Carnival Cruise Line Ends Charleston Homeporting: Sunshine Ship Moves to Norfolk, VA

Carnival Cruise Line has announced it will no longer operate from Charleston, South Carolina, as the company relocates the Carnival Sunshine ship to Norfolk, Virginia, for year-round sailings. The Sunshine had previously been a part of Charleston’s cruise offerings since its arrival in 2019.

At that time, Carnival heralded its strategic positioning of ships near major cities along the US East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico to better serve travelers. The decision to depart from Charleston takes effect following the end of Carnival’s contract with Port Charleston, which the city opted not to renew.

The last voyage from Charleston occurred on December 30, 2024. Carnival had begun its Charleston operations in 2010, making this decision significant for both the company and the city. Looking ahead, CCL’s President Christine Duffy expressed optimism about expanding services from Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Terminal, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to year-round operations and enhancing accessibility for guests in the Southeastern USA.

For more information, visit the official pages on Carnival Cruise Line or Charleston Port.

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