Charleston port - any questions

[bobsfamily]

We have decided to come in on Sunday now instead of driving up Monday morning (anything could happen!)

 

Right now we are looking at staying in Mt. Pleasant (gotta get my Sticky Fingers at either the Sleep Inn or Best Western.

 

To get to the port, we were going to take a taxi and were looking at either Yellow Cab Company or Charleston Cab Company. Read mixed reviews about both, but am leaning towards CCC.

 

So, if we're getting dropped off and don't have to wait to get in the car park, what is the earliest we can get there to get checked in and start exploring?

 

Thanks. So looking forward to this!

Good idea to come down before!

If looking at Mt. Pleasant you might check out the hotels that offer transport to/from but if not then you are on the right track.

http://www.yellowpages.com/mount-pleasant-sc/taxis

Some people have fun with Crazy Carl's taxi and some say it's weird. I've used him a few times, mostly late at night...

As for hotels/motels the Days Inn is almost in walking distance to Sticky Fingers and has a Huddle house in it for breakfast. I think they allow you to leave the car. The above poster is staying at the Hampton Inn/Patriots Point and I think they do shuttle you down/back.

As for getting on early I would suggest taking cab/shuttle down around 10am, dropping off luggage (remembering to keep passports/documents) and get the cab to drop you at market area. Around 11:00ish you can walk over to an area right next to the actual terminal and walk thru a gate, be checked for documents/passport and go to a waiting area for the short bus ride to the terminal. It can start as early as 11:15-30ish but can be later, like around noon. The bus will drop you off and by the time you go thru security, get your SS cards you most likely will be sent on your way to the ship. Very little wait this way! Have a wonderful cruise!

[Sabalon]

Thanks for the information. Days Inn is what I meant instead of Best Western. Going strictly by online reviews (the bastion of truth! :) the Sleep Inn sounds nicer. Hampton is about double the cost with the shuttle service rate, but on the plus side, the shuttle service!

 

All the other times I've stayed in Charleston have been with the Girl Scouts and that we spent overnighting on the USS Yorktown! Love the smell of the ship. It gets in your blankets and comes home with you.

 

Thanks for the timing info as well. That really helps.

[bobsfamily]

Thanks for the information. Days Inn is what I meant instead of Best Western. Going strictly by online reviews (the bastion of truth! :) the Sleep Inn sounds nicer. Hampton is about double the cost with the shuttle service rate, but on the plus side, the shuttle service!

 

All the other times I've stayed in Charleston have been with the Girl Scouts and that we spent overnighting on the USS Yorktown! Love the smell of the ship. It gets in your blankets and comes home with you.

 

Thanks for the timing info as well. That really helps.

The cab ride will be around $25 or so each way so figure that in... if using the cab option DO NO pay for ride back to hotel in advance. When you get off the ship there will be plenty of cabs waiting and who knows if it will be "yours"...

[Sabalon]

The cab ride will be around $25 or so each way so figure that in... if using the cab option DO NO pay for ride back to hotel in advance. When you get off the ship there will be plenty of cabs waiting and who knows if it will be "yours"...

 

Figured they would have cabs there. $25 each way - wow - expensive 4 miles. Was thinking much less...like 12-15 looking at rates. Though I guess because we're out of the city, we fall into the zone price structure instead. Hmmm. Shuttles starting to look better!

[bobsfamily]

Figured they would have cabs there. $25 each way - wow - expensive 4 miles. Was thinking much less...like 12-15 looking at rates. Though I guess because we're out of the city, we fall into the zone price structure instead. Hmmm. Shuttles starting to look better!

It could be in that range BUT at least going you are going to be in a line waiting to drop off luggage and they do not stop the clock for the wait.. Coming back could be less, especially if the cab/van is shared. When you go to drop off the luggage there is a convoluted "maze" you have to drive thru to keep traffic off the roads, hence winding lines in the port property. Depending on who gets there first it can be 10 minutes or 30 minutes, and time adds up for cabbies. Now they sometimes open up a special route for cabbies and people being dropped off but it is usually later, after noon or more. By that time almost all traffic in the line is parking. So kinda of a two-edged sword, do you want to get on early or save a few bucks? Either way you will have FUN!

[jmecme]

Thanks for your feedback on the trolly! Stop 7 is the Charleston Visitor Center. When I Google the visitor center the address is 375 Meeting Street which is downtown. Maybe there is another visitor center that it goes to? It does stop at a lot of places that look worth taking a look at. If we have to drive downtown, we will. Thanks again for all of your advice! Julie :o

[bobsfamily]

Thanks for your feedback on the trolly! Stop 7 is the Charleston Visitor Center. When I Google the visitor center the address is 375 Meeting Street which is downtown. Maybe there is another visitor center that it goes to? It does stop at a lot of places that look worth taking a look at. If we have to drive downtown, we will. Thanks again for all of your advice! Julie :o

Well Dang! They used to not go downtown but I guess got a lot of calls for it. The Charleston Visitor's center is not really close to the Market area BUT they have a "trolley" that loops around downtown for free and you can catch it at the Visitor's center.

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/travel_support~4/getting_around_charleston~41/ground_transportation~105/carta_charleston_regional_transportation_authority~1656.html

So I would just call them and make sure they are doing that (and you can pre-purchase tickets for less) particular route while you are here.

Good catch!

[HerdJC]

Hi there,

 

We are looking to stay in Charleston after we get back from our honeymoon cruise on March 22-24. I've been checking online but the rates have skyrocketed around that time. Am I assuming correctly because it is near the spring break season? Are there any hotels that can be recommended in North Charleston or other surrounding areas that would be relatively easy for us to commute into downtown Charleston during the days to sightsee but aren't quite so expensive? Thanks!

[ABQmom]

Well Dang! They used to not go downtown but I guess got a lot of calls for it. The Charleston Visitor's center is not really close to the Market area BUT they have a "trolley" that loops around downtown for free and you can catch it at the Visitor's center.

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/travel_support~4/getting_around_charleston~41/ground_transportation~105/carta_charleston_regional_transportation_authority~1656.html

So I would just call them and make sure they are doing that (and you can pre-purchase tickets for less) particular route while you are here.

Good catch!

 

Bob'sfamily,

 

I was looking into the free DART trolly. If we were to stay at the Marriot on Lockwood (near Ashley River) is it possible to catch the DASH and with a connection be close enough to walk to the port? Our luggage will be light and really a walk or a mile or less would be ideal, but I am not sure if you can walk there. What are your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Michelle

[bobsfamily]

Bob'sfamily,

 

I was looking into the free DART trolly. If we were to stay at the Marriot on Lockwood (near Ashley River) is it possible to catch the DASH and with a connection be close enough to walk to the port? Our luggage will be light and really a walk or a mile or less would be ideal, but I am not sure if you can walk there. What are your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Michelle

Here is a map of the trolley route:

http://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/CARTA_DASH_11x17_TrolleyMaps.pdf

 

You could not make it on one "loop". You would need to transfer from RT 213 to RT 211 at the visitors center to complete the trip to the port. It would drop you off very close to the port, less than a couple of hundred yards I would think by the map. I would check with the hotel as they may have a shuttle.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/chscy-courtyard-charleston-waterfront/

Have a wonderful cruise!

[bobsfamily]

Hi there,

 

We are looking to stay in Charleston after we get back from our honeymoon cruise on March 22-24. I've been checking online but the rates have skyrocketed around that time. Am I assuming correctly because it is near the spring break season? Are there any hotels that can be recommended in North Charleston or other surrounding areas that would be relatively easy for us to commute into downtown Charleston during the days to sightsee but aren't quite so expensive? Thanks!

Yes you into spring break but downtown is not so much a "spring breaker" place as just tourists and you are getting into prime tourist season. Spring and fall are the best times to see Charleston with mild temps, great for walking and sightseeing. This weekend is the SEWE (southeastern Wildlife Exposition) and kicks of the tourist season. As for others places I would suggest some of the hotels in Mt. Pleasant rather than N. Charleston.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/HACSearch?geo=54354#02,1360926487883,rad:S5mi,map:-1,sponsors:ABEST_WESTERN,mc:S32.80327071481517|-79.88882411132812,mz:-14

 

You might try this:

http://www.lowcountrylooptrolley.com/Map-and-Schedule.html

and find a hotel that it goes by (lots of them). It does go down to the visitors center and you can catch the DASH free to points around town.

Have a wonderful honeymoon and great cruise!

[LNNLNNLNN]

Hi Bobsfamily

 

We are wondering how early can we get into the parking deck. We will be using the handicapped parking area, I have seen something about early luggage drop off but not about if we would be able to go ahead and park if we arrive at 10:30 or so. Also, is the Springhill Inn a good place to stay or what area should we look for to be close to the port? We are coming in on May 12th

Thanks

Sheri T

[bobsfamily]

Hi Bobsfamily

 

We are wondering how early can we get into the parking deck. We will be using the handicapped parking area, I have seen something about early luggage drop off but not about if we would be able to go ahead and park if we arrive at 10:30 or so. Also, is the Springhill Inn a good place to stay or what area should we look for to be close to the port? We are coming in on May 12th

Thanks

Sheri T

Hey Sheri,

OK here is the comment from the port:

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

Kinda has no times BUT from experience I would say 10:30 is right at the cusp of being able to park. If you go around 10am they will let you drop off luggage and maybe/maybe not park handi-cap. It all depends on if the returning passengers are out of the parking garage yet or not. Also you might consider dropping off the handi-capped person right at the port to avert having a long distance to travel prior to buses running. I would suggest waiting til at least 10:30-45 prior to getting in line and you should be good to go. The police will inform you if you need to come back or if it's luggage drop-off only around that time.

 

As for the hotel I do not see Springhill Inn... I do see Springhill suites by Marriott... If that is it they are fine. If not maybe another name?

[LNNLNNLNN]

Thanks for the info. It is Springhill Suites Marriot. Can we walk around the area safely?

[bobsfamily]

Thanks for the info. It is Springhill Suites Marriot. Can we walk around the area safely?

The hotel area is fine BUT the name is very misleading. It is NOT downtown Charleston... it is across the river and basically surrounded by marsh and one side of a marina.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=+++++98+Ripley+Point+Drive+++++Charleston,+South+Carolina+29407+USA&hl=en&ll=32.77694,-79.963547&spn=0.002398,0.003484&sll=33.624497,-80.926614&sspn=6.877157,14.27124&hnear=98+Ripley+Point+Dr,+Charleston,+South+Carolina+29407&t=h&z=19

 

It looks like you could walk all the way around the marina to the restaurant California Dreaming but I would not do this with a Handicapped person (even in motorized wheelchair) as the ground/dock/walkways may not be very stable.

 

If looking for a stay downtown I would consider one of these:

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/where_to_stay~1/?location=1

 

The DoubleTree is very convenient... just be sure to carefully check the location... here is another google map with downtown hotels... the port/terminal is at the end of Market St. a block past East Bay St. at Concord St.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=hotels+in+Charleston,+SC&hl=en&ll=32.780961,-79.930408&spn=0.006783,0.013937&sll=32.781141,-79.930301&sspn=0.027133,0.055747&oq=+hotels+in+downtown+Charleston,+SC&hq=hotels&hnear=Charleston,+South+Carolina&t=m&fll=32.781006,-79.931159&fspn=0.006783,0.013937&z=17

 

Staying at one of these hotels would give you the best tourist visit (history right out the door) and with the handicap parking you are just a very short drive to parking at the port. In fact you could actually go drop off luggage, park and then come back to hotel and walk over later...

[Beebob1]

Have a few questions plz. A friend won't do the online check-in so do we still drop luggage off, then park heading to boarding or what will this hangup be?

TIA

[bobsfamily]

Have a few questions plz. A friend won't do the online check-in so do we still drop luggage off, then park heading to boarding or what will this hangup be?

 

TIA

Wow what a bummer. Charleston is one place you really want to do online check-in because of the bus ride. They will be asked prior to getting in the car line, when checking luggage they will have to fill out blank tags (and slow down the process), asked when parking, at the bus loading area, when boarding the bus, at the terminal going thru security. Each time he will have to have his "ticket", that he has printed and passport/birth certificate. Each stop is going to delay not just your group but people behind you.

I would strongly urge them to do the online check-in. If he/she is concerned with online security remind them the site is secure and that at the terminal the data will be inputted exactly as if he had done it at home. I get the hesitation as I do computer security for a living and am a bit paranoid myself after some of the stuff I see BUT he needs to be over it!.... and do the online check-in.

Hope this helps, heck print this and let them read it.

Have a wonderful cruise.

[Beebob1]

I printed my boarding pass and he is listed but that is it! He will have his passport but nothing else :( Always one to slow things down.

[bobsfamily]

I printed my boarding pass and he is listed but that is it! He will have his passport but nothing else :( Always one to slow things down.

You or he needs to check very carefully what is required to even get to the terminal. I'm not sure that a boarding pass for you is enough. He needs to have some sort of ticket. I don't have time right now but I would either call Carnival or check the website to see what is the minimum required.

Good Luck

[hooforce]

My Carnival Fantasy reveiw (Feb 18 - 23, 2013).

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1795904

[bobsfamily]

My Carnival Fantasy reveiw (Feb 18 - 23, 2013).

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1795904

 

Glad in the end you had a great time. Sorry about the "entertainment", I must admit I have seen maybe one show in more than 10 cruises and it is not a reason I cruise. The ocean, ports, casino is what I go for. The Fantasy is what it is and if this was your worst cruise then most would love it. I completely agree with Nassau although we have found some fun at the Freeport stop... We usually do go to Our Lucaya and enjoy the beach or possibly a snorkeling trip done on our on. We have stayed on GBI several times as a land vacation so know a bit more about it. If you check the Bahamas thread you will find lots to do on GBI other than what the cruiseline offers.

[bguppies]

Just a heads up for anyone sailing out of Charleston April 6, 2013

 

3 major events will be blocking or slowing traffic around the area heading to the pier.

 

Family Circle Cup Tennis 2013

 

April 6, 2013 - Semifinals - 11AM

April 7, 2013 - Finals - 1PM

Daniel Island, SC (right off I-526)

Flowertown Festival

 

April 6, 2013 - 9AM-6PM

 

April 7, 2013 - 9AM-4PM

 

Summerville, South Carolina (right off I-26 on way into town from I-95)

Cooper River Bridge Run

 

April 6, 2013 - Bridge closes at 7AM - Race starts at 8AM

 

Mt. Pleasant to Downtown (blocking alot of roads and closing main bridge into town from the north.They stay closed for alot of day until all 43,000+particpants finish)

 

 

Just happened to notice the events coinciding with the Fantasy being in town, when double checking for my Sister visiting that weekend.

 

Good luck to all....

 

Bill

[bobsfamily]

Bill

Thanks for the heads up about the events! The bridge run will affect ones wanting to get onboard early for sure.

There will lots local traffic. Take your time and watch out for tipsy runners!

[khinson]

Hey Bill, how do you think that will affect those coming off the ship on the 6th? We are supposed to be picked up by our shuttle and taken back to our car at our pre-cruise hotel- Hampton Inn, which I think is Patriots point or Mt Pleasant.

[bobsfamily]

Hey Bill, how do you think that will affect those coming off the ship on the 6th? We are supposed to be picked up by our shuttle and taken back to our car at our pre-cruise hotel- Hampton Inn, which I think is Patriots point or Mt Pleasant.

Patriots Point is in Mt. P.... I would contact the hotel directly. When the bridge is closed -about 7am til 9-10am you can still get downtown, it's just a longer drive plus extra traffic. it will not be a "normal" day for sure. Good luck.