fhmoore

I don't (can't swim that far!) want to go out to the snorkeling area just to walk out far enough to "get wet". Some of the reviews make it sound like it's so rocky and/or slimy you can't walk out!

Funincrusing,

I must have deleted my email conversation with Barry, the owner. If I remember correctly he said the shuttles start going back to the port starting at 11:30-12:00 and every hour after that. You don't pay till you get to Paradise Cove. I said I didn't want to snorkel. He said when you arrive you tell them that and you get (if I remember correctly) a chair, umbrella, and a drink instead of snorkel equipment. Also, my husband has his own snorkel gear, I think Barry said he can get the use of a kayak for an hour instead. My confirmation email said the be at the Ministry of Tourism kiosk at the pier at 9AM or an hour after the ship arrives. It also said if other tours are cancelled due to weather/rough seas still come to meeting point. Because it is in a cove snorkeling can be done there when other areas can't. What ship and date will you be in Freeport?

Thanks, I will note the names ATM and Irma! Some one on the other thread that I mentioned said they had a great waiter named Atmaja....maybe that's ATM!!

I had asked on another thread for suggestions on, if possible, a good wait staff team to request. I guess Carbri is not the one to ask! Anyone else have a good waiter recommendation in the ATD DR?

Bobblefrog and falkcor,

We've booked thru deadmaanscove.com for our July cruise. I agree the pre-cruise response from Barry has been exceptional. My husband wants to snorkel. I just want to "beach it". I really want to go into the water but have heard the bottom is slimy and rocky, Has that been your experience? I was hoping for a couple of "openings" in the rocks to just walk out to waist or chest height!

Thanks again!

We want more low keyed, flip fops type of restaurant. Since I like my fish fried no fancy stuff. The mention of Page's Okra Grill sounds like it may fit the bill. And it sounds close to the hotel. I would be looking for good BBQ (I love mustard sauce!) but we will be going to Sweatmans when we meet up with cousins in Holly Hill. It's a family tradition since the venue was a great-great-great aunts home years ago.

Thanks for all the good info!

OOOPs- Just checked Page's website...they close at 2PM on Sunday! We won't get there till at least 3PM. More research I guess!

Bobsfamily....

So you suggest getting off like gong to Myrtle Beach at South of the Border and going over thru Conway??? We will be driving down on a Sunday, won't the traffic be bad going thru the beach towns?

Thanks! Chucktown Steve!

Coming from Norfolk VA my husband knows his seafood and is very picky! He's the biggest crab cake snob in the world. Someone suggested the Crab Shack's crab cakes is why I ask about that restaurant. He became a shrimp and grits fan at a my cousins wedding a few years ago.

I just look for good fried fish and I like the Calabash style.

I ordered myself one of these from Home Depot. None in stock but ordered online with no shipping fee to pick up at the store.....They come in different colors.......

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Vacation-Vault-Portable-Lightweight-Travel-Safe-with-Three-Dial-Combination-Lock-Green-VV-GREEN/202512248

Sorry I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste a picture of it!! It's a "beach vault" that locks onto your beach/pool chair or a small tree!! I love it. Big enough for phone, Kleenex, brush, sunblock tube etc. In case you were looking for something in the $20 range.

I'm not sure where you can buy them but I got one of those small waterproof canister like things to wear around your neck from RCCL on a previous cruise. Surfers use them. You can put some money, your S&S card etc in it. It's a nice gift that wouldn't cost much. Here's sort of the idea from an online search.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/surf-safe-waterproof-carrying-case-with-lanyard-79405.html?gclid=CP6C4r3V8sUCFU6UfgodP24AhQ

Hope one of these ideas helps!

Thanks, ChucktownSteve! Good to know about the owners and the property from a Charlestonian! I'm just glad to have found a breakfast buffet so I can get my grits fix!

I was born in Orangeburg and my mother was from Holy Hill so I'm sort of returning to my roots. My father was in the Navy and we'd always go "home" to the farm when he was out to sea if I was out of school.

Next request...How are the Charleston Crab Shacks and if not great is there a restaurant in Mt Pleasant with decent to good seafood that won't cost us more that the cruise fare??

Thanks, Bobsfamily!

I finally booked a park and cruise hotel! The new Wyndham Garden in Mt Pleasant. It includes parking for the 5 days of the cruise, free wifi, transfer to and from the port and a breakfast buffet, according to TripAdvisor, that is fabulous! The morning of the cruise the shuttle leaves at 11:30 but if you have proof of FTTF purchase it's 10:30. The shuttle loops continuously from the port back to the hotel. Price is $169 ($191 with all the taxes and fees). It is not listed on the CVB website but here's the link if anyone interested.

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/south-carolina/mount-pleasant/wyndham-garden-mount-pleasant-charleston/information-special-offers?partner_id=&hotel_id=32014&campaign_code=&propId=WY32014&checkout_date&brand_id=WY&useWRPoints=false&children=0&corporate_id&ratePlan&teens=0&affiliate_id=&iata=&rate_code&adults=1&checkin_date&rooms=1

I finally booked a park and cruise hotel! The new Wyndham Garden in Mt Pleasant. It includes parking for the 5 days of the cruise, free wifi, transfer to and from the port and a breakfast buffet, according to TripAdvisor, that is fabulous! The morning of the cruise the shuttle leaves at 11:30 but if you have proof of FTTF purchase it's 10:30. The shuttle loops continuously from the port back to the hotel. Price is $169 ($191 with all the taxes and fees). It is not listed on the CVB website but here's the link if anyone interested. I'll put it on the Home Ports forum also.

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/south-carolina/mount-pleasant/wyndham-garden-mount-pleasant-charleston/information-special-offers?partner_id=&hotel_id=32014&campaign_code=&propId=WY32014&checkout_date&brand_id=WY&useWRPoints=false&children=0&corporate_id&ratePlan&teens=0&affiliate_id=&iata=&rate_code&adults=1&checkin_date&rooms=1

Thanks so much...I just jotted his name on my paperwork!

Tenga1899,

Did you do a fixed seating or Anytime Dining? We will be on the Fantasy in July with Anytime Dining and I'd love a wait staff suggestion to ask for. If you didn't maybe someone else can offer a suggestion of a good team???

I saw a price drop on our July 20 Fantasy cruise a few weeks ago. I booked thru a TA. I emailed her and she got the OBC for me. Another price drop showed up late Tues night. I emailed her the info again. I have not heard back from her.

Am I correct that since I booked thru a TA any request for price drop OBC has to go thru the TA?? If so what should I do. The price is back up again this afternoon. Thanks for any guidance.

We live 7 hours away so a driving down the day before is a necessity. Financially the hotel room plus $85 parking the Park and Cruise deals are better.

Has anyone done a Park and Cruise hotel recently in Charleston? I've used the link some posters have given from the Charleston Visitor Bureau but so many of the listed hotels either aren't offering it any longer or not offering shuttles.

We booked the Sleep Inn on Savannah Highway a month or so ago for our cruise leaving July 20. It includes parking, hot breakfast, free WiFi and shuttle to the port. It does not include a shuttle back to hotel but they will send shuttle for $10 but not sure if that's per person or per couple. The price was $110 for a king room...with tax it is around $130. It gets good Trip Advisor reviews.

This may be a stupid question..but if you leave your passport in the safe, what do they do drill the digital safe safe open?? I hope th4y don't have a master key for digital safes?!! Or, do some ship's not have digital safes and there IS a master key??

Are the "secret" pathways/stairways on the Fantasy too since they are sister ships? If so explain again where they are and where they go? Thanks!

Is there a way to check your OBCs on the Carnival site...the ones you've gotten from your TA and ones from other sources like ES price drop?

I'm new ri Carnival (sort of )...booked for July on the Fantasy so I'm not "up" on lots of the promotions. We booked under the Early Saver rate. Isn't this the perfect thing for the poster to do? Book now under ES and take advantage of any price drops by getting an OBC? Plus he/she gets to pick cabin location...

We are going on the Fantasy in July for my birthday. Are the doors on the Fantasy metal? I have a magnate I'd like to put on the door or mailbox it they are metal.

If you have any future questions...just ask!