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The End Sail: Carnival Cruises Out of Charleston SC

The South Carolina Ports Authority ceased Carnival's Service as a homeport after 2024
Source : postandcourier

Carnival Cruises Out of Charleston SC are 4-Day The Bahamas and 5-Day The Bahamas. All sailings are scheduled on Carnival Sunshine.

The cruise line recently announced sailing from Charleston as the homeport contract will no more be extended from 2024. It is due to the development process of the Union Pier Terminal.

Carnival is the only cruise line calling Port of Charleston its homeport. Carnival Fantasy and Union Pier Terminal also had homeport sailings from the port at times.

There are 22 itineraries sailing out of Charleston. So stick around as we explore the Carnival cruises that embark from the South Carolina city below:

1. 4-Day The Bahamas from Charleston

Passengers disembarking from the Carnival Sunshine docked on Charleston cruise port
Source : wltx

Looking for a fun and unforgettable carnival cruise Charleston SC port? Look no further, 4-Day The Bahamas from Charleston will sail on October 17, 2024.

The itinerary costs $359 per person for an Interior Stateroom. Embark on this journey from the historic harbor city of Charleston which is known for its cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages.

Being considered among the most haunted city in America, it is a must thing to take a ghost tour. You will get enough spooky tales of orphan poltergeists while walking in paranormal places like the Old Exchange dungeon.

Rejoice with a plethora of heart-racing water sports opportunities in Nassau. Speed up with a quad bike tour or a buggy tour and get local insights.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Visit South Carolina Aquarium
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Nassau - Swim with pigs on Rose Island
  • Day 4: Charleston - Go back in time at the Charleston Museum

2. 5-Day The Bahamas from Charleston

One of the most exhilarating Carnival Sunshine cruise out of Charleston SC is 5-Day The Bahamas from Charleston. The itinerary is scheduled on October 21, 2024.

Isn't it dreamy to go on Horseback Riding by Land and Sea? Well, it can be a dream come true at Half Moon Cay at $119.99 per person. Take pictures on the way to the trail to the island's highest point.

Half Moon Cay is a private island owned by Carnival Corporation. Hop on a personal watercraft and take yourself on a date to the scenic shoreline tour.

Climbing the historic 65 steps of Queen's Staircase is one of the coolest things to do in Nassau Bahamas Near Cruise Port. The stairs were carved out of limestone in the 1700s.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Admire local arts at the Charleston City Market
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Nassau - Charter a boat to Rose Island for snorkeling
  • Day 4: Half Moon Cay - Say hello to Stingray Cove's Stingrays
  • Day 5: Charleston - Wander around the 200-year-old brick buildings

3. 5-Day The Bahamas from Charleston

The vessel was built by Fincantieri in Italy
Source : carnival

The Carnival Cruise Charleston SC port address is Union Pier Terminal, 32 Washington Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Carnival has sailing set on September 28, 2024.

Book a Clear-Bottom Kayaking Adventure at $49.99 per person and ride through the island's lagoon. Visitors can also surf fish on the rocky coastline and catch Nassau grouper and grunts.

Explore the local lives of Harbour Islanders in Princess Cays. Know the history of colorful clapboard houses and take Barbie-perfect pictures at Pinks Sand Beach.

Switch off your phone and take a drive to Primeval Forest National Park in Nassau to explore this stunningly undisturbed old-growth woodland. If you have great eyesight, you might see Cuban tree frogs blending colors to match their environment.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Visit the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Nassau - Observe the pre-historic artifacts and fossils at the Bahamas in Nassau
  • Day 4: Princess Cays - Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise
  • Day 5: Charleston - Try wakeboarding and learn the balance between jump and tricks challenges

Read more about the 15 Best Caribbean Cruise Destinations Price and Route Included.

4. 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston

Are you wondering about Carnival Cruise Charleston SC parking fees? The parking fee at Carnival Cruise Charleston is $21 per day for standard-size vehicles.

The 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston itinerary is set to sail on September 22, 2024, onboard Carnival Sunshine. Find yourself the best dinner cruise in Charleston SC before sailing.

This almost a week-long roundtrip from Charleston stops by four ports of call. One of the breathtakingly beautiful destinations is Half Moon Cay, where you can kayak through acres of protected lagoon or swim along stingrays.

The idea of snorkeling with reef sharks is fascinating, right? You book an excursion to visit the underwater world of preserved coral reefs and play with sharks and tropical fishes in Bimini. This place is home to over 45 different species of sharks.

Another cook excursion is snorkeling around the mysterious remnant of Sapona Shipwreck. The ship carries a history of being shanked during a hurricane in 1926.

Itineraray Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Enjoy the vibrant nightlife
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Half Moon Cay - Buy straws from the straw market as souvenirs
  • Day 4: Bimini - Take a tour of Dolphin House Museum at $10 per person
  • Day 5: Nassau - Soak up the serenity at Clifton Heritage Park
  • Day 6: Charleston - Visit the Colonial-era churches

5. 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston

Carnival Sunshine has a two lane racing slide as a part of the Fun Ship 2.0 renovations
Source : hindustantimes

The 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston is a round trip from Charleston through four ports of call. It is scheduled on April 21, 2024, and costs $609 per person.

Carnival has a Garden of the Groves Sightseeing and Shopping Tour ($64.99 per person) excursion on Freeport. Guests can witness the splendid beauty of cascading waterfalls, limpid lagoons, and lush foliage.

Fill your tummy with some mouth-watering Bahamian dishes like Conch Salad, Goombay Smash, Johnnycake, and Fried Plantains. Try some of the local craft brews at the Bahamian Brewery.

Boomworks can explore the books of the Nassau Public Library and Museum. This public library once served as a jail in 1797 and housed prisoners.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Rest your feet under the oaks trees at the Drayton Hall Plantation
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Freeport - Swim with dolphins 
  • Day 4: Nassau - Meet flamingos at Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre
  • Day 5: Haf Moon Cay - Eat lobsters at the Lobster Shack
  • Day 6: Day at Sea
  • Day 7: Charleston - Discover the natural beauty of Middleton Place

6. 8-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston

The Eastern Caribbean from Charleston itinerary onboard Carnival Sunshine embarks on September 14, 2024. It costs $729 per person.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity in Amber Cove, then thrilling canyoneering through the narrow passages of Damajagua Waterfalls ($97.99 per person) is the best option for you. There is a short hike to this excursion.

For relaxation on the Caribbean beach, head out to Coconut Beach and rent a beach chair and an umbrella. You can try a bunch of watersports there like kayaks, snorkeling, and paddleboard.

Visit the luscious mangroves of Grand Turk through a Duck Boat Tour. Take pictures at the Mercury Friendship 7 Space Capsule and pelicans of North Creek.

Itineraray Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Shop antiques from the Terrace Oaks Antique Mall
  • Day 2: Day at Sea
  • Day 3: Half Moon Cay - Ride a rental bike around the Pegasus Ranch
  • Day 4: Day at Sea
  • Day 5: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic - Meet the dolphins at Ocean World Day Pass
  • Day 6: Grand Turk - Swim with stingrays of the uninhabited island of Gibbs Cay
  • Day 7 - Day 8: Day at Sea
  • Day 9: Charleston - Take a walk through Shem Creek Boardwalk

Looking for more options? Check out Best Time to Cruise to The Caribbean With Destinations.

7. 10-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston

This ship can accommodate up to 3758 guests with 920 crew members
Source : carnival-news

Carnival Cruises out of Charleston 2023 is a 10-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston on Carnival Sunshine. It is scheduled on December 4, 2023 as a part of Carnival Journeys.

The package costs $1109 per person for an Interior Stateroom. The round trip starting from Charleston has six ports of call including St. Maarten and St Thomas.

Whizzing down the thrilling Tree Limin Extreme Zipline is among the coolest things to do in St Thomas Cruise Port. You can also explore the depths by Scuba diving into the colorful coral reefs.

Imagine yourself as one of the pirates from the Caribbean waters and Rusty Parrot Pirate experience. Visitors can spot some pelicans from Fort Amsterdam or spot iguanas on Pinel Island.

Spotting exotic birds at Parotte Ville Bird Park is a must thing to do in St Maarten. The sanctuary has 25 different species of rehabilitated birds.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Try rope courses at Blue Ropes Adventure Park
  • Day 2 - Day 3: Day at Sea
  • Day 4: St. Thomas - Climb up the 99 Steps staircase built by the Danes
  • Day 5: St. Maarten - Pedal around the 19th-century houses of Marigot on the island on a rental bike
  • Day 6: San Juan - Wander inside the twin castles of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal
  • Day 7: Amber Cove - Get a day pass to Ocean World Adventure Park
  • Day 8: Grand Turk - Go western Atlantic humpback whale watching
  • Day 9 - Day 10: Day at Sea
  • Day 11: Charleston - Get to know the history of the Antebellum era at the Aiken Rhett House Museum 

8. 8-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston

The 8-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston is scheduled on Carnival Sunshine on April 13, 2024. The package costs $889 per person for an Interior stateroom.

Before and after sailing, you can pick one of the best hotels near Charleston SC Cruise Port. Stroll around the Shem Creek Boardwalk for a plethora of fancy restaurants and bars.

Looking for thrilling adventures? Rent an ATV and traverse through the rugged roads and venture deep into the mangrove. Explore the breathtaking views of the countryside of Saint Thomas.

Delve into the history of San Juan while exploring the colonial-influenced houses. Give your taste buds the flavors of Puerto Rican dishes from traditional pastries to the iconic plantain mofongo.

Itinerary Details:

  • Day 1: Charleston - Walk the trails of the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
  • Day 2 - Day 3: Day at Sea
  • Day 4: St Thomas - Discover the history Synagogue that was built in 1833
  • Day 5: San Juan - Take pictures with the ceiling of umbrellas at Calle de la Fortaleza
  • Day 6: Amber Cove - Taste organic chocolates at Chocolate Factory
  • Day 7 - Day 8: Day at Sea
  • Day 9: Charleston - Take a fishing rod and try fishing Redfish around the coast of the city

More Carnival Cruises Sailings From Charleston

Carnival Cruises having sailings from Charleston are:

  • 4-Day The Bahamas from Charleston (November 16 - 20, 2023)
  • 5-Day The Bahamas from Charleston (August 28 - September 2, 2023)
  • 5-Day The Bahamas from Charleston (March 16 - 21, 2023)
  • 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston (September 24 - 30, 2023)
  • 6-Day The Bahamas from Charleston (April 21 - 27, 2023)
  • 8-Day Eastern Caribbean from Charleston (May 11 - 19, 2024)

About Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine was caught up in a terrifying storm in June 2023
Source : businessinsider

Carnival Sunshine is the only Carnival vessel operating in Charleston as a homeport. The vessel has 4 to 10 days itineraries, calling on Half Moon Cay, Amber Cove, and more along the stops in the Bahamas.

The ship was launched as Carnival Destiny in 1995 and got renamed in 2013. She got a multimillion-dollar refurbishment in 2005 and a reconstruction worth 155 million in 2013.

She has 586 interior staterooms, 6 porthole ocean-view staterooms, 28 ocean-view obstructed window staterooms, and 508 balcony staterooms.

Passenger Capacity3002 and 1040 crew members
Gross Tonnage102,853
Length892
Launch Date15 November 1995
ClassDestiny-class cruise ship
Speed22.5 knots (41.7 km/h; 25.9 mph)
Building CostUS$409 million

Onboard Activities

Carnival Sunshine offers plenty of fun activities during your cruise from the best family-friendly dining choices to camps and clubs dedicated to kids.

Laugh your belly out at The Punchliner Comedy Club

The comedy show features a nightly lineup of comedy acts curated by funnyman George Lopez. Some shows are adult-only, and some are family-friendly.

You can get a free pass to this club, but you need to get there early to get seats. They have dozens of treatment packages varying from couples or VIPs.

Savor different flavors

For free Mexican and Caribbean eats, head to Blueguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint for classic burgers by chef Guy Fieri. Lido Marketplace offers a classic cruise buffet experience.

Bonsai Sushi provides rolls and appetizers priced below $10. Cucina Del Capitano serves Italian dinner courses of dishes at $18.

Get A Relaxing Massage at Cloud 9 Spa

Want the full-blown spa experience? Enter the Cloud 9 Spa and get a 50-minute Swedish Massage at $104.30.

You can also relax by the sea-water thalassotherapy pool or use the free-to-use steam room.

Splash Some Water At WaterWorks Aqua Park

Whether you decide to slide down the Twister Waterslide or show buckets of water on PowerDrencher, there are enough fun things to do.

This park features exciting slides and splash zones that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Watching Dive-in Movies

This is another free activity you can do Carnival fleets ships. There is a big LED poolside screen on Seaside Theaters that showcases movies from family films and animated features.