L.A. Port Woos Visitors

[star gazer]

San Pedro businesses launch efforts to woo visitors

 

By Donna Littlejohn Staff Writer

Posted: 10/31/2010 10:04:35 PM PDT

Updated: 10/31/2010 10:12:30 PM PDT

 

 

October is the start of cruise ship season at the Port of Los Angeles. (Chuck Bennett)

Conducting an informal survey of cruise ship passengers last spring was an eye-opener for San Pedro business owner Katherine Gray.

 

"Most of them were not even aware they were in San Pedro or that there was shopping and dining close by," she said. "They just get on the buses."

 

Many visitors had never heard of San Pedro and were intent on seeing the better-known sites of Los Angeles.

 

Now, with San Pedro's peak winter cruise season about to launch, locals are making more aggressive efforts to capture tourist and crew member dollars.

 

The goal: To spread the word about the sights and things to do in the local port town.

 

It follows a pilot program initiated last spring in which businesses set up free-standing kiosks near the choreographed fountains at Swinford Street and Harbor Boulevard.

 

Coming in November will be "Cruise Ambassador" informational kiosks inside the cruise ship terminal, a free weekend shuttle to take passengers and crews into downtown and Ports O' Call, and special discounts and promotions in downtown shops and restaurants.

 

"We're very hopeful we'll get some business" from the cruise ships, said Gray, who with her husband operates the Maritime Research Center at Sixth and Centre streets in downtown San Pedro.

 

Gray, through the newly formed San Pedro Convention and Visitors Bureau, is working with the Port of Los Angeles and city officials to establish a kiosk also by the Los Angeles

 

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Maritime Museum at Sixth Street and Harbor. The kiosk will provide information on where visitors can shop and dine in town.

The kiosks inside the cruise terminal, still awaiting approval after final details are worked out, would be part of the Cruise Ambassadors program sponsored by the Property Owners Business Improvement District.

 

That group has a $22,000 budget under a contract with the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce to operate the kiosks - offering directions, information on concierge services - and the free weekend shuttle service through May, said PBID Executive Director Stephen Robbins.

 

San Pedro expects 130 cruise ship calls from October through April, with some high-profile Cunard Line visits and cruises by the Queen Victoria and newly christened Queen Elizabeth 3 set for early next year.

 

"That's really big," Gray said. "The Cunard Line is the one to be on."

 

Also in late January, the Disney Wonder will arrive to begin a temporary home port stint with a series of cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

 

The local cruise industry hit its peak in 2005 when nearly 1.22 million passengers boarded cruises in San Pedro. While the numbers have leveled off since then, port officials anticipate that the cruise industry will grow more in future years.

 

The Golden Princess and Mariner of the Seas are both currently based at the Port of Los Angeles, offering cruises to Hawaii and Mexico. Two other cruise ships will rotate temporarily into the lineup for short-term Mexican Riviera cruises in the next two months.

 

San Pedro has long tried to capture tourist dollars from its home-based cruise ship industry without much success.

 

In years past, passengers reportedly have even been warned not to stray too far into the local town.

 

Eventually, Robbins said, programs will expand to include promotions of overnight stays in town.

 

Gray thinks the time is right to more aggressively woo tourists.

 

"I think the world is ready to see San Pedro," she said.

 

donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com

[Cruisin' Chick]

Unfortunately it seems some of the cruiselines seem to be shying away from embarking from the Port of LA. We're losing RC (with the Mariner leaving). I think NCL is splitting too. Hopefully my fellow left coasters will keep clamoring with the lines to keep ships here so we can avoid having to fly to the east coast.

 

I would definitely suggest to anyone coming here from elsewhere for a cruise to come in at least a few days early and explore LA. There is so much to see and do.

[caribill]

Unfortunately it seems some of the cruiselines seem to be shying away from embarking from the Port of LA. We're losing RC (with the Mariner leaving). I think NCL is splitting too.

 

It's not the port. It is the same repititive MR itinerary that is not attracting as many passengers as in the past.

[jnc411]

I am from the LA area and I believe that if San Pedro would bring Ports of Call village back to its glory days it would have a good response from the cruise public. I remember it as a great place to go for an after noon or evening. But now it is not. HINT San Pedro, clean up and fix up Ports of Call.

Cori

[atlasali]

Any recommendation for restaurants (dinner and breakfast), for things to do or see, would be appreciated. We will be at the Crowne Plaza in Feb. for 1 night pre-cruise.

[star gazer]

Any recommendation for restaurants (dinner and breakfast), for things to do or see, would be appreciated. We will be at the Crowne Plaza in Feb. for 1 night pre-cruise.

 

I suggest the Twenty Second St. Landing restaurant for a late lunch/dinner.

One thing though, it is located about 16 blocks south of your hotel.

http://www.22ndstlandingrestaurant.com/

[goodie2shoes]

We always have their buffet breakfast at the Crowne Plaza for convenience. It's nothing to rave about, but it is pretty good.

 

Dinner is always at the Green Onion, about 1/2 block towards the harbor on 6th street. Easy walk, and old style, Southern California type Mexican food. Actually very good, and the place is full of old photos and things from the past. Fun to visit, and brings back memories for those of us who grew up with this type of place.

[Cruisin' Chick]

It's not the port. It is the same repititive MR itinerary that is not attracting as many passengers as in the past.

 

At least Princess will be having two ships going to Hawaii. If it wasn't for the PVSA law, the cruiselines could have more varied itineraries. But we can dream.

[susieg]

Any recommendation for restaurants (dinner and breakfast), for things to do or see, would be appreciated. We will be at the Crowne Plaza in Feb. for 1 night pre-cruise.

 

We ate at the Acapulco Restaurant (Mexican food) the night before our last cruise. It's right by the water, so we got to watch that night's cruise ship sail by on its way out to sea. It's a short walk from the Crowne Plaza, and the food was good. We haven't eaten at the Green Onion, but it's also very close to the hotel. I definitely wouldn't recommend eating dinner at the hotel as there are better restaurants within walking distance. We do eat breakfast at the hotel though as it is convenient and is included with our room package.

[judyjudy56]

I too wish that Ports O Call would be updated. My grandmother lived in San Pedro and I have many many fond memories of Ports O Call. Our son lives in Torrance and says that on Sundays Ports O Call is one giant hispanic carnival. We drove by there on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and just down the street from Ports O Call there was an alcohol and identification checkpoint.