EBFURR

Oldest: Majesty

Newest: Harmony 

Favorite: Majesy (sentimental) 

                 Mariner (active)

On Harmony last year we went down to the Attic after boarding to make reservations. The young lady didn't seem to know what she was doing and wound up just writing down our information rather than entering it into her tablet. The reservations never showed up on our calendar so we went to the Diamond concierge. He said everything was fully booked by then but sometimes they reserved some seats for late booking. He was able to get us in for all the shows we requested. 

We are Diamond (almost plus) but have never tried Celebrity. I just booked a Celebrity cruise for next year on Beyond for a veranda guarantee and it was considerably less expensive than the Royal Caribbean cruises I found for the same week. That said, the Celebrity prices did increase shortly after my booking. There are definitely deals out there if you shop around. 

Inspired by Caps_Shield.

GET OFF MY LAWN!

Are Crocs & Socks appropriate?

4 minutes ago, rockmom said:

You should be totally fine.  As soon as you connect to the ship's wifi, you'll see all the times for things in the app and the option to reserve the shows that require reservations.  I'd grab the Aqua show first--and early in the sailing as they can get moved if there's wind/rough seas.  That gives you time to book a spot later in case you need to.  Ice show is a smaller venue, so grab that too, then Grease. Oh, and the comedy shows are in a very small venue, so you should grab that too if you want to catch that as well.  You can do all this via the app, but when you board, you can ask what area is set up as 'the 'box office' where you can go and they will help you book all of these.  If you're in a full suite, the concierge will send you an email a few days prior and ask what you'd like reserved.  So that takes care of it if you're in a suite. 

Thanks! No suite for us this time so we are on our own. It has never been an issue for us before because all we did were a couple of specialty restaurants which we booked on board. We have always been on Freedom class or smaller so we have no experience with Oasis class. We probably won't go to any of the main theater shows or ice shows but the Aqua Theater and comedy shows are hopefully a go.

We have been printing black and white for a while with no problems. Printed color for last cruise because my wife did it at work. The color codes do mean something to the porters and maybe make their job easier but lack of color doesn't keep your luggage from being delivered. All that said, the color ones look cool.

18 minutes ago, rockmom said:

Check in opens 45 days prior to your sail date.  You want to log in and do you check in either on the app or website so you can snag the earliest check in time slot (usually somewhere between 10:30 and 11 am).  You can do this for yourself and anyone else in your room or with a linked reservation. That way you all get the same boarding time.  You can choose the boarding time and then come back later and enter things like your credit card. You can also always go back and edit most info.  But grabbing the boarding time you want is the main focus for many of us.  

We haven't been on a Royal Caribbean ship in several years although we have been on enough to be almost D+. We have not had to do the reservation thing nor have we had to do the checkin time thing on Royal (we have on Carnival). We were on a cruise when the checkin window opened for our upcoming Harmony cruise so by the time I got started we got an 11:30 arrival. Do you anticipate us having issues getting our reservations with that boarding time? We are primarily concerned about the comedy shows and getting decent times for our dining package. Thanks. 

On 9/26/2022 at 7:45 AM, reallyitsmema said:

There used to be no additional charge many, many years ago but they changed it sometime around 2006. Started out at $5.95 and has gone up from there. Supposedly it was done because it was becoming a hangout for kids. 

To my recollection it went from no charge to $3.95 per person then 5.95 and so on, apparently to infinity. Doesn't bother us. We just don't go there. Apparently a lot of people do though. 

We just did our first balcony GTY on RCCL. Harmony on Oct 16. We are not unhappy with our assignment. The cabin number showed up on our docs about 4 weeks prior to cruise date but there was a "hack" somebody posted on that other platform. Around 45 days out the documents showed up on our planner but the cabin number still showed as GTY. There was a barcode on the documents however and if you scanned it you get a series of numbers. The last 4 are your cabin number even though it doesn't show up yet on the documents. 

Bad stuff can happen but you sometimes have to work with what you have and try to minimize risk. We've been in your shoes. Make sure you have the cruise insurance first of all. I only get the insurance about 10% of the time but would have it in this case. Second I would go for the less expensive flights but I'm cheap, so....

One factor to consider is transportation costs and availability from both airports. We once flew into Sanford Airport and got a rental car to the port but couldn't get one for the return flight so I had to find a shuttle. There was only one company and he turned out to be a jerk and a crook. Long story but we eventually got to the airport late but luckily our flight had been delayed. Moral is to be sure you have reliable transportation. 

We've done 11 AM and made it. Can't guarantee it, just saying we made it with plenty of time to spare. 

We have done that multiple times but not in the last couple of years. Our experience has been that it's really easy and definitely worth it. I have had a couple of problems with their shuttles on occasion. They don't seem to be super predictable and dependable. On one occasion I got tired of waiting for their shuttle and just called a cab. These days I would use Uber instead. Uber costs from any of those places to the port is going to be in the $10 or less range so worst case scenario you drop the car and get Uber. 

On 8/24/2022 at 3:51 PM, mailmama said:

We stayed at Homewood Suites night before our cruise. They had parking included for a 7 day cruise so for us it was a much better option than parking at pier. Took an Uber from hotel to port next morning for about $10 total for the 4 of us. (drive was only about 2 minutes)

That's pretty much our drill at any port. Get a hotel that allows cruise parking and use Uber. We even do it in Charleston which is 90 minutes away from home. In August I got a room for $102 including taxes and Uber was $11 each way for a total of $124. Port parking was $105 so we effectively paid $19 for a hotel room and breakfast for us both. Not too shabby.

On 9/13/2022 at 12:33 PM, Ptroxx said:

It’s a lot different from any other logo tshirt.    
mine gets compliments from everyone all night long.   
on another cruise line in August(discovery princess in alaska) I got so many i stopped counting at 25 compliments.    
 

I have a similar shirt. I only wear it on cruise formal nights with either a white or black dinner jacket. Black dress pants. I also get tons of positive comments and compliments. These days I am almost over dressed it seems. A lot of people don't even realize it's a tshirt. Once I was in Chops Grill and a guy across the room kept glancing over. When we passed by on the way out he stopped me and asked if that was a tshirt. He thought it was the coolest thing he'd ever seen. 

I have a tux and used to wear it every cruise. For some reason it seems to have shrunk over the years. 

36 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Yeah, if I remember you used to just drop people off at the place where you still pick them up.

 

But during the shutdown, they decided to add the extra step of the check in at the building in the parking area, before shuttling people over to the terminal by the ship for final, check in.

 

I think it used to all be in the final building.

 

I get to experience the fun for the first time Thursday instead of just being the taxi driver.

Yes, you used to go in on Concord St in front of the Customs House and there was a luggage drop there. That actually changed before the shutdown when Sunshine replaced Ecstasy. Due to the increased ship capacity they felt the need to move check in over to that warehouse building. I'm not sure that was necessary and it surely isn't more efficient but that's how it is. The actual check in is very smooth with the only bottle neck being loading those shuttles for the short ride to the main terminal. 

11 minutes ago, SoBe2010 said:

Thanks for all your input. I am curious now, if JR will be part of a promo on my upcoming cruise.

Another oldie question since it's my first RCCL cruise since 2016: bathrobes still delivered to your stateroom as a diamond member?

We have our first RCCL cruise since 2017 coming up in a few weeks and are also curious to see what has changed. We have been diamond level for about 14 years and pretty much had it figured out but so much has changed since the shutdown we almost feel like first timers again. That's not entirely a bad thing but the comfort of having "done the drill" was pleasant. 

4 hours ago, bguppies said:

Yeah there is a separate gate for drop offs by car/cab/bus or Uber.

The parking gate is the closest to the water.

(Furthest from East Bay St. the main road you will be taking from any interstate to get to the pier)

 

Parking gate.  (I think this is Laurens and Concord St)

 

 

The drop off gate is 1 block closer to East Bay St.

The drop off gate is barely marked at all. (I think its at Laurens and Washington St.)

 

'All the signs (The brown sign you see at the bottom in the picture will be what you see all the way to the parking lot) from East Bay St. just funnel everybody into the lot for people leaving their cars.

(first time I dropped off DW we followed the signs and I wasted like 20 minutes in line to park)

If you take East Bay St. heading to the pier and ignore the signage that steers you to the parking lot,,

Then make a left at  Calhoun St. , then immediately, take the very next right. You will see some condos under construction on your right. The drop off entrance will be just to your left.

 

Pickup is much easier.

If your ride just heads down East Bay St. a few more blocks past Calhoun St. down to Market St. and make a left. There is metered parking that runs down the entire length of the Custom House. (Huge Stone building that takes up the entire block east of Market St-bottom left of the picture)

The parking  meters don't start until 8 or 9 AM.

I  just park down at the end closest to the pier and DW just calls me when they are coming up the ramp from ship and I drive literally right across the streeet into the little cab pickup lot and load them up and we're off in a minute. Super easy.

 

 

Here is the article I found the pictures in if it helps at all.

 

https://www.cruzely.com/dropping-off-picking-up-passengers-at-the-port-of-charleston-with-pictures/

 

Here is a link to the Port Authorities PDF map to the port.

 

https://scspa.com/wp-content/uploads/directions-to-gate.pdf

 

You'll clearly see where they turn you off East Bay St. early before Calhoun St. so traffic backs up on that little back road heading into the parking lot. (you'll see what I mean how parking lot is closest gate to water)

 

Just drove down last weekend to make sure there was no condo construction blocking any gates and there was none as of last weekend. (Just some porta potties sticking out a bit, obstructing one of the two lanes heading intoi the dropoff lot.)

 

Hope this helps a bit and hopefully your dropoff doesn't waste 20-30 minutes like I did my first time down there.

Excellent. We just did an Uber drop off a few weeks ago. Although we have been through Charleston several times it seems to change with each trip. A word or two of caution. If you go to the port authority website you see this:

Union Pier Main Gate – 32 Washington Street – is the designated entry point for guests being dropped off and NOT parking with the SCPA.  This includes family drop offs, rideshare, taxis, hotel shuttles etc.  

The confusion here is that when you put that address in Google maps it points to a location a block north and across the street from where you need to be. I have done some research and confirmed that the drop off entrance is on Washington St but is south of where Google maps takes you. 

Here is the skinny:
You can use your navigation to get on Washington St but then continue south (ship will be on your left). There will be a Harris Teeter grocery store to your right on Washington St. Immediately before you get to the store the main terminal entrance will be on the left and looks like the photo posted. 

Despite knowing all that, our Uber driver arrived at the correct gate and was refused entry. They sent him to the parking entrance where the port employees were apoplectic and demanded that he turn around and go to a point all the way around on Concord St where we were again refused entry. We asked several port employees where the drop off point was and got several different answers. None them were correct. The now irate Uber driver went back to where we started and insisted on going in. Once inside there are signs and arrows that take you to the drop off point which is about 50 steps from check in. The port employees seem poorly trained and somewhat apathetic. They are willing to tell you what you can't do but are unable to tell you what you should do. Once you run the gauntlet and get to the Carnival badge employees at check in it's smooth as silk. 

On 9/14/2022 at 2:27 AM, Merion_Mom said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a JR BOGO a loooooong time ago.  Long gone.  Long before they tried to appease us with a milkshake BOGO.

 

You can get a wash 'n' fold bag on any cruise, but you only get the discount on a cruise of 5 or more nights.

 

You can use it on (for example) Day 5 of a 7 night cruise.  Lately, mine has come back the next day.  

Yep. I'm sure you remember when we got those coupon books in the cabin. The coupons varied with C&A level. I believe we did get a JR coupon along with free photo, photo discounts, spa discounts, and some other stuff including our drink vouchers. My wife took it as a challenge to use all our coupons. 

I bet you also remember when JR was a no upcharge venue. That didn't last long. 

Ok, so what about us lowly Diamond cruisers without a suite. We haven't cruised RC since the shutdown but will be on Harmony out of Port Canaveral in a few weeks. We used to have a separate line and waiting area. Is that no longer the case? We got a later check in slot because we weren't able to check in when the window opened. Will they enforce the assigned check in time?

On 9/14/2022 at 9:02 AM, island lady said:

 

Absolutely.  Many do that.   

 

We arrive early to drop off luggage to score inside parking spot in the garage, keeping the carry on bags in the vehicle.   

 

We then walk over to Grills for a Bloody Mary on the dock next door, until check in starts.  😉  In fact there are many restaurants in that area with restaurants on the waterfront.  Will once again be doing that this Sunday for Harmony.  

 

But you can just as easily drive out to leave to go shopping.  Some use that time to drop off rental car, now free of luggage to transfer.  

 

 

 

 

 

Hi IL, do you know how early they will accept luggage? Our pre cruise ritual has become breakfast at Grills, back to the hotel, then shuttle or Uber to the port. I am thinking maybe we can go on over, drop the luggage, and then get breakfast and hang out at grills until boarding. Being a growing boy I don't want to wait too long for breakfast 😉

18 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Yeah, the "I wanna wear shorts all the time" people miss these moments. 

I have to admit that I have sort of become one of those people. We rarely dress up any more. To do so puts you in the minority these days. We usually do specialty dining on formal nights these days. 

On 5/30/2022 at 11:56 AM, mz-s said:

 

The city of Charleston does not own the port, it was not their contract to renew or not renew. The SC Port Authority owns the facility and decides what it is used for.

Well, the mayor and city of Charleston sure are taking credit for not renewing it. Check out the Charleston local news. I am fairly certain there was a lot of pressure from local government according to the news reports and our local sources. In any case it will be gone. 

On 5/25/2022 at 4:08 PM, Itried4498 said:

 

I'm sure there's more to this story.  I wouldn't be surprised if Charleston tried to negotiate a contract extension with Carnival, but at rate & terms Carnival wouldn't agree to, and thus it opted to proceed without Carnival.

Hi, we live on the SC coast and have long time friends who are Charleston natives so we get some inside scoop from time to time. One friend owned a business in Charleston for over 35 years and was active in the business community. A lot of the businesses liked the traffic that the cruise line brought especially after the closure of the naval base in the 90s. Norwegian was there for many years before Carnival. For many years there has been a relatively small but very vocal and politically active group who were strongly anti cruise port. They also are opposed to a lot of other tourism related businesses but that's another story. It appears that they finally got their way. The city of Charleston refused to renew the cruise contract. Nothing to do with Carnival. The land where the port lies is being redeveloped according to a redevelopment plan being drawn up. There are no plans for another cruise port. There are berthing facilities for cruise ships as a port of call but no plans to be a port of departure which requires a much larger facility than what will remain. Many business owners are not happy about the cruise port closing but the current local government climate is not very pro business according to my sources. There are news articles from the local news that confirm that it was the city government that ended the contract. 

Living only a little over an hour away ourselves we are pretty disappointed. 

Best cabin we have had in 25 years of cruising. We do not book suites so we go by location, privacy, etc. Try to get one under the shore excursion or guest relations area and not the dining room.