Passenger Information SC Ports Authority

Table Of Content

• Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
• Princess Cruises introduces first-ever Summer Colonial Heritage Voyages
• Independent Shuttles/Car Services
• Things to Do Near the Charleston Port
• Mount Pleasant (South Carolina) cruise port
• Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking
• Money and Gratuities

The Market and the shops lining Market Street in Charleston are also worth a visit, known for their shopping opportunities and small vendors. Whether you are keen on what you spend on and are looking for value for your money or simply looking for the opportunity to splurge, the streets of Charleston have exactly what you need. Vehicle parking options are available near the port for easy access to your ship, along with shuttle services and short walking distances for added convenience during your journey. Charleston is closing its port to overnight cruise ships in an attempt to revitalize the waterfront that is currently being occupied by cruise ship facilities. It will continue to function as a port of call, and a new terminal will probably be constructed in the future.

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

Not only will we cover practical details, like the port’s location and proximity to the airport, but we’ll also explain some of the most exciting things to do in the city and the surrounding area. 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. 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.

Princess Cruises introduces first-ever Summer Colonial Heritage Voyages

Charleston Cruise Port: Terminal, Overview and What to Do - Cruise Hive

Charleston Cruise Port: Terminal, Overview and What to Do.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 01:49:49 GMT [source]

Head over to King Street to discover high-end boutiques, romantic bookstores, and handmade jewelry. The cruise ship terminal in Charleston, SC, located at 196 Concord Street, offers many advantageous features for travelers. Unlike busier Florida ports, navigating the single-terminal structure proves efficient and more manageable on your cruise day.

Independent Shuttles/Car Services

Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. 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.

The Ports Authority (SPA) will sell 0,15 km2 (0,06 ml2) Union Pier property for private development right after the completion of the new terminal. This premium waterfront area will be developed as a new neighborhood and will be of no maritime use. It will feature new streets, public parks, shops, residential homes and businesses, thus increasing the access to the waterfront. The SPA isn't sure it is losing anything financially with that shift.

Among their major concerns are the air quality and traffic congestion. The cruise port will have to install electric ship-to-shore power to reduce air pollution by docked vessels. 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.

Charleston Cruise Ship Terminal Directions and Parking

Its deal with the city still allows 104 cruise ships per year, with up to 3,500 passengers per ship. Permanent highway signs are posted along the travel route to help direct passengers to Union Pier and the cruise ship facilities. Some signs are the standard green highway signs posted along major routes and exit ramps. Others are smaller sized brown and white signs with the international cruise ship symbol and arrows showing the direction to travel in the downtown area to the cruise terminal.

(New) Union Pier Cruise Terminal (waterfront development project)

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.

Money and Gratuities

There’s also free shuttle service between the parking lot and the passenger terminal. 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). 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. The State Ports Authority said it will no longer work on plans to redevelop a warehouse at the Union Pier into a cruise terminal.

After getting to the Charleston station, we recommend either catching a taxi or a Uber/Lyft as the cheapest and most convenient way to get to the cruise port. All the transaction is handled on your credit card through the app — no money changes hands with the driver. In our opinion, Uber & Lyft offer one of the easiest ways to get around any city and to the port, not just in Charleston. After all, there’s a good reason that the rideshare services have seemingly spread everywhere in just a few short years.

Vehicles with handicapped permits (placard or license plate) may park free of charge. Money orders and major credit/debit cards are accepted for payment. When you first arrive, be sure to have your cruise papers with you. They will be checked as only people sailing on the cruise will be allowed into the port parking area. Once inside the gate, you will be put into a snaking line to pay for your parking, unload baggage, and then park your car. There is ample space for parking, so reservations are not required.

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]

While you have a few options, the best choice for most is parking at the port’s official lot, right next to the ship. The port’s parking is the most convenient and reasonably priced. Given the lack of major airports in the area (Charleston International is relatively small), many cruise passengers heading out of Charleston elect to drive to the port. In fact, cities including Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Savannah, and all points in between are within a manageable drive from the port. Watch out for young people trying to sell palmetto roses, made from the fronds of the local trees. Yes, they are cute and make nice souvenirs, but the sellers will remind you of Caribbean beach vendors.

In January 2017, the city agreed to limit the per-year number of cruise vessels scheduled to dock in Port Charleston. 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. If you’re looking for more variety, Queology, Slightly North of Broad, Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar, and High Cotton Charleston are all highly recommended establishments near the port. History buffs will enjoy exploring landmarks like Battery Park & White Point Garden, Fort Sumter, and Drayton Hall. If you’re craving beach time, head to Isle of Palms for sun and sand.

Experience the enchanting allure of Charleston, where southern hospitality awaits. Immerse yourself in a world of endless possibilities and captivating attractions, before or after embarking on your unforgettable cruise adventure. 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. 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. As mentioned, Carnival Cruise Line is the only cruise line that uses Charleston as a homeport; however, others make temporary use of the port by featuring it as an occasional departure point and port of call. 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. Charleston is a vibrant city full of history, world-renowned dining, period architecture, arts and culture, and recreation.

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. The lot is actually an airport parking lot that’s now opened to cruise parking.