Bruin Steve

We've walked from the Crowne Plaza to the port at least a couple of times...It's NOT "a couple of miles". Depending on which berth you're at, it's about 800 to 1200 yards--about three to four blocks. It is FLAT. You cross only one major street. Sidewalks all the way. Handicapped curb cuts as required by law. The hotel has a shuttle for a small fee and it helps to schedule it when you arrive at the hotel, but Uber/Lyft are fairly inexpensive as well and very convenient. No need to book in advance, but, if you have ECVs, it may be hard to get those into typical Uber and you may need an XL or one equipped to carry them. I trust you have a way to carry your luggage with these...if so, the ride to the pier should be esy. The CP is VERY convenient to a variety of restaurants within only a couple of blocks. I particularly like the San Pedro Brewing Company--only a half a block from the CP. The other hotel to stay in would be the Doubletree...Very nice though a bit farther from downtown, the restaurants and the pier...but the hotel will shuttle you to the pier and to downtown restaurants for free.

But not even close to the Carnival terminal in Long Beach. It's clear on the other side of Long Beach, several miles from any of the cruise piers.

We just cruised out of Seattle on Quantum a month ago. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites near the Space Needle...2.9 miles and quick Uber to Pier 91...Included breakfast. Hotel was nice, aple, clean. We'd stay there again. To be completely honest, there are LOTS of mostly chain hotels in this area I am sure most are nice. We picked this one for two reasons: 1) Close to port. 2) We had lots of Marriott points to spend. If we were higher on Hilton points, we would have picked a nearby Hilton product. If we had no hotel points, we probably just would have looked for the best deal. We took Uber or Lyft from the Airport to the hotel and hotel to Pier 91. Actually works out cheaper and more convenient thatn Seattle Express. For the ride from the ship back to the airport, since we used the very convenient FREE Luggage Valet to take our luggage to the airport and check it in for us...and since we had a later flight out, we just got an Uber/Lyft to Pike Market, killed some time, ate lunch and took the very easy (with no luggage to worry about) fixed rail train to get us back to the airport for $3 pp. Easy.

Some more important questions: 1) When do you intend to arrive in the Los Angeles area? 2) Do you want to spend any time sightseeing or are you just getting in the night before and need convenience--a place to sleep and, perhaps, park your car for the duration of the cruise? IF you are getting into town well before your cruise-say a couple of nights or more and want to see sights in the area....then I would not recommend staying in the harbor area more than the night before. I'd recommend a more tourist-oriented area--like Santa Monica...maybe Marina del Rey/Venice Beach...or, if you are specifically interested in, say, studio-related attractions, Universal City/Hollywood, or, if wanting to visit Disney, Anaheim...Then drive to San Pedro either the night before and stay one night there...or drive there embarkation morning and just park at the pier. OTOH, If you just plan on driving in the day before the cruise and just want to check into a hotel, have dinner, leave your car at the hotel and relax, then stay in San Pedro at one of those two hotels mentioned--the Crowne Plaza or the Doubletree. Get a Park and Cruise package and take the hotel shuttle or a short Uver/Lyft to the pier in the morning...or even walk to the pier if you are at the Crowne Plaza. Both hotels are nice. The CP location is far more convenient--close to the pier, close to lots of restaurant choices. The Doubletree is more relaxing--in a very pretty marina location but not close to many restaurants and a longer ride to the pier. Parking at the CP is underground below the hotel, covered and more protected. Parking at the DT is an exposed surface lot. I have done both and would do either again based on the price. Also check the additional price you pay for the week's hotel parking versus the $20 per night to park at the pier--remembering that parking at the pier means easier logistics.

It's 20 miles, virtually all by Freeway...it likely takes 30-60 minutes depending on the time of the drive--longer during peak rush hour, a little shorter if it's, say, late morning or very early morning--all depends on traffic--which is often busy on a weekday between, say, 6 to 10:30. And, of course, if there is an accident or construction, that time could be longer. Most wuld usually figure about an hour and be safe with that 90%+ of the time. And, remember, it will take you a little time to get out of LAX...planes often need to taxi for a time before reaching the gate...it takes time to get off, time to walk from the terminal to baggage claim...and there can be a wait for your luggage. Then, if using Uber, Lyft or taxi, you will need to shuttle to the LAX-it pick-up lot.

Interestingly, the list of obstructed cabins is different on Summit from those on Millennium... On Deck 8, that Summit list shows 13 cabins: C2 8061 40% C2 8074 50% C2 8098 35% C2 8100 35% C2 8102 25% CS 8104 25% C2 8108 10% S1 8117 35% AW 8121 25% C2 8047 25% C2 8048 25% C2 8049 25% C2 8050 25% On Millennium, Deck 8, it shows only 8 cabins as obstructed: C2 8050 25% C2 8049 25% C2 8048 25% C2 8047 25% 2B 8011 25% 2B 8010 25% 2B 8007 5% 2B 8006 5% Link: 02_15_23_FLY_Obstructed_Cabins_ML.pdf (rccl.com) ...and they are largely different cabins. My cabin, 8054, doesn't appear on either ship's list...however, the photos of 8048 and 8050 don't look that good for me as that structure would be only about 30 feet forward of my balcony (so, looking forward, that will clearly be in the view though probably not a big deal since the ship also slants out just forward of that)...But Celebrity doesn't consider the view to be obstructed unless the obstruction "blocks a portion of the direct outward view from a stateroom". So, 30 feet forward does not technically constitute an obstruction. Interestingly, also, is that most of these cabins are no longer "C2" as shown on that list, rather they are now "C1" and, therefore, sells for an even higher price. Among Veranda cabins, the obstructed view cabins generally sell for a LOWER price.

That would not be it. The symbol appears in similar location on Deck 9...but not on Deck 6 or 7. Those decks are also subject to similar nearby slant balconies. Also doesn't appear adjacent to any of the other irregular balconies. The only other place it appears is on Deck 6--all the way forward... Those are the three forward-most of the "Sweet Sixteen" cabins on each side of the ship--where the balconies have a "superstructure" around them. I believe, in the case of those marked cabins, it's the obstruction caused by these structural pillars (though, curiously, they didn't put the diamonds on the cabins above them on Deck 7):

We are in 8054 on Millennium in March/April for B2B Japan cruises. Not the cabin I would ordinarily choose...however, there is a reason. These are two of the infamous overbooked Japan sailings and we originally booked for 2021 and were canceled and "lifted-and-shifted" several times...and, since they had already been selling cabins for the 2024 cruises before they canceled 2023, by the time we were forced to move to 2024, there were few Concierge cabins left...and 8054 was the only option to allow us to remain in the same cabin for both legs of the back-to-back, When we got this cabin, I saw a number of notes on the internet about a possible obstruction. From what I can tell, it appears they are talking about window washing equipment which looks to have a "standing" home--while not in use--about 2 or three cabins forward--outside 8048/8050...I found this photo somewhere, apparently looking forward from the balcony of 8052. So, that structure appears to be in front of 8050. I imagine that it will be less obtrusive from 8054--but still visible when looking forward....just less visible than this. Also, when looking at the official Celebrity website deck plans, they show an odd diamond designation on the balconies for 8048 and 8050 and for 8047 and 8049 on the other side...but the "key" does NOT explain what the diamond symbol means...I am guessing that it refers, somehow, to the obstruction. Does anyone know for sure?

Fully agree. Never worthwhile to read 30+ pages of expired links, businesses that are no longer in business and prices that are nowhere near current.

HangryGrl, Los Angeles Harbor (The combined ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach) is a VERY BIG place. It is the THIRD BUSIEST port in the world, the largest port in the Western Hemisphere. It is MASSIVE. It contains wll over 10,000 acres and 68 miles of waterfront. Just the distance across the harbor from the Western edge in San Pedro to the Eastern edge in Long Beach is SIX MILES. Traveling those six miles means crossing two bridges and the very industrial Terminal Island that straddles the harbor entrance. That said, it is not entirely unrealistic to stay in San Pedro for a cruise out of Long Beach or to stay in Long Beach for a cruise out of San Pedro. It just means some extra ground transportation the morning of your cruise. But, yes, often people might stay in Long Beach for a San Pedro cruise--but most often if they have a little extra time and want to visit some Long Beach attractions like the Queen Mary or the Aquarium of the Pacific...or some might stay in San Pedro for a Long Beach cruise--but most often due to hotel prices or shortage of availability. BUT, the real question is, lacking any specific purpose, WHY? Best thing you could do for a short pre-cruise stay (for longer stays, I recommend staying in a completely different part of the city), is to choose a hotel for CONVENIENCE. So, if cruising out of Long Beach--which means CARNIVAL (other cruise lines all use San Pedro), stay in the Convention Center area of Long Beach--and, if you can, stay in one of these hotels: Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric at the Pike, Renaissance, Westin, Maya Doubletree, Residence Inn Downtown, possibly the Hilton or the Best Western Convention Center (though the first six better and more convenient than the last two. The Maya and Residence Inn are VERY CLOSE to the Carnival Terminal, the Hyatts, Renaissance and Westin are in the prime tourist area--closest to restaurants and shops. Good luck...

We just did the Quantum of the Seas a couple of weeks ago (Aug 21 sailing). Originally going to stay by the airport, then thought better of it. Ended up staying at the Fairfield Inn (Marriott product) in the Seattle Center area...Comfortable clean room. Took Lyft from airport--$49 inc. tip. Easy, door-to-door. Spent the rest of the day walking around the area--Space Needle, Gates Foundation...all easy walking distance. Ate at Five Points Cafe... nice casual bar/restaurant--sandwiches/comfort food. Breakfast at hotel included in the morning, then, at checkout, we took an Uber to the port (Pier 91)...under $20 including tip (2.9 miles, drop-off right in front of entrance). For disembarkation, we checked in our luggage with the "Luggage Valet" service on the ship. NO CHARGE--they collected the bags and the next time we saw them was at our home airport! EASY. So, without bags, we got a quick Lyft to Pike Fish Market...wandered around, ate lunch, then took the fixed rail from Westlake Station to the airport. $3 pp! Without any luggage to deal with, it was SO EASY...

I DON'T book ahead. In my experience, that usually gets you a higher price...and I've also had a rideshare company booked a week ahead only to have them cancel on me the morning of the ride. It sounds good, but it doesn't work. My strategy is to: 1) have both Uber and Lyft apps downloaded and set up. 2) When you need the ride, log on at both (you just input the destination in the "Where to" box...the app knows exactly where you are). 3) Choose whichever one gives you the best deal (the app will let you know the price--tip not included--and how many minutes it should take the driver to reach you), Accept the deal and just close out of the other app. If both prices seem high, close both, wait a minute or two and try again...sometimes prices go down. It also gives you choices (with different prices) for a regular car, a larger vehicle, a luxury vehicle, one equipped for handicaps, Spanish speaking, etc. 4) Look for your ride. The apps tell you the driver's name, his/her type and color car and license plate number...and gives you a tracker map that shows him driving to meet you in real time. After the ride, the app will send you an email that lets you add a tip. You will be surprised at how well it all works. Oh...other benefit: You've input your credit card number into the system, so there is no need to pull out your wallet, give the driver a credit card, have sufficient cash on hand, etc. Your card is charged at the end of the ride.

I don't ever recall it being an issue and I've stayed there in the summer. I cam't guarantee it works perfectly, but OTOH, if there had been a problem with it, I would have remembered. I recall once, 20 years ago, staying in an alleged 4-star hotel in Paddington that had NO AC--the front desk lent us a small fan but it was like living in a sauna...and that one I remember to this day!

They come right to the curb where you walk out the door with your luggage. Hardest time I ever had was when I had to wheel my luggage past two other Ubers...

Agree. A assume you paid by credit card? Immediately call the bank issuing the card and challenge the charge. Helps if you can provide them with copies of everything--like the confirmation from the hotel stating the cancelation policy as well as any copy of the cancelation confirmation (most hotels would have sent you one). Personally, I am always very wary of prepaying for a hotels reservation--especially one with a small hotel operator. Small companies go bankrupt, hotels go out of business...or they can just be difficult. And, if you come back to Long Beach, you may want to consider staying at one of my list of recommended hotels--Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Renaissance, Westin, Maya Doubletree, Residence Inn Downtown, Hilton...At least you'd be dealing with a major chain--and they have processes in place to deal with this stuff (and you'd be in a better located, nicer, better run hotel). But yes, file that complaint with your credit card--they will credit your bill, then they will contact the hotel company and make them prove the charge was legitimate. And, again, the more back-up documentation you can provide them with the easier and faster it will go.

Uber or Lyft...Have both apps, check who's cheaper when you get off the ship. Going TO LAX, they can drop you right at the curb...no shuttles or LAX-it lot to deal with. Easy, less than a taxi, no surprise meter readings. It's never taken me more than 10 minutes to get a ride...usually quicker...

I started reading from page 1, then realized I was reading a lot of info that was almost five years old and/or didn't apply to me. Thought of starting a new, simpler thread, but figured I'd try here first: Landing at LHR, T3--AA--at 9:00 am on Monday 22 July 2024. Heading directly to Holiday Inn Southampton for 4 night precruise. Two of us will probably each have 50 lb (23 kg) suitcases and, perhaps a carry-on each. Best way? Simple better. Less expensive better. But least walking and fewer changes important as well. Recommendations? Thanks.

Do you recall what they offered for that B2B tour? We are on B2B on Millennium in March/April...but ours are both Yokohama to Yokohama--so we're flying into Haneda 5 days early and staying in Shinjuku...We've got two tours planned for our pre-cruise already and one more for the disembarkation day after the second cruise since our flight doesn't leave until late. By the time they would let us know what this tour encompasses, we might already have seen the places they are visiting. Probably okay though...with our intensive itinerary, we were planning on just staying on the ship on turnaround day.

Since I originally started this thread, a lot of our plans have taken on more form. Our cruise has gotten longer--as we've added the following Norwegian Fjords World Cruise leg--another 9 nights--so, now, we are cruising 24 total nights, Southampton to Amsterdam. We've booked our air TO LHR, arriving July 22, four days prior to embarking on the 26th in Southampton. And, though we've yet to be able to book air home, we've booked a hotel in Amsterdam for 3 nights post-cruise... So, since it's going to be a long, complicated trip and since we've toured a lot of the "mainland" of Southwest England in the past, we've decided to keep our pre-cruise relatively simple. Therefore: 1) We have booked all four pre-cruise nights at the Holiday Inn on Herbert Walker. We don't want to drag luggage to and from different hotels and on and off of trains and ferries. 2) My wife still wants to visit the Isle of Wight (I think it's the Beatles song "When I'm 64" that has her intrigued) and wants to see Osborne House (I'll have to explain to her that its NOT Ozzie and Sharon--they actually live near us--in Southern California!). 3) We'll need to find some sort of transportation from LHR to Southampton (hopefully something reasonable and easy...National Express?) 4) We will waste at least one full day lounging around the hotel and surrounding shopping mall recovering from the long flight and major time zone change. 5) The extra full day in Southampton, we will likely just tour around Southampton--unless there is something simple to do nearby and worthwhile...perhaps an organized bus day tour if one exists. Other than that, I have no great need to try to visit a lot of places and complicate things. So, for the Isle of Wight, the passenger ferry to West Cowes, then find local transortation to Osborne House and back? Or take the ferry to East Cowes, walk to the Osborne House and find transportation to West Cowes and return from there? Aside from Osborne House, any "must-sees" that could be easily fit into a short one-day visit? How best to organize the day? Thanks.

When cruising out of Southampton, we've always stayed at the Holiday Inn on Herbert Walker...It's great to wake up embarkation morning and see our ship docked virtually right outside our window, then make that incredibly short walk to baggage drop and check-in. But there are also a few other hotels in the area. Many on our upcoming July 2024 cruise have booked the Leonardo across the road...and there is also a "Moxy" hotel next to the Premier Inn...and two Ibis hotels and a Novotel on the other end of the West Quay shopping mall...and a Mercure and a Travelodge nearby. We considered all of them for next July ...before booking, once more, the Holiday Inn... Lots of shopping and restaurants within this same area...and it's a short walk into the more historic part of Southampton...So, any of these hotels work--assuming you like the hotel. For this upcoming trip, we are spending our longest stay in Southampton--four nights. We plan on wasting at least one day relaxing and recovering from the long flight from LA and the major time zone change...and another, taking the ferry across to the Isle of Wight and spending the day exploring there. The Red Funnel (passenger ferry from Southampton to West Cowes) ferry pier is also a short walk from the HI.

UPDATE: Since people are still visiting this thread, I thought I'd complete the loop: When we originally booked, there was a wide price margin between a Veranda Guarantee and a Concierge booking. So, we took the Veranda Guarantee...got quickly assigned...and that is when I posted the original comment in this thread. But, soon after that, they dropped the price of that Concierge Guarantee...So, I called my TA and we grabbed it. Gave up that V2 and went back into the unassigned pool....and, this time, we waited 15 days... ...and remainded unassigned for a bit longer after that, but 15 days later, I logged on to find us assigned to #1660--a C1, but even closer to the very rear of the ship. So, I checked availability...and called my TA and had them call Celebrity...and we got moved. NOW, we are in #1243--IMHO, one of the best cabins on the ship...on the "slant"...with a balcony almost three times the size of a standard balcony...and conveniently just off the aft elevators. Still, 15 days for an assignment is not too bad!

Banks Mansion wants 571 euros per night for my dates! And I checked the Kimpton DeWitt....and, with our dates not there yet, I checked the week before--$417 US per night... Other choices might come on line soon, but $200 per night for a well-reviewd hotel in a great location will likely be hard to beat.

We're doing a couple of segments of the RCCL World Cruise and we disembark next August 19th in Amsterdam. Being that far out, we don't even have flights home yet...but I know how expensive Amsterdam can be...and that it helps to book a hotel really early to, at least, hedge for a good deal. So, I've arbitrarily figured on three nights...We'll get the flights later. But, because things can change, I'm looking for a cancelable rate. Last time we cruised in and out of Amsterdam (Summer before the pandemic!), we stayed at the Kimpton DeWitt. Like the area and the hotel, but rates aren't even up yet. Looking for something in the same general area, I came across the WestCord City Centre. It seems to get very good reviews and ratings of 8.0 or higher on various hotel sites. And, right now, I was able to book three nights on a fully cancelable rate, with breakfast included...and including taxes, for about $200 US per night (depending, of course, on fluctuations in the exchange rates now to next year). But I know very little about this hotel. Anyone have any familiarity with this property? Any opinions or comments? Thanks.

I live in Calabasas... ...and, when I cruise out of San Pedro (unless I find a "too good to be believed" Park 'n' Cruise rate at the CP or DT in Pedro), my new "go-to" is to just Uber or Lyft from home to port and back...I check both apps and go with whoever is cheaper at the time... Surprisingly, it costs us about the same as when going to LAX--which is 20 miles closer! Last June/July, for an example, it cost us, with Uber, including tip, $59 Calabasas to the pier and $66 home...So, for us, we save money off the $140 parking tab for a 7 night cruise--and we don't have to pay for a tank of gas or leave our car sitting exposed in the lot. For you, I guess it would beat the one-way rental car charges and save the inconvenience of picking up and returning the car...plus gas. So, where are you staying in Calabasas? We like the Hilton...it was our home away from home for a couple of months just before the pandemic when we had a home repair/remodel going on and had to move out.

One note on the Maya: At times, they have offered a special "Carnival Rate"...but they also often don't list is on the web...You have to call the hotel directly and ask about it. May or may not get it but it's worth the call and the ask...