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All Things Charleston 411


ChucktownSteve
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Hi Bob,

 

Good to see you again!!!

 

Did you see that Crystal is doing a 14 night Christmas/New Year's sail out of Charleston December 20th, 2017? Then when Crystal Serenity returns January 3rd, she takes off for a 20 night Panama Canal cruise from Charleston to LA.

 

Certainly not a Carnival cruise or their price line. :cool:

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Bob, I was originally looking for a late October sailing. DD hasn't sailed since her honeymoon cruise (Fantasy, Hurricane Sandy 7-nights 10/22/12). Was considering Dream out of NO. Then she informed me that she was going to Iceland with friends. So I booked Fascination out of San Juan (I do love San Juan and those southern ports).

 

Then I got a casino offer from HAL (did a HAL cruise in January at a very low price, even as a solo). I'll be on the Koningsdam for 11 nights. Get to return to Martinique and Barbados, which I've only been to once each. Not a great deal but enough of a discount that I can manage the cost. And, honestly, I had gotten pretty burned out on Carnival.

 

Anyway, had no plans to book Ecstasy, but since I can go and only take off 2 days vacation, why not? I haven't sailed her (38 nights on Fantasy, 10 on Fascination, and 5 on Elation). And it will be 4 years since I last sailed from Charleston. I believe you were on that one (9/1/13), right?

 

With these 5 nights, and I'm doing the 14-night TA on Horizon next April, I'll then only need 10 more nights to Diamond.

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Bob, I was originally looking for a late October sailing. DD hasn't sailed since her honeymoon cruise (Fantasy, Hurricane Sandy 7-nights 10/22/12). Was considering Dream out of NO. Then she informed me that she was going to Iceland with friends. So I booked Fascination out of San Juan (I do love San Juan and those southern ports).

 

Then I got a casino offer from HAL (did a HAL cruise in January at a very low price, even as a solo). I'll be on the Koningsdam for 11 nights. Get to return to Martinique and Barbados, which I've only been to once each. Not a great deal but enough of a discount that I can manage the cost. And, honestly, I had gotten pretty burned out on Carnival.

 

Anyway, had no plans to book Ecstasy, but since I can go and only take off 2 days vacation, why not? I haven't sailed her (38 nights on Fantasy, 10 on Fascination, and 5 on Elation). And it will be 4 years since I last sailed from Charleston. I believe you were on that one (9/1/13), right?

 

With these 5 nights, and I'm doing the 14-night TA on Horizon next April, I'll then only need 10 more nights to Diamond.

WOW and I thought we cruised a lot at 1-2 (sometimes 3) a year! Congrats at almost Diamond!

 

I am headed to Harrah's Cherokee later this month to pick up a "free" cruise certificate. Not sure how "free" it will be but then we got to decide on Charleston or New Orleans for a cruise late August. Might end up with you but most likely the NO cruise.

Yes that was the cruise we met you on, good time. We did the Ecstasy on it's maiden voyage from Charleston (and the Sunshine as well!) and the cruise was great after it left from Charleston... both cruises had real problems getting out of the dock (very late and horrid lines for embarkation). Not sure I would do that again!

 

Again have a wonderful time!

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  • 2 weeks later...
And, I don't suppose embarkation has changed in the past 4 years, right? Same luggage drop off, shuttle .1 miles to the building, no separate VIP security?

 

I can happily report there HAVE been some changes!

 

I'm a local and have been on the Ecstasy twice in the last 12 months, with another trip in September.

 

I'm not sure if the luggage drop off area is the same as it was; and you CAN wait for a van if you want. But, they have built a "walking bridge" that cuts thru to the terminal that you can use

 

This new walking bridge may have started in the spring of last year. I did a review of last June's trip where it was discussed throughout the report. Since you haven't been on the Ecstasy before, you might find it an intesting read. ;p

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2372302 (post 24 shows some pictures)

 

It was my first Charleston sailing and used the parking garage. I had heard for years you couldn't walk to the terminal; yet that's what I saw. Someone that had done this new process jumped in to explain.

 

In January, we were dropped off - works just as explained.

 

And, now there IS a separate Security for FTTF/Platinum/Diamond. At the front door, there is someone asking for VIP's to direct them into a separate line. When you enter, you will be directed to the right side around the other line and over to a marked off VIP Security section . Then, into the VIP check-in line and viola - it's time to board.

 

.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guess who is the 2017 No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada from Travel + Leisure magazine? The results were revealed this morning on the Today Show. Here is a clip of the program clip released by the Charleston CVB.

 

Great...so much for traffic getting better. :rolleyes: Speaking of that, I thought Mayor T was going to sync the traffic lights in WA.....It is getting worse. Ashley river Rd and Savannah why are parking lots all day now. :mad:

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Great...so much for traffic getting better. :rolleyes: Speaking of that, I thought Mayor T was going to sync the traffic lights in WA.....It is getting worse. Ashley river Rd and Savannah why are parking lots all day now. :mad:

 

A lot of the traffic you're complaining about is because of the growth up the Glen McConnell, Hwy 61 and Bees Ferry Rd. They all funnel down to slow your roll. BTW the lights haven't been sync'd since Hurricane Hugo took the system out.

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I live right off Glenn McConnell behind the Home Depot, I guess it could be worse....I'm typing this from northern New Jersey right now.

 

HA! You're in Northern Jersey and you're complaining about Charleston traffic????? rofl

 

Say hi to Rts 9, 3 and 46. Oh I forgot Rt 22.

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HA! You're in Northern Jersey and you're complaining about Charleston traffic????? rofl

 

Say hi to Rts 9, 3 and 46. Oh I forgot Rt 22.

 

 

I am sitting in Perth Amboy right now waiting on my trailer to be loaded (so much for being ready at 4pm:mad:). I'm guessing you are either from here or lived here for a while to know those roads. ;)

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I am sitting in Perth Amboy right now waiting on my trailer to be loaded (so much for being ready at 4pm:mad:). I'm guessing you are either from here or lived here for a while to know those roads. ;)

You want to talk about traffic? Try last weekend on IOP... WOW, glad I have a golf cart!

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  • 4 weeks later...

Charleston resident here. We're going on the Carnival Ecstasy later this year. It's our second cruise out of Charleston, although the first was in 2010- when we didn't live here and it was only the 3rd cruise out of our city.

 

We've lived in Charleston for five years, but we haven't cruised in a few years. I'm excited to go back and to give Carnival another chance (we weren't huge fans of our 2012 cruise from Tampa). We got a steal on the price, so we're giving it a shot.

 

If anyone needs advice on the city, feel free to ask! I see the Ecstasy all the time when I run the bridge and often run by the port. I've also seen a few other ships call on Charleston, although they don't usually do this in the summer months.

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  • 3 weeks later...

That's good to know (that I can walk to the building).

 

I'm staying at the Andrew Pinckney Inn, which looks like it's only about 3 blocks away. I'm driving down Tuesday and will probably walk over to Fleet Landing for my usual Shrimp & Grits, and that will give me an idea of how long it will take while dragging a case and lugging my tote bag (with my toiletries and bottle of wine). And good to hear there's a separate security line now.

 

The earliest check-in time I could get was 11:30. I know I've been there earlier than that in the past (like before 10:30) and was able to board.

 

Friends coming along bit when the upsale fairy called and are now in one of the Owners' Suites! I'm in a 1A on Riviera, but guess where I'll be spending most of my time! ;p

 

Reading elsewhere, they'll get 1-time Platinum status, and will be escorted onto the ship (with someone from Carnival hauling their bags for them). This person said they actually boarded before the wedding parties/VIP/FTTF. They literally were the first passengers to board.

 

SO...

 

Can we arrive earlier than 11:30? Don't want to get there at 10 and have to stand around. But if they can board super early, I'd like to let them know. They're staying elsewhere and being shuttled over, so it's possible a shuttle won't run earlier than the "usual" first run anyway.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Is there a link some where with all the stay and park hotels in Charleston?

 

I wish we had a comprehensive list! I am on another forum for Charleston/Ecstacy and have seen a few places mentioned, including Hampton Inn and Quality Inn near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. Any of the hotels near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant should be safe, nice, and they are close to good places to eat and things to do the night before.

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I wish we had a comprehensive list! I am on another forum for Charleston/Ecstacy and have seen a few places mentioned, including Hampton Inn and Quality Inn near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant. Any of the hotels near Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant should be safe, nice, and they are close to good places to eat and things to do the night before.

 

I will look into those I didn't see them listed on the CVB site. Thank s for the heads up. I am going to check with the hotel that provided us this service last time which was the Sleep Inn in Mt Pleasant and see if they still have this available.

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I will look into those I didn't see them listed on the CVB site. Thank s for the heads up. I am going to check with the hotel that provided us this service last time which was the Sleep Inn in Mt Pleasant and see if they still have this available.

 

Someone on my roll call also mentioned North Charleston Marriott, which is a newer hotel and also close to things to do like the Tanger outlets (tons of restaurants around there as well). That's another one you could call.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Thank you one and all!!lol Looks like a walking tour of our own! No problem for us as we don't know if our dd the dancer will be able to go with us.

 

 

 

Think we'll walk over to take pictures, walk through the market place, see Charleston Place and then maybe hit Husk.

 

 

 

Do any of you think we will need to make a reservation there? Do you have another place in mind that maybe you like?

 

 

 

Thanks again,

 

Michelle

 

 

 

I would definitely make reservations for Husk.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Looking at Sunshine sailing October 26 with a departure of 10PM. I'm assuming the ship is repositioning from either Norfolk? or NYC, thus the late departure. Is my plan feasible:

 

- Leave the Durham, NC area that day around noon to drive the 5 hours to Charleston.

- I don't want to leave earlier and take my child out of a full day of school. I read on the roll call that the port isn't even opening until 4:30?

- how bad is rush hour traffic assuming I arrive in downtown Charleston at 5PM?

- I'm assuming everyone would need to be onboard by 8PM. This gives me a three hour wiggle room for traffic, parking, etc.

- bad idea or possible? I've never cruised from Charleston bc I don't care for Fantasy-class ships, but I've been wanting to check out Sunshine (would not get off ship in Nassau). Thanks for any advice!

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Looking at Sunshine sailing October 26 with a departure of 10PM. I'm assuming the ship is repositioning from either Norfolk? or NYC, thus the late departure. Is my plan feasible:

 

- Leave the Durham, NC area that day around noon to drive the 5 hours to Charleston.

- I don't want to leave earlier and take my child out of a full day of school. I read on the roll call that the port isn't even opening until 4:30?

- how bad is rush hour traffic assuming I arrive in downtown Charleston at 5PM?

- I'm assuming everyone would need to be onboard by 8PM. This gives me a three hour wiggle room for traffic, parking, etc.

- bad idea or possible? I've never cruised from Charleston bc I don't care for Fantasy-class ships, but I've been wanting to check out Sunshine (would not get off ship in Nassau). Thanks for any advice!

 

Hiya JinxyB,

 

Presuming your driving time from Durham is accurate, you should not have any trouble with rush hour traffic since you'll be going opposite the rush hour flow. It goes West out of Charleston towards Summerville and North to east of the Cooper River. You'll be driving East bound. That is barring any unforeseen traffic accident. So you should be good.

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