Cruise Case Headed to Supreme Court

The South Carolina Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit that challenges the legality of Charleston's growing cruise-ship industry.

Neighborhood and environmental groups are suing Carnival Cruise Lines, alleging the Carnival Fantasy, which docks in Charleston every five days, amounts to an illegal hotel operation and that also violates city zoning laws with its large smokestack fin.

The Supreme Court's decision to hear the case allows lawyers to sidestep local courts, a victory for Carnival and Ports Authority, which had both argued cases relating to maritime industry have statewide impact and should be heard at the highest level.

"We are pleased that the Supreme Court has granted review of this case in its original jurisdiction, and we look forward to having these important legal issues decided as soon as possible," reads a joint statement from the Ports Authority and City of Charleston. "An expedited resolution has huge significance for all of the State’s ocean trade, not just for cruise ships alone."

Posted on the "Don't Leave Charleston in Your Wake" Facebook page, the Southern Environmental Law Center said it, too, was eager to adjuticate the case.

“We look forward to presenting our case before the Supreme Court and demonstrating that Carnival, like other businesses, must abide by legal standards that keep our environment clean and protect Charleston's valuable historic district," the post reads.