Cruises to Charleston

241 Reviews
Charleston (Photo:Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Charleston

I'm going back to Charleston, back where I belong. I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn't something left in life of charm and grace. --Rhett Butler, "Gone With the Wind"

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. Charleston has endured much over the centuries, but the city also has thrived and prospered. Pirates, wars, disease, hurricanes, earthquakes and, most frequently, fires have left their mark on the city and the region known as the Lowcountry, as have the unique individuals and personalities that have shaped the centuries there -- and left us the Charleston we know today.

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. Walk the Battery, with planters' mansions behind you, and gaze across the harbor at Fort Sumter, where the tragedy of the Civil War began. Stroll the neighborhoods, and begin to understand why Charlestonians are proud of what has been preserved and maintained. They're eager to share it and will go out of their way to help visitors, which explains why Charleston has been named the "Most Polite" city in America several years in a row.

Bring your camera, your appetite and a shopping bag. The city is overwhelmingly picturesque, and you'll find yourself stopping over and over for that perfect photo, that intriguing view. Dine well and often in this city where, in years gone by, residents ate only at home; now, the city is a foodie haven where dining out has become a never-ending adventure. The Saturday Farmers' Market is always crowded, and an annual Food & Wine Festival has been introduced. And, make sure to set yourself to shopping mode. National chains do exist, but it's what's local that really counts. The must-have items are handwoven sweetgrass baskets; they're expensive, yes, but you're buying centuries of tradition. Look for antiques, silver, jewelry and art of every kind. (No, it's not legally required to have an art gallery on every block ... it just seems that way.)

Take your time, and don't try to do everything; you'll be coming back.

  • More about Charleston

  • Why Cruise to Charleston?

  • Charleston Cruise Port Facilities?

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Cruise Critic Favorite
Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity  Silhouette  Exterior  Image

10 Night
Bermuda & Charleston Cruise

2,100 Reviews
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

14 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,873 Reviews
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Oceania Vista
Oceania's new Vista docked alongside in Valletta, Malta on May 8, 2023 (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

12 Night
Bermuda Cruise

82 Reviews
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

14 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,873 Reviews
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61 Night
Longitudinal World Cruise Iv

66 Reviews
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8 Night
Southeast Coast & Bahamas

1,209 Reviews
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10 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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15 Night
Canada & The Atlantic Coastline

181 Reviews
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10 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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12 Night
Canada Cruise

399 Reviews
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16 Night
Caribbean - Eastern Cruise

12 Reviews
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11 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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11 Night
Canada / New England Cruise

1,228 Reviews
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14 Night
Atlantic Coast Harbors

166 Reviews
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8 Night
8 Nt S. E. Coast & Perfect Day Holiday

1,209 Reviews
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More about Charleston

Why Cruise to Charleston?

Pros:

The ship terminal is located in the heart of a colorful and historic city fit for strolling

Cons:

Beware of "free tours" that are really bait for a timeshare talk

Bottom Line:

Southern charm is abundant among Charleston's polite and well-preserved neighborhoods

Charleston Cruise Port Facilities?

The city begins at the gangway. The Market stretches for blocks before you and is bordered north and south by a broad variety of shops, galleries and restaurants. It's here that the carriage tours begin and end, and beyond is the main shopping district. To your left lies the original Historic District, Charleston's heart; to your right is Ansonborough, Charleston's first suburb (1800).

Good to Know?

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. Practice the word "no." Also, there's no such thing as a flat sidewalk; public restrooms only exist in the Market, parking garages and near the waterfront park; and, oh yes, those "free tours" being offered at booths and storefronts are come-ons for timeshares.

Getting Around?

On Foot: It's very easy to explore Charleston on foot, given the intimate scale of the area. Check to see if your smartphone is GPS-enabled, or access the MapQuest application on your iPhone to guide yourself. You can shave time and distance from your on-foot explorations that way.



By Bus: For those who don't want to hoof it around town, public transit is available through CARTA, which operates both city buses and trolley-style shuttles. The cost for a trolley is free, and you can also purchase transfers between trolleys and buses to get wherever you need to go. Correct change is required; you can also pre-order single-day or three-day passes.



By Car: Taxis are at the terminal when a ship is in port. Yellow Cab will dispatch (843-577-6565), as will Max Transportation (843-822-1869) and Charleston Black Cab Company (843-216-2627). For cab rides to and from the Charleston airport (about $30 each way), try Grant's Limo-Taxi (843-813-1737). Rickshaw-pedicabs operate downtown, but mainly in the evening (Charleston Rickshaw, 843-723-5685). Rental cars are available downtown at Enterprise or Budget. Both companies are located opposite the Visitors' Center, about a mile or so from the port.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

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.

Language?

It's English, with a twist. Charlestonians speak in warm, languid voices that make a drawl seem fast, and African Americans of Gullah/Geechee descent still use the words of another time, softened by the centuries.

Where You're Docked?

Charleston Cruise Port Address:
32 Washington Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401

The passenger terminal couldn't be more convenient; it's within strolling distance of everything. The facility itself isn't the most visually appealing, but plans to improve the area have been stalled in court for years by locals who argue that visiting cruise ships detract from the serenity of the city. Secure, patrolled parking is available for a per-day fee; an open public garage, about two to three blocks away, also offers daily parking.


Charleston Cruise Reviews
Charleston is awesome! We had never been to Charleston before, so we drove down 3 days early to explore the city. The dining, history, architecture and scenery in Charleston is amazing! During our time there, we speRead More
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MistyRo76
If you can arrive the day before embarkation, I recommend it. Charleston is a beautiful, fun city with great restaurants and sights. The actual embarkation process is wonky (see main review), but the tradeoff is Read More
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jdh008
Charleston is always a good stop however it does start to get too hot in June. Lots of shopping, lots to do, lots of restaurants. The dock is close to the center of town.Read More
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LB_NJ
Good day but POURING RAIN! Went to Magnolia plantation and highlight was Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ for lunch.Read More
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DrKoob

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