Busy Cruise Season Starts Today

When the small luxury liner Caledonian Sky calls on Charelston today, it will mark the start of the port's busiest passenger ship season.

Not counting the Carnival Fantasy, which sails from Charleston every five days, eight ships will call on Charelston during the next 30 days.

If all the ships are filled to capacity, the influx of ships could bring more than 9,000 passengers to the Holy City.

Five of the ships are small vessels, accomodating fewer than 1,000 passengers. The largest ship, the Emerald Princess, arrives on Nov. 5 and could bring as many as 3,080 individuals to Charleston.

Only one ship, today's Caledonian Sky, will stay in port longer than 10 hours. Most arrive in the morning, allow passengers to disembark for day trips and then leave at sunset.