More about Charleston
Why Cruise to Charleston?
The ship terminal is located in the heart of a colorful and historic city fit for strolling
Beware of "free tours" that are really bait for a timeshare talk
Southern charm is abundant among Charleston's polite and well-preserved neighborhoods
Charleston Cruise Port Facilities?
The city begins at the gangway. 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).
Good to Know?
Watch out for young people trying to sell palmetto roses, made from the fronds of the local trees. Yes, they are cute and make nice souvenirs, but the sellers will remind you of Caribbean beach vendors. Practice the word "no." Also, there's no such thing as a flat sidewalk; public restrooms only exist in the Market, parking garages and near the waterfront park; and, oh yes, those "free tours" being offered at booths and storefronts are come-ons for timeshares.
Getting Around?
On Foot: It's very easy to explore Charleston on foot, given the intimate scale of the area. Check to see if your smartphone is GPS-enabled, or access the MapQuest application on your iPhone to guide yourself. You can shave time and distance from your on-foot explorations that way.
By Bus: For those who don't want to hoof it around town, public transit is available through CARTA, which operates both city buses and trolley-style shuttles. The cost for a trolley is free, and you can also purchase transfers between trolleys and buses to get wherever you need to go. Correct change is required; you can also pre-order single-day or three-day passes.
By Car: Taxis are at the terminal when a ship is in port. Yellow Cab will dispatch (843-577-6565), as will Max Transportation (843-822-1869) and Charleston Black Cab Company (843-216-2627). For cab rides to and from the Charleston airport (about $30 each way), try Grant's Limo-Taxi (843-813-1737). Rickshaw-pedicabs operate downtown, but mainly in the evening (Charleston Rickshaw, 843-723-5685). Rental cars are available downtown at Enterprise or Budget. Both companies are located opposite the Visitors' Center, about a mile or so from the port.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
U.S. dollars are used, and ATM's are readily available; credit cards may not be accepted by individual vendors in the Market or by the city's famed basket makers.
Language?
It's English, with a twist. Charlestonians speak in warm, languid voices that make a drawl seem fast, and African Americans of Gullah/Geechee descent still use the words of another time, softened by the centuries.
Where You're Docked?
Charleston Cruise Port Address:
32 Washington Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
The passenger terminal couldn't be more convenient; it's within strolling distance of everything. The facility itself isn't the most visually appealing, but plans to improve the area have been stalled in court for years by locals who argue that visiting cruise ships detract from the serenity of the city. Secure, patrolled parking is available for a per-day fee; an open public garage, about two to three blocks away, also offers daily parking.
