Charleston, South Carolina USA.

North Atlantic Ocean 18th June 2011

Hello again, Cruise Director Nigel is back with you.

Today I am going to tell you all about one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the USA, Charleston. I have had the privilege of calling in here a few times before and it’s a fantastic port of call. We were there on Friday 10 June 2011.

In April 1670 English settlers landed on the bank of the Ashley River and founded Charles Town, named in honour of King Charles II. Charleston adopted its present name in 1783 and is known as ‘The Holy City’ due to the prominence of its churches on the low rise cityscape.

It became an important commercial and shipping centre but had the more dubious ‘distinction’ of being a centre of the slave trade.

It became a focal point in the American Revolution, and was twice the target of British attacks. After the ‘Siege of Charleston’ the British took control of the city until they left in December 1782.

The first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter Charleston on 12 April 1861. The city suffered greatly during this awful conflict and had enormous damage inflicted on it as a result of bombardment from both naval and shore guns.

As you can tell this is one historic city!

Walking around Charleston is like travelling back in time and walking in to the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’! It really is a super city and has this authentic architecture and atmosphere of another era, I would very happily go to Charleston on holiday and I am sure my wife Mandy and son Bradley would love it. The historic centre is full of beautifully preserved and majestic houses, many churches and museums, and there are outstanding views across the harbour. It is a perfect cruise ship call as we tie up right down town.

Charleston is one of my favourite ports in the world, I just wish it was not so far away and we could call here on a more regular basis, our passengers and ships company had a really good time ashore.

It is a city of culture, with fine dining, trendy bars, great shopping and top notch hotels. It is the home to America’s first theatre, and four other theatres apart from that one.

In fact Charleston hosts the Spoleto Festival USA which is internationally recognised as America’s premier performing arts festival. Guess what, Arcadia was there during it!!! It ran from 27 May to 12 June and featured over 100 performances in a variety of disciplines including Opera, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Dance, Circus, Ballet, Dance Arts, Music, which include Choir Concerts, Orchestra Concerts, Jazz, Choral, and Chat Shows!!!

The day we were there (Friday 10 June), no less that fourteen different cultural performances taking place included the Westminster Choir.

Running alongside the Spoleto Festival USA is the annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival and this features local performers and artists with hundreds of performances throughout the city. No less than forty one performances, events and activities were taking place on 10 June! We were all very fortunate to be in Charleston during these two Festivals.

Do enjoy the photos today.

The United States Customs House

Your blogger outside this fine building.

Charleston Homes

The city is just full of beautiful homes; these are just a few of them.

Nathaniel Russell House

This house is considered to be one of America’s most important neo-classical buildings; it was built in the early 19th century.

St Michael’s Episcopal Church.

This is the oldest church in the city and was completed in 1761. George Washington worshipped here in 1791. The steeple rises to 186 feet above street level.

Arcadia at her berth in Charleston.

Charleston taken from the deck of Arcadia.

Bye for now.

Nigel