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In addition to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy has also offered cruises from Charleston at times. After 10 years of sailing from Charleston, South Carolina, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that its homeport agreement with the South Carolina Ports Authority will not be extended beyond 2024. South Carolina will be bidding farewell to Carnival Cruise Lines in 2024. The state will be ending it’s deal with the cruise line after 14 years, resulting in the end of departures from Charleston. In January 2017, the city agreed to limit the per-year number of cruise vessels scheduled to dock in Port Charleston. Drive through Mount Pleasant and enter the Charleston area, following the Highway 17 South signs to cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr.
Juneau Takes Steps to Limit Cruise Ship Passengers
There is little seating available at Charleston's cruise port. Porters are available to assist with luggage during embarkation and disembarkation at the Charleston cruise terminal. Wheelchair service is available at Charleston Cruise Port once you enter the terminal after parking. Inform a Welcome Agent of your need, and they will have a porter assist and direct you to the proper security line. The Charleston City Market is the perfect place to find these items. Other unique items that are widely available are handwoven sweetgrass baskets.
Day 4: Fun Day at Sea
Follow the green highway signs to Union Pier Terminal (the route is also marked with small brown-and-white signs bearing a cruise ship logo). You will have plenty of options, with numerous restaurants showing off the city’s renowned culinary scene. Particular highlights are the many soul food and Southern cuisine restaurants in the historic downtown area.
Why is Charleston cruise port closing?
Key West also began limited cruise departures in 2020 to control tourism. The state of Florida has since reversed the decision to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to dock. You can find multiple restaurants offering Southern and international cuisine within five blocks of the terminal.
Visit the South Carolina Aquarium
View marine species from all around the world, as well as local species. You can also explore the Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center, which is attached to the aquarium. Spring temperatures usually sit between 60° and 80°F, but rainfall can be an issue. Even though Charleston gets plenty of springtime rain, showers are usually brief, so you can still enjoy exploring the city and everything it has to offer. Free Wi-Fi is also available to the public and is not password protected. You will also find plenty of benches and vending machines that can be used to pass the time before boarding your ship.
Carnival cruisers find cars flooded at port: 'People (were) in tears' - USA TODAY
Carnival cruisers find cars flooded at port: 'People (were) in tears'.
Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Continue on Washington Street, then turn left on Charlotte Street and right onto Concord Street. Carnival WaterWorks is the aqua-park that is active fun for the whole family. The SportsSquare has a SkyCourse rope course overhead, jogging track, basketball, and ping-pong. You’ll need more time to visit the fort, but it can be accessed via dedicated ferries from the Fort Sumter Visitor Center. Located half a mile from the Cruise Port, this departure point is the closest to the Charleston Cruise Port. If you stick to the waterfront and walk 12 to 15 minutes north, you can find the South Carolina Aquarium.
The colorful yet muted buildings are adorned with Roman-style columns and other early American architectural features. For shoppers, the market is packed with stalls selling locally-made goods and food items. Although there isn’t much to see within the immediate vicinity of the port, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities and amenities within the city of Charleston itself. With a short taxi ride into the city or roughly a 20-minute walk, you can enjoy a full day of fun and exploration. Ridesharing services, particularly Uber and Lyft cars, are also becoming a popular and affordable alternative. Although there are limited shuttle services, the city has plenty of public buses operating in its downtown core, which can help you save a bit of money while you explore.
However, this bus service doesn't serve a convenient station or stop to the cruise port. Cruises out of Charleston will depart from the Port of Charleston, just a few blocks away from Charleston's historic downtown. Charleston's proximity to 33 major metropolitan areas and its reputation as a premier city for food and drink makes its port popular among cruisers. Charleston’s lack of skyscrapers and other types of tall buildings gives the entire city an older look and feel. If you want to revel in the city’s unique history, we recommend exploring the historic downtown core. At just over half a mile from the port, you can easily walk to the city center.
They speculate that there will be future opportunities for a more developed cruise port capable of welcoming visitors to the city. In the meantime, cruise ships will continue to use the port as usual. The plan for development of the Charleston cruise ship terminal includes construction of a new building. The old (southern end) part of the building will be redeveloped.
If you are driving from the airport, take the I-26 E towards downtown Charleston. The cruise terminal is well-marked, so just make sure you are following the signs. You will eventually take the exit towards Morrison Drive, then turn right onto Washington Street, where you will find the main parking area and entrance to Union Pier Terminal. Despite its popularity, Charleston Cruise Port is a relatively small part of the main seaport, with only one cruise ship pier capable of handling full-sized cruise ships. Given its limited capabilities, it is only used as a homeport for a single cruise line – Carnival Cruise Line.
In addition to the deepening project, Port Charleston started a major program for upgrading its terminal infrastructure and equipment. Bathrooms are available to the right of the entrance to the terminal building both upstairs and downstairs. If you require a wheelchair onboard your cruise, you can either provide your own or arrange this service with your cruise line ahead of time. From here, follow Morrison Drive to where it changes to East Bay Street and continue on this road. As you come into the Charleston area on Highway 17 North, follow the signs to I-526 East. Once on I-526 East, take Exit 17 to I-26 East toward Charleston.
It played an important role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. It’s just one mile from the cruise port and worth visiting. Located just a five-minute walk from the aquarium is the International African American Museum. Built on the site where Gadsden’s Wharf once sat, this is where at least 40% of all enslaved Africans arrived in the United States. The newly constructed museum now stands as a testament to the history and contributions of black Americans.
Taxis take about 20 minutes, but it is a good idea to set off early, as traffic can be an issue if you arrive on weekdays and get stuck in commuter traffic. Most taxis will charge a $35 flat rate from the airport to the cruise port, but it is a good idea to ask before departing, as the meter rate can be higher. For cruise passengers arriving by air, Charleston International Airport is located roughly 12 miles from Union Pier Terminal, making it easy for passengers to arrive on the same day as their cruise. Charleston offers a great deal for visitors to explore, from rich history in its museums and plantation homes to amazing beauty in botanical gardens to art galleries, harbor tours, delicious dining, and much more.
After anchoring here, they will tender their passengers to Fort Sumter, from where is approx 30-min bus travel to downtown Charleston. Port Charleston is located in South Carolina (SC), on the Atlantic coast of the USA. This major port city (population around 120,000) is located on the state's central coast, and on the estuaries where Cooper River meets Ashley River.
Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage lockers in the port due to security concerns. If you are driving to the city and its port, rather than flying into Charleston, there are plenty of simple ways to get there by bus or car. Overnight parking costs $17 per day, but we recommend pre-booking your spot, as you can save money and guarantee you will have a parking space. The parking lot is patrolled overnight by port police, so it is a safe location to leave your vehicle. Carnival Magic currently sails from Norfolk, while Carnival Elation offers cruises from Jacksonville.
Take the first exit on the right (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) and then turn left onto East Bay Street. For the complete calendar of departures, please see our Carnival Cruises from Charleston page. FIG (Food is Good) is another favorite among locals and visitors.
