Port of Charleston is one of the most beautifully located cruise homeports in the United States — steps from the historic French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and Charleston Harbor. Charleston is consistently ranked one of America's best cities, and spending a day or two here before your cruise is one of the finest pre-cruise experiences available anywhere in the country.
Carnival and Norwegian both sail seasonally from Charleston on Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda itineraries.
What's New for 2026
- ⚠️ Union Pier has permanently closed to cruise ships — the Norwegian Jewel was the last ship to dock there. Ships now dock approximately 1.5 miles from downtown. Confirm your terminal address with your cruise line before arrival.
- 🚢 Carnival and Norwegian sail seasonally from Charleston — check current schedules as the number of sailings is limited
- 🍽️ Charleston's restaurant scene is one of America's best — don't miss shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and Low Country cuisine
- 🏛️ The new terminal location means the historic district is no longer walkable from the pier — plan for a taxi or rideshare to reach Rainbow Row, City Market, and King Street
Hot Tip
Port of Charleston, South Carolina – Quick Facts
Port of Charleston, South Carolina Cruise Terminals
Know your terminal before you arrive — each serves different cruise lines.
🚢 Carnival — Charleston Cruise Terminal
Carnival operates seasonal sailings from Charleston. Confirm the current terminal address with Carnival before your sailing — the new facility is approximately 1.5 miles from the historic Union Pier location.
🚢 Norwegian — Charleston Cruise Terminal
Norwegian operates seasonal sailings from Charleston on Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries. Confirm the current terminal address with Norwegian before your sailing. The Norwegian Jewel was the last ship to use Union Pier before it permanently closed to cruise ships.
Getting to Port of Charleston, South Carolina
Transportation options from nearby airports, train stations and downtown.
✈️ From Charleston Airport (CHS)
Charleston International Airport is served by Southwest, JetBlue, American, Delta, and United. The airport is approximately 10–15 minutes from the new cruise terminal location. Confirm exact directions with your cruise line.
Rideshare ~$15–$25 · Taxi ~$30
🚕 Rideshare & Taxi
Uber and Lyft are readily available at CHS and throughout Charleston. Drop-off is at the terminal entrance. For reaching the historic district from the new terminal (1.5 miles away), rideshare is the most convenient option — a short and inexpensive trip.
🚘 Driving
Easy access from I-26 East into Charleston. Do not use the old Union Pier address (196 Concord Street) as your GPS destination — that terminal is permanently closed to cruise ships. Confirm the current terminal address with your cruise line before departure.
🏛️ Getting to the Historic District from the Terminal
The new terminal is approximately 1.5 miles from Charleston's historic district — too far to walk comfortably with luggage but a very short taxi or rideshare. Rainbow Row, City Market, and King Street restaurants are all easily accessible from the new location. Budget $8–$12 each way by rideshare.
Plan Your Visit
Everything you need for a smooth departure from Port of Charleston, South Carolina.
Parking
On-site garages connect directly to your terminal. Off-site lots offer free shuttles at lower daily rates. Hotel+park packages can be the best value of all.
See Parking Options →Hotels Near the Port
🏨 Charleston's historic district has some of the most beautiful boutique hotels in the United States. Staying downtown is one of the best pre-cruise hotel e…
See Hotels →Shore Excursions
Book shore excursions before you board for best availability and pricing. Day trips, city tours, snorkelling, and more departing from Port of Charleston, South Carolina.
See Excursions →Things To Do
🎯 Charleston is one of America's most beautiful and historically rich cities — here's what not to miss before your sailing: Charleston City…
See Things To Do →Port of Charleston, South Carolina – Frequently Asked Questions
Everything cruise passengers ask before sailing from Port of Charleston, South Carolina.
Where is Charleston's cruise terminal now?
Charleston's Union Pier Terminal has permanently closed to cruise ships — the Norwegian Jewel was the last ship to dock there. Ships now use a facility approximately 1.5 miles from the historic district. Confirm your exact terminal address directly with your cruise line (Carnival or Norwegian) before your sailing. Do not GPS to the old Union Pier address at 196 Concord Street.
Which cruise lines sail from Charleston?
Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line both offer seasonal sailings from Charleston on Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda itineraries. Cruise activity at Charleston is limited — check current schedules as the number of sailings is relatively small compared to major Florida homeports.
Can I walk from the new cruise terminal to the historic district?
The new terminal is approximately 1.5 miles from the historic district — not a practical walk with luggage. A taxi or rideshare is the recommended option for getting between the terminal and Rainbow Row, City Market, King Street, and the French Quarter. The trip is short and inexpensive.
Is it worth arriving early in Charleston?
Absolutely — Charleston is consistently ranked one of America's most beautiful and livable cities. The historic district, Rainbow Row, carriage tours, Fort Sumter, and an exceptional restaurant scene make it one of the best pre-cruise city destinations in the US. At least one full day is recommended.
What is Charleston's Low Country cuisine?
Low Country cuisine is the distinctive culinary tradition of coastal South Carolina and Georgia — drawing on African, British, French, and Native American influences. Essential dishes: shrimp and grits (creamy stone-ground grits with local shrimp), she-crab soup (a rich bisque made with blue crab and crab roe), fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and benne wafers (sesame seed cookies with West African roots). Charleston has more James Beard Award-winning chefs per capita than almost any other American city.