JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Carnival Cruise Lines announced Thursday that it will begin offering cruises from the port of Jacksonville next year, and a second liner will also offer shorter trips from here next spring.

But before the cruise line moves the M.S. Holiday to Jacksonville next year, the company also announced they will inaugurate its newest cruise liner -- M.S. Miracle -- with extended trips to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Jacksonville in March. Those cruises will be offered for a six-week period, but the Holiday will be permanently based here.

City officials say the decision to offer cruises to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Key West from the port of Jacksonville will bring millions of tourist dollars to the area.

"Out of the thousands people that (it) will bring to Jacksonville each week, many will come in early and stay late ... and enjoy this beautiful city and surrounding area," Carnival's Tracey Kelley said.

Last month the Celebrity cruise lines announced they would officer cruises from the M.S. Zenithto the Caribbean from Jacksonville, starting in October.

Groundbreaking for a temporary cruise ship terminal to host the tourists and the luxury liners is scheduled for next week.

City leaders have tried to attract cruise ships to Jacksonville for years, and say the two recent announcements are unrelated to the plans to park cruise ships here as part of the city's plans to host the Super Bowl in 2005.