We went on the Fantasy out of Charleston on August 8th for a 5 day cruise. This was our 35th cruise so we have been on many different cruise lines. We drove to the port and arrived at the port at 11:30 AM. It only took us about 30 minutes to pay and park the car. After you pay you drive a short distance and they unload the luggage from your car. Parking is $85 for 5 days. You park your car in a warehouse and after a short ride (quarter mile at most) on a shuttle you arrive at the check-in desk. We did not encounter any line at the check-in counter. By 12:30 PM, an hour after arriving, we were having lunch in the Lido buffet.

The food was as good as most cruise lines with the exception of the buffet on the Lido deck. So in the morning we went thru the line where they will make you an omelet or eggs to order just outside the buffet area. They use that same place as a Mongolian grill for lunch and most days we went thru that line for lunch, usually not waiting more the 15 minutes. One day we had pizza which wasn't bad and which is located at the back of the dining room for the buffet. The food in the main dining room for supper was good and as good as most ships we have been on. They have a standard menu and also a group of entrees which change every night. Their desserts in the dining room were as good as any ship we have ever been on, especially the melting cake with ice cream.

After having lunch the day of arrival we went to our room which was available after 1:30 PM. Read more