Bruin Steve

Were it me, I'm heading straight to San Pedro... You are getting in at 9:00 pm local time (yes, I know it feels like midnight to you)...It's going to take a little time to de-plane and get your luggage, them, either way, it will take a few more minutes to get your ride--whether it be Uber Black or an LAX hotel shuttle...so, say you'll be at one of the LAX hotels by around 10:00...or you'll ride the extra 20 miles to San Pedro and be there 10:30 (yes, zero traffic at that time)... If you are already at the CP in San Pedro, you can sleep in, relax in your room the next day as long as you want, have choices for breakfast, brunch or lunch and spend a leisurely day. But...if you're at LAX the next morning, you've got to wake up, check out of the hotel at an early hour...and,face a longer ride to San Pedro...where your room may not yet be ready.. So, I'd deal with that slightly later arrival in order to keep my following day simple and stress-free. JMHO.

Typically, I check various booking sites--usually via tripadvisor.com which checks multiple sites. Then I check the hotel's own website. In the end, most times, I find the hotel's own site is at least equal to the best deal... and that's who I book through--unless some outside site gives me a much better deal. Other rules/comments: I always try to book as early as possible... and always on a cancelable rate. Then I frequently check back to see if prices may have gone down... or if there were other choices, to see if any have better rates on the table from time to time. Always consider rates with breakfast but also check what the hotel's normal breakfast rates are. Always choose hotels for convi=enience--close to attractions, close to restaurants, close to transportation options. Never go by numerical ratings only--read the reviews... but remember, some people give good reviews to bad hotels because they have low standards...and some people give bad reviews to good hotels for reasons unconnected to the hotels (like an issue with the booking process or cancelation process or some rude agent they encountered while calling the hotel chain with a question). Read the reviews for comments regarding things important to you--location, room size, services provided, maintenance issues, etc. And also note that it's often worth it to pay a little more for a better hotel. Lowest price should not be a prime criteria...if it's about saving a few $$$ on a vacation that you are spending thousands on...

All depends on what you really want to do in each port. My comments are based on what WE have done while on port stops (we've visited all of these places many times...even lived in some). Astoria: It's a small town. You can walk around to shops and restaurants or to the Maritime Museum. Last visit, we took a nice excursion to the old Lewis And Clark fort and to the Astoria Column. Made for a nice visit. I've seen shorexes offered to Mt. St, Helens, but its a long ride for a port day. San Francisco: There is a lot walkable since it docks near Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39...but those are very touristy endless gift shops and restaurants...But you can also get Alcatraz and Harbor boat tours from there. When we stop there on our May Coastal, we'll likely wander around on our own. Might head to a good Dim Sum lunch (reachable by Cable Car, bus or Uber). Last visit, we took a great non-ship Winery Tour with an outfit called "Edge of the World Tours". Took us to four really good small wineries in Sonoma, free time for lunch in historic, picturesque Sonoma and in Sausalito. You could also take a shorex to Muir Woods. Santa Barbara (I used to live here and it's an hour from where I live now): The Downtown area is walkable...head up State Street from the tender dock. The Mission, Zoo and other attractions are a little further away. If I were stopping here, I would seriously consider some sort of winery tour up to the Santa Ynez Valley/Solvang area. Solvang is a touristy little Danish town. The San Marcos Pass to get there is quite scenic...and the wineries in this area are excellent. I would look for a local private tour provider for this. Ensenada: You can walk or take a shuttle to Downtown and shop for all sorts of junk...or eat tacos...or drink Margaritas. (The Margarita was invented here--at a bar called Hussong's Cantina). My thing EVERY time we visit over the past several years is to do the ship's shorex to the Guadalupe Valley for Wine Tasting. Avoid the Bufadora (the blowhole). Disappointing and crowded with pushy street vendors. San Diego (we used to have a beach house in La Jolla): Last couple cruise port stops (Princess last year, then Celebrity last month), we booked the shorexes to the Safari Park. BOTH times, both cruise lines, they canceled this shorex after we boarded the ship! Ended up going to the Zoo instead. It's a great zoo, but we really wanted to go to the Safari Park since we hadn't been in a while and it's pretty different. If you want to walk, the "Gaslamp District" is a few blocks away...but, again, it's basically shops and restaurants. Public Transportation is good, so you can also do the Zoo/Balboa Park on your own...or "Old Town"/the Mission, etc. You can also pick up Harbor tours, see an old Navy ship and such right near the pier. Los Angeles: Is this your disembarkation port? Note that the harbor is nowhere near most of the local attractions...You are 30 miles from Disney, Hollywood or Santa Monica--all in different directions, Hope this helps.

In May, we once again disembark in Vancouver...and, this time, we're just doing a cruise line shorex with airport drop-off. Bur our flight out is a little erlier than the OP this time. The one time we had a really late flight out, we did a tour with Landsea that dropped us at the airport around 6.... My advice to the OP is, if you can't arrange a reasonable private tour, do the one with Landsea...When you get to the airport, you can check in, go through security, then have a leisurely long dinner at an airport restaurant (assuming that's possible). You're going to be worn out from a full day touring...8 hours or so is enough...by that time, you're going to want to sit down, eat and relax...and you won't mind just sitting in the terminal and reading or playing with your cell phone...or napping. Don't have to fill every minute. JMHO.

I'd do at least two nights if you want some time to see a little. Santa Monica is great for just wandering around on foot. Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, Santa Monica Pier all right there and easily walkable. Venice Boardwalk is a long walk or a short Uber ride...or you can even take the bus (Santa Monica has its own bus line). OTOH, small live music venues are all over the city, but there are definite areas of concentration to the music scene. West Hollywood is the traditional center of the music world. The Troubador, the Roxy, the Whisky a Go Go, the Viper Room and more. Hollywood proper has some venues as does Downtown LA (though I, personally, wouldn't stay in Downtown and probably not Hollywood just for the night life...You can always just Uber there from elsewhere if you have a particular club you want to visit or show you want to see.. https://whiskyagogo.com/calendar/ https://troubadour.com/calendar/ https://www.theroxy.com/events https://www.viperroom.com/calendar.php

First, you need to realize that Greater Los Angeles is REALLY BIG. Very few metropolitan areas cover as much ground. It can take hours to get from one end of town to the other. The harbor area, which is fairly massive in its own right, is 20-25 miles south of LAX. Santa Monica (popular tourist destination) is 10 miles north of LAX and 30 miles north of San Pedro. Hollywood is 30 miles north of San Pedro and about 12-15 miles west of Santa Monica. Anaheim is about 30-32 miles east of San Pedro. When you factor in LA traffic, any of these places can be a time-consuming drive from where you may be staying...making comprehensive sight-seeing in a single day difficult...and ther is no "centrally-located" hotel area that makes sense. Therefore, most people stay near the sites they most want to visit and concentrate on those sites. Renting a car makes sense for multi-day visits since taxis and Ubers can get fairly expensive and public transit in LA is not well-suited for tourism. OTOH, renting a car cn even get somewhat difficult for many due to traffic and expensive and/or hard-to-find parking in many parts of town...and that issue of where to drop the car. As to sightseeing, that means different things to different people. Going to and amusement park--like Disneyland, Universal, Knott's or such would be a full day in itself. Staying near whatever park (Disney, for example) with a two night stay generally means choosing either staying near the port or near Disney and requires transportation either airport-port-Disney-port or airport-Disney-port. You save a step staying near Disney though overall cst may be somewhat comparable. If, by sightseeing, you mean the more typical visiting Hollywood (Sign, Grauman's Chinese, Walk of Fame, studios, etc.), many want to stay in Hollywood itself--but beware--lower cost hotels in Hollywood can be pretty seedy and in very dicey areas. If I were looking in Hollywood, I would stick to higher end hotels like the Loews or the Roosevelt--which can lso get fairly pricey...or stay nearby in Universal City or West Hollywood. The better area for tourists is Santa Monica--along the beach, near the Samta Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Best place to be if you are without a car. Lots of nice places to walk even at night, restaurants and a a very touristy LA vibe, Venice Boardwalk, Getty Museums and lots more a fairly short ride away...and all of the tour companies pock up at Santa Monica hotels for tours to the sights of Hollywood and rest of LA proper (Downtown, Beverly Hills, etc.)...and HOHO bus uses Santa Monica as a major hub...I always recommend this for longer multi-day visits. An alternative you have with a two night stay is to just stay in San Pedro (yes, the Crowne Plaza is ideal for location and the Douletree is nice as well) and to do an LA/Hollywood tour with Sunseeker Tours (the only major LA tour company located in the harbor area that does tour pick-ups in harbor area hotels) for your full-day Saturday tour. Welcome to LA. As you are finding out, it is a very espensive hotel town...and, believe it or not, San Pedro is usually one of the more reasonably priced areas. AND BE VERY WARY of "bargain-priced" hotels in the LA area--You are usually looking at some very BAD hotes and/or very undesirable locations. Cheap hotels are cheap for a reason. If you have a rental car and are willing to drive (and park), there are some alternative areas to look at though many of the more desirable locations will likely be even more expensive than San Pedro. So, if location is not that important to you (since you plan to have a rental car), as an alternative to San Pedro, take a look at Long Beach across the harbor--the Convention Center area--near Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, etc. (but, likely as expensive if not more) or look at Torrance, near the Del Amo Mall--halfway between LAX and San Pedro...often prices there are a bit lower and the area is okay and with lots of shopping and restaurants. Redondo Beach near King Harbor and pier is nice but may also be a bit pricier. You may have to drop everyone and luggage at the pier then return the car to LAX or either Long Beach or Torrance (beware of one-way charges) and just Uber back to the pier.

Have you ever been to Catalina Island? You're probably safer than in your back yard.Okay, maybe you aren't paying attention and get hit by a golf cart...maybe you have a beer at lunch with your fish and chips and you trip on the sidewalk and sprain an ankle. Google "Crime in Avalon" and you get this response: "Is there a crime on Catalina Island? Crime is so rare as to be nearly non-existent and Santa Catalina's unique geology protects it from most of Mother Nature's more violent outbursts. Nowhere, however, is completely devoid of danger and a bit of preparation can help make sure that you and your family survive any emergency."

Okay...So, I'm checking out shore excursions for a Los Angeles to Vancouver cruise I'm taking in May...and, I actually read these things...So, I note the new warning language that it looks like Celebrity has added to every tour description...I'm looking at a shorex on Catalina Island and come across the language: "This tour takes place in a foreign country where laws, regulations and business practices may vary from your home country. This could include significant differences in transportation mode and quality, infrastructure, regulations, and driving practices. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the associated risks and travel warning at travel.state.gov..." Wow! I guess Catalina Island has seceded from the United States! For those who don't know, last time I checked, Catalina was in California...a mere 26 miles from Los Angeles. They definitely speak English. They vote in US elections. They pay taxes to the IRS and the State of California. You don't need a passport. At least every other time I've visited. I guess I'll have to familiarize myself with their new regulations, customs and driving practices and read up on the new "significant differences"...Anyone know where I can find a copy of an English translation of the Catalina Island Laws and Codes? Too funny...

I think the OP is on NCL...so Pier 66. Seattle Marriott puts them very close...as does the Edgewater...But, depending on how much time they are spending and what else they may want to see or do, any Downtown hotel will be close by Uber/Lyft.

I've stayed at both... I like the Doubletree for its relaxing environment--but it is farther away from most restaurants and from the pier. Crowne Plaza is in a great location...Walking distance (if you want--about three blocks) to the pier...Lots of restaurants all around it. I recommend San Pedro Brewing Company or the Green Onion (Mexican)...both within less than a block from the CP. Lots of other choices as well. For you, I'd say the Crowne Plaza as well.

12:55 no problem...If you're nervous, ask for an earlier disembarkation time, you won't have to wheel off your own luggage unless you want to...Uber/Lyft would be my choice...Don't sit there while Princess fills up buses...Uber/Lyft will cost less and be easier/more efficient...Feb 6 is a Tuesday...but, even with a little rush hour traffic, you should have ample time...and your driver will know how to get around any blockages and can drop you off right at your terminal.

It is 20 miles from the World Cruise Center in San Pedro (where everyone except Carnival docks...Carnival has a pier in Long Beach, which is a few miles further). On a weekend, when you get your ride at the port, it will likely take about half an hour...unless there's a little unexpected traffic. On a "work day", there, no doubt, will be traffic on, at least, the 405 portion of the route--so, figure 45 minutes to an hour. Unfortunately, at busy airport times, you can encounter a bit of stop-and-go just moving around the loop at LAX. LAX tells you, depending on domestic/international to get to the airport 2-3 hours prior to your flight--though we've never really needed that much time. Obviously helps if you've checked in on line and have some for of TSA Pre-clearance. Getting out of the port, we've found the lines/immigration to be rather quick in LA--much better than we've seen in Florida or--the worst--Galveston. We just got off Celebrity Eclipse YESTERDAY and just walked right off and out the door! Of course the ship stopped in San Diego the day prior and we cleared immigration there... But, to be on the safe side--figure in some sort of short line, a few minutes to call an Uber, then leave an hour for the ride to LAX and get there, for most, two hours prior to deal with security, etc....So, 3.5 to 4 hours (which, of course, will turn out more than ample--but don't take chances). So, the CLOSEST you want to risk a flight out may be 11:00 am--which would require rolling off your own luggage, first off the ship and online check-in, TSA Pre-Check...or, for most, to be totally safe, call it noon!!!

It's a BIG city. Lots of hotels I recommend...but, it all depends on several assorted criteria--How long you are wanting to stay, what you are looking to do during your time here, your budget and expectations, etc. If your intent is to merely get in the day prior to your cruise and stay one night with no plans on sightseeing, then I strongly urge staying that one night in San Pedro at one of those hotels. Prices there are usually fairly reasonable compared to many other decent options...and you cannot improve on the convenience. If you have a small bit of extra time and wish to visit the Queen Mary and/or the Aquarium of the Pacific, then Long Beach--about 6-8 miles away is a good option. In Long Beach, look at the Hyatt Centric at the Pike, the Hyatt Regency, the Renaissance and the Westin...possibly the Maya Doubletreem the Residence Inn Downtown or the Hilton. If you plan on several days in So Cal, my first choice would be Santa Monica--Loews, Le Merigot, Fairmont Miramar, Shutters on the Beach, Shangri-La, Georgian, Huntley, Casa del Mar...Best tourist area, most walkable, lots of restaurants and attractions, close to many So Cal attractions, hub for most tours. There are a few other areas that work well depending on how you plan on spending your time--Marina del Rey, West Hollywood, Universal City, Redondo/Manhattan... But, if budget is your concern, most of those areas will be even pricier than San Pedro. Be VERY WARY of hotels or areas with apparent bargain hotels. They are low cost for some very good reasons--usually BAD or inconvenient areas of town, run-down or poorly managed properties, sketchy clientele, dangerous, etc.

There are only two hotels I recommend in San Pedro--the Crowne Plaza and the Doubletree. Both offer "Park and Cruise" rates--but that rate depends a lot n how early you book. We have stayed at the Crowne Plaza on a "Park and Cruise" for as low as $149 for a one night stay with free parking for the duration of our cruise--like paying for parking and getting a free room for the night. Of course, for that, we booked it very early. It all works on supply and demand, so, as time moves closer to the cruise, those rates go up. The Crowne Plaza is VERY convenient--about three blocks to the pier (though they also have a shuttle) and very close to a lot of good restaurant choices. The parking is under the hotel. The Doubletree is a bit more picturesque, in a quiet neighborhood by the small craft marina, a couple miles from the pier--but they will shuttle you to area restaurants and also to the pier. The parking is in an open lot.

If you stay at the Residence Inn Downtown Long Beach on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, there is a FREE city bus called the "Passport" that will pick you up there and take you to several stops across the bridge in the Downtown area where you can find LOTS of restaurants of all types: https://ridelbt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Passport.pdf

I am not sure which Marriott you are looking at in Long Beach. The "Long Beach Marriott" is not in Downtown, but up by LGB Airport and in an area with nothing close by. There is a COURTYARD by Marriott in the general Downtown/Convention Center area, but there are better choices there. There is a Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown--which is actually across the bridge from Downtown, near the Queen Mary and the Carnival pier, but not near shopping or restaurants. Easily the best Marriott brand choice in Long Beach, IMHO, is the Renaissance--which is at the intersection of Ocean and Pine--very close to lots of restaurants, shopping and attractions.

Sorry if you took my response personnally...Nothing personal was intended. I only wanted to point out misinformation so as to avoid any confusion for the OP and others. Sure they need a hotel SOMEWHERE. But, if it's San Pedro, there are limited options...and the Sunrise isn't one of them...hasn't been for a few years. You can't just do your research on Google maps...it often shows locations for closed businesses. The other alternatives may be to stay a little out of the area--up in Torrance by Del Amo or even closer to the airport in, for example El Segundo...Those would not be NY first choice, but if there is unavailability closer, I'd stay there rather than a substandard hotel. On a similar thread on another well-known social media site, someone recommended the Best Western Suites San Pedro. I pointed out that the BW, also, had closed. And the poster responded that, NO, I was wrong--that they had stayed there just a couple of months ago. They said I must have a bad source. Impossible I told them, perhaps they were confused and, if they stayed at a Best Western, perhaps it was not in San Pedro, but another town. I posted links to some very good sources--like the Daily Breeze, the local newspaper of record. They quickly deleted their original post, which, in turn, deleted all of the responses. I think they finally realized how wrong they were. When viewing recommendations on sites like these, nothing trumps actual local knowledge from people who actually live or work in the immediate area or visit the area often. A lot of people post based on visits in the not-too-recent past or on internet searches. I vistit San Pedro often and try to keep up with the goings-on. I actually had dinner last night with the chief administrator of the Los Angeles harbor authority...and one important bit I learned was while discussing the reported soon-to-be closure of the Green Onion restaurant. He told me he doesn't expect that to happen anytime soon. I am so happy to hear that. Great place to go for Mexican Food in San Pedro--close to the port and to the Crowne Plaza. The Grand Prix is most often the big reason for Long Beach hotels filling up...however there are a lot of other reasons it happens time to time. The Long Beach Convention Center will have a number of conferences from time-to-time that might bring in enough people to fill the hotels. For example, on April 4-7, this conference is in Long Beach: https://www.physiology.org/professional-development/meetings-events/american-physiology-summit/dates-and-deadlines?SSO=Y The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) will take place from April 8-10, 2024. It is a 3-day trade show and conference "that brings together experts from across the world...". I don't know how many they expect to attend these conferences, but conferences like these can also have an impact.

I think you are a bit confused. This is the SAME motel. What was once the Sunrise closed down awhile back and the property was purchased by Motel 6 and reopened as "Studio 6" (a secondary concept of Motel 6 Inc.). Same place. As Sunrise, it was continually reviewed as one of the worst hotels anywhere. I expect Motel 6 to have improved on the Sunrise standards...but, until I see something to support that, I'd still stay away. (And, note: I am NOT someone with a deep bias against Motel 6. I started my long career as a corporate real estate attorney working for Motel 6, Inc.--back in 1977-1981). For ME, still only two hotels I would stay at in San Pedro--the Crowne Plaza and the Doubletree. I live in SoCal, but have often checked into one of these for the night before a cruise just for the convenience of the embarkation day logistics. Since I've had my car with me, the slightly less convenience of the Doubletree (few restaurants nearby) hasn't caused me an issue. I park my car at the hotel and shuttle or Uber from the Doubletree or shuttle or walk from the CP. Parking at DT is safe but exposed...at the CP, it's under the hotel. The CP location is extremely v=convenient with many restaurants within a couple of blocks. I particularly like the San Pedro Brewing Co. and the Green Onion.

Remember, it my be a good idea to drop your luggage at the cruise terminal BEFORE returning your rental car...Makes that last leg back to the ship much easier. As to hotels, I have my Long Beach A list-- My favorites, in order, would be the Hyatt Centric at the Pike, Hyatt Regency, Renaissance and Westin (those four because they are directly in the "Convention Center" area--very cose to a LOT of restaurant choices, shopping and the Aquarium of the Pacific (if one wishes to visit there)...and a fairly short ride across the bridge to the Carnival Termainal. Across the bridge and closest to the Terminal (even walking distance), but a short ride to restaurants and shopping, are the Maya Doubletree and the Residence Inn Downtown. I do NOT include the Queen Mary on my A List since I just don't like it as a hotel. As a tourist attraction, yes. As an historical relic, very intriguing. But as a hotel? (and I HAVE stayed there)...I think it's been historically poorly run and maintained. It's set-up and guest rooms are inadequate--dark and claustrophobic. But, if you want the experience of what it may have been like to journey on an Ocean Liner circa 1930, before balconies, modern conveniences and amenities, well, this is it. And it is as close to the Carnival pier as you can get. OTOH, since, under your plan, you'd have a rental car and would be returning it that morning, there may be little reason to have a hotel close to the pier.

Well...We're well into November now...and the high today in Los Angeles is 78 Fahrenheit. It CAN be fairly warm in SoCal even in December...OTOH, you could find yourself in one of our few brief rainy periods that occur in these winter months. So, check the internet for 7 day forecasts before you complete your packing. I'm a local and I am also cruising first week of December out of LA...and I plan on, as usual, packing shorts and T-Shirts for the day time and some longer pants and golf shirts for the evenings. Remember, ON the ship, you are usually indoors...and it's typically air-conditioned, so, if that makes you feel cold, dress accordingly. If the weather reports say we may encounter any rain or cooler weather, I'll add a windbreaker or sweatshirt to my luggage...You probably will never need any heavy jackets or real winter clothes in SoCal or West Coast Mexico. (Of course, I was in Costco Woodland Hills yesterday and the entire clothes area was stocked in winter coats, snow pants, sweaters and thermal underwear. I think someone up in Seattle buys for all the stores and thinks the weather everywhere is the same as the frigid North!) As far as formality goes, SoCal is fairly laid back. "Casual" works here. Most restaurants won't look twice if you wear shorts and T-shirts to dinner. people cruising from here are typically not the most formally attired. Wear what makes you comfortable. If your cruise line has a formal night or an "Evening Chic" night, or whatever, take that into account--if you want (always a little surprised at how many cruisers ignore that nowadays).

I hate vague emails. I wish they'd Xplain...

Taxi...

I guess several of you didn't quite understand my post. I guess I didn't wrote clearly enough. First, I have no problem with peiople who really want to tip bar servers more than the 18% always added. But you don't have to carry around a bunch iof singles--you can just add an extra tip to the receipt when you sign for it. I have been cruising since the 80s. The cruise lines often tell you it's a "cashless" system. You don't have to carry cash or credit cards or your wallet around the ship. Everything is on an account. I have often seen people writing on these boards that they give their bar waiter a dollar bill for each "free" (voucher) drink because they think it will get them better service. I donb't think you need to bribe your server--the service, usually quite good, will be the same either way. I give my Diamond Club waiters an extra tip last night of the cruise in recognition of OVERALL great service--not in hoping that tipping every time will get me something better. I KNOW that the cruise line accounts for the voucher drinks in the gratuity system and adds money to the pot B?ECAUSE I personally know several cruise line executives who have flat out told me this. If voucher or Diamond Club or Celebrity Elite lounge or unlimited package drinks weren't included in the formula, no one would want to work those assignments and service would be worse, not better. The formula is complicated, but those servers ARE taken care of and the drinks served ARE accounted for. They won't turn down extra tips, but they are really not being stiffed whe those drinks are merekly signed for.

First, I've always thought the waiters and cabin stewards--who are, basically, paid by there gratuities are underpaid anyway. I've NEVER deleted the automatic charges...and never will. I truly believe a lot of the people who do that, even if they CLAIM to tip directly in cash DON'T...or, at a minimum, they undertip. What I have always done (atleast since they started automatically charging it) is to leave those in tact...and then ADD assitional cash tips to those who I thought went above and beyond. I will still do that--though I will likely, subconciously at least, deduct the extra $2 pp per day from my extra tip pool. My only real question now is how to treat that increase in regard to my upcoming cruises. I have TWO RCCL cruises currently "in the queue"--B2B cruises for a total of 24 nughts during the World Cruise next July/August. So, under the old standard, $16 x 2 x 24= $768 TODAY versus $18 x 2 x 24= $864 paid almost 9 months from now. Worth prepaying to save a mere $96 that I'll likely blend into my extra tip pool on the actual cruise anyway? Or just pay it all out at once in 9 months and give out a few $ less in ectra tips? Probably the latter. Oh, BTW, extra bar tips? Do you folks who throw around dollar bills at the bar realize that they ALREADY ADD an extra 18% gratuity to every drink. It is also added to your drink package cost if you've gone that way. The tip is even already thrown into the pot BY RCCL on freebie voucher drinks? I do not carry my wallet or wads of cash around on a cruise ship. I do tip the Diamond Club waiters an extra bit AT THE END OF THE CRUISE for great service the entire cruise...BUT I find zero reason to throw around extra tips to add to the 18% I'm already being charged. You don't hand out singles to the MDR waiters at every meal, do you?

Our usual plan if getting there in the morning is to have lunch at the Green Onion, Dinner at the San Pedro Brewing Co. (or vice versa). Both are within less than a block from the Crowne Plaza. In between, you could walk over to the USS Iowa (within a couple of blocks. If you really wanted a bigger attraction, it's about six to seven miles to Downtown Long Beach--and the Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific. For that, take an Uber or Lyft. For us, we'd just hang in Pedro and relax. Menu (greenonionmexicanrestaurant.com) Dining Menu - American Cuisine Restaurant - San Pedro Brewing Co. Or Scott's Italian choice (about two short blocks from Crowne Plaza): Menu - Raffaello Ristorante - Italian Restaurant in San Pedro, CA 22nd Street Landing is Seafood...within a couple of miles--down on the marina near the Doubletree Hotel: Dinner Menu — 22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill & Bar (22ndstlandingrestaurant.com) If you head over to Long Beach, there are a number of restaurants near the Aquarium--along the waterfront, in the Pike center, in Shoreline Village and heading up Pine Avenue.