Charleston: Do I need to book bus or buggy tours in advance?

[Maplemoose]

We are in Charleston with Celebrity in May for 3 nights. I would like to get a general bus tour and also a carriage ride. They seem to be plentiful and I would like to go the visitor center and check them out as opposed to booking the ship's more expensive tours. Or do I need to book these non-ship tours in advance also? Anyone with experience at this in the spring? 

[CruiserBruce]

Try the East Coast Departures board, here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/317-east-coast-departures/

[Maplemoose]

This IS the East Coast departures board. Florida is a subset of it and Charleston is a subset of Florida! 

[Maplemoose]

Sorry, I stand corrected, I just looked again. I am sure when I posted, that Charleston was under Florida departures. I need a cruise...badly. i am losing it or maybe lost it over the last 3 years! 😂

[JohninDC]

You can walk up to the tours selling buggy tours without a reservation - most start near the market.

[Choozin Croozin]

On 2/8/2023 at 3:57 PM, Maplemoose said:

We are in Charleston with Celebrity in May for 3 nights. I would like to get a general bus tour and also a carriage ride. They seem to be plentiful and I would like to go the visitor center and check them out as opposed to booking the ship's more expensive tours. Or do I need to book these non-ship tours in advance also? Anyone with experience at this in the spring? 

I live in Charleston and just happen to see this. The horse tours are not too far away from the cruise terminal. There are a few vendors. I've take a few. It's very interesting how they direct the horse traffic. lol. You will really enjoy them. There are no bus tours that I am aware of. The market is also near there and the whole downtown area is very walkable. You will have a delightful day. I will be very happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

[Maplemoose]

Thanks, Choozin! Actually there are a few bus tours shown online plus Harbour tours and a combination of the 2. Adventure Sightseeing operating out of the market. I hesitate to book anything in advance because of  risk of paying a non-refundable fee. I like the idea of the free Dash bus as we have 2 days in town. Do you know the nearest stop to the cruise terminal? I could not spot it on Street View. 

[Aldeya]

On 2/14/2023 at 12:05 AM, Maplemoose said:

Thanks, Choozin! Actually there are a few bus tours shown online plus Harbour tours and a combination of the 2. Adventure Sightseeing operating out of the market. I hesitate to book anything in advance because of  risk of paying a non-refundable fee. I like the idea of the free Dash bus as we have 2 days in town. Do you know the nearest stop to the cruise terminal? I could not spot it on Street View. 

Thank you for the suggestions. I checked the Adventure Sightseeing website and they offer a tour we are interested in at half the price of the Celebrity excursion. How far from the cruise terminal is the Charleston Visitors Center, the pick up point?

Edited February 19, 2023 by Aldeya

[Maplemoose]

Aldea, my research tells me that you can get a free DASH trolley from near the cruise terminal to the Visitors Centre.looks like maybe 20 minutes. DASH is run by Charleston Transit.. Google CARTA DASH to see maps and schedules. 

[mskaufman]

Buggy tours are walk up.  There are a number of vendors.

[bunzini]

On 2/14/2023 at 12:05 AM, Maplemoose said:

Thanks, Choozin! Actually there are a few bus tours shown online plus Harbour tours and a combination of the 2. Adventure Sightseeing operating out of the market. I hesitate to book anything in advance because of  risk of paying a non-refundable fee. I like the idea of the free Dash bus as we have 2 days in town. Do you know the nearest stop to the cruise terminal? I could not spot it on Street View. 

I would like to know how close a Dash bus stop is to the cruise terminal as well.

[Maplemoose]

Bunzini. If you remember when you return, could you post about the DASH bus and anything else useful about your Charleston visit? We are there on the Summit later in May.

[mz-s]

There is a Dash bus that runs along Meeting/King streets, and has stops at Meeting/Market and at Waterfront Park, both not far from the cruise terminal. https://www.ridecarta.com/route/211-meeting-king-dash/