Charleston
South Carolina, US
Port Report Card
Port Stats
The Tea
Charleston's Union Pier Terminal is tiny but charming, much like the city itself. With just one berth, it handles far fewer passengers than the Florida mega-ports — and that's exactly the point. Embarkation here feels civilized, almost quaint.
The port is walking distance from the historic district, which is one of the most beautiful areas in America. King Street shopping, Rainbow Row, incredible restaurants — all within a 15-minute walk. Parking at $15/day is reasonable, and CHS airport is a quick ride away.
The tea: Charleston is the luxury cruise port hiding in plain sight. The demographics here skew older and wealthier, and the pre-cruise hotel options are gorgeous. The downside? Very limited sailings — mainly Carnival, with seasonal Celebrity and others. But if you can make the schedule work, the overall experience is top-tier.
Weather by Month
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Good Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F | 4 | 87% |
| Feb | 53°F | 4 | 86% |
| Mar | 61°F | 9 | 71% |
| Apr | 66°F | 4 | 87% |
| May | 74°F | 11 | 65% |
| Jun | 80°F | 7 | 77% |
| Jul | 82°F | 17 | 45% |
| Aug | 79°F | 13 | 58% |
| Sep | 76°F | 9 | 70% |
| Oct | 68°F | 1 | 97% |
| Nov | 63°F | 7 | 77% |
| Dec | 52°F | 4 | 87% |
Day-in-Port Budget
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | $— | $— | $— |
| Drinks (2) | $— | $— | $— |
| Taxi to King Street | $— | $— | $— |
| Excursion | $— | $— | $— |
| Souvenirs | $— | $— | $— |
Ships That Sail From Here
| Ship | Cruise Line | CDC Score | ShipTea Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Sunshine | Carnival | 94 | 🟢 Smooth Sailing |
Explore CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship that sails from Charleston.