The Fantasy

[Vaughn]

Last May (as I shared with Gator) Elvira and I took a "consolation" cruise on the Carnival Dream after my sister-in-law was denied a tourist visa. We saw no sense in sitting home stewing over our disappointment so we impulsively booked a balcony stateroom aboard the Carnival Dream. Having enjoyed an amazingly wonderful week at four ports in the Western Caribbean, we booked another cruise almost immediately - this time, the Carnival Fantasy out of Charleston SC - for a quicker but just as welcome 5 day trek to the Bahamas. We depart this Wednesday.
 
Last summer, another RW-AM couple decided to join us for this one. Soon, other couples we know began snapping up cabins too. Three women (two from Siberia, one from Moscow, all related to one of Elvira's girlfriends) have recently arrived in the USA and will also be accompanying us. We are now 14 souls in all, and after a group discussion, one of the ladies arranged that we all will be seated together in the main dining room. This is going to be a blast.
 
I hope to continue this report and maybe throw in a few photos as the week unfolds.

[Gator]

This is going to be a blast.

Indeed!


Bon voyage Vaughn and Elvira. 


Three years ago I went on a cruise with 6 RW/AM couples.  The men did not have much of a say, but we had a great time even though the weather was not the best.  Our dodge ball team nearly won (one RW was a former professional tennis player) (I had a bad knee but cheered).

[Jumper]

Very cool

[JR]

Now that sounds like fun ))))!!!!!!! Enjoy.

[Vaughn]

I just finalized our head count, and never realized how tilted is our mix - four American men and 10 Russian women, ranging in age from 23 to 50. There will be at least six ladies needing dance partners at any given moment.
 
We all met for a practice run on New Years Eve.

[Vaughn]

With a few non-English speakers in our group, it was expected there'd be a bit of lifting, but today I was surprised to find I had to bail out one of the American men.
 
I knew he was fully distracted from the details, as he's touring the SC coast with 4 FSU ladies before rolling into the port of Charleston - and just to bring him up to speed on what's allowable in carry on baggage, I gave him a quick call this afternoon. In the course of our conversation I realized he's expecting to board the craft with only a NC driver's license. Holy crap. "Do you have a birth certificate with you?" ....  "Nobody told me I needed that either"......   I'm speechless to the point where he asks, "Are you still there...?"
 
One RW who hasn't departed the guy's hometown yet will be dispatched to snag his passport - otherwise, he would not be boarding that ship. I realized this fellow hasn't traveled at all post 9/11 -
 
We haven't even set sail, and the drama is already beginning.
 
 

[viking]

Vaughn, Elvira looks great. Your gonna have a great time.

[Vaughn]

Viking, I really wish you two could join us.
 
That would complete the mayhem and fun.
 
Next cruise plan to be made with you by phone. The earlier we book the cheaper she be.

[Vaughn]

Wednesday, Jan 4.
 
 R rolls into our driveway perfectly on time. R is a gorgeous gal originally from Bishkek, self-employed and divorced from an AM about 2-3 years now. We consider her to be one of our best friends - and she's hopping a ride with us. There are a few ladies wanting to carpool and I felt dragged into controversy as late as yesterday, but with space at a premium in our Toyota, it made sense for us to accommodate only R, who lives just minutes away.
 
 We arrive the port of Charleston 3 1/2 hours later and all the claims I've read about the broken down structure that is the port prove to be true. Somehow, the cruise lines have a system in place that seems to keep hundreds of cars moving orderly through a maze of yellow tape, orange barrels, broken concrete and delapidated buildings that resemble airplane hangars. We spot a few from our group and wave - and I begin to wonder if everyone will arrive on time. After a short ride in a shuttle bus, we begin the check-in process, get our IDs and board the craft quickly - I am completely impressed by the efficiency of staff while working in such an old port with a few thousand passengers anxious to embark.
 
For those who've never cruised, there's a strategy in carrying on what you'll need for the first few hours, because your checked bags probably won't show up at your cabin until much later, sometimes as much as 6 hours. Gathering all members of our group wasn't difficult despite the odds; in fact, we were all seated in the Lido buffet as a group within a few minutes. The fare was quite ordinary, some it bland. I'm always suspicious when served Italian food - there's an art to preparing pasta-based dishes properly - they are easily ruined. And these were. In retrospect, this informal lunch was the worst fare we'd see this week, thank the stars. I'm not a big fan of cruise ship buffets anyway, with far better options available on several decks.
 
 To our surprise, we hear a distinct thud as we check out our interior stateroom and realize our baggage has already arrived, almost beating us to the room. Last spring down in Port Canaveral, Elvira and I waited all afternoon - so overall, we are pleasantly surprised at the smooth process in the port of Charleston.