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Today, May 18, marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of Charleston’s first year-round cruise program aboard the Carnival Fantasy.

Over the past year, Carnival Fantasy has operated 65 voyages from Charleston carrying approximately 140,000 passengers on fun-filled five- to seven-day voyages to the Bahamas, Grand Turk, Key West and Bermuda.

Charleston has become one of the line’s highest-rated homeports, consistently earning top marks for its convenient location, charming downtown area, outstanding shops, boutiques and restaurants and the gracious hospitality of its residents. Many Carnival guests opt for a pre- or post-cruise stay in Charleston, providing additional economic benefit to the local economy.

Carnival has also partnered with local organizations to provide sponsorship and fundraising support.  These organizations include the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Hospital, with Carnival providing in-kind and monetary donations and fundraisers.  Carnival Fantasy employees also make quarterly visits with patients and the company has donated mobile entertainment units and laptops to the hospital.

For the past two years, the company has also sponsored the Cooper River Bridge Run and this year the company hosted a unique fundraising event – Race to the Altar in which a couple was married after the race and Carnival making a $10,000 donation to MUSC Children’s Hospital.