Word on the street
What locals are saying
Union Pier Terminal sits at the edge of downtown Charleston, which is genuinely the port's best asset — the Market, carriage tours, and the historic district open up steps off the gangway, making a pre- or post-cruise day in the city nearly effortless. The embarkation process draws consistent praise for friendly dock staff and reasonably quick boarding when it hums, but the parking and wayfinding situation is a recurring source of frustration: the on-site garage is a zigzagging maze, directional signage downtown is thin, and paid perks like priority boarding have at times gone unenforced at the terminal level. For a port that sees steady seasonal traffic from major lines, it still feels like it's finding its operational footing.
downtown walkability is the real drawdock staff warm and genuinely helpfulparking layout confuses first-timerssignage gaps on approach from the highwaypriority boarding inconsistently honoredsingle terminal keeps crowds manageable vs. Florida megaports
The fit
