Cruises from Charleston are coming to an end
Driving to Charleston for a Caribbean cruise will become a thing of the past, as the city eye waterfront redevelopment
The following article appeared in the December 9, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
It’s bon voyage to cruises out of Charleston after 14 years; final Carnival ship leaves at end of the month
The era of driving to Charleston to hop on a cruise ship is coming to an end.
For the last 14 years, Carnival Cruise Line has been running ships out of Charleston to the Bahamas and other Caribbean ports, making cruising an easy option for residents of North and South Carolina — as opposed to, say, flying or driving to south Florida, where most Caribbean cruises leave from.
But authorities in Charleston declined to renew Carnival’s contract. Some residents had complained about the crowds associated with the cruise ships, and officials preferred to redevelop the cruise terminal and its desirable waterfront location. Beginning in January, ships can still dock in Charleston for the day, but they can’t depart from there.
The Carnival Sunshine made regular departures from Charleston, S.C., but that ends at the end of the month. (Shutterstock photo)
The 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunshine, which runs four- and five-night itineraries out of Charleston to the Bahamas, has five sailings remaining. All appear to be sold out, except for one, which starts at $899 per person over Christmas.
The Sunshine will be redeployed to Norfolk, Va., beginning in February, the Charleston Post and Courier reported. —Tony Mecia
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman