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Kathy, if you narrow your interest down, it might be easier to find you a city to stay in before the cruise. I am not a Los Angeles kind of person, but there is the theater district. Also a visit to the Shuttle Endeavor is always a fun exhibit. A walk around Japan Town is a delight to the senses. Long Beach has the Aquarium of the Pacific. Not as good as the Monterey Bay Aquarium or Georgia Aquarium. But you can easily take the rail up to LA. Staying near the port has its purpose (close to ship), but much harder to do anything outside of the area. There's Cabrillo Museum/tide pools, Korean Bell, Sea Mammal rescue center, Fort something. Good luck finalizing this part of your trip. I've stayed on the Queen Mary. It was an excellent experience. Unfortunately, she has fallen into disrepair and the city is working on her structural damage. She is closed until further notice. OP has mentioned that she doesn't like "old".

Everyone should be talking to Cal. He said that no one should be on hold for 4 hours and that they were (in the process) of fixing that. Webinar back in June.

San Diego is a lovely town (aka city). Easy to get around to most attractions by public transit/shared rides. Lots of restaurants within walking district of the GasLamp district/downtown area. Sheraton has nice views, but not much around it. I would also look at booking on your own. So many great hotels to choose from.

No experience, but they may send luggage on via a truck. Bus/Van may not be able to accommodate passengers and ALL of their luggage. Carry on, maybe.

Pre-covid...a very long time ago....cruise mate and I did not have insurance for a very short cruise (first and last time I will go without insurance). I tried to talk her into not showing up since she would going to lose fare anyway...She chose to cancel. I had to scramble days before to rebook with a solo supplement. Post covid: sisters had to cancel. They cancelled 30 + days out, filled insurance claim, received everything back minus insurance. Had they cancelled within the 30 days, they would have received Future Cruise Credit including insurance. They did not want credit.

You would need to get yourself from Terminal 6 (opposite end from taxi pick up location) to the LAXit by bus or hoof it. https://www.flylax.com/lax-it @rabin1 I am not sure if you are cancelling your Princess hotel/transfer or only taking part of it. If you are starting from scratch, these are some options: DoubleTree Inn (Hilton) San Pedro https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lgbspdt-doubletree-san-pedro-port-of-los-angeles/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-DT-LGBSPDT&y_source=1_MTM3MjY3MS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ== Although I did not use this service, my sister booked it and had to cancel. She did a lot of research and thought they were reliable and honest. They would have picked her up curbside baggage area. https://curbsideexpresslax.com/book-us/

I remember the incident, but funny how I can not remember what “covfefe” meant! Haha. Your steward’s device keeps track of you, your moments, and if you are in/out of the cabin. A little scary to think about that. (S)he knows when I usually go to breakfast and dinner. That’s when s/he “sneaks” in. I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful stewards.

I had no choice and did this once. Hawaiian cancelled ALL of my flights into LGB for 4 months during the start of the pandemic. I was forced to stay in Hawaii (I know...haha). It was either fly in to LAX, arrive late at night, catch a ride share, that got me home at 12:30 AM or stay in HNL for another few months. Never again will I fly into LAX. Yes, if you are coming in on Southwest, the lot is across the ramp. If you come in on United, (Terminal 7) you will have to walk/bus across the parking structure. Any other terminal is a long haul (or bus it). It is a zoo/mess/"what was LAX thinking ?!. When Jet Blue deserted Long Beach, it created such a void. There are no direct flights from Florida. But LGB is a much friendlier airport and easier to get to the port. You are trading off convenience (Princess Hotel/transfers) verses do it your own. Only you can decide what is your comfort level.

@milolii Thanks for chiming in. I have been reimbursed for my at home test kits (including the proctored Binax Now ID). But that was in January. Hope it still applies. I have never had to pay for a pharmacy covid test (rapid antigen) in the US. Have never tried to claim an out of country test. My insurance company may sound an alarm for that (lol).

Thank you for clarifying the above. But, if I understand you correctly, you used the test to get back into the US not to get ON a ship? Yes? Another backup. How hard was it to book an appointment with rapid test and trace?

Welcome to Princess. In my opinion, I feel you will fit right at home with these passengers. Unfortunately, since the pandemic, there hasn't been a lot of socializing. You may find some to be cliquish. You may have to step outside of your comfort zone and initiate a conversation. Most often, if people are in a public area, they want to talk (unless buried in a book). I have traveled solo and with a cabin mate, but wander off to meet new people. Be prepared, this trip entails many, many, many sea days. A good time to reconnect with your spouse, meet new folks, and just enjoy the fresh air. Have fun.

Those are my concerns: Will these "over the counter" home tests results be enough to get me ON a Princess Cruise. Right now, my best option seems to be with the Binax Now ID proctored tests.

Always good to have options.

I do have iHealth over the counter "free" tests. Can I use my own tests with this company? Or do I have to purchase from them? I have "learned" to travel with additional tests. Wish some of the boxes were not so large. Takes up valuable real estate when you are limited in space. Thanks.

I guess I will have to order additional BInax Now ID / Proctored tests. My last set/order was reimbursed (but I haven't used them yet). I will place another order as soon as "I" am eligible for more "free" tests. Thanks for your recommendation.

But there is no financial advantage.

I surmise that you are flying into LAX. Princess has contracted with 2 hotels (LAX Marriott/Hilton in Long Beach). I would personally pick Hilton in Long Beach. There are things you can walk to and do for the night (just be aware of your surroundings). NOTHING near Marriott. If you booked a hotel through Princess, it will include all transfers and baggage handling. https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/cruise-ports-and-hotels/ They will pick you up in the baggage area AFTER they drop off previous cruise passengers and deliver you to your hotel. You will need to claim your baggage from the carousel. That translates to after 10 AM. A bus will pick you up in the morning and take you to the cruise terminal. NOW...if you really prefer to do the planning, that's a whole different ball game. Most passengers stay at the San Pedro Crown Plaza or DoubleTree. But getting there is a real hassle from LAX. If you hire a private service that will pick you up at curbside/baggage claim, and transport you to San Pedro, it will cost you about $100 - $150. If you plan to take a shared ride...you need to get yourself over to the shared ride lot off site by bus or foot.

Only 10% of regular merchandize and not combinable with any other promotions. 50% off internet (pre-book/receive as OBC). 50% off rack rate if bought on board ship. 10% off some SPA services.

@rabin1it would be helpful to know which port you are leaving from.

Someone suggested on the already long (65 pages) thread that someone start another thread. So here I am with a couple of questions and comments. I have always been successful in finding a local pharmacy to do a rapid antigen test. This time, I am looking at a cruise that will not allow me to do the testing from my home location. Part A: I looked at the reviews for OnPoint Testing. Has anyone successfully boarded a Princess ship using this company? Claims: Certified Teleservice COVID Testing Test Anywhere with a Video Appointment Using Any Over The Counter Approved Home Test and Receive Lab Certified Results! Reviews: https://www.yelp.com/biz/onpoint-covid-19-testing-san-bruno?sort_by=date_desc https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-mateo/profile/covid-testing/onpoint-testing-1116-929915 Part B: I just had an interesting email conversation with eMed. I have seen reviews on CC that one should take an extra Binax Now ID proctored test with them to use before embarkation. So I sent an email to eMed regarding this issue. They suggested that I take extra kits (just in case). I replied asking if I could take an over the counter Binax Now ID home kit and use the pieces from that kit to replace defective items in their Proctored Test.....while the proctor watched me doing the exchange. In not so many words...she said "NO". Part C. Does anyone in the Vancouver, BC area know of a place I could have as a backup for a rapid antigen test? Would this be covered by an American Insurance Plan (not medicare)? Thank you in advance. Please feel free to comment or add your own questions.

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For me: cashing out I’d-cruise, I am generally given just the dollars. When I cash out at the end, I receive the change. I have always gotten a receipt. So t you have to sign and acknowledge cash out? As others have asked, if you got $380 for $340.80, then you are way ahead of the casino.

YOU may order an "extra" lunch/dinner to be delivered to your suite. If he just happens been in your room, it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good dinner.

I am not sure how shp specific the mini-bar supply is. On the Grand, you get 10 alcohol (it was always 2 vodka, 2 beer, 2 cognac, 2 gin, and 2 scotch). On my last cruise, I was surprised to see Jack Daniels instead of scotch. I'd love to see run and Chivas. With the drink package, you really don't need the mini-bar (hush...I'm not making a suggestion to Princess). Had more than I could consume or cared to take home. Most went to the crew.

@ChimneyTenders Thank you for starting a live on the Crown. It is refreshing to hear from the new posters. Don't discount the more seasoned posters. They are sometimes a wealth of information. Hope the Crown meets all of your expectations and you have a delightful cruise.