Saturday, April 13, 2024

Charleston Cruise Port: Terminal, Overview and What to Do

cruise ship port charleston sc

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. There are no dining or shopping options inside the cruise terminal, but nearby there are plenty of choices for both. As you come into the Charleston area on Highway 17 North, follow the signs to I-526 East.

Discover the International African American Museum

When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. 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. You will have plenty of options, with numerous restaurants showing off the city’s renowned culinary scene.

What is the Port of Charleston known for?

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. The nearest Amtrak station to the Charleston cruise port is in North Charleston close to the airport. Getting to the cruise terminal from the Amtrak station by public transport requires two buses and a 10-minute walk.

cruise ship port charleston sc

Explore the Historic Downtown

2022 became the Port's record year by annual TEU container volumes - nearly 2,8 million , or 1,5% increase over 2021. The Port also served 261,636 cruise tourists and moved 199,343 vehicles (at Columbus Street Terminal). Both Inland Ports (Greer and Dillon) reported total 167,147 rail moves.

Top Tours & Excursions In Charleston Cruise Port

Port Savannah (Georgia) is approx 140 km (87 mi) to the northeast, and Port Wilmington (North Carolina) is approx 245 km (152 mi) to the southwest. The only city in the United States to make the "The World's Top 25 Cities" by Travel + Leisure magazine, Charleston is the ideal cruise port for your next cruise or port-of-call visit. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.

The parking lot is patrolled overnight by port police, so it is a safe location to leave your vehicle. Be aware of emergency protocols and know how to respond in case of an incident. Second, assess potential risks and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or injuries. Third, stay informed about any security concerns that may affect your visit to the port.

Ben Navarro is buying Union Pier from State Ports Authority News - The Post and Courier

Ben Navarro is buying Union Pier from State Ports Authority News.

Posted: Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The authority decided to not renew a deal with Carnival Cruise Line that allowed cruises to begin and end from the Union Pier Terminal in downtown Charleston. Port-of-call passengers can experience many attractions within easy walking distance while other tours and excursions are a short trip away from the Passenger Terminal. Charleston cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. Gate #2 – Intersection of Concord and Laurens Streets, Charleston, South Carolina – is the general entry point for passengers in personal vehicles. This includes family drop offs, rideshare, taxis, shuttles and charter buses. The Port of Charleston is located 12 miles from the Charleston International Airport.

Wooden shutters and ironwork balconies embellish the tall, narrow houses, and hidden gardens hold fragrant magnolia trees. You can tour the historic quarters on a walking tour or carriage ride. Boone Hall Plantation re-creates antebellum grandeur, and Middleton Place recalls life on an 18th-century plantation.

Charleston SC USA Cruise Port Guide

So, if you plan on shopping while docking at one of these ports, be sure to exchange money beforehand. The local currency used in Charleston, South Carolina, for cruise port visits is the U.S. dollar (USD). This means you can use U.S. dollars to pay for most things during your time in Charleston.

Take Exit 219-B (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) then turn left at the end of the ramp. Drive through Mount Pleasant and enter the Charleston area, following the Highway 17 South signs to cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Take the first exit on the right (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) and then turn left onto East Bay Street.

cruise ship port charleston sc

You can find multiple restaurants offering Southern and international cuisine within five blocks of the terminal. Shopping (boutiques, gifts, local crafts, art galleries and gourmet shops) is available along East Bay Street and within a 10-minute walk from the cruise port. 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). This series of colorful, historic houses are lined along Tradd Street. It’s a popular destination for carriage tours and is located less than 2 miles from the cruise port. Even those ships that are allowed to use the port will be limited to 104 cruise ship visits per year.

Numbers game: Charleston's squishy limit on cruise ship passengers 'fuzzy math' to some - The Post and Courier

Numbers game: Charleston's squishy limit on cruise ship passengers 'fuzzy math' to some.

Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. The Holy City, Charleston, is so named for the skyline of steeples seen by ships' passengers as they enter Charleston harbor. The view was there before the American Revolution, during the Civil War, and you'll see the same today as your ship arrives or departs.

The cruise port is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Charleston, a short distance from the city’s vibrant and historic district. Driving from the Charleston International Airport to the cruise terminal takes about minutes, covering a distance of approximately 12.5 miles. The majority of those were by the homeported here Carnival Ecstasy, operating on year-round 5-day roundtrips to Bahamas (Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay). Among the new cruise ships visiting in 2017 was TUI Mein Schiff 6 (2 calls). Scheduled were transition calls from large-sized vessels of Royal Caribbean, AIDA, P&O UK.

Follow I-26 East into Charleston and take Exit 219-B (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) and turn left at the end of the exit ramp. Continue onto Morrison Drive, which will change to East Bay Street. The new passenger terminal's construction will cost USD 35 million. Public hearing was also called by the US Army Corps of Engineers after receiving a new federal permit for putting additional pilings beneath one of the old terminal's warehouses.

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