cruisenk

Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge!  We were on the Horizon in September and enjoyed those delicious cakes.  I forgot how much I enjoyed them until I saw your pictures!  

Thank you, rvmike.  I feel much more knowledgeable after reading all the posts!

Can anyone give me an idea how much a tour with Blexie would run?  It will be 2 adults and 2 teens.  I assume we need a full day tour?  Thanks in advance!

I just started researching a Cuba cruise and the requirements.  We will be sailing on Carnival.  I know we have to meet one of the 12 requirements, but Carnival's website states if we want to do a "People-to-people exchange" it needs to be "arranged by a U.S. sponsoring organization (including Operator guided programs and third party-sponsored programs.)"  If we book with Blexie does that meet the requirements?  I really don't want to pay the money for a ship sponsored excursion. Thank you!

My favorite part is the "wings". You know that little space on both side of the lido deck at the back where you can sit and eat. Less people but to me it feels crowded, being they are smaller. My favorites are the Conquest class and the Victory. Bigger and more people but more spread out. Sensation is my favorite fantasy class, she's our go to ship for short cruises.

The "wings" is our favorite part, too. We love the outdoor seating and fresh air.

We are getting on the Fantasy this weekend! For those that might have sailed on her in 2015, I assume she did not get the American Table menu and is offering much the same as the menus someone posted from September ? We signed up for the flexible dining for the first time so we will see how that goes.

 

How is the Serenity Deck? Always full? We like that concept and will be using it often.

planetcadillac,

Will you let us know about your arrival at the port? I'd love any advice or tips you have.

Thanks!

In October, we got to the pier at about 11:15, got right on the shuttle and had only about 10 people in front of us to check in. I had FTTF but my friends did not. We all boarded together. It was a quick boarding process but I bet it would be a huge PITA when there are long lines and delays.

mzlinda,

Did you drive to the port? We are driving. I'm thinking we'll aim for an 11:15 or 11:30 arrival, so we can do a little sight-seeing in the morning before heading over to the port.

Thanks for your information!

Your port is Miami, right? I think 11:45 is a perfect time for a flight. From our experiences, you will have plenty of time. The airport is not far from the port. Rest easy!

You may want to read back a few pages. There should be plenty of comments about boarding. Or maybe those are all on the East Coast Departures page in the thread(s) about Charleston.

 

It's a very different boarding experience in Charleston. Very old, small terminal that has to have returning passengers cleared out before it can be converted over for the new ones, so arriving early is pointless. There's nowhere for you to go and you could end up sitting/standing outside (maybe) under a tent for quite a long time.

 

Everyone is shuttled to the terminal. I actually think they do a fantastic job given the limitations. But there really is no reason to arrive early. I did a B2B and had friends/family joining me for Leg 2. They drove down and didn't arrive until about 2:30 and walked right on.

Thanks for the tips. I tried to research before I posted, but I kept finding lots of inapplicable info. Your post is very helpful in explaining the "whys" of the suggestion noon arrival time. Do you think an 11:30 arrival would be good? Thanks again!

On our last cruise from Charleston we arrived at 1230 and it was very crowded but was still less the an hour from the time we pulled into the port until we were onboard

 

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I'm thinking we might aim to get there around 11:30. We are driving to Charleston the night before, so we can always sight-see a bit in the morning before heading over to the port. Then get lunch on board?!

I get there about 10 and there is already people wanting to board. They let you drop you bags off. Sometimes you can go ahead and get in line and they will start boarding soon. Sometimes it isn't until noon.

Thank you for your info. We love to get on the ship and start the vacation as soon as we can! But I also don't like waiting in line!!!

Any suggestions as to arrival time at the port? The Port of Charleston website says check in begins at noon. We are platinum and love to get on the ship as early as possible. Any tips or recommendations?

Thanks!

Hi all,

We are cruising out of Charleston for the first time this April. The Port of Charleston has a notice that states not to arrive until noon. Does anyone have experience with this port? We are platinum and typically arrive at the port closer to 10:30/11:00. Any tips or advice are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

That's fabulous! I am completely jealous!

I just looked them up. Thanks for the tip. I then saw them for sale on ebay! Guests are also selling their tervis tumblers, pins, etc. Crazy!

they have them in the gift shop I think, and you can buy one on Carnivals website, they retail for 29.99

Thank you! I may end up using it more than I think. Also, if it's something I don't think I'll use, I'm sure one of my children will like it. And I guess we'll just have to cruise more often so I can have a variety of platinum gifts!

Here it is....sorry it's not a close up of the hat but it's the only pic I have of it. :) The hat is very comfy.

Does anyone have a picture of the hat?

Oh . . . I was so looking forward to my first platinum gift in November. But I really don't want a hat. Fingers crossed that I'll be able to switch it to a Tervis Tumbler.

Question - is the gift waiting in your cabin when you board? Or does the steward deliver it later?

I love your reviews! So much interesting information. I find myself simultaneously reading your review and looking at the Carnival website to find another cruise to book. Our next cruise is only a 2 night and we don't have anything booked after that. I need to change that! Thanks again for a great read!

Looking forward to the rest of your review. We went on the Glory after your summer cruise and found your feedback incredibly helpful and interesting. Can't wait to read more!

Congrats on a fabulous (and very lucky) upgrade. Beautiful hotel!

Congratulations!!! Soon enough you'll be posting on "cruising with infants"!

Great pictures! And I just realized that you said you sailed with your mom and stepmother. That's wonderful!

What time did you get to the port and what time did you make it on board? It looks quiet around the pool area.

Does anyone know if you can walk around deck 3? I think that's where the muster drill is held. I would like to be able to walk somewhere outside that is different than the exercise track. Thanks!

Parting gifts for all!!! Love it!

15 Towels? 10 of them would have been in my luggage for the ride home as gifts for family members.

I don't live in SD anymore (was born and raised) but would love to make my annual trip "home" and be able to add on a cruise to the same vacation. One airfare and two vacations! There isn't even anything decent out of LA on Carnival.

We have a beautiful new port. Plenty to do in the city before and after a cruise. Porting here gives Carnival the option of returning to Acapulco, La Paz, Maznillo, Zihuat, alot lower Mexico ports. It would bring back the cruisers that are over Catalina, Ensenada, Cabo, PV as our ONLY ports:mad:

Many don't fly or cant afford to so they don't cruise anymore..