the harbor. Grand Bahama was one of least developed islands of The Bahamas, a place where a few hundred people made their living off the sea. No one could have imagined the island would become a Caribbean playground, save for Wallace Groves, an American financier from Virginia who owned a lumber company on the island. Groves saw the possibilities of the island as a tourist destination. Less than a hundred miles away was the United States and American vacationers were already streaming into Cuba by the tens of thousands. Consequently, in 1955, Groves approached the Bahamian government with his idea to build a town that catered to both industry and tourists. Shortly after, Freeport was born. Over 30 years later, the result is a community completely tailored to the getaway tourist, a paradise offering almost every kind of vacation activity imaginable. The Bahamas has long been one of the most eco-friendly destinations in the world. Rainbow-laden waterfalls and underwater caves beg visitors to embrace a childlike wonder of the world. Wander through beaches dewed with tidal pools and sand ripples as polychromatic fowl fly overhead. Dive into cool water to explore the mind-blowing communities of coral reefs under the surface. The Port Lucaya Marina is home to the Underwater Explorers Society, which offers a wide variety of diving, dolphin experiences, shopping, and much more.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.