Cruise Terminal SC Ports Authority

Take Exit 219-B (Morrison Drive/East Bay Street) then turn left at the end of the ramp. 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. 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. Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat.

Restaurants Near the Charleston Cruise Terminal (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

Cruise passengers said they returned to find their cars ruined by coastal flooding - KKTV

Cruise passengers said they returned to find their cars ruined by coastal flooding.

Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage lockers in the port due to security concerns. The Port of Charleston consists of six terminals scattered throughout the city, but only a single terminal, Union Pier Terminal, handles cruise ship operations. For FY2019, South Carolina Ports Authority reported a record year with handled 2,44 million TEUs (5% increase over 2018) at both terminals (Wando Welch, North Charleston).

CRUISE PORTS BY REGION

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. 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. Read on for our breakdown of the Port of Charleston, including address information, cruise line terminals, directions, services and more.

(New) Luxury cruise ship anchorage since 2017

The beach is also surrounded by independently owned-restaurants and snack bars. The Charleston Museum showcases and celebrates the city’s history and the American South as a whole. 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.

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. 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. There are some cruise lines that do make calls at the port, including Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

To your left lies the original Historic District, Charleston's heart; to your right is Ansonborough, Charleston's first suburb (1800). Charleston is a major city, so cruise passengers have plenty of transportation options. The most popular way to get around the city is to take taxis, which are available directly at the cruise terminal. Charleston, South Carolina, has been a prominent departure point for many of the world’s top cruise lines for years. It looks like Charlestonians want the cruises, but don't want the new terminal to be located on the edge of the city's historic district.

Unlike busier Florida ports, navigating the single-terminal structure proves efficient and more manageable on your cruise day. Also known as Union Pier Terminal, the port is located in historic downtown Charleston and provides a range of services and amenities for cruise ship passengers. 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.

Alaska & Pacific Northwest

Embarking passengers have the opportunity to explore these nearby beaches before or after their cruise, as well as visit historic plantations and play golf at world-class courses in Charleston. Charleston cruise port passenger terminal is located on 196 Concord Street. Cruise passengers should go to Gate 2 of the Union Pier Terminal, the entrance of which is at the Concord and Laurens intersection near Washington Street. Located in Charleston’s downtown area, the port can be reached easily by way of Interstate 26, Highway 17-South and Highway 17-North. Here, you’ll find Charleston City Market, the city’s most visited attraction.

Union Pier Main Gate of the Charleston Cruise Port, located at 32 Washington Street,  is the main entry point for guests being dropped off. With locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and an ever-evolving menu, this trendy bistro is always worth checking out. Fort Sumter is a well-preserved sea fort built on an artificial island off the mainland of Charleston. View gun emplacements and a Civil War Museum on the exact location where the war’s first shots were fired. In January 2017, the city agreed to limit the per-year number of cruise vessels scheduled to dock in Port 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. Charleston Cruise Port, a section of the Port of Charleston, is located in the city’s historic downtown area. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is about a 25-minute drive from the cruise terminal.

For those looking to spend more time in the city, three car rental services are located just a few blocks from the cruise 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.

However, this bus service doesn't serve a convenient station or stop to the cruise port. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft also operate at the airport. To meet the driver, follow the rideshare signs in the Baggage Claim area and cross both roadways.

Downtown Charleston is rich in history with period architecture, much of which was built before the Revolution. There are wonderful restaurants, unique boutiques and art galleries to enjoy before or after your cruise, much of which is within walking distance from the terminal. The port of Mount Pleasant SC emerged as a Charleston alternative cruise port and will receive its first ship call in May 2017. As Charleston SC self-imposed the 104-vessel limit per year (seasons 2017 and 2018), the Mount Pleasant port emerged as a nearby alternative for smaller-sized and luxury cruise vessels.