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Southern staples like creamy she-crab soup, fried chicken and collard greens reign supreme— and everyone has their own twist on the quintessential shrimp and grits. Try frogmore stew for authentic Gullah flavors, or head to Bowens Island for fresh-off-the-boat oysters shucked by the creek. Go to cruises from Charleston in January 2024, February 2024, March 2024, April 2024, May 2024, June 2024, July 2024, August 2024, September 2024, October 2024, November 2024 or December 2024, . Below is the complete schedule of cruises out of South Carolina in 2024.
Charleston Cruise Port: Parking, Address & Amenity Info
It will continue to function as a port of call, and a new terminal will probably be constructed in the future. 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.
Onboard Dining
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 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. Even those ships that are allowed to use the port will be limited to 104 cruise ship visits per year. Ships carrying over 3,500 passengers will also be prohibited from using the port. Ridesharing services, particularly Uber and Lyft cars, are also becoming a popular and affordable alternative.
Night Exotic Eastern Caribbean CruiseDetails
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. 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.
Charleston Mayor wants cruise terminal axed on Union Pier News - The Post and Courier
Charleston Mayor wants cruise terminal axed on Union Pier News.
Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Smaller-ship Charleston cruises sail down the Southern coast on the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida. Large-ship Charleston cruises go to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. U.S. dollars are used, and ATM's are readily available; credit cards may not be accepted by individual vendors in the Market or by the city's famed basket makers. The entire family will love an excursion to the South Carolina Aquarium, which is located along the beautiful Charleston Harbor. There are daily shows, like sea turtle experiences, plus dozens of species of colorful marine life to admire.
Today, Charleston is well loved by history buffs and has a growing tourism industry. If you are parking at the cruise terminal, you will need to enter the car queue for a parking permit and offload any luggage and passengers before proceeding to the parking area. Parking is in a covered building a short distance from the terminal (follow the signs or the traffic).
You’ll have to enter the cruise terminal via the Union Pier Main Gate (located at 32 Washington Street). Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) operates bus service in and around the city, including service from Charleston International Airport to Transit Mall downtown. However, this bus service doesn't serve a convenient station or stop to the cruise port.
Port of Charleston Parking
The city’s unique Lowcountry cuisine and dozens of delicious restaurants make it a popular southern foodie destination. Enjoy warm southern hospitality and a breezy waterfront as you prepare to depart on your cruise from Charleston. The passenger terminal couldn't be more convenient; it's within strolling distance of everything.
Our fleets can depart from Mount Pleasant or Downtown Charleston. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.
The Codfather is a local favorite for authentic fish and chips. Cash and checks are no longer accepted, so have your credit or debit card ready. Per-day rates vary depending on vehicle size; complimentary parking is extended to vehicles with valid handicap permits (provided the permit holder is traveling in the vehicle). With everchanging views our luxury vessels are the perfect venue for the perfect city. Your guests will enjoy the sights, the sounds and the unique way to experience Charleston.
Take the first exit on the right (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) and then turn left onto East Bay Street. Continue to follow the green highway signs to Cruise Ship Terminal/Union Pier Terminal. Continue on Washington Street, then turn left on Charlotte Street and right onto Concord Street.
Inform a Welcome Agent of your need, and they will have a porter assist and direct you to the proper security line. Dinner cruises on the Charleston Harbor for social, family and corporate events. SpiritLine Cruises offers the only true waterfront dining experience in Charleston. 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. A historical landmark that once served as a defensive seawall and promenade.
Today's Charleston is a treasure trove, a unique blend of architecture and history, art and culture. Visit the Old Exchange Building, and see the history of the city and that of the port. Look at Rainbow Row to see how individual buildings have become part of a city landmark. Turn down any corner, and discover quiet alleys and cobbled streets where the past is always present. The air can be thick with scent -- tea olive, jessamine, magnolia; camellias and azaleas burst forth with color, each in their season. It's hard to get lost -- sooner or later, you'll end up at either the Ashley or Cooper River.
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. Arranging for a taxi or rideshare would be more convenient, as it’s about a 20-minute drive from the train station. Cruises out of Charleston are a great idea for foodies and anyone who loves American history. Give in to the genteel feel of the old South on Carnival cruises from the beautiful port of Charleston, South Carolina. This is a gracious city of antebellum 18th- and 19th-century houses and sprawling plantations, easy to appreciate from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.
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). Charleston is a vibrant city full of history, world-renowned dining, period architecture, arts and culture, and recreation. Here you can step back in time to the eighteenth century, before the Revolution, when Charleston was the seat of British rule and the cultural capital of the New World. 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. Located just a five-minute walk from the aquarium is the International African American Museum.
History buffs will enjoy learning about the city’s role in some of the nation’s most iconic wars and battles. Located just under 1.5 miles from the port, it’s an easy place to visit. Charleston is a beautiful city filled with exciting things to do and see. 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.