Fantasy Cruise days 3 through 6

Day three of our adventure brings us to the port of Charleston, South Carolina.

This historic southern town offers us many shore excursions.  We limit our choices to the top six

1. Historic walking tour with Nathaniel Russell House

2. Boone Hall Plantation and Historic Charleston

3. Historic Charleston City Tour

4. Fort Sumter & Historic Charleston

5. Magnolia Gardens

6. The Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour

This was a hard decision.  Should we pick number 4 or number 5?  Well this is all just imaginary anyway so let's do both cue Hermione and her time turner.

Fort Sumter tour up first.  The historic location for the beginning of the civil war.

and a tour of some amazing architecture and history

The Magnolia gardens in South Carolina are amazing.  I wish this were real and I'm only posting a small portion of the amazing photos I found on line.  Google it, this place is amazing no wonder it was voted one of the top ten must sees in Charleston, image your wedding photos.

That was an exciting day but even with the time turner we have to get back to the ship for our 6 pm departure and another visit to the incredible dining room.

Day four we spend cruising the Atlantic Ocean so we have plenty of time to explore the ship some more.  Here is the upper pool deck

and here is a picture of the library

but what we really are interested in is where we eat.  It seems like everywhere.

and afternoon tea is very special

According to the itinerary we would arrive in New York on July 5, I'm sure we saw some fireworks during our travels and I'm sure the city is still celebrating so what should we do in the Big Apple.  We arrive at 9 am and are staying in port until 11 pm so we have lots of time to see the town.   cue music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cbx7k3jCwU

So what shore excursions are we offered?
1. Hop-On, Hop-Off New York City Tour
2. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
3. Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
4. Central Park & the Met
5. 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tour
6. NYC & Empire State Building

We choose the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour.  We are given this description:

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world's most renowned images and one of America's most beloved landmarks. This delightful tour allows you to stand at the base of 'Lady Liberty' and learn all about the history of this iconic Statue. Your tour also includes a visit to the Ellis Island Museum where you will surely catch the spirit of the important role this island played in American history.

Boarding your coach at the pier, it's a brief transfer to Battery Park, which lies at the Southern tip of Manhattan. Here, you will board the ferry and take in the sites of New York Harbor, including beautiful views of the city, Brooklyn and its famous Bridge, Staten Island, New Jersey and the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Your first stop will be Liberty Island for a walk around the base of the magnificent Statue of Liberty (the tour does not include an interior visit of the Statue). Your tour guide will provide detailed information about 'Lady Liberty', its completion in 1886 and its unique history. Stand in awe as you look up and see what so many saw as their first sight of a new life in America. During your visit, you will be allowed a brief amount of free time to visit the gift shop and enjoy some of the exterior exhibits.

Re-boarding the ferry, you will continue on to Ellis Island, another National Historic Landmark. Ellis Island was the main immigration center for the United States from 1892 until World War II. Today, it is an exceptional museum detailing all the different aspects of immigration and its effects on a growing and industrializing nation. It also is intertwined with the history of New York, as being a port city of commerce, the immigrants constantly changed the city with their dreams of prosperity. More than 12 million immigrants were processed at the island and today, over 40% of Americans can trace some part of their ancestry back to Ellis Island. Many people use the resource room there to research their ancestors and the vessels they came in on. Enjoy over an hour of free time to independently explore the museum, souvenir shops and cafés before boarding the ferry back to Battery Park.

During your coach transfer back to the ship, your guide will provide commentary and point out landmarks and points of interest.

Day Six (Wednesday, July 6) we spend cruising the Atlantic and exploring the ship.  Actually I think I'll spend it reading and resting.  

One good thing is that our cruise provides us with unlimited free wi-fi, so I can always check my email (ok waste time on Facebook and Pinterest)