Cruising From Charleston
Frequently Asked Questions
• Address & Directions
• Parking
• Embarkation
• Debarkation
• Luggage
• Cruise Schedules
• Key Contacts
PARKING AT THE PORT:
Is parking available at Union Pier Cruise Terminal? Yes, on
site parking is available on SC Port Authority property.
Is the parking in a secure location? Yes, the parking is in a
restricted-access location with 24/7 security. It is patrolled by
SC Ports Authority Police.
What is the fee for parking at the Port? Standard size
vehicles (up to 20 ft. length) - $17/day. Oversized vehicles
(i.e. campers, rv’s, etc.) $50/day. Fees are subject to change
without notice. Vehicles displaying handicap permits – no fee.
(The person the permit was issued to must be traveling in the
vehicle to qualify for handicap parking.)
How will I pay for parking? Accepted forms of payment are
debit card, credit card, traveler’s check, personal check, or
money order. Major credit cards accepted include American
Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card. Cash is no longer
accepted.
When do I pay for parking? Payment for parking is due
when the vehicle arrives at the port on embarkation day.
How do I get from the parking areas to the Cruise
Terminal? The Port provides complimentary shuttle buses
from the parking area to the entry door of the Cruise Terminal.
The same shuttle buses bring you back to the parking area on
your return morning, after you have cleared U.S. Customs.
Wheelchair accessible shuttle buses are available for those
with special needs.
Can I take my luggage with me on the shuttle buses? Only
smaller carry-on luggage is allowed on the shuttle buses.
Larger luggage is collected at the check-through luggage tent
prior to parking.
How do I get back to the parking area on the day the cruise
returns to port? The shuttle buses will take you to a central
location in the parking area or you may choose to walk back
to the parking area. All of your luggage will come with you on
debarkation morning.
Can I leave my vehicle in the parking area after I complete
my cruise? All vehicles must leave the parking area once the
debarkation activities are completed on the return morning of
the cruise.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
What is the address of the entry gate? The Union Pier Cruise
Terminal entry point is Gate #2 located at the intersection of
Concord and Laurens Streets, Charleston, SC 29401.
How do I get to the Port? Detailed Map and Driving
directions are posted on the SCPA website:
www.scspa.com/cruises/getting-to-charleston/.
I am traveling to Charleston via Interstate 26. What exit
do I take? Use exit 219-B from I-26. Follow the brown and
white highway signs indicating the path to Union Pier Cruise
Terminal. The signs have a ship logo and read “CRUISE”.
I am ying into Charleston and will be taking a taxi to the
cruise terminal. What is the address? Taxis use Union Pier
Cruise Terminal Gate 1(Main Gate) for dropping o cruise
passengers. The address is 32 Washington Street, Charleston,
SC 29401.
How far is the airport from the cruise terminal? Charleston
International Airport is located in North Charleston
approximately 10 miles from the Cruise Terminal.
How much time should I allow for travel between the cruise
terminal and the airport? Allow 20-30 minutes travel time,
minimum.
I am arriving by train to Charleston. How far is the Amtrak
Train Station from the cruise terminal? The Amtrak Train
Station is located in North Charleston approximately 10 miles
away.
How much travel time should I allow between the cruise
terminal and the train station? Allow at least 30 minutes.
DEBARKATION & CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
How do I disembark on the return morning of the cruise?
Everyone must clear U.S. Customs on return to port. The ship’s
sta will make announcements noting when it is time to
come ashore. Self-assist guests will leave the ship rst. They
will carry all their luggage o the ship themselves. Guests
choosing the zone option will be assigned a zone number for
luggage laydown in the terminal. The ship will call each zone
when it is time for that section to leave the ship.
What do I need to clear U.S. Customs on return? You will
need the completed U.S. Customs Declaration Form and your
photo ID. The ship will provide the declaration form. It should
be completed prior to leaving the ship. Keep the completed
form and your photo ID easily accessible during debarkation.
You will need to show them to the U.S. Customs ocers
during clearance activities. If you chose to debark by zone,
you will claim your luggage in the Cruise Terminal building
and proceed to the U.S. Customs checkpoint in the building.
You must have your luggage with you when clearing U.S.
Customs.
How do I get from the Cruise Terminal to the parking area?
Complimentary shuttle buses will take you back to the parking
areas on port property. Your luggage will go with you via the
shuttle buses. You also have the option to walk back to the
parking areas.
EMBARKATION:
Where do I go on sailing/embarkation day? All cruise
passengers should come to Union Pier Cruise Terminal. Your
entry to the terminal will be Gate 2 (intersection of Laurens
and Concord Streets) if arriving by car. Use Gate 1 (Main Gate
at 32 Washington Street) if arriving by taxi or bus.
I am being dropped o by a friend and not leaving my car.
Where do I go for entry? Enter via Gate 2 at the intersection of
Laurens and Concord Streets. You will bypass the parking lane
and proceed directly to the luggage tent. Cruise passengers will
then proceed to the check-in location and the ship.
What do I need for entry? Cruise documents/tickets,
government issued photo ID (i.e. valid driver’s license) and
proof of citizenship (passport or government-issued birth
certicate) are required for entry to the cruise terminal and to
check-in for cruises.
These documents are required for each passenger sailing. A
photo ID in the form of a government- issued document is
required for all passengers.
Birth certicates must be government-issued with a valid
government seal. A valid passport or valid government-issued
birth certicate can currently be used for the identication
process.
Where do I pick up my cruise documents, if I don’t have
them because of booking close to sailing date? Pier pickup
is available on-site at the port. You will need to meet with
the ground handler at a designated location upon entry to
the port. You will directed to the appropriate location and
representative.
What are the hours for check-in? Vehicles and luggage
will typically be accepted at the Union Pier Cruise Terminal
between 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on sailing days. Cruise dates
and arrival/departure times may vary. Check-in times may
change accordingly. Check with your cruise line to conrm.
When can I board the ship? When the ship is ready to receive
passengers the cruise line will open the check-in desk. You
may board the ship after you complete the check-in process at
the Union Pier Cruise Terminal.
What happens if the cruise is cancelled due to weather
conditions or other emergencies? The cruise line will notify
you of the cancellation and arrangements.
I am being picked up by friends or family. Where do I meet
them? You will meet them in the parking lot directly in front
of the Cruise Terminal. The street address is 196 Concord
Street (the foot of Market and Concord Streets).
I need transportation to the airport, Amtrak station or
local hotel. Where do I nd transportation? Taxis, limos,
hotel transportation vehicles are located in the parking lot
directly in front of the Cruise Terminal. The address is 196
Concord Street (the foot of Market and Concord Streets).
I will be traveling with a group on a charter bus. Where do
I meet my bus? Charter bus groups debark together in the
same assigned number zone from the ship. The charter bus
for a group will meet them at the exit to the Cruise Terminal,
once all of the group members are together.
If I lose my luggage, leave something behind or have
damaged luggage, who do I contact? Please contact the
ground handler. For Carnival Cruise Lines that is Intercruises
Shoreside and Port Services: 843/958-8255.
Is there anywhere that the port I can leave my luggage
after debarkation? Due to security regulations, luggage
cannot be left or stored at the port after debarkation. You will
need to take all items with you when you leave the area.
LUGGAGE INFORMATION:
How early can I drop o luggage? Early drop-o luggage
is accepted between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on sailing days.
Early luggage drop-o is for passengers with early ight
arrivals or early check-out from hotels.
Only luggage is accepted for early drop-o. Passengers are
asked to return at 11:30 a.m. or later when check-in process is
available. The location for early drop-o of luggage is Union
Pier Cruise Terminal Gate #2 at the intersection of Concord
and Laurens Streets.
Where do I drop o my luggage during the regular check-
in process? Do I surrender my checked luggage before or
after parking? After you enter the terminal, the steps will
be: 1)Pay for parking; 2)Drop-o luggage at the the luggage
collection tent; 3) Park your vehicle. You will be directed
through each step in the process.
Where do I leave my luggage if I am not parking, but being
dropped o instead? You will be directed along a route
within Union Pier Cruise Terminal to the luggage collection
tent. After checked-through luggage is deposited at the
luggage collection tent, you will be directed to a shuttle bus
to take you to the vessel check-in desk. You may also choose
to walk into the terminal to check-in.
What size luggage can I carry with me? Carry-on luggage
should be no larger than 22’ x 14’ x 9’ (approximately).
Luggage size limits are similar to those for airline travel.
Can I keep my larger carry-on luggage with me and
continue to check-in? In accordance with U.S. Coast Guard
and SC Port regulations, any luggage larger than the size
noted above is considered checked-through luggage and
cannot be carried on the vessel. It will be collected at the
luggage collection tent site and delivered to your cabin.
What do I need to do with my luggage prior to collection?
Each piece of luggage should be tagged with the ocial
cruise line tags provided in the ticket package. Please include
full name and cabin number on tags and attach them to your
bag prior to arrival at the terminal.
How do I get additional tags for my luggage? Tags are
available from the ground handler team at the luggage
collection tent.
How do I get my luggage to my cabin? Luggage handling
assistance is provided at the luggage collection tent. Your
tagged, checked-through luggage will be delivered to your
cabin for you. You keep your smaller carry-on luggage with
you and take it on board yourself.
What items are prohibited for the cruise? Please review
the list on the Port website and in the Carnival Cruise Line
materials.
SCPA: http://www.scspa.com/cruises/cruise-guidelines/
Carnival: http://www.carnivalcruises.com
What should I keep with me? Please keep all cruise
documents, photo ID, and proof of citizenship with you. You
will be asked to show the documents several times during the
check-in process. Keep any valuables and special needs items,
such as medicine, with you in your carry-on luggage.
Where will I nd my luggage on return morning for
debarkation? You will have the option of either self-assist
or zone debarkation on the return morning. The self-assist
option means you will keep your luggage with you and bring
it all o the ship yourself. Zone debarkation means you will
be assigned a zone number. Your luggage will be in the
terminal building. You will debark by zone number, when
announcements are made by ship sta.
Will there be assistance with the luggage on debarkation?
If you choose the zone option, there will be labor assistance
in the building to help you with your luggage during
debarkation. Due to security regulations, luggage cannot be
left or stored at the port after debarkation.
CHARLESTON CRUISE SCHEDULE
What cruise lines currently sail from Charleston? Carnival
Cruise Line oers a variety of itineraries with year-round
service from Charleston. Ships sail on 5-day, 6-day and 7-day
cruises from the Port of Charleston. Please go to www.
Carnival.com to book your cruise.
Where do I nd the cruise schedule for Charleston? The
cruise schedules are posted on the Port’s website and updated
periodically. The Port’s web site address is www.scspa.com/
cruises/cruise-calendars/.
How do I nd more details or book a cruise from
Charleston? Contact your local travel agent for information
on cruises, itineraries, rates, cabin availability and assistance in
making reservations. You can also check the Carnival Cruise
Line’s website at www.carnivalcruises.com for details on
cruises out of Charleston.
KEY CONTACTS
South Carolina Ports Authority
Port of Charleston Cruise Information
Telephone: 843-958-8298
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.scspa.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CruiseCharleston
Port Police Headquarters
(after hours and emergencies)
Telephone: 843-577-8706
U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Charleston
Telephone: 843-579-6500 or 843-552-2696
Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services
Telephone: 843-958-8255
E-mail: c.buzille@intercruises.com
Carnival Cruise Line
Telephone: 800-764-7419
www.CarnivalCruises.com
