Greenville may be blessed with mild winters compared to our northern neighbors, but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to leave the house when the temps start dipping into the 40s.
For those of you dreaming of a white, sandy beach over a winter wonderland, consider booking a cruise to somewhere warm. Carnival departs directly from Charleston + can take you to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and – starting late next year – Cuba.
By the numbers:
👫 3,002. The number of passengers the Sunshine can accommodate.
⏰ 4+ days. The length of cruises departing from Charleston.
🛳️ 104. The maximum number of cruise ships allowed to pass through Charleston per year.
💰 $274. The average cost per person for a four-day cruise from Charleston to the Bahamas.
💵 4%. The percentage of the South Carolina Port Authority’s revenue that comes from Carnival.
🚘 ~3 hours. The driving time from Greenville to Carnival’s Cruise Port.
Ready to set sail, but overwhelmed by all the info? Never fear. We put together a short + sweet #RoadTrip guide to cruises departing from Charleston in 2019– broken down to include pricing, destinations, + excursions. ⬇️
The Bahamas
Freeport, Bahamas | Photo courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
The Bahamas, made up of 700 islands + cays off the coast of Florida, are the closest to the U.S. + one of the most popular cruise destinations.
🛳️ Ships: Ecstasy, Sunshine
⏰ Dates: Jan.-Nov.
🗓️ Length: 4-6 days
💵 Price: $274+ per person
📍Ports: Nassau, Princess Cays, Half Moon Cay, Freeport
🌴 Excursions: Swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, + horseback riding by the sea.
Cuba
Havana, Cuba | Photo by @nikkitrim
The November cruise from Charleston to Cuba will be the first of its kind, with more dates available in 2020.
🛳️ Ship: Sunshine
⏰ Dates: Nov. 21-25, 2019 (Thurs.-Mon.)
🗓️ Length: 4 days (Departure, two days at sea, and one day in Havana)
💵 Price: $614+
📍Port: Havana
🌴 Excursions: Enjoy a full-day exploring Cuba’s culinary scene (including a cocktail class + food tasting), or take in the country’s revolutionary history with a tour of the El Malecon promenade.
Bermuda
Hamilton, Bermuda | Photo by @pierangelo14
For beaches with pink sand + beautiful coral reefs, cruise to Bermuda– a.k.a. Britain’s oldest colony.
🛳️ Ship: Sunshine
⏰ Dates: Sept.-Oct.
🗓️ Length: 6-7 days
💵 Price: $554+
📍 Ports: Bermuda, Princess Cays
🌴 Excursions: Glass bottom boat rides + snorkeling.
Eastern + Southern Caribbean
Grand Turk | Photo by @i_ampatrick
For those interested in a longer trip with multiple stops, a Caribbean cruise would be your best bet.
🛳️ Ships: Sunshine + Ecstasy
⏰ Dates: March-Dec.
🗓️ Length: 7-11 days
💵 Price: $599+
📍 Ports: Aruba, Princess Cays, Grand Turk, Bonaire, St. Thomas, Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Maarten
🌴 Excursions: Dune buggy rides, cave tours, catamarans, + trips beneath gushing waterfalls.
