All Things Fantasy

Our Hampton Inn (West Ashley) doesn't pick up until around noon.

Just another reason why I constantly tell people that there's really no reason to get to the port extra early. The facilities there just can't handle the early arrivals, whether parking or drop-off.

But it really does go smoothly. I think the have-to-shuttle procedure keeps the crowds staggered and there's never really a back up anywhere.

Even the scanning lines go quickly. If they want to look at anything more closely, they send you to another table so you aren't holding up a long line of people.

The only downside to using a shuttle is when you disembark. People going to the parking garage get on their shuttle right outside the building. People getting a taxi/hotel shuttle have to drag their bags down the sidewalk to the street. They get heavy!

The Roll Call this past 9/1 was a lot more active than some. The 5-day cruises just don't get as much activity. I've done several where the RC was very dull. Seems like when I'm solo, and would enjoy meeting some folks, the RC are practially non-existent. Then I cruise with people and there's lots of RC activity, when meeting folks isn't quite as important.

Our Conquest cruise has about 100 people signed up for the M&G! It's so active I can't keep up with what's going on. We're even having multiple pre-cruise Happy Hours on Friday night in Old San Juan depending on where people are staying. Just a whole lot more interest in this 1-off cruise than in others I've sailed. It was like that with our Bermuda cruise (1-time sailing from B'More).

Getting close to the sail date. I decided to switch rooms from a 6B room M265 to a 6D room U157. I feel much better about this room selection.

LOL. Ok, Im not any less confused about boarding! have a bit of time to decide. after all I didnt even tell Dan I booked the cruise yet :eek:

Just finished reading Nancys reviews! THANKS :D now onto NCtribes!

I drove to Charleston the morning of the cruise. After driving through a motocross course of orange barricades as I entered the Port area, I was about the 10th car in one of 3 lines when it stopped. While we waited, an attendant came up to the cars in line and checked the boarding card and passports. They started moving cars at 11 am. We went through a tented area, and porters got my big suitcase from the trunk, which was wonderful. I parked and got on the third shuttle that came by with my rolling carry on. I was asked to go to a small table after the scanner and they briefly looked at my one bottle of wine in my carry on, but didn't check the 6 cans of soft drinks and 2 large cans of energy drinks. They were opening others' 12 packs of soft drinks and looking at each can. After a short line, I was at the check in desk. Within minutes, I was on board and they took my picture with my sign and sail card. I pushed the button in the elevator for my deck and found my cabin (R17, a porthole cabin, and it was larger than my friends' cabins), and the steward greeted me immediately with my name. I asked if I could drop off my carry on, and she said yes. I put my passport and wallet in the digital safe, and headed to explore the ship. My friends got on board shortly after me, as they had stayed overnight in Charleston at a hotel. Our luggage was outside the rooms by 3:00 pm. Boarding was a breeze.

Disembarking was a slower process and the lines were long. It took over an hour to get off the ship when my number was called. The luggage area was organized, but inefficient. I couldn't find a porter available, so I pulled my suitcase and carry on through the lines. The shuttles came in pairs, and one has a trailer hooked to it, and porters load the luggage. You're dropped off at a central area in the garage warehouses, and you take your luggage to your car. Since I was such a high disembark number, there were only a couple of cars in line to exit, and I was on the way home.

I hope this helps with your driving plans.

And, the Fantasy is a great ship. The crew and waitstaff are excellent. Risa is a wonderful CD. For a short getaway, I give a "recommend" after my first Carnival cruise, especially if you're from the south and it's an easy drive!

We drove there fairly early and sat at a dead stop for at least 45 minutes- and then just crawled along. The shuttle busses and taxis definately got to check in faster than automobile drivers. Check in was a bit chaotic- luckily we ended up in the VIP line, but it was still a lot of waiting. Wait to park the car, then wait for a shuttle, then wait to get off the shuttle, then wait outside before you are allowed to go in and get in another line to wait for security, after which you wait to check in. Next time we will take a taxi and wait until a little later to get onboard.

LOL. Ok, Im not any less confused about boarding! have a bit of time to decide. after all I didnt even tell Dan I booked the cruise yet :eek:

 

Just finished reading Nancys reviews! THANKS :D now onto NCtribes!

Thanks for reading I hope they were helpful. AND you got to see parking from the viewpoint of a taxi and from a personal vehicle.;)

We drove there fairly early and sat at a dead stop for at least 45 minutes- and then just crawled along. The shuttle busses and taxis definately got to check in faster than automobile drivers. Check in was a bit chaotic- luckily we ended up in the VIP line, but it was still a lot of waiting. Wait to park the car, then wait for a shuttle, then wait to get off the shuttle, then wait outside before you are allowed to go in and get in another line to wait for security, after which you wait to check in. Next time we will take a taxi and wait until a little later to get onboard.

What time did you arrive? Last October, for leg 2 of my B2B, my friend picked up DD & her hubby at the hotel and drove to the pier. They didn't board until about 2:30 and said it went very quickly and smoothly. And when we disembarked, we were in the #1 tag group who were first off after the self-assist. Yeah, there are a lot of bags crammed in that little building, and getting to them and getting out of the mob (and there was already a mob) took a little time.

A month ago, we just took our time and got off when we wanted. By then, ours were the only bags left in the #1 area. Yeah, we had to stand in the customs line but it went very quickly.

I wonder if, when driving, it's better to arrive later rather than earlier. I have never, personally, parked at the pier.

Again, people who are used to arriving at other ports at 10 am, dropping luggage, checking in, and then being almost first to board will find that this just doesn't work in Charleston.

There's a smaller window for check in at a port with very limited facilities so, yes, there's going to be congestion. I still feel they do a great job given those limitations.

michelle - I have 4 reviews, going back to my 3rd Fantasy sailing back in May 2010, then my B2B last October, solo this past May, and then with friends a few weeks ago. Doubt that you'll be as entertained reading mine as Nancy's!

What time did you arrive? Last October, for leg 2 of my B2B, my friend picked up DD & her hubby at the hotel and drove to the pier. They didn't board until about 2:30 and said it went very quickly and smoothly. And when we disembarked, we were in the #1 tag group who were first off after the self-assist. Yeah, there are a lot of bags crammed in that little building, and getting to them and getting out of the mob (and there was already a mob) took a little time.

 

A month ago, we just took our time and got off when we wanted. By then, ours were the only bags left in the #1 area. Yeah, we had to stand in the customs line but it went very quickly.

 

I wonder if, when driving, it's better to arrive later rather than earlier. I have never, personally, parked at the pier.

 

Again, people who are used to arriving at other ports at 10 am, dropping luggage, checking in, and then being almost first to board will find that this just doesn't work in Charleston.

 

There's a smaller window for check in at a port with very limited facilities so, yes, there's going to be congestion. I still feel they do a great job given those limitations.

 

michelle - I have 4 reviews, going back to my 3rd Fantasy sailing back in May 2010, then my B2B last October, solo this past May, and then with friends a few weeks ago. Doubt that you'll be as entertained reading mine as Nancy's!

I think we were in line to park a little before 10. Next time we will definately wait until later in the day.

Was on the same cruise as NCtribe, great lady BTW... we were dropped off by daughter about 10:45 (shorter line) and literally walked up to the shuttle, about 4 people on, was whisked to the terminal, about 10 people ahead of us at security, had our water, cokes, wine checked, went to the VIP line (Plat.). Before we could stop the lady showed us to a check-in counter. We had a minute or so getting cards and never sat down. They were boarding (around 11:15 am now). We were sitting in our cabin 5 minutes later. By 11:30 our luggage was delivered and went up to the Lido to check things out. Fastest boarding in Charleston yet.

Getting off was a breeze also... except for one small hiccup. One of the security personnel (employed by Carnival) is a personal friend and he left a message for us that said "Welcome home!".... well when I put my card in to leave the ship it "Donged" instead of "Dinging". The guard put up his hand and was about to say "wait a minute" when he read the message from our friend.... It was nice but about had a heart attack! Don't do that!

If this has been covered, I apologize but there is so much to read back on...

Does the Fantasy have the new pizza?

im goin on a very unplanned spur of the moment cruise driving the day before to charleston..i cruised in may out if miami an used FTTF is it worth getting for the fantasy? any thoughts

If this has been covered, I apologize but there is so much to read back on...

 

Does the Fantasy have the new pizza?

Sorry, I gave up on Carnival pizza several years ago. There are so many other yummy things to eat that I just haven't tried it again. I pretty much stick to my deli sandwich for lunch.

im goin on a very unplanned spur of the moment cruise driving the day before to charleston..i cruised in may out if miami an used FTTF is it worth getting for the fantasy? any thoughts

Again, sorry, I'm Platinum so get easier boarding anyway and have pretty much always snuck down to my cabin to drop off my carry-on when solo. People generally seem to like FTTF. I don't know that I see the value, but that's probably just me. I'd rather spend that $50 in the casino or toward my wine package.

Our shuttle leaves from the Radisson to head to the pier at 10:30am..THIS MORNING!!! YAY!

Will do a review when I get back. :)

im goin on a very unplanned spur of the moment cruise driving the day before to charleston..i cruised in may out if miami an used FTTF is it worth getting for the fantasy? any thoughts

For me, FTTF was worth the $ if only for getting our bags early! I was completely unpacked by 2:00. :-)

If this has been covered, I apologize but there is so much to read back on...

 

Does the Fantasy have the new pizza?

Don't know if it is the new pizza or old, but the pizza was fairly good!

If this has been covered, I apologize but there is so much to read back on...

 

Does the Fantasy have the new pizza?

It's the "new" pizza. Not bad though.

Our shuttle leaves from the Radisson to head to the pier at 10:30am..THIS MORNING!!! YAY!

 

Will do a review when I get back. :)

Looking forward to the review. I leave in 17 days!

Our shuttle leaves from the Radisson to head to the pier at 10:30am..THIS MORNING!!! YAY!

 

Will do a review when I get back. :)

Have a great time. It would be awesome if you posted a link to your review on this board whenever you start it.

It's the "new" pizza. Not bad though.

bobsfamily, I have had the pizza many times on the Fantasy and both pieces were OK. Last Aug on the Miracle they had a "Pizza Pirate" where they made the whole pizza right in front of you and it was the best I have ever had but I'm not from NY or Chicargo;) so what do I know about good pizza:)? Pink

Bob is correct. Although, I did notice that the hotel folks ended up boarding first because they started running those shuttles before the parking began.

I had some friends who were at the Hampton Inn and Suites and passed by the hotel on my way to the port and they hadn't left yet. As I was sitting in line waiting for parking to start, I saw their shuttle go by our line to the luggage tent. They were already on the ship as I was checking in.

We are taking a shuttle from our hotel, what time should we arrive at the port?

Thanks

The party is now only for Gold and above past cruisers. Reds aren't invited. Sorry!

 

But you will receive a free drink coupon. That has to be used in the MDR during breakfast (port days) or brunch (sea days).

 

If you wait until the last sea day, the MDR will be much more crowded because everyone wants their free drink.

Im 1 day from Gold and with this cruise in Feb. I will be gold. Will they recognize us being gold for this cruise?

You get the status if it occurs while you are on the cruise, so you should get a gold card.

The hotels I've used, the shuttles didn't pick us up until around noon. We didn't have an option to go earlier or I would've, since I'm platinum.

I may have to try the pizza again. I'm just pretty particular about my pizza and there are so many options that I know I like that I tend to stick with them (like my turkey & swiss on roll for lunch; love them!).

Of course, it's not like I'd have to pay for pizza and then pay for something else if I don't like it, right? I just see so much waste on cruises that I hate to add to it by getting something and not eating it.

Next cruise, I'll have more options anyway. I am looking forward to having a Guy's Burger! :D

What time did you arrive? Last October, for leg 2 of my B2B, my friend picked up DD & her hubby at the hotel and drove to the pier. They didn't board until about 2:30 and said it went very quickly and smoothly. And when we disembarked, we were in the #1 tag group who were first off after the self-assist. Yeah, there are a lot of bags crammed in that little building, and getting to them and getting out of the mob (and there was already a mob) took a little time.

 

A month ago, we just took our time and got off when we wanted. By then, ours were the only bags left in the #1 area. Yeah, we had to stand in the customs line but it went very quickly.

 

I wonder if, when driving, it's better to arrive later rather than earlier. I have never, personally, parked at the pier.

 

Again, people who are used to arriving at other ports at 10 am, dropping luggage, checking in, and then being almost first to board will find that this just doesn't work in Charleston.

 

There's a smaller window for check in at a port with very limited facilities so, yes, there's going to be congestion. I still feel they do a great job given those limitations.

 

michelle - I have 4 reviews, going back to my 3rd Fantasy sailing back in May 2010, then my B2B last October, solo this past May, and then with friends a few weeks ago. Doubt that you'll be as entertained reading mine as Nancy's!

That's me! I love to get to the port early. especially since I am now platinum. I read all your reviews too! :D especially concentrated on the more recent ones. 2 months, 19 days!

You get the status if it occurs while you are on the cruise, so you should get a gold card.

 

The hotels I've used, the shuttles didn't pick us up until around noon. We didn't have an option to go earlier or I would've, since I'm platinum.

 

I may have to try the pizza again. I'm just pretty particular about my pizza and there are so many options that I know I like that I tend to stick with them (like my turkey & swiss on roll for lunch; love them!).

 

Of course, it's not like I'd have to pay for pizza and then pay for something else if I don't like it, right? I just see so much waste on cruises that I hate to add to it by getting something and not eating it.

 

Next cruise, I'll have more options anyway. I am looking forward to having a Guy's Burger! :D

If you like thin crust pizza, you will probably like the new recipe, many people do. I am personally along with many others am very disappointed with it. They have also stopped the calzones. :(

If you like thin crust pizza, you will probably like the new recipe, many people do. I am personally along with many others am very disappointed with it. They have also stopped the calzones. :(

It was "Pizza Pirate" and they had calzones beginning of Sept. They had other pizza that were not on the menu last year... maybe it's just the Fantasy with the calzones?