mantle

Stayed at the Sleep inn in West Ashley - nice place, good breakfast, free wifi, free parking, elevator (4 floors) and price was good - I took the prepay rate - $102.52 for room with 2 queen beds on quite 4th floor. Drive to port -Maybe total of 5 miles - 10 or 15 minutes The parking lot is at intersection of Laurens and Concord St. Good street address to use would be 2 Laurens St However having read somewhere that depending on when parking lot opens the line to get in forms on Lauren St and then on Washington St so I went to Washington St via Calhoun St (put in 333 Calhoun St) and make an immediate right turn onto Washington St - take it down to Laurens and make left. My directs from Sleep Inn Charleston, West Ashley - 1524 Savannah Hwy-US17 S Make left out of Sleep Inn 3 miles and use right lanes onto Lockwood Dr 1/2 mile and left on to Calhoun street - continue to 333 Calhoun St and make right onto Washington and than left onto Lauren Embarkation We had arrival time at port of 9:30-10 (2 cars) Left hotel about 9:15 Lot gate was open (no line on Lauren or Washington) . Proceeded into lot and 4 lines -maybe 15 cars in the 1st 3 lines but nobody on 4th so we wen on line 4 and were 1st two cars when they realized that line was supposed to be shut off by cones which they did after seeing us but said we were OK. This is where they come up to your window and pay with credit card - $105 for 5 night cruise. Waited till probably 10 (maybe 9:45) for us to be directed to place where you unload your luggage. Then we were directed to park - We were part of about 15 cars that were directed to wrap along the fence- in parking lot across from an apartment or condo complex - furthest point in parking lot from ship. Cars after our group went in normal parking spaces next to us - so earlier you get into parking lot, the further you have to walk. Fortunately a tram pulled up and drove us to the 1st building where you show passport/boarding pass and license Just as we were finished they called the 1st group which were those with premium membership etc.. We were next with Boarding # A01 and boarding a big bus Bus took us to another location where we went through security - everything out of pockets and belt must be put in your carryon. Made my wife step aside and show scars from knee operation as security alarm went off as she walked through (screws in her knees). We had a good laugh. Then proceeded onto boat - deck 3 We were on ship by 10:45 (about 45 minutes from when we paid), Announced rooms were ready at 1:30 Debarkation Our rooms were inside cabins on deck 6 and we selected to carry off our luggage Our floor was assigned to come to 3rd floor with the last carry off group (they have about 4 decks to a group)- our announcement would be between 8 and 8:30 to go to 3rd floor However we agreed to meet 6:45 and try and get off with 1st group of decks (time assigned 7 to 7:30) Took front elevators down and as we got off they called deck 7 which was 1st deck called - line was short and moving quick so we went on it Stopped for worker and all he did was scan our sail and sign card to look at my picture and told me to move on to ramp to get off boat Nobody checked passport and no customs. Nobody cared it wasn't our scheduled time. Bottom of winding ramp off ship, our luggage was put in bottom of big bus and off we went to side of parking lot in middle of lot They unloaded luggage and we walked maybe 10 minutes to car. Our lot exit was maybe after 10 cars up along the fence Out of parking lot about 7:45 Overall easy process - no complaints.

I will start a new topic and on Charleston embarkation and debarkation

Cruise is Monday

Will be driving and staying at Sleep Inn, West Ashely - 1524 Savannah Hwy 17 Have arrival time of 9:30 - 10 Thanks for offer of directions

Wgeddings - thanks for detailed explanation - very helpful - have one question You mentioned " the port does not open for parking all that early and there is quickly a long line of cars waiting to get in." I have 9:30-10 arrival time. I believe the entrance is at intersection of Concord and Lauren Streets Generally where does the line star" along Lauren Street? or does line go up Concord Street I was planning on coming down Washington St and making left on Lauren - is that OK or should I come down Concord St

Thanks for taking the time to respond. The responses were very helpful Less than 2 weeks till cruise

Looking for comments on Carnival Sunshine Some background- Senior couple who cruised last 2 years in Oct/Nov on Princess cruise line and last year on Legend. Realize Sunshine hold about 1.000 more people than Legend. Cruise is August 14th and school has not yet started for many - we have 3 Interior rooms on deck 6. In our room is 18 yr old granddaughter and other 2 rooms are 2 of our children families and each has minor - 6yr old and 10 yr old. So in total - 9 of us. We are aware of the camps for younger children and hopefully my children utilize it We have anytime dining and all rooms/people linked together Looks like ship may be sold out as that 5 night cruise no longer listed Some specific questions Our arrival time for parking lot is 9;30-10. Surprise we got that early. About how long till we get on boat (1 Hr from getting into parking lot?) I read that Charleston takes much longer than most ports. We also want to carry our luggage off the ship - what time does that start and aprox what time were you off the ship and into your car? How about the crowds in the family pool? Will loungers be available day after 9AM will and shows. Lot of chair hogs out in AM? Realize we probably wont get many together Do you think my 18 yr old granddaughter can use serenity area or do they check ages How is the upgrade of wi-fi to Starlink. I will have Premium wifi and will want to use a computer at least 1 day - Are there public computers - where are they? (Princess had a room full whereas Legend had few in the hall way).. Is casino smoking or no smoking. On the Legend, at night my wife had to wait for someone to get up. Can she expect that on the Sunshine Lastly, how early do you need to get on line for the shows - On the Legend, they had to close doors/stop entry due to capacity for the comedy shows (they were in a smaller area - not in theater where production shows were). So they repeat the production shows each night (days 7 and 9) or is there just 1 show a night Lastly - Realize it depends on weather but generally speaking did you need a light jacket or sweater at night - windy/chilly? Any comments about your experience (likes and dislikes especially cruising in summer is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Getting ready for on-line check in this weekend How do you do on line check in for a minor. We have 3 traveling with us My grand-daughter-age 17 (I am legal guardian) is in my room (will be giving her access to my credit card - so know I can approve that when I check in). Has carnival account My son is in my room but his son (age 6) is in Room #2 (Have a reason for that - no need for detail). No credit card access. Does not have carnival account My other son is in room #3 with his son (age 10). No credit card access. Does not have carnival account

Can you order a birthday cake at Cherry on Top and have it brought to your table at dinner time as a surprise. I have seen waiters singing Happy Birthday to a guest - how is that arranged Can you order the cake for same day - order in AM for dinner or do they need 24 hour notice In other words do they have pre-made or do they make the cake after you order Thanks

My son and his wife are in separate room from me and wife I am hoping my son and his wife can use a different credit card of MINE from the one that my wife and i are using - Is this doable and if so how When he is checking in on line can he list a credit card that is in my name (we have different 1st names) I know when I check in I can list them as authorized users on the card I list for myself but trying to keep them separate by having them use a 2nd credit card that I have hope I didn't confuse you Appreciate any comments/advice

Do you need to select arrival time for only 1 person in the room and than the others in room are automatically assigned that time (we have 3 in room) or do you have to go into each persons account?.

Does the main person in each room have to be present at guest services to approve friends/family in another room to get a key to their room

On Carnival Sunshine Which dining room is for Anytime Dining and is it in front or back of ship We are in an inside room on deck 6 near the middle elevators RM 6269 - above casino - which is easiest way to dining rooms

How is the loading and departing process at Charleston cruise port Is there a lot of walking involved after parking - wife in her 70s has some knee issues (doesn't need wheelchair) - thinking OK since not dragging luggage. However if far walk will be concerned about getting back to car with luggage Is there a place she could wait with luggage for me to get car and pick her up - we don't have handicapped car sticker

My grandson will board with his son (minor) - will they say anything as to why they are not in the same room - will that be an issue?