Carnival Miracle heads to Jacksonville

[Jason]

Carnival's newest cruise ship, The Miracle just rolled of the assembly line in Finland and is crossing the Atlantic to Jacksonville on its maiden voyage.

The Miracle holds 2100 passengers and will offer three, five and six day cruises from Jacksonville. "These cruises tend to be short. Carnival's service will be three to six days in length. I know I've seen travel deals for around $300 starting on these cruises.", said Robert Peek with Jaxport.

The Miracle will spend a week in Jacksonville before its first passenger voyage. During that time, former Iraqi POW Jessica Lynch, The Miracle's Godmother, will christen the ship. The ship will also be inspected by the United States Coast Guard.

The ship won't be open to the public during its five day stay here because of security concerns, but there will be a big party to welcome its arrival. You can come to the Sand Dollar Restaurant at 1:30 Monday to be among the first people to watch the ship pass by."

The Sand Dollar will be have festivities planned to coincide with the ship's arrival. "We're throwing a party for Carnival Cruise Lines. They'll be a seafood buffet, a steel drum band. They're giving away a cruise, bunch of tee shirts." says Sand Dollar owner Harry Mangini.

In order to get to the Jaxport Cruise Terminal, The Miracle has to pass under the Dames Point Bridge. The ship is only supposed to clear the bridge by three and a half to four feet. "It could appear that the vessel would actually strike the bridge. For that reason, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office actually will close the bridge for maybe 15-20 minutes, the time it takes for the ship to actually travel beneath the bridge." adds Peek.

Police say they don't expect to close the bridge every time the ship passes under the bridge, just for the first time Monday afternoon.

[Jason]

Carnival's newest cruise ship, The Miracle just rolled of the assembly line in Finland and is crossing the Atlantic to Jacksonville on its maiden voyage.

The Miracle holds 2100 passengers and will offer three, five and six day cruises from Jacksonville. "These cruises tend to be short. Carnival's service will be three to six days in length. I know I've seen travel deals for around $300 starting on these cruises.", said Robert Peek with Jaxport.

The Miracle will spend a week in Jacksonville before its first passenger voyage. During that time, former Iraqi POW Jessica Lynch, The Miracle's Godmother, will christen the ship. The ship will also be inspected by the United States Coast Guard.

The ship won't be open to the public during its five day stay here because of security concerns, but there will be a big party to welcome its arrival. You can come to the Sand Dollar Restaurant at 1:30 Monday to be among the first people to watch the ship pass by."

The Sand Dollar will be have festivities planned to coincide with the ship's arrival. "We're throwing a party for Carnival Cruise Lines. They'll be a seafood buffet, a steel drum band. They're giving away a cruise, bunch of tee shirts." says Sand Dollar owner Harry Mangini.

In order to get to the Jaxport Cruise Terminal, The Miracle has to pass under the Dames Point Bridge. The ship is only supposed to clear the bridge by three and a half to four feet. "It could appear that the vessel would actually strike the bridge. For that reason, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office actually will close the bridge for maybe 15-20 minutes, the time it takes for the ship to actually travel beneath the bridge." adds Peek.

Police say they don't expect to close the bridge every time the ship passes under the bridge, just for the first time Monday afternoon.

[BoatrideLover]

RIGHT NOW!!! firstcoastnews.com

Live webcam of Miracle!!

[BoatrideLover]

RIGHT NOW!!! firstcoastnews.com

Live webcam of Miracle!!

[BoatrideLover]

That was fantastic!!!! When she went under that bridge, she looked awfully close!! Of course, it could have just been the camera angle. When she docked, she gave three long blasts of her horn!!! Just too cool!!!!!!!!

[BoatrideLover]

That was fantastic!!!! When she went under that bridge, she looked awfully close!! Of course, it could have just been the camera angle. When she docked, she gave three long blasts of her horn!!! Just too cool!!!!!!!!