While many cruises make a port stop in Charleston, South Carolina, only one ship, the Carnival Fantasy, disembarks out of this port. Itineraries aboard the Carnival Fantasy, which are offered year-round, include five- and seven-day voyages to port stops in the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. Cruises depart out of Charleston every week of the year.

Five-Day Bahamas Cruise

The five-day Bahamas voyage is the most frequently offered Carnival Fantasy cruise out of Charleston. Departures are available year-round nearly every week of the year. Port stops include the Bahamian cities of Freeport and Nassau. In addition to two full days in port, cruisers spend an additional two days -- day two and day five -- at sea. At publication, cruises start at approximately $280 per person for an interior stateroom.

Seven-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Carnival Fantasy's seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise makes port stops in both the Bahamas and Caribbean. Three days -- day two, three and seven-- are spent at sea. From day four through six, the cruise visits Nassau and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, as well as the island of Grand Turk, which is part of the Eastern Caribbean's Turks and Caicos Islands. A limited number of voyages are available throughout the year. Interior rooms aboard Carnival Fantasy's seven-day journey start at approximately $400 per person, at publication.

Ship Amenities

The 2,052-capacity, 10-deck Carnival Fantasy was the inaugural ship in Carnival's Fantasy class, which includes eight other "fun" ships. The main attraction of the Carnival Fantasy is Water Works, a resort-style water park that caters to the whole family. Other on-board perks include an adults-only pool and resort area, a piano bar, mini-golf course, jogging track, indoor and outdoor restaurants, dance clubs, a casino, and a variety of kid's clubs.

Tips and Considerations

While Carnival Fantasy is the only cruise that disembarks out of Charleston, other ships make port stops in Charleston throughout the year, including Azamara, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Aida, Crystal, Princess, Oceania, P & O, and Holland America cruise line ships. Before booking a cruise aboard Carnival Fantasy, call for a complete list of required travel documents. If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a passport to travel on a closed-loop, or one-way cruise.

About the Author

Leah Waldron is the head of Traveler Services at First Abroad, a gap year travel company based in Boston and London. As a travel, research and LGBT news writer, Waldron has publication credit on magazines and newspapers including "Curve Magazine," "USA Today," "The Sun Sentinel" and the "The Houston Chronicle." Waldron has a bachelor's and master's degree in creative writing from Florida State University.

Photo Credits

  • Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
SHARE