Charleston port - any questions

[bobsfamily]

Will be leaving out in 2 days, May 9th and live within 15 minutes of the port. I will know more about the Fantasy boarding then but before/after any questions I will be happy to answer:

Charleston cruise and park hotels

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

 

Port of Charleston

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/cruises/cruises.asp

 

Airport in Charleston

http://www.chs-airport.com/Transportation-and-Parking/Subpage-2.aspx

 

Local taxis

http://local.yahoo.com/SC/Charleston/Travel+Lodging/Taxi+Services

[Ace5614]

Will be leaving out in 2 days, May 9th and live within 15 minutes of the port. I will know more about the Fantasy boarding then but before/after any questions I will be happy to answer:

Charleston cruise and park hotels

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

 

Port of Charleston

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/cruises/cruises.asp

 

Airport in Charleston

http://www.chs-airport.com/Transportation-and-Parking/Subpage-2.aspx

 

Local taxis

http://local.yahoo.com/SC/Charleston/Travel+Lodging/Taxi+Services

 

 

I have been hearing bad stories about cab service there. We will be staying about 10 miles from the port. What would you advise?

 

 

01/07/2012 CARNIVAL DREAM

09/26/2010 CARNIVAL PRIDE

01/04/2009 COSTA FORTUNA

11/09/2008 CARNIVAL LEGEND

10/20/2007 CARNIVAL GLORY

10/28/2006 CARNIVAL TRIUMPH

12/05/2004 CARNIVAL MIRACLE

10/29/2000 PARADISE

10/01/1998 TROPICALE

01/17/1997 ECSTASY

09/29/1995 ECSTASY

[bobsfamily]

I have been hearing bad stories about cab service there. We will be staying about 10 miles from the port. What would you advise?

 

What part of the town are you in... if Mt. Pleasant you should not have a problem. Some parts of N. Charleston could be a problem depending on when you are leaving...

 

http://www.absolutecharlestontaxilimousine.com/Charter.html

Not sure about price but have good things about them,

 

Bob

[DizneyGal]

hi

where is a nice place to stay the night before a cruise??

thanks!

[bobsfamily]

hi

where is a nice place to stay the night before a cruise??

thanks!

Are you driving or flying?

If driving here are some that allow you to "park" and cruise:

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

 

If not driving then I would certainly consider a hotel downtown so you can wander a bit:

http://www.kingcharlesinn.com/

http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/south-carolina/charleston/days-inn-charleston-historic-district/hotel-overview

http://www.charlestonplace.com/web/ocha/charleston_place.jsp

 

The Days Inn is most likely the "cheapest" downtown and the Charleston Place would be on the high side...

 

Have a great trip... I leave tomorrow May 9th!

[Ace5614]

What part of the town are you in... if Mt. Pleasant you should not have a problem. Some parts of N. Charleston could be a problem depending on when you are leaving...

 

http://www.absolutecharlestontaxilimousine.com/Charter.html

Not sure about price but have good things about them,

 

Bob

 

I believe it's west of town. It's the Creekside Lands Inn.

 

01/07/2012 CARNIVAL DREAM

09/26/2010 CARNIVAL PRIDE

01/04/2009 COSTA FORTUNA

11/09/2008 CARNIVAL LEGEND

10/20/2007 CARNIVAL GLORY

10/28/2006 CARNIVAL TRIUMPH

12/05/2004 CARNIVAL MIRACLE

10/29/2000 PARADISE

10/01/1998 TROPICALE

01/17/1997 ECSTASY

09/29/1995 ECSTASY

[DizneyGal]

Thanks, Bob!!!

[bobsfamily]

I believe it's west of town. It's the Creekside Lands Inn.

Ah, know exactly where it is, and you are literally at the edge of town.... there is a creek that stops all building and the town growth stops.

http://g.co/maps/qmr4x

 

Did you get a good rate? I would suggest if you can change to try the "round Holiday Inn".

http://www.hiriverview.com/

If you get the right room you can see the ship coming in the morning! Plus I think they have a shuttle to the port.

 

As for taxis you should be fine at the Creekside. There is nothing really in walking distance though.

[luv2cruz66]

Will be leaving out in 2 days, May 9th and live within 15 minutes of the port. I will know more about the Fantasy boarding then but before/after any questions I will be happy to answer:

Charleston cruise and park hotels

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

 

Port of Charleston

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/cruises/cruises.asp

 

Airport in Charleston

http://www.chs-airport.com/Transportation-and-Parking/Subpage-2.aspx

 

Local taxis

http://local.yahoo.com/SC/Charleston/Travel+Lodging/Taxi+Services

 

 

Thanks so much for starting this thread! We are cruising from Charleston at the end of July and I am just now starting my research! Can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

[lesliehr]

Will be leaving out in 2 days, May 9th and live within 15 minutes of the port. I will know more about the Fantasy boarding then but before/after any questions I will be happy to answer:

Charleston cruise and park hotels

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

 

Port of Charleston

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/cruises/cruises.asp

 

Airport in Charleston

http://www.chs-airport.com/Transportation-and-Parking/Subpage-2.aspx

 

Local taxis

http://local.yahoo.com/SC/Charleston/Travel+Lodging/Taxi+Services

 

Hey Bob,

 

We'd like to visit Fort Sumter. How easy/difficult is it to get to the ferry from the Port-of-Charleston? Is it nearby/walkable?

 

Hope your trip was great.

 

Debbie

[bobsfamily]

Hey Bob,

 

We'd like to visit Fort Sumter. How easy/difficult is it to get to the ferry from the Port-of-Charleston? Is it nearby/walkable?

 

Hope your trip was great.

 

Debbie

Sorry for the late response, just got off the Fantasy yesterday,

As for the FS tour it s very easy.

http://www.spiritlinecruises.com/sumter_rates.asp

 

You can catch it downtown or in Mt. Pleasant depending in where you are staying.

[chloe052004]

Bob, We will be in Charleston on May 28th. Our cruise is the 29th. We are staying at the Shem Creek Inn in Mount Pleasant. What do you know about the Shem Creek Inn, and how far is it from the port? Also, any good restaurants nearby that you would recommend? What time do you suggest we arrive at the port? Thanks! Linda

[NW Pacific]

Our NCL cruise will be stopping in Charleston on Nov 7, 2012, typically what is the temperature range that time of year? From the Cruise Ship Pier how close to sights of interest are we. What is within walking distance if anything? Our the Carriage Tours worth while? What one do yo recommend?

Thanks for your time and information

[bobsfamily]

Bob, We will be in Charleston on May 28th. Our cruise is the 29th. We are staying at the Shem Creek Inn in Mount Pleasant. What do you know about the Shem Creek Inn, and how far is it from the port? Also, any good restaurants nearby that you would recommend? What time do you suggest we arrive at the port? Thanks! Linda

You are going to have a great time!

The hotel is fine, not the best but way from the bottom.... BUT it has one great quality... It's on Shem Creek and you will have food/drink (all in easy walking distance on the dock in front of the hotel, and all good) all around you plus see the shrimp boats coming in. Being Memorial Day it may be a bit busy but fun. It's about a 15 minute drive to the port BUT you have the holiday PLUS Spoleto will be in full swing so downtown will be crowded. Are you driving or using a taxi?

On our cruise last week we dropped off our luggage around 10:30 am and then our daughter dropped us off right at the pier/port around 11am. We waited about 15 minutes for a shuttle bus (you have to take it) to terminal, about 10-15 minutes inside and on the ship!

Have a great cruise...

[bobsfamily]

Our NCL cruise will be stopping in Charleston on Nov 7, 2012, typically what is the temperature range that time of year? From the Cruise Ship Pier how close to sights of interest are we. What is within walking distance if anything? Our the Carriage Tours worth while? What one do yo recommend?

Thanks for your time and information

The weather can be perfect with highs in the mid 70's during the day...

It can also be 25 degrees with strong winds for a brutal day.

Chances are the first but the beginning of Nov. can be like March - In like a Lion, out like a lamb. I would check closer to then.... I will be gone myself on the Dream to the islands.

The ship docks right downtown and is a straight walk up to the Market Street area. Plenty of shopping, eateries, etc. The carriage tours are wonderful, give plenty of info. If the day is a bit chilly bring a blanket/beach towel to snuggle up in as they are open air. The drivers are all required to pass a test about the area and have lots of good info. As for a particular tour they all are the same and a lottery as to which route you will take and what company.

[chloe052004]

Bob, Thanks for your reply! We are driving and parking at the port. This is our 2nd cruise from Charleston on the Fantasy. Last year we drove from East Tn. the day of the cruise. It was on Memorial day and there was not a whole lot of traffic. It took us about 5 hrs. and that was with a stop for breakfast. We got to the port around 10:45 dropped off our luggage, then they told us we would have to came back at 12. Well we got in line to park and it took forever to get to the warehouse where we left the car. Next we got in a long line for the shuttle, waited for about 45 minutes , got on the shuttle headed to the terminal and waited for about another 10 minutes to go in. Well it was chaos in the terminal! We finally got on board around 2:00! They said the computers were down on the ship. I just hope that it goes a little better this time. Oh by the way it was a great cruise! We went to the casino as soon as it opened , I won about $250 and my husband won $1400 around the same time! That sure made up for the chaos at the port! Thanks again! Linda

[michele143]

We love the Shem Creek Inn. Great rooms, price and location.

[bobsfamily]

We love the Shem Creek Inn. Great rooms, price and location.

Knew you would love it... be careful about traffic tomorrow as Spoleto has started and downtown is crowded for the next 2 weeks.

Have a great trip... may be a bit rainy/windy tomorrow/Wednesday with the Tropical storm headed towards us for Fla/GA. Have friends getting off tomorrow, have a wonderful time!

[cbmontgom]

I am sailing on the Fantasy out of Charleston next Friday (yay!). I work literally right across the street from Union Pier Terminal. I plan on going to work that morning from 9-11:30ish. I was wondering if anyone knows if you can just walk to the entry gate instead of being dropped off/driving and parking? It will honestly be easier to do that than to have my co-worker drop me off.(b/c of all the crazy traffic) I don't know if anyone knows the answer to this question but thought this would be the place to ask.

[bobsfamily]

I am sailing on the Fantasy out of Charleston next Friday (yay!). I work literally right across the street from Union Pier Terminal. I plan on going to work that morning from 9-11:30ish. I was wondering if anyone knows if you can just walk to the entry gate instead of being dropped off/driving and parking? It will honestly be easier to do that than to have my co-worker drop me off.(b/c of all the crazy traffic) I don't know if anyone knows the answer to this question but thought this would be the place to ask.

We dropped our luggage off at 10:30 am then had our daughter drop us off at right at the pier. We were allowed to take our carry-on luggage and walk thru a gate, then wait for the transfer bus.

Have a great cruise!

[travel4morefun]

Is this hotel close to downtown? We are arriving the day before our cruise and I would like to explore some. We are driving so its really not a issue, but I understand that parking can be. Can you recommend a couple of local favorite restaurants?

 

Thanks so much!

[bobsfamily]

Is this hotel close to downtown?

Thanks so much!

Uh, NO! :D

 

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages/stay/

These are hotels that offer packages where you can leave your car and most have a shuttle to/from the ship. That will save you the parking fee which can offset the cost of the hotel.

 

I'd suggest Downtown Charleston, Mt. Pleasant as first choices with West Ashley well before North Charleston. Parts of N. Charleston are fine but some places can be iffy and being from out of town you might make a wrong turn and find yourself not where you want to be.

Have a great cruise!

 

BTW what kind of food are you looking for?

[luv2cruz66]

bobsfamily,

We are driving to Charleston for our next cruise. 7 people, two cars. We were planning on driving to the terminal. In Jacksonville, it was so easy, we just parked and walked into the terminal. I"m getting the impression it is not that easy in Charleston. Would it be better for us to park elsewhere and take cabs/vans to the terminal? Do you still have to get on a shuttle if you are dropped off? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

[travel4morefun]

Uh, NO! :D

 

 

I'd suggest Downtown Charleston, Mt. Pleasant as first choices with West Ashley well before North Charleston. Parts of N. Charleston are fine but some places can be iffy and being from out of town you might make a wrong turn and find yourself not where you want to be.

Have a great cruise!

 

BTW what kind of food are you looking for?

 

How about Hampton Inn Charleston / Mt Pleasant - is that close to anything? I really just need to look at a map. I am Just starting our research. I would be interested in visiting a local seafood and/or Steakhouse. I am thinking of ditching the park & cruise thing and just staying downtown and paying for port parking. We did the park and stay thing last year to avoid airport parking. It was wonderful!

 

Has anyone had experiences with the park & cruise packages out of Charleston? If so, how was it and would you do it again?

[bobsfamily]

How about Hampton Inn Charleston / Mt Pleasant - is that close to anything? I really just need to look at a map.

 

It's close to the bridge to downtown and about a 10 min (or less) ride to the staging area to get on the ship. Nothing really around it to walk to but within a couple of miles is shopping, movie theater, food, drink.

The Hampton Inn IOP connector:

http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/south-carolina/hampton-inn-and-suites-charleston-mt-pleasant-isle-of-palms-CHSMPHX/index.html

 

It's a bit further away from downtown but is in walking distance of shopping/restaurants/drinks, etc. Not sure about park and cruise... Check the link above for local hotels offering that.