Cruise Line Service From Charleston

By Glenn McNeil
Thanks to cruise lines such as Carnival and Celebrity Mercury, year-round cruises are now available from Charleston, SC. With departures throughout Summer, passengers can depart as early as Jun 16, 2010 and return in time to spend summer in Charleston.
According to the South Carolina State Ports Authority's website, Carnival Fantasy now has five-, six- and seven-day cruises to the Bahamas and Key West, Fla. All totaled, 67 cruise ship calls, from various companies, are planned for 2010. And more are on the way.
In 2011 the number of calls will increase to approx 100. Included will be Carnival cruises to Bermuda on the Carnival Fantasy.
Edith M. Grainger, agent for the New Winds Travel Agency, said "passengers can take advantage of A-to-Z online travel services to book cruises." Grainger said several cruise lines currently operate from Charleston. Some companies like Carnival offer 5-night round-trip cruises from Charleston to the Bahamas for as little as $349 per person.
The year-round cruise service benefits not only potential passengers, but the local economy stands to benefit as well. On the SCSPA website, Jim Newsome, South Carolina State Ports Authority President and CEO noted, "Cruise business benefits Charleston because it provides a positive economic impact in the form of jobs, investment and visitor spending. We look forward to continuing our successful, long-standing relationship with Carnival. "
New Winds Travel Agency is a local company that has benefited from the cruises. Grainger said she noticed a "slight increase in business since the year-round cruise initiative."
With regard to the terminal, the South Carolina State Ports Authority is looking to dramatically enhance the cruise facility. The State Ports Authority also stated on their website they and the City of Charleston has hired a company to develop a plan for the new terminal. The enhanced terminal will offer access to a large cruise markets in the Carolinas. Georgia, Tennessee and other locations are also targeted markets of an enhanced terminal.
As for the site of the terminal, it is located in downtown Charleston with great accessibility from major city arteries, I-26 and Hwy 17. There's one note to keep in mind, however. Traffic increases when ships call. In last Friday's Post & Courier's Business Briefs passengers were advised of possible street closures. Closures included Concord street from north of Market Street to the intersection south of Hassell Street. The paper noted advised of closures/increased traffic from 11:00am until 3:30pm when the ships embarked again.