Camdenscott4

Hello,

 

I am looking to snorkel in a couple of weeks at Grand Turk. I have snorkeled in Honduras, Belize, Mexico, St. Thomas, St Maarten, and anywhere else we've been, and I have NEVER had a problem. It's one of my favorite things to do and this will be my first time in Grand Turk, so I can't wait to see the breathtaking sea views that I've read about.

 

The problem: So many have recommended White Sands, Blue Divers and GTDive, but all of their websites state a weight limit, which I exceed. (I have also never seen this before) Any suggestions as to how I can get out to "the Wall" and experience this amazing port?

 

Thanks.

Just curious if the original OP was able to snorkel with the smaller, local operators? Will be in GT next week - hope to snorkel but also teeter around the weight limit posted on the websites. No mobility issues involved. Often climb in and out of our personal 24ft boat at the local lake. But am concerned they will decline me as a snorkel client.

Whew! I sure hope you guys are right. We have FTTF and plan to board earlier. Besides, we are staying at a hotel the night before that provides parking and shuttle to the port. We would have to check out in the AM and wait until mid-afternoon to board if we followed the email instructions. I think we're heading to the terminal early just like we had planned.

3. Yes and no. I chose a hotel in Cocoa Beach that has a shuttle that leaves at 9:30 so I'll be there no later than 10 for sure. Most hotels have shuttles that leave between 10-12.

Halfpint - do you mind sharing which hotel that is? We purchased the FTTF package from Carnival for our August cruise. That means we will be boarded early. I hate to waste time on a shuttle knowing we could be one of the first ones on the ship!

Thanks!

We were putting down a cash deposit which is to be paid to guest services upon boarding so it went pretty quickly at check in.

This cash deposit - is that your tips for wait staff and room steward, etc?

Maybe you guys should book a van or something from your family members house. You could probably get a flat rate that all of you could pitch in for.

We talked about that but figured with 25 people plus luggage we would need a HUGE bus for all that. I think everyone just needs to bite the bullet and park at the terminal. Otherwise, we will all get separated. From the way it sounds once you drop your luggage off, you go through the process quickly and are whisked away to the ship (which to me, couldnt be soon enough :D).

Thanks for the info!

Embarkation: Since we live in Charleston the decision was made to take a cab from my apartment in the West Ashley area.

We made it there in about 10 minutes and it cost around $15. I am pretty glad that I was not responsible for dropping anyone off for a cruise at this point because it looked pretty confusing but our cabbie got us to the luggage tent with no problem. The porters there were very friendly and since our luggage was a bit heavy we tipped accordingly. At this point there is a shuttle bus waiting for us that will drop us and our carry-on luggage at the terminal. What happened next was a whirlwind of activity. I have never boarded a ship so fast in my life!

All4Fun - I wanted to ask you about Embarkation because we are sailing from Charleston next Friday July 2nd. We have a group of 25 going and a person in our group has a family member living in Charleston. The plan was for us to park our cars in their yard during the cruise. However, I have found out the entire plan involves us driving to the port, dropping luggage and passengers, driving to their house, then all the car drivers being taken back to the port by the family member. Do you have any idea whether this procedure will work? My thoughts are that port authority (or whoever is running the show) will not go for all that coming-and-going, leaving people and luggage there, etc. Thanks for any info you can share on it!

Day 3= Over-inebriated! Yet, freakin awesome!

:D:p I see a running theme here! :D:p So where do we tune in to catch the PG13 and R rated review?? ;)

I DO have a scanner at work...hmmm

...and they have it there just for that very reason. :p

It may take me awhile but I will try to have it complete by your July 2nd sailing.

Dont worry - we're very patient....except for waiting for this vacation to get here!!

Not to impose, but were you planning to post a copy of the Fun Times?

Great start All4fun!! We are sailing on Fantasy July 2nd and are just LOVING your photos and comments!! Thanks a bunch! :D

We have a group of 25 going on Fantasy out of Charleston on July 2nd. We are all HUGE Nascar fans. And we were wondering if the TVs in the staterooms would carry the Turner stations that carry that race (TNT I think)? Does anyone know? Do they give you a list or something?

PS - dont bother with the whole "you're on a cruise ship and you're going to watch cars go around in circles???" comments. We are on vacation from work...but not from life. Nascar is our life baby!!!! :D

Cigar - NCTribe posted this link on page 6 (#112 I think) about the most recent renovations. Hope this helps.

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/Carnival/fleet/fantasy/FantasyFactSheet.htm

Thanks Elav.

NCTribeFan - I was under the impression that Fantasy started sailing from Charleston tomorrow (May 18th). I could be wrong though.

Oooh one more thing - anyone know if Fantasy now has ship-wide WiFi internet? or just the hot spots/Internet Cafe option? The Carnival website was confusing on this point.

I think my earlier question about internet options on Fantasy was overlooked - does anyone have any info on that?

Thanks!

What kind of info are you looking for about the Port of Charleston? I live here and have cruised out of here many times.

Oh we are just looking for information about the port itself. The ins and outs of getting to the port for example. Parking too. I know a lot of CC folks say they are doing the hotel packages to avoid parking at the terminal. But we're just in Columbia SC so getting a hotel in lieu of an hour-and-half drive seems a bit overkill (for our budget, anyway). Also, we have an autism spectrum 7 yr old and lord knows how they love to wait in long lines in the July heat in South Carolina :rolleyes: But the word on the CC board is no one is entitled to preferential treatment at the Charleston port.

Oooh one more thing - anyone know if Fantasy now has ship-wide WiFi internet? or just the hot spots/Internet Cafe option? The Carnival website was confusing on this point.

Thanks for any and all your help!

Thanks for all the good info on Fantasy. I'm also waiting to hear back about the port in Charleston. We sail July 2nd 2010 from Charleston - not excited about the port but we are ecstatic about the short drive and the cruise.

BTW - we have a slow-moving Roll Call for Fantasy July 2nd sailing if anyone is sailing that date and not added your name to the roll!