7 Night Cruise sailing from Jacksonville to Charleston aboard Independence.

The Intracoastal Waterway is a protected network of bays, rivers, and canals which is home to the most beautiful historic cities in America, including Savannah, Charleston, Jekyll Island, and Beaufort. Your cruise will take you to the heart of each unique place to show you true southern grandeur. As you cruise between ports expansive wildlife refuges and remote islands stretch out before you, which offer an extraordinary view into the wilderness and wildlife of the South. This is a region of history, legend, grace, and beauty that will leave you inspired.

NOTE: Itinerary operates in approximate reverse order to that outlined below.

Day 1 - Charleston, SC
The scene of major Revolutionary War naval battles, legendary pirate tales, and Civil War sieges, Charleston is brimming with history and culture. Docking in the heart of this "living museum" along the banks of the tranquil Ashley River, you will have the opportunity to truly appreciate Southern antebellum culture. Visit historic Fort Sumter National Monument, experience the African-American influences of the area and stroll through magnificent parks, gardens and plantations. Warm southern breezes, gas lit lamps and cobblestone streets welcome you to the city that is best known as the site where the Civil War began.

Day 2 - Beaufort, SC
Beaufort's 500-year history includes Spanish and French explorers, Native American inhabitants, British settlements and significant Civil War battles. Today, horse-drawn carriages bring visitors through the narrow streets of the historic district past eighteenth and nineteenth century homes famous for their unique Beaufort style architecture. View tabby ruins, historic forts, elegant homes and majestic plantations and find out why Beaufort was once heralded as the "Newport of the South."

Day 3 - Hilton Head Island, SC
The island has a rich history that started with seasonal occupation by Native Americans thousands of years ago, and continued with European exploration and the Sea Island cotton trade. It became an important base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports during the Civil War. Today, Hilton Head is a first class resort known for its championship golf courses and natural beauty. A boat tour of the pristine lakes of The Sea Pines Forest Preserve gives you a close-up view of Hilton Head's indigenous plant and animal life including the native, American Alligator.

Day 4 - Savannah, GA
With historic city squares, beautiful flowering parks and classic southern grace, Savannah has earned its nickname as "Hostess City of the South". Recognized as the country's first planned city, Savannah is still a bustling seaport with renowned historic districts that preserve its phenomenal 19th century wealth and opulence. Join a narrated tour of Savannah's "Historic and Victorian Districts", brave an evening Ghost Walk, or explore the magnificent streets alive with music, southern delicacies and exotic shops. Discover why Savannah's proud history, unbounded natural beauty and festive energy always make this stop a passenger favorite!

Day 5 - St. Simons Island, GA
From shady lanes lined with moss-draped oaks to a diverse range of wildlife, St. Simons Island offers passengers a quaint atmosphere with an enthralling past of momentous 18th century battles and sprawling, antebellum plantations. Make sure to visit St. Simons Lighthouse, which houses a fantastic museum devoted to the history of the Georgia Coast. The natural beauty of St. Simons will leave you breathless!

Day 6 - Jekyll Island, GA
Discover the fascinating history of Jekyll Island! At the end of the nineteenth century some of the wealthiest men in America, including J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt, purchased the entire island as a hunting resort prized for its "splendid isolation". Today Jekyll Island is part of Georgia's Sea Isles and boasts "Millionaire's Village" - 240 acres of extravagant homes and winter cottages recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

Day 7 - Amelia Island, FL
Discover the unspoiled beauty of pristine Amelia Island, with its miles of quartz beaches and rolling sand dunes, surrounded by calm waterways and the Nassau Sound. Throughout its history Amelia Island was home to Spanish explorers, French Huguenots and British settlers before enjoying its "golden age" during the late 1800's when several wealthy Americans relocated to the picturesque island. Once a bustling Victorian seaport, Fernandina Beach, the island's only city, now harbors a treasure trove of history, antiques, and collectibles just steps from your ship. Join a walking tour of Centre Street's Historic District, with 50 blocks of restored 19th century Victorian homes and shops. Or take a leisurely stroll along the shady tree-lined avenues and explore Amelia Island's charm at your own pace.

Day 8 - Jacksonville, FL Area (Amelia Island)