wstephensi

Oh. boy!!!  The flooding at high tide and with rain storms has always been a problem.  And when both happens it is a real problem.  I do not believe it is any more so than 30 years ago.
1st find a map from say 1780 of the peninsula of Charleston.  Then compare to a map from today.  You discover two things:  1. Much of the current city is constructed on waist fill dirt. 2. Many of the current streets and roads sit on tidal creeks as mapped in 1780.
Walk around some of the newer buildings in MUSC area and you will notice 2-3 feet of subsidence of the parking lots around the buildings and you can see under the buildings (large buildings like hotels and hospitals).  Those buildings are build on pilings to a minimum depth of 33 feet some more.  The buildings stay but the parking lots sink under the weight of the asphalt.
Some of the streets are build on fill as well and many are built on colvert that contains the tidal creek under the street and acts as the storm sewer.  Thus heavy rain and high tide means storm sewer flows in reverse.
In approx 1992 or 1994 Mayor Riley enacted a flood control fee of $4 per month to pay to solve the flooding.  The fee is much higher now.  His plan was to pump the excess water underground during flooding and pump back into the ocean at low tide.  A deep hole was constructed over 20 years and no improvement.  (Currently a new bigger deeper hole is being constructed).  Why no improvement?  Because there is not a hole big enough or deep enough to pump the entire ocean into and that is what has to happen.  Remember the tidal creeks flood the city and are fed by the ocean.
I had this discussion with an engineer for the third firm hired by the city to solve the problem in 2005.  He agreed with me.  
The only thing that would have a chance of working is to construct a dike/levee around the city.  Then you could pump storm water out of the bowl.  Like in New Orleans.
 

Oh. boy!!!  The flooding at high tide and with rain storms has always been a problem.  And when both happens it is a real problem.  I do not believe it is any more so than 30 years ago.
1st find a map from say 1780 of the peninsula of Charleston.  Then compare to a map from today.  You discover two things:  1. Much of the current city is constructed on waist fill dirt. 2. Many of the current streets and roads sit on tidal creeks as mapped in 1780.
Walk around some of the newer buildings in MUSC area and you will notice 2-3 feet of subsidence of the parking lots around the buildings and you can see under the buildings (large buildings like hotels and hospitals).  Those buildings are build on pilings to a minimum depth of 33 feet some more.  The buildings stay but the parking lots sink under the weight of the asphalt.
Some of the streets are build on fill as well and many are built on colvert that contains the tidal creek under the street and acts as the storm sewer.  Thus heavy rain and high tide means storm sewer flows in reverse.
In approx 1992 or 1994 Mayor Riley enacted a flood control fee of $4 per month to pay to solve the flooding.  The fee is much higher now.  His plan was to pump the excess water underground during flooding and pump back into the ocean at low tide.  A deep hole was constructed over 20 years and no improvement.  (Currently a new bigger deeper hole is being constructed).  Why no improvement?  Because there is not a hole big enough or deep enough to pump the entire ocean into and that is what has to happen.  Remember the tidal creeks flood the city and are fed by the ocean.
I had this discussion with an engineer for the third firm hired by the city to solve the problem in 2005.  He agreed with me.  
The only thing that would have a chance of working is to construct a dike/levee around the city.  Then you could pump storm water out of the bowl.  Like in New Orleans.
 

More Trivia:  Charleston is home to the oldest museum in the USA and the oldest municipal college in the US and oldest college in SC, The College of Charleston.  
The City was the sight of the first major defeat of the British in 1776.
The first shots of the Civil War were fired on the Federal supply ship Star of the West, then later Fort Sumter.  
 

On a more positive note, here is some Charleston trivia:  Charles Towne was first settled in 1670 by the British on the west bank of the Ashley River.  Currently the location is known as Charlestowne Landing State Park.  It includes a replica of the original settlement and 17th century sailing vessel, a zoo of native animals, and the plantation that was owned by Dr. and Mrs. Waring.  Mrs. Waring deeded the land to the state upon her death.  Dr. Warring was famous for his painless injections and the MUSC historical library is named after him.  He was also brother to Federal Judge J. W. Waring famous for beginning school desegregation cases that would lead to Brown vs Board of Education.  The Waring House would become known as the Governor's House after the plantation was deeded to the state.
If you are in Charleston, Charlestowne  Landing is a great place to start your tour.  It is not down town but only 10 minutes by car or taxi, Uber, Lyft, etc.

On a more positive note, here is some Charleston trivia:  Charles Towne was first settled in 1670 by the British on the west bank of the Ashley River.  Currently the location is known as Charlestowne Landing State Park.  It includes a replica of the original settlement and 17th century sailing vessel, a zoo of native animals, and the plantation that was owned by Dr. and Mrs. Waring.  Mrs. Waring deeded the land to the state upon her death.  Dr. Warring was famous for his painless injections and the MUSC historical library is named after him.  He was also brother to Federal Judge J. W. Waring famous for beginning school desegregation cases that would lead to Brown vs Board of Education.  The Waring House would become known as the Governor's House after the plantation was deeded to the state.
If you are in Charleston, Charlestowne  Landing is a great place to start your tour.  It is not down town but only 10 minutes by car or taxi, Uber, Lyft, etc.

Oh. boy!!!  The flooding at high tide and with rain storms has always been a problem.  And when both happens it is a real problem.  I do not believe it is any more so than 30 years ago.
1st find a map from say 1780 of the peninsula of Charleston.  Then compare to a map from today.  You discover two things:  1. Much of the current city is constructed on waist fill dirt. 2. Many of the current streets and roads sit on tidal creeks as mapped in 1780.
Walk around some of the newer buildings in MUSC area and you will notice 2-3 feet of subsidence of the parking lots around the buildings and you can see under the buildings (large buildings like hotels and hospitals).  Those buildings are build on pilings to a minimum depth of 33 feet some more.  The buildings stay but the parking lots sink under the weight of the asphalt.
Some of the streets are build on fill as well and many are built on colvert that contains the tidal creek under the street and acts as the storm sewer.  Thus heavy rain and high tide means storm sewer flows in reverse.
In approx 1992 or 1994 Mayor Riley enacted a flood control fee of $4 per month to pay to solve the flooding.  The fee is much higher now.  His plan was to pump the excess water underground during flooding and pump back into the ocean at low tide.  A deep hole was constructed over 20 years and no improvement.  (Currently a new bigger deeper hole is being constructed).  Why no improvement?  Because there is not a hole big enough or deep enough to pump the entire ocean into and that is what has to happen.  Remember the tidal creeks flood the city and are fed by the ocean.
I had this discussion with an engineer for the third firm hired by the city to solve the problem in 2005.  He agreed with me.  
The only thing that would have a chance of working is to construct a dike/levee around the city.  Then you could pump storm water out of the bowl.  Like in New Orleans.
 

Charleston is a great city for a port call.  I've voiced much of my knowledge on a new port terminal.  Would anyone like to know something about Charleston?  
I grew up there, attended The Citadel and MUSC, was a city tour guide and horse cop.  I've flopped, boarded and stayed in many place down town.
Questions?

I live less than an hour away.  It would be nice to take advantage of some of those last minute cruise sales for a weekend trip.
 

we would love this as well...we live in the charlotte,  nc area as well... not far from rock hill, sc and RC out of charleston would be fantastic for us.

You are correct.  There is barely enough for one ship.  Much of it in a gravel lot.  The plan for a new terminal would include a parking garage currently where the cargo terminal warehouses are.  With the advent of containerized shipping those warehouses are under used.

There are some other options.  A new cruise terminal could be built up the river in North Charleston.  It would remove many of the concerns of the SNOB's (Slightly North Of Broad Street), but would require buses and/or ferries to move passengers to downtown.  As it is now you get off the ship just a block (blocks in Charleston are very small)from The Market and can walk about anywhere you want downtown.
No work has been done on that solution to the best of my knowledge and would have to start from scratch.

I understand their concerns, but the plan calls for the new terminal to replace the existing cargo terminal.  Large cargo ships, trucks and trains are at the current terminal 24/7 along with large cargo cranes that cover the sky line. 
The issue went to the SC Supreme court this past summer.  I do not believe the court has issued a ruling on the current state permits. 
The Army Corps of Engineers permits are being challenged on the federal court side as well.
I believe it will happen, but may take several more years before ground is broke.

I live less than an hour away.  It would be nice to take advantage of some of those last minute cruise sales for a weekend trip.
 

Grew up in Charleston and live a short drive away.  I would love for RC to home port there.
The current very old passenger terminal is too small for many of the newer ships.  Currently, Carnival Sunshine is based out of Charleston.  The Sunshine replaced the Ecstasy in the last year or so.
There are plans to build a new passenger terminal with parking.  These plans have been on hold for many years due to obstruction by folks opposed to expansion of the cruise industry in Charleston.
Plans to widen and deepen the channel have been approved this month.  This improvement manly benefits the container-ship port as the current depth and width of the channel is good for most cruise ships.
I believe that Charleston will not see any other ships homeported until a new terminal with parking is constructed.
The old mayor was in favor of a new terminal, but the current mayor is not.

Never done the excursion.  But swam with a leopard ray once off the beach about 10 years ago.  Our last visit my wife and I stepped on a ray that was hidden under the sand just a couple of feet into the water off of Chill Island in the cabana section.  We both felt its tail whip our legs and both thought it was a small fish nibbling at our skin.  We were surprised to see the small sting ray, about the size of a dinner plate, swim away when we moved a couple of steps over.  

I hope they add one night to our double stop in 2020.  
Found a You Tube video and it looked like fun.  
 
 

Great reminders of our cruise on HOTS this past June.
 
Thanks for posting.

I can confirm flies and mosquitoes on CoCo Cay.  In the past the flies were bad at CoCo Cay  and often complained about at the old style picnic lunch before Perfect Day.  Our visit in June was relatively bug free. There were complaints about flies following Dorian.  The storm washed up a great deal of sea weed that attracts and or breeds flies. 
I have seen a few flying insects ship board and even seen small birds on the ship.  

Hi Everyone! I am leaving on 11/2/19 on Anthem for 7 night Coco Cay & I put in 4 royal up bids over 3 weeks ago and tonite I received my upgrade to an Ocean View with large balcony on the 13th deck.    I was so excited... not only to win it, but it actually existed & I didn't have to wait until the night before to receive this Royal upgrade!   
@Matt this should renew some people's faith that it can happen & happen 12 days before the actual cruise!  Yippie!

This automated pricing is more and more common on web based commerce sites.  True supply and demand economics at work.

Probably refused to leave on departure day.

Probably refused to leave on departure day.

Probably refused to leave on departure day.

I think a beachside dance party with fireworks, live music, included beverages would be a lot of fun! You could have all day to relax and soak up the rays, and party into the wee morning hours. Sounds like a blast to me. Having cruised most of the Caribbean destinations, we are considering cruise itineraries that include multiple stops to Cocoa Cay and Labadee. We always have a blast on those days!

Same thing I'd do during the day on on a beach... feel the ocean, look at the sky. Breathe. I'd choose cruising over all-inclusives all day long, but I do miss beach sunsets. It would be awesome to get both.