GREEN COVE SPRINGS – American Cruise Lines hopes to help the city sail into a prosperous future. The cruise line, a booming business in the small-boat cruise industry, has planned to double the number of trips passing through the city next year.

The line’s stop at the county seat is a destination during their Great Rivers of Florida Cruise, an eight-day, seven-night round trip that begins and ends in Jacksonville, with stops in Amelia Island, Palatka, Lake George and St. Augustine. 

As part of the expansion, the patriotic-themed cruise line will make its first voyage on Feb. 5, with two or three 24-hour, overnight stops at the Green Cove Springs City Dock. American Cruise Line’s ships only “tie up” for up to three hours, typically on a Sunday morning.

The ramping up of the line’s expanding operation in Clay County has required another cruise boat. The American Star, a 48-room ship capable of accommodating 98 guests, has been traveling to Green Cove Springs since 2013. It will be joined by the American Eagle, which was inaugurated this year and can accommodate more passengers with additional entertainment options. The Eagle contains 56 rooms, six common areas and a capacity of as many as 100 people. 

With the number of excursions doubling, the previous limit of 720 visitors has now expanded to 1,520 – an increase of 111%. 

Art Yeaman is the owner and operator of Heritage Guides, a walking tour service through historic landmarks and points of interest in Green Cove Springs. The educational storyteller has been living in the city for 33 years. 

Yeamen weaves a fascinating oral history marked by tales of agriculture, industry and military heritage within the backdrop of Florida’s natural beauty. The journey takes guests to sites like the City Pier, Spring Park and picturesque neighborhoods, where visitors can admire historic residential homes. 

Yeaman was a U.S. Marine veteran who served in the Vietnam War before retiring after 22 years. He is a third-party independent cruise line contractor excited for the line’s increased presence. The hope is that the increased traffic will be a boon for his tour service and other businesses in the city. Yeaman pitched organizing excursions and reenactments at Spring Park or picnics at the Historic Triangle with Megan Olszewski, Guest Programs Assistant with American Cruise Lines.

Keying into the overnight experience for the river tourists will be crucial.

“If we can do something for (American Cruise Lines) guests while they are here on an extended stay, then we should do it. American Cruise Lines is an ‘absolutely booming’ business, and we’re a river town,” Yeaman said.

Green Cove Springs, along the shores of the St. Johns River, has ample opportunity to capture visitors from off the water.

“We have all sorts of opportunities to get people off the river that have already slowed down that want to ‘take it easy’ and come ‘leisurely explore’ with us. We’re not Fort Lauderdale, we’re not Cedar Key and we’re not St. Augustine. We’re Green Cove Springs; we’re Clay County and we have an excellent story to share,” he said.