All Things Charleston 411

[dcwalker]

Uber to the port question: A year ago I cruised out of Charleston on the Ecstasy, first time. We stayed overnight in Mt. Pleasant at the Days Inn just at the end of the bridge. They let us leave our car there for free. We took an Uber to the port. Problem was, the driver hadn't driven anyone to the port before and didn't know where to drop us off. We didn't know either. We ended up in the long line of cars trying to park and the port personnel couldn't, wouldn't let the driver out of the line. SO - in a few weeks I'm again staying overnight at Days Inn, planning to Uber to the port for an Ecstasy cruise. In case I'm unlucky enough to get another driver who doesn't know the port set-up, how do I instruct him or her as to where to drop me? Thanks in advance because I know you Charleston people know this and are generous with your expertise. Really. I appreciate you posters.

[dcwalker]

Wow! I just looked at my signature. That first Ecstasy cruise was TWO years ago! Last years was cancelled because of weather.

[teknoge3k]

Uber to the port question: A year ago I cruised out of Charleston on the Ecstasy, first time. We stayed overnight in Mt. Pleasant at the Days Inn just at the end of the bridge. They let us leave our car there for free. We took an Uber to the port. Problem was, the driver hadn't driven anyone to the port before and didn't know where to drop us off. We didn't know either. We ended up in the long line of cars trying to park and the port personnel couldn't, wouldn't let the driver out of the line. SO - in a few weeks I'm again staying overnight at Days Inn, planning to Uber to the port for an Ecstasy cruise. In case I'm unlucky enough to get another driver who doesn't know the port set-up, how do I instruct him or her as to where to drop me? Thanks in advance because I know you Charleston people know this and are generous with your expertise. Really. I appreciate you posters.

 

I am pretty sure there's a "drop off" line for taxis and such. That's the line our Uber driver used.

[waterbug123]

Thanks in advance because I know you Charleston people know this and are generous with your expertise. Really. I appreciate you posters.

 

Hopefully Chucktown Steve will see this and reply. I have lived in Charleston (Mt. Pleasant) for over 20 years and have taken over 30 cruises, but have never actually cruised out of Charleston. I can tell you a lot about the area but unfortunately have zero knowledge of parking or drop-off procedures at the port.

[dcwalker]

Thanks teknoge3k. I think what happened last time is that we looked for that line and told the port guys that's what we wanted and port people just kept waving us along - with driver and passengers all being inexperienced, we didn't know how misdirected we were. Wishing I had some info, specific landmarks to prevent that again.

[bobsfamily]

I am pretty sure there's a "drop off" line for taxis and such. That's the line our Uber driver used.

Yep, there is one but if an Uber driver is not experienced you could easily get in the wrong line.

To help with that you want to be dropped off here:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.8019396,-79.8956619/32.781751,-79.9258762/@32.7885927,-79.9277839,6155m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

The route shown is from Days Inn, My Pleasant, SC to "bus parking" right next to the terminal... you can drop off luggage here and wait to board

[dcwalker]

Awesome, bobsfamily! Thank you so much.

[bobsfamily]

Awesome, bobsfamily! Thank you so much.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

[Medtech2]

Uber to the port question: A year ago I cruised out of Charleston on the Ecstasy, first time. We stayed overnight in Mt. Pleasant at the Days Inn just at the end of the bridge. They let us leave our car there for free. We took an Uber to the port. Problem was, the driver hadn't driven anyone to the port before and didn't know where to drop us off. We didn't know either. We ended up in the long line of cars trying to park and the port personnel couldn't, wouldn't let the driver out of the line. SO - in a few weeks I'm again staying overnight at Days Inn, planning to Uber to the port for an Ecstasy cruise. In case I'm unlucky enough to get another driver who doesn't know the port set-up, how do I instruct him or her as to where to drop me? Thanks in advance because I know you Charleston people know this and are generous with your expertise. Really. I appreciate you posters.

 

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1039/~/charleston-cruise-ship-terminal-directions-and-parking

[dcwalker]

Aah. Of course! The Carnival site. So I just need 32 Washington St.

[bibbysnow]

We have a 11am flight out of Charleston on Thanksgiving Day after our cruise. Is the cruise ever delayed getting into port? Do you think we would make our 11am flight?

[NCTribeFan]

I've sailed from Charleston several times and don't really remember any late arrivals or delays, but just because it hasn't happened to any one of us doesn't mean it can't/won't.

I've flown from FLL at 11 and only did it because the airport is very close by.

Of course, there will be those who will say, "oh, just do self-assist and get off the ship early and you'll be fine."  Which is probably true.  But it's a risk.  I have had delayed disembarkation at other ports.  I just don't want to spend the last night tossing and turning because I'm worried about getting up super early and maybe missing my flight.  Just not a good way to end a cruise, imo.

So, anyway, I "accidentally" opened an email and found a super cheap casino fare leaving Saturday with NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT.  I've mostly sailed solo for at least a decade since my DD graduated college.  In my 28 Carnival cruises, 11 were solo, and only one had no solo supplement.  It was too affordable to stay home!

I used to stay out at the Hampton Inn West Ashley but their price was a bit high so I booked the Sleep Inn.  It wasn't cheap but at least the parking and shuttle both ways is included.  Friends who sailed with me Labor Day 2017 stayed there and thought it was fine.

[bibbysnow]

2 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

I've sailed from Charleston several times and don't really remember any late arrivals or delays, but just because it hasn't happened to any one of us doesn't mean it can't/won't.

I've flown from FLL at 11 and only did it because the airport is very close by.

Of course, there will be those who will say, "oh, just do self-assist and get off the ship early and you'll be fine."  Which is probably true.  But it's a risk.  I have had delayed disembarkation at other ports.  I just don't want to spend the last night tossing and turning because I'm worried about getting up super early and maybe missing my flight.  Just not a good way to end a cruise, imo.

So, anyway, I "accidentally" opened an email and found a super cheap casino fare leaving Saturday with NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT.  I've mostly sailed solo for at least a decade since my DD graduated college.  In my 28 Carnival cruises, 11 were solo, and only one had no solo supplement.  It was too affordable to stay home!

I used to stay out at the Hampton Inn West Ashley but their price was a bit high so I booked the Sleep Inn.  It wasn't cheap but at least the parking and shuttle both ways is included.  Friends who sailed with me Labor Day 2017 stayed there and thought it was fine.

thank you!!

[Nicki61]

OK all you that know everything! 

  We are sailing on Thanksgiving day.  WE have FTTF.   I have read several places, that the parking garage does not allow parking until 11:30am.  If that is the case, why get FTTF?  OR is there a special area for FTTF and Platinum?  I am debating paying a hotel to park our car, get an uber over to the port if that is the case, because we could get there earlier than 11:30.  

  Anyone have any input?

[ChucktownSteve]

On 8/9/2018 at 8:15 AM, waterbug123 said:

 

Hopefully Chucktown Steve will see this and reply. I have lived in Charleston (Mt. Pleasant) for over 20 years and have taken over 30 cruises, but have never actually cruised out of Charleston. I can tell you a lot about the area but unfortunately have zero knowledge of parking or drop-off procedures at the port.

 

Hiya Meg and the rest of y'all.  I'm just now seeing this post.  So sorry I couldn't respond to any inquiries. 

 

Well we finally pulled the plug after four decades in Charleston for me and five for my spousal unit. We retired to Central Fl a couple of months ago.  So the last many months have kept me too busy to cruise or spend time on CC.  Finally closed on the sale of the Charleston homestead last week.  Now I'm only about 40 minutes to Disney/Universal and about three hours to Port Everglades.

 

I hope I have shared some valuable info over the years but I'm sure I'm leaving Holy City cruisers in the very good hands of the remaining Charleston peeps. Happy Sails to you.

 

Steve

[BananaAnna]

On 10/18/2018 at 1:46 PM, Nicki61 said:

OK all you that know everything! 

  We are sailing on Thanksgiving day.  WE have FTTF.   I have read several places, that the parking garage does not allow parking until 11:30am.  If that is the case, why get FTTF?  OR is there a special area for FTTF and Platinum?  I am debating paying a hotel to park our car, get an uber over to the port if that is the case, because we could get there earlier than 11:30.  

  Anyone have any input?

There is WAY more to FTTF than embarkation time...

Edited October 23, 2018 by BananaAnna

[Nicki61]

37 minutes ago, BananaAnna said:

There is WAY more to FTTF than embarkation time...

Well, I know what FTTF is and what it includes.  Since this is only a 4 day, with 1 stop, the major part of FTTF for us is getting on earlier than without and having our cabin ready.

  If the parking lot doesn't open until 11:30, FTTF wont be of much use.  To get on basically the same time as those without.

  Reason for my original post and inquiry. 

Edited October 23, 2018 by Nicki61

[allentownahoy]

We will be on the Grandeur with a port stop in Charleston. Not crazy about ship tours. Any suggestions on local tours or things to do on our own. Not interested in Fort Sumner or Horse and Carriage ride. Thanks in advance.

[waterbug123]

On 10/24/2018 at 11:20 PM, allentownahoy said:

We will be on the Grandeur with a port stop in Charleston. Not crazy about ship tours. Any suggestions on local tours or things to do on our own. Not interested in Fort Sumner or Horse and Carriage ride. Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know what all Royal lists for excursions here, so I don't know what you've already ruled out.  That said, some things other visitors tend to want to do include:

 

-Guided walking tour of historic downtown Charleston

-Tour of a plantation, like Boone Hall or Middleton Place (would require some kind of transportation)

-Visit the Yorktown; you can take the ferry or a quick Uber ride across the river to Mt. Pleasant to do this; follow with a short Uber ride to Mt. Pleasant's Shem Creek waterfront area for lunch

-Speaking of Shem Creek, if it's seasonally appropriate you book kayaking or paddleboarding there, or get a fishing charter

-Walk to the Battery & White Point Garden, then meander back through the residential streets throughout the tip of the downtown peninsula; there are beautiful homes and gardens to enjoy as your stroll

-Visit the SC Aquarium

-Stroll along King St, wander into the shops, and then have a great meal of one of downtown's many fantastic restaurants

-Depending on the season, some enjoy the beach (the county park beach on Isle of Palms has restrooms and showers) or golf if that's your thing

 

Edited October 30, 2018 by waterbug123

[allentownahoy]

Thanks Waterbug for your detailed reply. I would love to walk to the Battery and White Point Garden but it is probably farther than I can walk. The cruise line has a bus tour of Charleston though I believe I can get one for half the price through Grey Line and other tour operators. I have mixed feelings about a bus tour . I wonder if I could get a taxi at the pier to go to the White Point Garden area and then whether I could get a taxi back to the pier.

[waterbug123]

8 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

Thanks Waterbug for your detailed reply. I would love to walk to the Battery and White Point Garden but it is probably farther than I can walk. The cruise line has a bus tour of Charleston though I believe I can get one for half the price through Grey Line and other tour operators. I have mixed feelings about a bus tour . I wonder if I could get a taxi at the pier to go to the White Point Garden area and then whether I could get a taxi back to the pier.

 

Uber would be easier.   Charleston isn't a big city that has taxi's roaming the street looking for fares like you would see in NY or London.  There might be a few at the port but you wouldn't be able to hail one from the curb anywhere else to get back; you'd have to find the name of a local cab company, call them on the phone, wait (likely for an extended period of time) etc.  But Uber is all over the place here, especially downtown.  If you have the app it'd be a breeze to get around downtown.   

One other possible option is a pedicab.  Depending on the season and time of day, those are sometimes just sitting around and waiting/offering their services.  I have no idea what their rates are but it might be a good option for the relatively short distance between the pier and the Battery if you happen to see one.  There aren't a huge number, and they are often waiting near restaurants and bars in the evening so I don't know that you'd see one just hanging out along the battery but you never know. 

[teknoge3k]

12 minutes ago, waterbug123 said:

Uber would be easier.   Charleston isn't a big city that has taxi's roaming the street looking for fares like you would see in NY or London.  There might be a few at the port but you wouldn't be able to hail one from the curb anywhere else to get back; you'd have to find the name of a local cab company, call them on the phone, wait (likely for an extended period of time) etc.  But Uber is all over the place here, especially downtown.

 

I agree with this. I've never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes on an Uber in Charleston. Even an UberXL for my whole family with luggage. 

[allentownahoy]

Thanks so much Waterbug and Teknoge. Any thoughts on the 90 minute bus tours?

[waterbug123]

6 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

Thanks so much Waterbug and Teknoge. Any thoughts on the 90 minute bus tours?

 

No, sorry.  Since I live here (and have for 25 years) I've never taken one.  I would suggest checking Trip Advisor to see if you can find any reviews.  Also google trolley tours.  I think there's a trolley that maybe does a tour (not certain) from the visitor center; I don't actually recall seeing any big tour buses trying to navigate the downtown streets.  Not saying there aren't any, just that I don't recall ever seeing them, and I think they'd have a difficult time in that area.

[teknoge3k]

6 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

Thanks so much Waterbug and Teknoge. Any thoughts on the 90 minute bus tours?

 

Sorry I can't help with that either. When we go to Charleston we have our vehicle. Then we Uber to the port from our hotel so have no need for a bus tour.