SurfCat Posted February 20, 2020 #1 Share Posted February 20, 2020 We are booked for the February 27 cruise aboard the Sunshine out of Charleston. Standing in line is a pet peeve of mine so we usually get FTTF, and show up as early as possible. Unfortunately FTTF is sold out for the cruise so I am planning to show up as late as possible to avoid any lines. It actually works out well as I have some business to attend to in the morning. Has anyone had experience boarding after say 2:00? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe817 Posted February 20, 2020 #2 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Your boarding pass will state what the latest boarding time is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gameck Posted February 20, 2020 #3 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Charleston has always been quick with boarding - done three cruises on the Sunshine and walked right up and boarded. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qchell Posted February 20, 2020 #4 Share Posted February 20, 2020 We've boarded around 1 pm before and practically walked on the ship and our rooms were ready. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
five. Posted February 20, 2020 #5 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I've done 1:30 a few times and walked on, this was in Miami and FLL and the rooms were ready by that point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodeorat Posted February 20, 2020 #6 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Just cruised out of there 2 weeks ago. Had FTTF but really didn’t need it. Boarding was quick all around and an announcement all rooms were ready by 12:30 pm on embarkation day! Suitcases was already outside the rooms at that time as well! Fastest I’ve ever got them! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizergal70 Posted February 20, 2020 #7 Share Posted February 20, 2020 3 hours ago, SurfCat said: We are booked for the February 27 cruise aboard the Sunshine out of Charleston. Standing in line is a pet peeve of mine so we usually get FTTF, and show up as early as possible. Unfortunately FTTF is sold out for the cruise so I am planning to show up as late as possible to avoid any lines. It actually works out well as I have some business to attend to in the morning. Has anyone had experience boarding after say 2:00? Thanks in advance. Boarding late is great. I won't walk into the terminal before 1:30 pm. The crowds show up at 11 am. LOL. It should be easy going. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scpirate Posted February 20, 2020 #8 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I just changed my booking to a journeys cruise on sunshine for Jan 2022 .we won't be in any hurry to board either since we live 2 hours away and the ship doesn't leave until 6.im pretty sure by the time the last sea days roll around we will be ready to go home.plus it will be cold coming and going.my wife is cold even in 104 heat index and won't let me run a.c. in the car.so there won't be a lot of hanging out on lido the first 2 and last 2 days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamecock_Cruiser Posted February 21, 2020 #9 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Charleston is a very unique port smaller port. But the flow has been very efficient with what they have to work with. They have recently changed things up, which I assume are for the better. There are lines, but they always flow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimberann Posted February 22, 2020 #10 Share Posted February 22, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 12:29 PM, SurfCat said: We are booked for the February 27 cruise aboard the Sunshine out of Charleston. Standing in line is a pet peeve of mine so we usually get FTTF, and show up as early as possible. Unfortunately FTTF is sold out for the cruise so I am planning to show up as late as possible to avoid any lines. It actually works out well as I have some business to attend to in the morning. Has anyone had experience boarding after say 2:00? Thanks in advance. We are on this cruise also... See you around the ship! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurfCat Posted February 22, 2020 Author #11 Share Posted February 22, 2020 3 hours ago, kimberann said: We are on this cruise also... See you around the ship! There's a meet and greet for the FB group at 4:00 at the Red Frog Rum Bar on the first day. Hope to see you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurfCat Posted February 22, 2020 Author #12 Share Posted February 22, 2020 6 hours ago, teknoge3k said: 4pm you guys will likely be doing your muster drill. If not, most people will be at the sailaway party then. Y'all may want to back that up a little bit to ensure you have a good turnout. Just my 2cents. I'm an Indian, not a chief on this deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted February 23, 2020 #13 Share Posted February 23, 2020 Just got off the Sunshine today. We drove onto port property at 1:20 and we were on the ship by 2:00. The longest time we spent doing anything was on the shuttle bus from the check-in building to the actual terminal building. At some point over the past year, they converted a parking garage to a check-in building. You check in there, then ride the shuttle to the terminal for security, then board the ship. There does not appear to be any more covered parking in Charleston, since this change. It was needed too - the small terminal was barely adequate for the Fantasy, let alone the much larger Sunshine's crowds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurfCat Posted February 24, 2020 Author #14 Share Posted February 24, 2020 As an update, I rode by the terminal on Saturday at about 2:00 and although it was hard to really tell anything inside, it didn't look too crowded and there was no line for the drop off traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmyDee Posted February 26, 2020 #15 Share Posted February 26, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 12:29 PM, SurfCat said: We are booked for the February 27 cruise aboard the Sunshine out of Charleston. Standing in line is a pet peeve of mine so we usually get FTTF, and show up as early as possible. Unfortunately FTTF is sold out for the cruise so I am planning to show up as late as possible to avoid any lines. It actually works out well as I have some business to attend to in the morning. Has anyone had experience boarding after say 2:00? Thanks in advance. Do online checkin and choose the latest time. Know that if you don't get there by 2 you will carry your own bags on. Everyone boards by 3. Never buy FTTF in Charleston! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmyDee Posted February 26, 2020 #16 Share Posted February 26, 2020 On 2/24/2020 at 4:36 PM, SurfCat said: As an update, I rode by the terminal on Saturday at about 2:00 and although it was hard to really tell anything inside, it didn't look too crowded and there was no line for the drop off traffic. Charleston is an easy port - FTTF is not really a necessity as the lines move quickly. Just know, you will probably have to carry on your own bags if you don't arrive before 2pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted February 29, 2020 #17 Share Posted February 29, 2020 On 2/26/2020 at 3:54 PM, EmmyDee said: Charleston is an easy port - FTTF is not really a necessity as the lines move quickly. Just know, you will probably have to carry on your own bags if you don't arrive before 2pm. Used to not always be true - I remember waiting in 30 minute lines for parking and hour+ lines in the terminal, but something changed in 2017 and we've practically walked onto the ship since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4spring Posted February 29, 2020 #18 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Stupid question but what is FTTF? Haven't sailed on Carnival for a number or years & didn't realize that you had to reserve a specific time to show up at the terminal. What happens if you get there later (or earlier) than you anticipated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacruise804 Posted February 29, 2020 #19 Share Posted February 29, 2020 FTTF stands for Faster To The Fun, a program by Carnival that allows passengers to pay for priority perks including early boarding, immediate cabin access, and dedicated guest services. I think it varies some by ports, but if you arrive at a different time for check-in than your arrival appointment, you will likely be directed to a "late/early" line. If boarding has already started then you will likely have little to no wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4spring Posted March 1, 2020 #20 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Thanks PACRUISE804 - just completed my online check in & my group of 4 has a 12:30 - 1pm slot. We will probably get there a little earlier than that since we won't have anywhere to go after checking out of hotel then parking. Overall though I'm guessing all will be fine. Can't sweat the small stuff 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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