Cruises out of Charleston SC in 2024

Table Of Content

• View All Cruises to East Coast
• Carnival Sunshine cruise ship experiences dangerous storm while sailing back to Charleston SC
• Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
• Beaches Near Charleston Cruise Port
• Transportation Options Around Charleston
• Swan Hellenic's 2nd cruise ship SH Vega christened at Helsinki Shipyard
• Charleston to Florida Cruises

Several hotels are available, with prices that are extremely cheap, such as at Charleston’s NotSo Hostel, or expensive, such as the Charleston Place Hotel. Located along the eastern seaboard, Charleston, South Carolina is both a cruise departure port and a port of call. Wither you are departing from Charleston or just stopping by, Charleston cruise deals are very reasonably priced, and include itineraries to many tropical destinations such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

View All Cruises to East Coast

The Charleston City Market is the perfect place to find these items. Other unique items that are widely available are handwoven sweetgrass baskets. Since Charleston once served as a major tea exporter thanks to the many tea plantations surrounding the city, it continues to be a tea drinker’s ideal city. You’ll find one-of-a-kind items that will always remind you of your time in this historic town. 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.

Carnival Sunshine cruise ship experiences dangerous storm while sailing back to Charleston SC

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. 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. The Port of Charleston consists of six terminals scattered throughout the city, but only a single terminal, Union Pier Terminal, handles cruise ship operations.

Travel worries heightened for SC-based cruise ship stop Business - The Post and Courier

Travel worries heightened for SC-based cruise ship stop Business.

Posted: Sun, 04 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation

Luckily, Charleston has a variety of dining experiences for every palate, whether you prefer fast casual or fine dining. Many of the city’s chefs and restaurants have received a James Beard award, but don’t let that fool you into thinking the food is pretentious. Cuisine in Charleston is inventive while sticking to classic flavors and Southern comforts. For meat lovers, head to the casual Artisan Meat Share for bratwurst and all sorts of fine meats.

Day 5: St. Maarten

Guests will embark on the intimately sized American Star, with a total guest capacity of 100 people. Charleston’s coastal location, combined with its rich and vibrant history, makes for the perfect beginning to a southern-bound cruise. In fact, there are a plethora of different cruise options departing from Charleston, with destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and United States. You can sail from Charleston to the Bahamas or the Caribbean on cruises that typically range from five to 11 nights and are offered year-round. The port of Charleston is located on the Atlantic coast of the Southeastern U.S. and is easily accessible by air or car.

The city’s coastal location provides delicious seafood, and there are plenty of cafes, bars, and eateries with bayside views for you to take in the sights. Why not experience Charleston’s unique character before or after your Caribbean cruise? Guests have several dining options, including Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, as well as miscellaneous cuisines such as Italian and Japanese.

Founded in 1670, Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the United States. Originally, the local economy was fueled by tobacco and pine, which was shipped back to the Old World. Over time, Charleston became known as an international hub for the slave trade. The first battle of the American Civil War took place in Charleston in 1861 at the Battle of Fort Sumter.

Everything the sunlight touches on Carnival Sunshine has been doused with an extra dose of fun. There's plenty to find atop this ship, where you can spend your days being kissed by the warm rays of the sun. Visit the biggest Serenity area ever, featuring three decks, plenty of recliners...

The Carnival "Fun Ship" makes cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. While the specific activities available depend on the destination, the majority of Caribbean shore excursions include some type of water activity like sailing or snorkeling. A full list of these excursions can be viewed on the Carnival Cruise Line’s website. While cheaper than its southern counterpart, guests can expect to pay upwards of $3,800 per person for the trip. For a luxurious, all-inclusive trip, check out the Crystal Cruises twelve-night trip through the Caribbean. Named “Best Cruise Line” in Travel & Leisure Magazine, this company certainly isn’t messing around.

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. They even offer porter agents to help direct and assist those with wheelchairs and other mobility needs. As a bonus, the port even offers complimentary parking and shuttles from the parking lots to those with vehicles displaying a valid handicap placard or identification card. 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. Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage lockers in the port due to security concerns.

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 the port’s popularity as a departure point, the South Carolina Ports Authority recently announced that cruise ships will no longer start their journeys from Charleston as of the end of 2024. With that said, plenty of the 2024 cruise season is left, and cruise ships are still expected to visit Charleston’s Union Pier Terminal as a port of call. You won’t find much in the way of shopping in the cruise port itself, but you’ll be very close to the historic center of town where shopping options, boutiques, and souvenir stands are aplenty.

Walk along its cobblestoned streets and snap photos of the pastel Victorian buildings. Stop in local art galleries before finding a bite to eat on the bay. Smaller-ship Charleston cruises sail down the Southern coast on the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida.