Charleston

🇺🇸 South Carolina

Antebellum elegance and Lowcountry charm

1

Avg. Ships / Day

8h

Avg. Time in Port

Peak Season

Not really a peak season

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1 sailings over the next 12 months

Based on cruises available on Cruisello

About Charleston

Charleston's cruise terminal sits in the middle of the historic district, so you can be walking cobblestone streets within minutes of stepping off the ship. Pastel antebellum houses line The Battery waterfront, horse-drawn carriages share the road with bicycles, and gas lamps still burn on many blocks. The Charleston City Market stretches four blocks and is where Gullah artisans weave sweetgrass baskets using techniques passed down through generations. Fort Sumter, where the Civil War's first shots were fired, is a short ferry ride across the harbour. Middleton Place offers formal gardens and a working plantation dating to the 1740s. The food alone is worth the stop: shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fried green tomatoes are on menus across the historic quarter. King Street is the shopping corridor for boutiques, while Market Street leans toward local crafts and souvenirs. The city is compact and flat, so most things are walkable. Sweet tea and local peach wine are the drinks to try.

Port Location

Things to do in Charleston

Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~8h port call

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

4.9(6,828)2h09:30–11:30, 10:00–12:00, 11:00–13:00 +4
Fits your port day
From $30per person
Viator
Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

4.9(2,597)2h09:30–11:30, 14:00–16:00
Fits your port day
From $35per person
Viator
Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

4.9(2,310)2h 30m08:00–10:30, 08:30–11:00, 08:45–11:15 +37
Fits your port day
From $57per person
Viator
Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

4.9(2,282)2h09:00–11:00, 11:30–13:30, 13:00–15:00 +1
Fits your port day
From $26per person
Viator
Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

4.9(2,250)3h09:30–12:30, 11:00–14:00, 11:30–14:30 +6
Fits your port day
From $113per person
Viator
Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

5.0(1,483)3h09:30–12:30, 14:00–17:00
Fits your port day
From $41per person
Viator
Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

4.9(1,609)2h 30m16:30–19:00, 19:00–21:30, 19:30–22:00 +1
Fits your port day
From $40per person
Viator
Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

5.0(983)4h09:00–13:00
Fits your port day
From $254per person
Viator
2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston

2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston

4.9(1,012)2h09:00–11:00, 09:30–11:30, 10:00–12:00 +17
Fits your port day
From $55per person
Viator
Real Hauntings of Charleston! (Small Group Ghost Tour)

Real Hauntings of Charleston! (Small Group Ghost Tour)

4.9(922)1h 30m17:00–18:30, 18:00–19:30, 19:00–20:30 +2
Fits your port day
From $36per person
Viator
Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

4.9(711)2h10:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00
Fits your port day
From $41per person
Viator
Charleston’s Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture

Charleston’s Best Highlights: History, Culture & Architecture

5.0(506)2h09:45–11:45, 11:00–13:00, 13:30–15:30
Fits your port day
From $25per person
Viator

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.

Quick Facts

TimezoneAmerica/New_York (UTC-4)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
LanguageEnglish
Tipping15-20% expected at restaurants, bars, taxis

Todays Weather

21°
Partially cloudy
14 km/h
UV 0

5-Day Forecast

Wed21°
Thu20°
Fri18°
Sat20°
Sun22°

Sail to Charleston for $804pp

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