This is my second Carnival Ecstasy five day cruise out of Charleston SC. It is an easy drive from NC.
EMBARKMENT: parking is somewhat unusual, as they don't open it up until 11 am and then you snake through to the check in canopy, then they tell you to pick lane one, two or three, dependent upon whether you are just dropping off passengers and /or luggage, handicap parking or regular passenger parking. It will take about and hour for this process to be completed. It is a wait, however, the parking is covered and once you park the car, you will be shuttled to the terminal for check in.
CHECK IN: The process went relatively fast as this is a small cruise ship, it took about one half hour to get checked in, get you sign and sail card and get on the ship.
standard cabin with a king bed (two twins pushed together) to upper pullman beds opposite each other, watch out went you get into bed as you might bang you head a few times on the lower frame of the upper pullman as the head of the bed is recessed. There is ample closet space, four drawers, a chair. The bathroom, has a comode, sink with one shelf for toiletries. The shower is larger than Royal Caribbean by about 1/3 with a shower curtain, ample hot water. Its a "standard" Carnival interior cabin.
Charleston SC is one of the gems of the south, arrive early and take a horse drawn carriage tour ride of the historic sites and homes
Interesting city, take a cab for four dollars to the Atlantis casino, but don't gamble there, the dealers are rude and pushy and don't eat there it costs $18 to $20 for a deli sandwich.
Go up two blocks and visit the main street and their shops.
DON'T do the JUNKANOO beach, it is a public beach, crowded, dirty, and the chairs and umbrellas are ripped torn and dirty. If you must to a beach excursion, book it through the cruise line the first time then if you return go independent, but make sure you and the taxi driver agree on the price before you get into the taxi.
DON"T do the horse drawn carriage rides as the horses are malnourished, its is SAD, really SAD
When we arrived the weather was in the sixties with a 30 mile per hour wind, it was actually COLD out there. Nothing to see at the marketplace, mostly junk items made in China. Better to stay on board the ship and enjoy the less crowded pool, if it is warm / hot