For years Charleston was an easy drive-in port for the Carolinas: Carnival Sunshine was homeported here full time from May 2019 until January 2025, running mostly four- and five-night Bahamas cruises. In February 2025 the ship moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and no other major ocean line has taken its place.
As of October 2026, the passenger terminal near the historic district mainly sees American Cruise Lines' small coastal ships, plus the occasional larger ship visiting as a port of call. South Carolina Ports says the facility can handle ships of any size, so that could change, but there is no regular big-ship departure schedule to plan around right now.
If you live in the Carolinas and want a mainstream cruise, the nearest alternatives are Norfolk (Carnival, year-round), Jacksonville (Carnival and seasonal Norwegian), Baltimore and Port Canaveral. Charleston itself remains a great pre- or post-trip city, and the terminal sits right by the French Quarter.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| Passenger Terminal (Union Pier) 196 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401, on the edge of the historic French Quarter. | Varies |
Getting there
The terminal is on the Charleston peninsula's east side, reached from I-26 into downtown and then East Bay or Concord Street. From Charleston International, a taxi or rideshare usually takes 20 to 25 minutes.
- CHS Charleston International Airport: about 12 miles
Parking
South Carolina Ports has surface parking at the passenger terminal on Concord Street. With no regular homeport service, confirm parking arrangements directly with your cruise line or South Carolina Ports (cruise information line 843-958-8298) before you go.
Where to stay the night before
The historic district and French Quarter hotels are a short walk from the terminal.
Season: No regular big-ship homeport season as of October 2026. Check the South Carolina Ports cruise schedule for individual sailings.
Embarkation-day tips
- Before booking, confirm your ship actually embarks in Charleston; most current calls are port-of-call visits or small coastal ships.
- For a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise from the Southeast, look at Norfolk, Jacksonville or Port Canaveral instead.
- Charleston makes a strong add-on city before or after a cruise from another East Coast port.
Cruising from Charleston: questions
Can I still take a cruise from Charleston, SC?
Not on a major ocean line on a regular schedule as of October 2026. Carnival Sunshine left Charleston in January 2025, and the terminal now mainly sees small coastal ships and occasional port-of-call visits.
Where did Carnival's Charleston ship go?
Carnival Sunshine moved to Norfolk, Virginia, in February 2025 and now sails Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruises from there.
What are the closest alternatives to Charleston for a cruise?
Jacksonville (Carnival year-round, Norwegian November through April), Norfolk (Carnival), Port Canaveral and Baltimore are the nearest ports with regular departures.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
