Passenger Information SC Ports Authority

Table Of Content

• Charleston, South Carolina Cruise Port
• CRUISES FROM CHARLESTON SC
• Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
• Travel Documentation and Online Check-in
• Isle of Palms Beach

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. Charleston cruise port terminal is located at the Union Pier, in the historic district of the city's downtown. It is easily accessible via Highway 17-North, Highway 17-South, and also Interstate 26. Charleston International Airport is at approx 20 min drive distance from the terminal. Here, you’ll find Charleston City Market, the city’s most visited attraction.

Brevard couple on Carnival cruise find parked car totaled by storm - BlueRidgeNow.com

Brevard couple on Carnival cruise find parked car totaled by storm.

Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Charleston, South Carolina Cruise Port

Although Charlotte’s tourism economy may suffer from the decision, officials believe it is the right decision for the city’s future. They speculate that there will be future opportunities for a more developed cruise port capable of welcoming visitors to the city. In the meantime, cruise ships will continue to use the port as usual. 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.

CRUISES FROM CHARLESTON SC

Following the failure to renew Carnival Cruise Line’s deal with the South Carolina Ports Authority, cruise ships will no longer be allowed to start journeys from the city. With that said, cruise ships will still be allowed to dock at Charleston temporarily, but only for same-day port of call stops rather than overnight stays. Charleston is a major city, so cruise passengers have plenty of transportation options.

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Broad Street’s Gallery Row is an art collector’s dream, while the four-block City Market is where you’ll find Gullah artisans selling their famous sweetgrass baskets handwoven from locally grown bulrush grass. Get your feet— or your paddle— wet with plenty of outdoor adventures. Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach are both popular with beachgoers, and nearby Kiawah is renowned for its PGA-caliber golf courses. Kayak around Shem Creek’s estuaries beside dolphins and waterfowl, or enjoy a walk across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Head out on foot from the Battery’s seawall to Waterfront Park, then through the French Quarter and down buzzing King Street.

Main navigation

Taxis take about 20 minutes, but it is a good idea to set off early, as traffic can be an issue if you arrive on weekdays and get stuck in commuter traffic. Most taxis will charge a $35 flat rate from the airport to the cruise port, but it is a good idea to ask before departing, as the meter rate can be higher. Union Pier Main Gate of the Charleston Cruise Port, located at 32 Washington Street,  is the main entry point for guests being dropped off. Travel back in time as you stroll the historic streets of Charleston, accompanied by your informative guide.

It will continue to function as a port of call, and a new terminal will probably be constructed in the future. 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.

Cruise passengers said they returned to find their cars ruined by coastal flooding - Action News 5

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

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

Most luxury ships visiting Charleston SC are on transition routes and most of them stay in port overnight or depart late-evening. 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). 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.

FOOTSTEPS OF TIME

Free Wi-Fi is also available to the public and is not password protected. You will also find plenty of benches and vending machines that can be used to pass the time before boarding your ship. Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage lockers in the port due to security concerns. Charleston is the departure point for trips to a variety of Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean destinations offered by Carnival Cruises, but is a port of call for other cruise lines. 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). Record numbers were reported for breakbulk cargoes (725,828 tons, 10% increase), vehicles (225,191, +4%), cruise tourists (262,776, ~24%), rail moves (190,539, +41%, at both Inland Ports / Greer and Dillon).

Isle of Palms Beach

Permits to start the project have been tied up for years by lawsuits from conservation and historical preservation groups. The only city in the United States to make the "The World's Top 25 Cities" by Travel + Leisure magazine, Charleston is the ideal cruise port for your next cruise or port-of-call visit. Other unique items that are widely available are handwoven sweetgrass baskets. Since Charleston once served as a major tea exporter thanks to the many tea plantations surrounding the city, it continues to be a tea drinker’s ideal city. Located about a 30-minute drive from downtown Charleston, this beach is popular with surfers and those looking to take in stunning sunsets. The beach is also surrounded by independently owned-restaurants and snack bars.

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. Start your cruise from the charming port of Charleston, South Carolina. Immerse yourself in Southern hospitality and explore the city's rich history, charming cobblestone streets, and vibrant culinary scene before embarking on your coastal adventure. You won’t find much in the way of shopping in the cruise port itself, but you’ll be very close to the historic center of town where shopping options, boutiques, and souvenir stands are aplenty. Luckily, Charleston has a variety of dining experiences for every palate, whether you prefer fast casual or fine dining.

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. The decision should cut the number of cruise passengers in Charleston down by 80%, officials said.

The concept plan also includes relocating of all cargo shipping operations from Union Pier.

Panama Canal Cruises: Experience A Man-Made Marvel

Table Of Content

• Puerto Quetzal
• Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
• Set sail with Princess® – the best Panama Canal cruise line
• Viking River Cruises
• The best time to cruise the Panama Canal

Zoom your map way out and Panama looks like a small sliver of land, so a trip through its famous canal is a quickie, right? Cruise the Panama Canal and enjoy a zoomed-in real-life look at perhaps last century’s greatest engineering achievement… along with its surrounding lush, verdant lands. This testament to human audacity joins the Pacific and Caribbean in the most direct way possible, and is worth making a leisurely part of your vacation. Even better, Panama Canal cruises call at Central American ports along the canal like Limón and Cartagena… plus at Caribbean island hotspots along the way.

Puerto Quetzal

The average year-round temperature in Panama is about 86 degrees, so it doesn't vary much during the year, but it's more humid in October with the wet weather. It's also possible to have hurricanes this time of year if you're cruising in the Caribbean. You'll get to see other ships as they cross, too, giving you a different vantage point and a new way of learning how the canal works. A cruise to the Panama Canal is filled with country-hopping adventures that take you to Mexico's Mayan ruins, white beaches in Cabo San Lucas or Colonial treasures in Colombia. Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises.

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

See if you can catch a glimpse of an orange-chinned parakeet or a white-faced capuchin monkey. Panamanian food rewards foodies with a fascinating diversity of cooking traditions, a bonus of the nation’s position as an international crossroads and a land bridge linking North and South America. With the high temperatures and humidity — and the threat of rain — you might want to take tours where you can easily escape from the heat and the showers. If you're in Panama City, visit the vibrant neighborhood of Casco Antiguo in the city's historic district. For a rainy-day excursion, ride the Panama Canal Railway, one of the world's great train rides. If you're in Panama City, plan an indoor excursion with a visit to the world's first museum dedicated to biodiversity, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo.

Set sail with Princess® – the best Panama Canal cruise line

With four pools (including an adults-only aft Serenity Pool), a WaterWorks aqua park, Camp Ocean kids club and seven restaurants, the ship offers enough diversions for sea-day fun, even at half the size of Carnival's newest megaships. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Obviously, a forward location on the ship will give you a clear vantage point as you head into the locks.

BEST Princess Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

BEST Princess Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 19:49:10 GMT [source]

Our Panama cruise itineraries depart from both east and west coasts for loads of convenient options. A cruise to the Panama Canal is an incredible experience, worthy of any bucket list as you travel between oceans. The shipping channel—which took 33 years to complete and cost more than 25,000 workers their lives—is arguably the greatest engineering achievement of all time. As you cruise the canal, you will pass through the two-chambered Miraflores Locks, the one-chambered Pedro Miguel Lock, and three-chambered Gatun Locks. Along the way you’ll find Gatun Lake, once the largest manmade lake in the world, which has proved a boon for the species that thrive here, undisturbed by the passing ships.

The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December. For a Panama Canal experience that begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Cruises' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean itinerary is a great option. There's plenty of time to plan ahead for the Dec. 2, 2024 cruise or the half-dozen almost identical sailings that follow through March 2025. All sailings are aboard the new 3,260-guest Celebrity Beyond and visit Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendjik, Bonaire; and George Town, Grand Cayman (Willemstad, Curacao replaces Grand Cayman on some 2025 sailings). Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa.

A stop in Colón, Panama, lets you lay on the sand at serene Maria Chiquita beach or hike your way through Portobelo National Park to reach the 17th-century San Lorenzo Fort. And if you're in the mood for the city life, head to Panama City, the Caribbean's most urban cluster that's only an hour away by car. Taste your way through the diverse culinary culture of Panama on your Panama Canal cruise with Princess. Find fascinating articles with Panama Canal cruise tips for experiencing unforgettable attractions, regional cuisine, and more on both sides of this epic man-made wonder.

Take the world's greatest shortcut with our Panama Canal cruise.

Experiencing the Panama Canal doesn't have to be time-consuming or budget-busting. The array of options means that a Panama Canal cruise experience is possible even if you're short on time or have a limited budget — and chances are high that your favorite cruise line offers one or more itineraries. Most sailings attract couples, typically retirees, but if the timing is right a Panama Canal cruise can also be a great multi-generational experience. From ships custom built to sail the massive locks to immersive onboard programs and onshore adventures that inspire, Princess is the number one way to explore this epic phenomenon. We've sailed the Panama Canal since 1967 and we have more itinerary choices and departures of any cruise line in the region. Trace the coast of Central America, uncovering rich history, vibrant culture and natural beauty.

Sailing through the Panama Canal - Hernando Sun

Sailing through the Panama Canal.

Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 20:30:38 GMT [source]

You’ll get to explore the local beaches and culture while heading to or from one of the greatest man-made marvels in the world. The ultimate journey between two continents and two mighty oceans, a Panama Canal cruise encompasses Spanish colonial architecture, verdant rainforest and an engineering marvel. And be sure to explore the complex and fascinating history of the Panama Canal. With drier weather and high temperatures hovering around 88 degrees, it's less humid in the region in December. However, it's the holiday season, so cruise fares and other costs, like hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays, will be more expensive if you travel this month.

You will likely be safer on a shore excursion, booked through the ship or independently, than if you decide to head on your own into town. If you're not a fan of tours, know that in Colon, city officials have regulated taxis and provided good shopping and cafe facilities at the two main cruise ship docking areas, Colon 2000 and nearby Cristobal Pier. Experiencing this marvel of early 20th-century engineering appeals to those with a wide array of interests, from history and politics to colonial architecture and wildlife spotting. Built by the U.S. government between 1903 and 1914, this 50-mile waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans revolutionized shipping by creating an expedited route for the transit of cargo and, ultimately, cruise ship passengers.

You too could experience this truly extraordinary transit, rising up – or down – 26 meters above sea level through six sets of locks, all against a backdrop of ever-changing scenery. Then, after you make the journey, a whole host of exciting experiences await in Central America itself. Being in the locks is a thrilling experience and gives you an insight into how extraordinary the canal is, all the more so given that it’s more than 100 years old. You’ll see everything from giant cargo ships to small yachts making the transit. Visitors in the viewing galleries at the locks will wave as you pass through. A full transit of the Panama Canal takes you from the Pacific to the Caribbean, or vice versa.

Passenger ships will usually invite a local guide on board to provide a running commentary of what's happening all day; usually, their narration is piped through the ship's intercom. Wear a hat and long-sleeved clothes if you can, apply sunscreen before heading out on deck — and reapply often — and drink plenty of water all day. Here are some Panama Canal cruise tips to help you plan and get the most out of this bucket list experience.

On a one-way voyage, combine the thrill of the canal with adrenaline-fueled adventure in Costa Rica and iced margaritas on Mexico’s golden beaches. Make the most of your time ashore with our range of imaginative excursions, from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries and Private Journeys designed just for you. On Celebrity’s ships, you can enjoy a different restaurant at every meal, with menus designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Try anything from mouth-watering seafood to steak, flavor-packed Italian, and gourmet French cuisine. Elevate your cruise with a stay at The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, access to a tranquil lounge, and dining at the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat. Those on "partial crossings" or simply docked at Colon might consider completing the crossing in a smaller boat.