SpiritLine Cruises Announces Reopening of Tours, Cruises

Company outlines extensive safety and cleaning measures 

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Fort Sumter Tours and SpiritLine Cruises are once again offering harbor cruises and trips to Fort Sumter. The company has implemented detailed protocols and cleaning procedures to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff.

All tours had been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders. 

Beginning today, Fort Sumter Tours will offer ferry trips to Fort Sumter from both Liberty Square and Patriots Point. Visitors should be aware that Fort Sumter Museum, water fountains and America’s National Park museum stores at Fort Sumter and Liberty Square remain closed to the public. 

Ferry trips will have limited capacity so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.fortsumtertours.com. Trips will depart from Liberty Square at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from Patriots Point at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Liberty Square Visitor Education Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with limited capacity 

Gray Line Charleston is running a limited historic city bus tour at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Only 10 passengers are allowed on the bus for each tour, and seats will be blocked off alternating rows to promote social distancing. 

All visitors and Gray Line Charleston guides are required to have a facemask or face shield for the duration of the tour. Guests are encouraged to bring their own masks. Anyone who does not have a face mask will be provided one free of charge. 

Similar cleaning procedures and safety measures are underway for harbor tours and dinner cruises, which will run on their normal tour schedule. Employees will be required to wear masks, and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks as well. 

Capacity is limited for both harbor tours and dinner cruises. Guests are encouraged to book in advance online at spiritlinecruises.com.

Visitors may be required to state (online or verbally) they are healthy and have not exhibited any signs of the COVID-19 related illness in the last 14 days. Crew members will have their temperature checked each morning before boarding the boats. Everyone will be encouraged to practice social distancing, and hand sanitizer will be available at all facilities. 

“We are eager to welcome visitors back to our tour buses, boats and to historic Fort Sumter,” said Ian Harris, director of sales and marketing. “The safety of our guests and staff is of the utmost importance so we have worked hard to implement cleaning procedures and safety protocols. We are following guidelines from the City of Charleston, state of South Carolina and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We want to provide both a safe and fun experience for our guests.”

Purchase tickets and access detailed safety information at spiritlinecruises.com.

About SpiritLine Cruises

SpiritLine offers daily harbor tours, evening public dinner cruises and private charters. In addition to harbor tours and special events, in 1961 the Campsen family of Charleston founded Fort Sumter Tours to provide daily excursions to the Fort Sumter National Historic Park. For more information, visit spiritlinecruises.com. 

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