Carnival Sunshine - fr Charleston - be prepared

[icemanoneaatl]

Hey all - if you are traveling Carnival out of Charleston- be prepared for craziness at the port. I think Sunshine is out of Charleston for a short time, could be wrong, it's a great ship. The port though, we were in line in the car by about 1045- and you snake thru the parking lot, drop luggage off and more snaking. Next station, check your paper and id and put you in line for parking. We gad faster to fun, got the stickers and a good 8 cars in front had it too. We waited about 45 minutes, no movement, no place to maneuver your car- they finally move the lines- go to pay and get routed to an extra luggage drop off, which I'm thinking is where things went awry - I kept following the other fttf in front of me and others behind me followed me- I kid you not, we were routed out the secure area, back onto city streets and ended up back at the initial start- blind leading the blind- and after 45 minutes just sitting- I let the initial guard know we were back at his station after 1 hr- he said he knew and asked me to follow the original fttf car in front of me- we were let in a side gate and routed to the lot, parked, got on shuttle and dropped at checkin- checked in and on ship by 1230 or so- ate lunch and in room - luggage there and all is right- we are returning Monday and fingers crossed, all sun and casino wins from here on out- just be prepared at the port.

[jgodfrey82]

Not to mention the tropical depression headed towards the coast

 

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[cruzeluver]

OP - If you were on the cruise that departed last Saturday, May 21st your situation was not typical for Charleston. It was Sunshine's first cruise from here and first after dry dock, so they had to complete enhanced clearance which caused significant delays.

 

We have sailed from Charleston three times and are boarding Sunshine Monday.

[jewellbeans]

We've left from Charleston with no issues. Hoping it was a fluke! We board Monday!

[Andersoncd]

We have friends that will be dropping us off. Should we tell them to be prepared for long waits too? Anybody have experience with drop-off in Charleston?

[tbdurdles2]

We were on the May 21rst cruise. The parking lot was a nightmare!!! We arrived at 11:30 am. There were no gates open to get into. The first gate told us to go to the next gate. We drove around to that gate and that one was closed. Went back to the first gate. Lady again told us second gate should be open now. Got to the second gate for second time and he tells us the gates will not open for at least an hour! He suggests we park on the street at a meter and walk around a bit. We find a bathroom and after only 15 mins the gate is now open with a long line of cars. We get into the gate around 12 or so. The gate person explained to us that the hold up was because of the dry dock the boat and the whole crew had to be recertified and fingerprinted. I understand that has to be done and I was trying to be patient. But now you snake back and forth in these long lines and barely move. It took us until after 2:45 to finally get luggage unloaded and into a parking spot. At this point we were hot, hungry and frustrated but still smiling because it is the start of vacation and we know it will be great. We finally get the bus to the building and into the line for security and check in. I will say that from this point on things moved very fast! I think they were pushing it because they knew it was late and they had to get people on board. We started in this line I think around 3:20 or so and we were through security and checked in and having pictures done and heading on board by 3:40. So really it was just the parking that was the issue. I have to say the security and check in was very fast and efficient. Needless to say after having a quick lunch we stood on our balcony around 5 and saw that they were still loading tons of luggage and food on board. We figured at that point it would be at least a few hours till we could leave. Muster drill wasn't till around 6 or 6:30 and we finally set off around 8.

Edited May 27, 2016 by tbdurdles2

[MtnDweller]

OP - If you were on the cruise that departed last Saturday, May 21st your situation was not typical for Charleston.

 

This!!! Sailing out of Charleston is usually a breeze.

[Cr2zCr8zy]

Yes sunshine is only in Charleston for a short time. She's headed to NY for the summer season.. I'm sailing on her for the first time Labor day week... :D

[kimmimom]

we sailed out of Charleston March 2014 and I was not impressed. You had to wait in the snake line before you could pay and get in the parking building. Once it was time to board, you snake (on foot) a lot to get on ship. I would sail out of there again, but i much prefer Jax or PC.

[OCruisers]

We've always found driving to the terminal area in Charleston to be a nightmare.

[summersigh]

We booked out of Charleston specifically because we wanted to sail out of that harbor. Because of the problems others above mentioned we didn't sail until around 8pm - we had late dinner seating AND it was dark. Returning to Charleston, I looked out the window about 4:20 am and could see the lights of the nearby coast but couldn't drag myself out of bed at that hour :rolleyes: so we missed it coming back too.

 

As to the port itself ....

We were dropped off by a shuttle around 12:30 and for DH, who requires wheelchair assistance for embarkation and disembarkation, the problems started there. We stood in the hot sunshine to show our passport and boarding pass. Then, we were directed to another long line in the sun again, to try to catch a port shuttle to the terminal. That line was poorly monitored and lots of folks cut the line ahead of us. There was nowhere to sit nor water available. They finally let him sit in a shuttle that was going around again so although we didn't cut anyone he was able to sit down. A port worker found a wheelchair for him at the terminal and wheeled him through the process of getting onto the ship. We've sailed a lot of times but never had such a bad time embarking! It's Port Canaveral for Lauderdale for us in the future.:eek:

[loubetti]

Not necessarily to do with this thread, but the reality is; many who live in Charleston would prefer NOT to see cruise ships there, or do not want it encouraged. The upscale "cognoscenti" who live there prefer there be none.

 

This is nothing new, has been going on for years, but here is a recent article:

 

http://www.postandcourier.com/20160522/160529884/letters-show-overwhelming-opposition-to-new-cruise-ship-terminal-in-charleston

[riclop]

Thanks for the warning.

[EdmundXXIII]

Not necessarily to do with this thread, but the reality is; many who live in Charleston would prefer NOT to see cruise ships there, or do not want it encouraged. The upscale "cognoscenti" who live there prefer there be none.

 

 

 

This is nothing new, has been going on for years, but here is a recent article:

 

 

 

http://www.postandcourier.com/20160522/160529884/letters-show-overwhelming-opposition-to-new-cruise-ship-terminal-in-charleston

 

 

Then send Charleston's year round ship to Norfolk!!! We compete with Charleston for cruises and usually get far fewer sailings. Here in Norfolk we'd be thrilled to have year round service.

[quickrate]

The only way I would do Charleston again is if the cruise was free and I would have to think about that twice!! Sailed Fantasy out of there last June and found it to be a very unpleasant experience. This was my 23rd Carnival cruise and I have never experienced anything quite like it. Once onboard, enjoyed the Fantasy and crew.

Pat

[cruzinhansens]

I'd rather go from Norfolk if they would put in more ships.

[cruzinhansens]

Something happened on our floor 6th that they were very cautious about.Medic was called,lots of Carnival special fleet,looked like forensics one time and even closed off that end of floor for awhile.Sad and scary at same time.Also a lot of dope lingering in halls down that way.With so many kids on board wish they could stop that.

[mz-s]

Charleston's current port facilities are hardly adequate for a Fantasy-class vessel. Even with a smaller ship and fewer passengers, the port chokes with processing 2000+ passengers in and out on debark day. They do the best with what they have, but it's apparent that the terminal is inadequate. I would love to see a larger ship in Charleston year round, but not with the current terminal. Perhaps that's why Carnival is only doing the Sunshine for a few sailings, to see how things work before committing one way or the other on a newer and larger ship.

 

The bourgeoisie of Charleston don't want a new terminal, but luckily the port is state owned so it isn't their decision. I'm confident that the state and federal government will see the benefits outweigh the downsides, and they'll order the new terminal to be built. If not, I agree with others and say put the ship in Norfolk. Norfolk is just like Charleston (historic city founded as a shipping center), and they WANT a year round cruise industry. Norfolk also happens to be a few hours drive closer to me.

[ourcruiseyears]

We have friends that will be dropping us off. Should we tell them to be prepared for long waits too? Anybody have experience with drop-off in Charleston?

 

Uber/taxis drop off on Concord Street across from the Customs building so this is where I would have your friends drop you off. There is a parking lot & usually a big white tent set up where they take your luggage & have seats, water, etc. to wait for the shuttles to start running.

[bobsfamily]

We live near Charleston on the coast and have cruised out of Charleston many times... this was the worst for many. We were dropped off at the Concord entrance around 11am and were on one of the first shuttles to the terminal. We stood in line for about 20 minutes, then on the "shuttle"... then it was twice we got in line to the port and had to back out because the TWO customs agents (Carnival requested 20) had yet to clear all the techs/workers off the ship. Once we were finally dropped off - around 12:45 - we were on the ship in 15 minutes and in our cabin a few minutes later.

 

The wait onboard, the delay getting onboard, the late leaving time is a direct result of a bunch of NIBY people downtown.

 

There was just a news report of the latest law firm saying that pollution, global warming, whatever scary statement you can imagine, would be WORSE if a new port/terminal was built downtown... but if you put it in North Charleston all would be fine... what logic does this even make?

 

At any rate the cruise was wonderful, did not have to drive 8 hours to FLA, will do another cruise out of Charleston - and just plan on some calmness for the embarkation!

 

We did the first cruise of the Ecstasy out of Charleston in Feb.... I think we are done with doing "firsts"... the Ecstasy has it's problems and the Sunshine had it's... both were first time out of here AND the Sunshine was just out of drydock. What were we thinking?

 

Oh, and Uber was great. Used the app just as I got out of Customs.. was in a nice car about 7 minutes later headed home... and the cost was about 1/3 of the cab we took in Feb....

Edited May 28, 2016 by bobsfamily

[LiB]

We were also on the 5/21 cruise on the sunshine. Our 2nd cruise out of this port. Easy the first time, terrible this time. Obviously, the ship was not ready (stocked)?, when we arrived by 11:30. I'm sure this contributed to the delays at the port.

 

We stood online in the sun for 2 hours. Then proceeded to get on the bus, and go through the lines after that. Smooth once we actually got into the building.

 

Had a great time on the ship. Glad there was a ship out of this port with a balcony!

I would really love to know why it was the worst embarkation I have been through. (10 cruises). No explanation from Carnival....will wait for the survey from them!

[huneemooners]

We sailed out of Charleston on 5/26 and had no issues aside from the strange routing through the parking lot and then back out onto the street when we arrived. Other than that, embarking and debarking was very smooth and getting through the port was really easy!

[Gypsywych]

Not necessarily to do with this thread, but the reality is; many who live in Charleston would prefer NOT to see cruise ships there, or do not want it encouraged. The upscale "cognoscenti" who live there prefer there be none.

 

This is nothing new, has been going on for years, but here is a recent article:

 

http://www.postandcourier.com/20160522/160529884/letters-show-overwhelming-opposition-to-new-cruise-ship-terminal-in-charleston

 

A recent date on the byline, but the same names and almost verbatim quotes from the Historical Preservation Society folks from two/three years ago when this started.

They are the only people complaining about the new terminal.

[steelshark1]

Something happened on our floor 6th that they were very cautious about.Medic was called,lots of Carnival special fleet,looked like forensics one time and even closed off that end of floor for awhile.Sad and scary at same time.Also a lot of dope lingering in halls down that way.With so many kids on board wish they could stop that.

 

 

Your post makes absolutely no sense at all! Please repost with more details. When, where, what, etc.

[bobsfamily]

Your post makes absolutely no sense at all! Please repost with more details. When, where, what, etc.

I heard the call as I was leaving the 6th deck... In a matter of a couple of minutes there were 2 medical calls, one for the 6th deck and another for somewhere near there. Not sure what the "dope" statement is, never smelled it. Did not see either incident so can't comment anymore than this...