Charleston, SC — After nearly 14 years of setting sail from Charleston, Carnival Cruise Line has officially ended its homeport operations in the Holy City. This marks the conclusion of a partnership between Carnival and the South Carolina Ports Authority, which began in 2010.
The decision, made in 2022, to not renew the cruise contract goes into effect this week. The Carnival Sunshine departed Union Pier for its final voyage on Monday and is set to return Saturday, closing a chapter in Charleston’s maritime history. The move aims to free up Union Pier Terminal for redevelopment efforts.
Although Charleston will no longer serve as a homeport, the city will still host port-of-call stops, allowing some cruises to dock for day visits. No ships, however, will begin or end their journeys at Union Pier.
As for the future of Union Pier, the Ports Authority is working with local buyers, city officials, and community members to finalize redevelopment plans. The details remain unclear, but officials emphasize that the redevelopment will align with the community’s vision for the area.
For now, Charleston bids farewell to Carnival Cruise Line while looking ahead to new opportunities for its historic waterfront.
