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We've sailed many times with Carnival and have always just put our water/soda/wine etc. in our carry-on's and wheeled them onto the ship...this works for us but we usually don't bring more than a six pack of soda, for dh and water for us both.

I also sometimes bring on some low sodium V-8..then we can make our our BM's with the vodka we order from ships services:) It hurts now that we can only bring on one bottle of wine per person..but Carnival's prices on wine are not bad..much better than Hal's..but then Hal allows you to bring as much wine as you want:D

About a month prior to our cruise I just order the wine/vodka/whiskey and it's in our cabin when we board....just soooo much easier.

Looking forward to your review and pictures!!

I was in a cat 12 suite on the Ecstasy last year..it was amazing but agree with NCTribe...not worth the extra money..you could sail at least 1-2 more times for the price. Also the Cat 11's are way high..not good in rough seas.

NCTribeFan..have a great cruise and please come back and tell us all about it:) We are very near you here in NC...Butner:eek:

I will check out your roll call..and I think I posted some Fantasy pics on our roll call of 9-11.

Totally understand about staying downtown..would love to but only if we can get a decent price..we are a small group going and our TA is one of us..so shortly hopefully she will be looking for some deals for us.

Everyone is right..it's the gangway that's a hike!! Any hotel recommendations would be welcome..we have friends cruising 5-30 and think they are staying at the airport Radisson...package includes parking for the cruise. Will see what they say about that property when they get back. No decisions made for us yet....but we will be coming in 2 days pre-cruise:) Haven't been to Charleston in a long long time...so want to do a little sightseeing and eat some yummy food :D

scchasgal, I'm with you ...like the easy walk on..I say everytime I'm not filling the carry-on with all that stuff...but we always do..wine,water, Pepsi:D

I remember when we sailed NCL's Majesty out of Charleston several years ago..it was a pretty steep walk up different ramps to get on the ship..wondering if the Fantasy set up will be the same..

Once in San Diego when I sailed the Elation they boarded on the Riveria Deck and we just walked up to the Empress Deck, they also don't have a true cruise terminal especially when you are the second ship i port.

Woo Hoo..thanks NCTribe...will check out Carnival's website..we have been wanting to go to Bermuda..wondering when the Fantasy will get balconies..that would be so nice:)

Fingers crossed..we've been to HMC 5-6 times and never missed the island:) It is my absolute favorite stop...hoping September brings fair weather..no "you know what"..not naming them so they don't come:eek:

NCtribe...enjoy HMC:)

Nope..did mean the Majesty...we sailed her many years ago..knew Celebrity had a ship there too but didn't realize the Majesty was gone..small, older ship and just not a good cruise.

Also if you sail out of Charleston in the winter you could have a day or two with cold weather. We sailed in January and it was cold coming and going!

NCTribeFan..great thread you started:) Our second cruise was on the Fantasy..a long time ago:D We've been on her two more times and are booked for the 7 day in September! So happy there is a ship sailing out of Charleston other than NCL. Wish we could get some better itineraries though.

I have some pictures of the Fantasy but they are from a few years ago so not really up to date. If anyone is interested in them let me know and I'll try to post. Looking forward to being on her again in September...I love the Fantasy class ships!.

A wonderful bar waiter we know should be coming back on her June 6th..his name is Kurni - anyone sailing after then please look him up and say hello from Jane and Frank. He is a wonderful person and great at his job:) I will let everyone know for sure when he does actually come back on the ship.

Thanks again, really a great live from thread!!! I always have the same thoughts when a cruise is almost over. I didn't do this, I didn't do that, where did the time go?

I always say,next time I'll relax more, read more, walk more,eat less:eek: Hope your debarkation is painless and you have a good trip home:)

Dave, love the tie and cummerbund and would also like to know where you got it!!! Think I could talk dh into wearing it:D

Enjoying your "semi-live from" as we were on the Westerdam in February and wish I was back on her now!!!

If would also recommend seeing Joel Mason, his Elton John show is probably the best cruise ship show I've ever seen, it's just great:):)

JW, thanks for starting this thread, already lots of good info on here. Also bluecruisin, thanks for the heads up on the Microtel, I'm going to check it out.

We currently have reservations at the HI at Blount Island. I will do a review with pictures when we return, but we don't sail until the end of November:mad:

Thanks so much for taking us all along on your honeymoon:) Just love reading these "live threads" and we are thinking about the Noordam next year when she sails out of FLL. Smooth sailing and hope you find a blazer in Bermuda:)

for allowing us to travel along with you:) I loved Grumpy and Slinkie's journal and am looking forward to yours:) Bon Voyage:) :) :)

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