2 Questions - Port of Charleston Parking

[audcc77]

I don't seem to be getting a response on the East Coast Embarkation thread, so how about here?

 

1 - I've looked at the website.  It's not clear about at what point or where you unload your luggage.

Just want to be sure that when we drive in the gates, we should not have already dropped off our luggage somewhere by this time.  Correct? 

 

2 - Also, I think they open the gates here at 11:00.  Has everyone found this to be true?

 

Thanks.

[Raiderguy8]

We parked there in September.  You pull in and the first thing they have you do is pay.  You then proceed to a station where you drop off your luggage.  After dealing with your luggage they then move you to the area where you can park.  They have shuttle buses that then take you and your carry on bags to the terminal.  I am not able to answer about the 11:00 question.

[audcc77]

Great!  Thanks for your help. 

[NCTribeFan]

But at some point, you have to go into the building to check in.  I sailed on 10/26 but had a hotel shuttle.  Bus arrived, we unloaded and the luggage went from the bus to the porters, then we walked over to the check-in building (which was already full of non-priority people at 11 (apparently people were not following the check-in times)), THEN we were put on another shuttle over to the actual terminal which is now only for security and boarding.

 

When there was a Fantasy-class ship in Charleston, it was all done in the one small terminal.  They've had to change the process because of the larger pax load.

 

Not sure whether you found the very large, very helpful thread on the East Coast Departures board about Charleston.  It can often be several pages back but it has a wealth of information and the locals who post in there are very good about answering questions.

Edited November 11, 2019 by NCTribeFan

[biomedbob]

We had to sit on a city side street until 11:00 before being allowed into the parking lot.

[eagletwo]

On our August 29th sailing on the Sunshine, the parking lot opened at 10:00 am (guess this can change depending on how fast passengers get off the ship and get their cars out of the lot).  Followed the line to where you pay for parking (pre-paid online or credit card, no cash), then to a second stop to drop off the bags.  Next we went to the handicap parking area (parking was free for handicap with appropriate tag/sticker) and walked across the street to the check-in building. As you approach the stairs to enter the building, we were greeted by employees checking to see if you had your boarding pass and ID ready in your hands.  Upon entering the check-in building, went right up to one of the check-in counters, had our photo taken and documents checked and sent to the waiting area (we had FTTF).  The boarding process started at 11:00 am with the priority guests going first, then the FTTF group.  It's a quick 5 minute ride by bus to the cruise terminal, go through security and then to the ship.  We were in our stateroom by 11:40 am or so.  

[Host Carolyn]

Boy, this was buried!!! Putting it here might help others too. Good thread when you find it!