Mariner - San Pedro port to LAX - tell me your experiences

[mommabean]

Thanks PMcC1998,

 

All of that is really helpful.

 

I know on Radiance that they have begun to limit the amount of carry off passengers. I don't remember how many are permitted to do it - 100 or 150 maybe - but they have to sign up for it at guest relations and it's first come, first served. After that the suites D and D+ will follow and we it doesn't matter if they have luggage or not. We have just begun bringing our own luggage off at this time so we don't have to try to locate ours among the masses. We have no trouble pulling around our own luggage for long periods or standing in lines for any period of time.

 

I suspected there wasn't a huge price difference between the private car and taxi so I think we'll end up going with a private car. I've heard that in case of traffic, a taxi can cost more since they are running on the meter. At least the private car is a fixed price.

 

Thanks for your help. :) We have committed to going home that day and just made our rapid rewards reservation for the 11:50 flight. The later flight turned out to not be available as a reward flight anyway.

 

Gina

[Grandma Dazzles]

Thanks PMcC1998,

 

All of that is really helpful.

 

I know on Radiance that they have begun to limit the amount of carry off passengers. I don't remember how many are permitted to do it - 100 or 150 maybe - but they have to sign up for it at guest relations and it's first come, first served. After that the suites D and D+ will follow and we it doesn't matter if they have luggage or not. We have just begun bringing our own luggage off at this time so we don't have to try to locate ours among the masses. We have no trouble pulling around our own luggage for long periods or standing in lines for any period of time.

 

I suspected there wasn't a huge price difference between the private car and taxi so I think we'll end up going with a private car. I've heard that in case of traffic, a taxi can cost more since they are running on the meter. At least the private car is a fixed price.

 

Thanks for your help. :) We have committed to going home that day and just made our rapid rewards reservation for the 11:50 flight. The later flight turned out to not be available as a reward flight anyway.

 

Gina

 

Glad the information was helpful ..... Agree with you about the cab and the meter running. One thing we liked about Go Sedan was that it included tax, tip, etc. (although I must admit we did tip the guy a little extra because he was so professional and so helpful). The other thing was it was all paid for .... gave them the credit card number when making the reservation and did not have to hassle with money for the driver.

 

They really do need to do something about the chaos - part of the problem is that everyone wants off - so many people drive to the port and their cars are parked there and they want to get home (forgot about all the people with long flights!). They announce things, groups, etc., and make you sign up .... but as usual (sound familiar), nothing is enforced! We were very upset with large groups sending one person to stand in line and then 10 plus more friends and family joining them.

 

I guess it is not really that important anymore .... since they are leaving San Pedro. Out of all the ports we have sailed from this one was the worst in terms of getting off the ship.

 

Have a great cruise! We are sailing on the Mariner again in October (at least forewarned about the debarkation!)

[Clarea]

...

Are there plenty of taxis already there and waiting should we decide we just want to hop in one and go? ...

 

I assume that Southwest Airlines is not part of the luggage valet service. Is this correct? I'd consider it, if it were offered. Otherwise we'll just roll off all our luggage. ...

Last Sunday taxis were lined up right next to the terminal. The taxi stand is closer to the building you embarked from, not the one that you exited from with your luggage. There is a podium with a man who finds you a taxi. We walked up, told him we needed a van for 4 people, and were in the van in less than 5 minutes.

 

Southwest is not part of the luggage valet service at San Pedro.

 

Bob

[ChefStomp91]

This has all been good info. One of the private car options here, I hadn't heard of and have saved it as a option.

 

I wondered how a private reservation would work. I didn't know what to tell them as far as pickup time. I wondered how they'd find me. So what I understand now is that so many people do this, they line up and the next out the door gets the next car in line. That makes it easy. I was afraid my car would leave if I wasn't out there soon after my 8:30am assumed departure plan.

 

Gina

 

Regarding the private car option - you give them your airline and flight number and they watch will be there for you. When you exit the terminal - they are standing there with a sign with your name on it and a smartcart for your luggage. They help you with your luggage, are usually parked in the garage right outside of baggage claim and voila - you are off and running. Like I said - I use them when going to the ship because it's just easier.

[mommabean]

Regarding the private car option - you give them your airline and flight number and they watch will be there for you. When you exit the terminal - they are standing there with a sign with your name on it and a smartcart for your luggage. They help you with your luggage, are usually parked in the garage right outside of baggage claim and voila - you are off and running. Like I said - I use them when going to the ship because it's just easier.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Which private car company did you use?

 

Gina

[Cuizer2]

What time do they usually start allowing you to depart the ship? Have you had any problems delaying debarkation? If so, how late did you get off?

 

What is the best way to get to Los Angeles airport from the cruise port? Private car or taxi? Don't even think of suggesting a shared shuttle :) because we don't want to wait on others to get off the ship. We will walk off with priority debarkation and carry our own luggage off and be ready to go. It will be a Sunday morning so we are hoping traffic won't be horrible.

 

All Southwest airlines flights leave in the morning with the latest one we can get leaving at 11:40am. The only afternoon option is after 2 and arrives home in FL so late that we don't want to take that flight. Is it impossible to get to LAX by 10:30am?

 

Remember we should be one of the first off the ship and google maps claims it's not much more than a 20 minute drive to the airport. With traffic allegedly it's still not much longer to get there.

 

Let's hear the best and worst case scenario.

 

In San Diego Radiance was sometimes a nightmare getting everyone through immigration making it scary to have a pre-noon flight even with the airport so close. Is Mariner of the Seas like that?

 

Gina

 

There are several issues here ...

 

What is the best way to get to Los Angeles airport from the cruise port? Private car or taxi?

 

What do you mean by "private car"? If a rental car - no. If someone who knows the area is willing to drive you to the airport - yes. A taxi is fine because the drivers know how to avoid traffic.

 

It will be a Sunday morning so we are hoping traffic won't be horrible.

 

What time of year? During the summer? Beach traffic can be a nightmare. Several days of the year certain events (that usually seem to fall on a Sunday) can cause all sorts of traffic issues.

 

All Southwest airlines flights leave in the morning with the latest one we can get leaving at 11:40am.

 

While I have nothing against Southwest, I will not fly Southwest long distance. This is one, but not the only reason.

 

Is it impossible to get to LAX by 10:30am?

 

The answer is no. However, the more important question is, what are your chances? I would figure 30 to 60 minutes to get to the airport from the time you leaving the building (not the time you leave the ship). So figure you need to be out of the building by 9:30. What are the chanced that will happen? I don't know. I live about one hour from the port and don't self disembark. So I do face the same rush, rush, rush issues you are going to face.

 

Remember we should be one of the first off the ship

 

Why, because you are self disembarking, or because you are going to be standing by the exit door at 5:30am so you can be the first off the ship? What makes you so sure you will be in the front of the line. On a ship with three thousand plus people, there could be 1,000 others also trying to be the first off the ship. Good luck and have fun. If we are on the same cruise, I'll be well behind you.

 

google maps claims it's not much more than a 20 minute drive to the airport.

 

I drive to the port every once in a while. It should take me one hour. Sometimes after two hours I just give up. Yes, if there is no traffic the distance from the port to the airport is about 20 miles, so at 65 on the freeway you should make it in twenty minutes. But what is LA famous for (besides actors and actresses with only half a brain)? TRAFFIC. I'll be more than happy to bet you money you don't make it in twenty minutes.

 

With traffic allegedly it's still not much longer to get there.

 

Whoever, or whatever, said this has even less than half a brain, or, more likely, has never been to Los Angeles.

 

 

And there is more. Southwest is in terminal one. The airlines I usually fly on are in terminals four, five and seven. So I pass by terminal one all the time. Guess who consistently has the longest security lines? Yes, good ole terminal one. If I had to catch an 11:40am flight out of terminal one, I would want to be in line by 9:30. 10:00 at the very latest.

 

Everything might go well and you'll arrive home as planned. However, in my opinion, you have set yourself up for failure. I wish you the best of luck.

[mommabean]

There are several issues here ...

 

 

 

What do you mean by "private car"? If a rental car - no. If someone who knows the area is willing to drive you to the airport - yes. A taxi is fine because the drivers know how to avoid traffic.

 

 

 

What time of year? During the summer? Beach traffic can be a nightmare. Several days of the year certain events (that usually seem to fall on a Sunday) can cause all sorts of traffic issues.

 

 

 

While I have nothing against Southwest, I will not fly Southwest long distance. This is one, but not the only reason.

 

 

 

The answer is no. However, the more important question is, what are your chances? I would figure 30 to 60 minutes to get to the airport from the time you leaving the building (not the time you leave the ship). So figure you need to be out of the building by 9:30. What are the chanced that will happen? I don't know. I live about one hour from the port and don't self disembark. So I do face the same rush, rush, rush issues you are going to face.

 

 

 

Why, because you are self disembarking, or because you are going to be standing by the exit door at 5:30am so you can be the first off the ship? What makes you so sure you will be in the front of the line. On a ship with three thousand plus people, there could be 1,000 others also trying to be the first off the ship. Good luck and have fun. If we are on the same cruise, I'll be well behind you.

 

 

 

I drive to the port every once in a while. It should take me one hour. Sometimes after two hours I just give up. Yes, if there is no traffic the distance from the port to the airport is about 20 miles, so at 65 on the freeway you should make it in twenty minutes. But what is LA famous for (besides actors and actresses with only half a brain)? TRAFFIC. I'll be more than happy to bet you money you don't make it in twenty minutes.

 

 

 

Whoever, or whatever, said this has even less than half a brain, or, more likely, has never been to Los Angeles.

 

 

And there is more. Southwest is in terminal one. The airlines I usually fly on are in terminals four, five and seven. So I pass by terminal one all the time. Guess who consistently has the longest security lines? Yes, good ole terminal one. If I had to catch an 11:40am flight out of terminal one, I would want to be in line by 9:30. 10:00 at the very latest.

 

Everything might go well and you'll arrive home as planned. However, in my opinion, you have set yourself up for failure. I wish you the best of luck.

 

Private car - one with a driver that is available from various shuttle services by reservation. It will be October....I don't know if this is still considered a summer month in CA. :rolleyes:

 

google maps - they are who claims it's only a bit longer with traffic. :confused: I question these claims by google map all the time but find we usually take less time than they claim on most routes

 

SWA - the ONLY airline I will fly all the way across the countryif at all possible because I've done it with AA, Delta and Alaska Airlines and it was torture. I've had consistently good flights, long or short with Southwest.

 

If by some chance we miss the flight, there is one more flight out several hours later that they will put us on - no change fee. That's just the way they are. If it's full...then we will have a night in LA.

 

And we will be one of the first off the ship - not THE first. The D+ lounge is escorted off the ship prior to other luggage tag colors being called - Unless Mariner is different than every other ship.

 

Gina

[Cuizer2]

Private car - one with a driver that is available from various shuttle services by reservation. It will be October....I don't know if this is still considered a summer month in CA. :rolleyes:

 

google maps - they are who claims it's only a bit longer with traffic. :confused: I question these claims by google map all the time but find we usually take less time than they claim on most routes

 

SWA - the ONLY airline I will fly all the way across the countryif at all possible because I've done it with AA, Delta and Alaska Airlines and it was torture. I've had consistently good flights, long or short with Southwest.

 

If by some chance we miss the flight, there is one more flight out several hours later that they will put us on - no change fee. That's just the way they are. If it's full...then we will have a night in LA.

 

And we will be one of the first off the ship - not THE first. The D+ lounge is escorted off the ship prior to other luggage tag colors being called - Unless Mariner is different than every other ship.

 

Gina

 

Well, if you are D+ then yes, you will be one of the first off. That works in your favor. So what you call a private car I call a limo. A limo is more comfortable. So, either would work. However, a limo driver is less likely to drive fast to get you to the airport as a taxi driver is.

 

So, if you want the comfort and are willing to pay for it, hire a private car. If you just want to get off the ship and to the airport, go with a taxi.

 

Apparently your experience with the legacy carriers is different than mine. I'm not saying they are great. If I were to grade them, I would give them a C, maybe a C+, but then Southwest would only get a B- from me. Southwest is great for short flights, but I'm not going to book a cross country flight on Southwest, unless I want to visit the airports that they will stop in.

[wonlife64]

For those who have used the shuttles…what was the cost? Will they pick you up/drop you off at hotels in the LAX area? My wife and I are flying in a day early and leave a day after our cruise. Thanks!

[mommabean]

Well, if you are D+ then yes, you will be one of the first off. That works in your favor. So what you call a private car I call a limo. A limo is more comfortable. So, either would work. However, a limo driver is less likely to drive fast to get you to the airport as a taxi driver is.

 

So, if you want the comfort and are willing to pay for it, hire a private car. If you just want to get off the ship and to the airport, go with a taxi.

 

Apparently your experience with the legacy carriers is different than mine. I'm not saying they are great. If I were to grade them, I would give them a C, maybe a C+, but then Southwest would only get a B- from me. Southwest is great for short flights, but I'm not going to book a cross country flight on Southwest, unless I want to visit the airports that they will stop in.

 

We usually get a cross country flight on SWA with a stop and no plane change in many cases. And the best part, other than the nice flight attendants and the extra legroom, is that if our plans change...or RCI cancels a cruise as we read about here, we get full use of our funds for a full year.

 

Air travel is horrible now but with SWA it's way better than horrible. Not perfect because of the way they board but it's as good as it gets for domestic travel.

 

The private cars aren't limos and they make it clear that they are limo alternatives. They are sedans. Town Cars or similar. Comfy and nicer than the average taxi.

 

This is just a part of CA I've never been to and only have the experience of others to go on.

 

Gina

[Grandma Dazzles]

Gina: Don't bet on Diamond + being escorted off before everyone else - doesn't happen on the Mariner. They do have the lounge to wait in and then they do call diamond plus and different color tags for luggage and people that are taking tours of LA, but that is what I meant by chaos - everyone just joins the big line - no one checks who is supposed to be there.

 

Shuttle price is around $16 per person one way - they do stop at area hotels.

 

The private car company (Go Sedan) that we have used offers a choice of vehicle - usually a Lincoln Town Car or something similar - they also offer true "limo" service. We have found the drivers drive the speed limit - they don't give you a sightseeing ride!

[mommabean]

Gina: Don't bet on Diamond + being escorted off before everyone else - doesn't happen on the Mariner. They do have the lounge to wait in and then they do call diamond plus and different color tags for luggage and people that are taking tours of LA, but that is what I meant by chaos - everyone just joins the big line - no one checks who is supposed to be there.

 

Shuttle price is around $16 per person one way - they do stop at area hotels.

 

The private car company (Go Sedan) that we have used offers a choice of vehicle - usually a Lincoln Town Car or something similar - they also offer true "limo" service. We have found the drivers drive the speed limit - they don't give you a sightseeing ride!

 

Getting off Radiance was once like that, but once they limited the express departure to a certain amount of people, it became easy. They stopped announcing luggage tag colors out loud, people waited where they are supposed to wait and things actually began going smoothly. It's the non-citizens that caused all the problems thinking that they didn't have to show up for immigration.

 

For all the great things I've heard about Mariner, it seems that ship management would have better control over the situation.

 

The worst part about any ship to me though was going through immigration and having to present a passport. If they have eliminated this, that's a huge plus.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Our last trip on the Mariner was late April of this year. We did not have to do the immigration/passport thing, but they were using colored luggage tags and calling by groups.

 

We were in the "first" group off - luggage valet, diamond plus, etc., but the problem was there were so many others - some of them legit - others, as I said, just joined the line, or worse still, held a place for a large family/friends group.

 

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful trip! We are on the Mariner again in October - love the Voyager class and Freedom class - haven't been on the Oasis yet.