San Pedro Disembarkation - Timing - Shuttle

[daveon]

This will be our first cruise, California Costal April 27th, and I'm uncertain how the process works from the time our cruise ship returns to San Pedro (7am) to when we our flight departs LAX (4pm)

 

There are seven of us and I plan to reserve a private shuttle (Prime Time). I would prefer not to hang around the cruise ship terminal any longer then necessary on the final morning.

 

My first question is, do they serve breakfast the morning of disembarkation and how late can we stay on the cruise ship. According to Prime Time's on line reservation system the earliest time we can set for pick up is 12:25pm. Maybe if I were to call Prime Time they will provide an earlier pickup. Although, I'm not sure if that will be necessary, depending on how late we can stay on the ship.

 

I'm curious to hear how others deal with this situation. I'm not in any rush to get into the airport, however, with seven of us and all our luggage I'm not sure if there's a better option.

 

Just thought of another question. Can our luggage be safely left at the terminal while we go for breakfast in San Pedro and wait for the shuttle, this could be several hours. Also, can luggage be freely picked up by anyone, similar to the airport or is it controlled.

[cr8tiv1]

This will be our first cruise, California Costal April 27th, and I'm uncertain how the process works from the time our cruise ship returns to San Pedro (7am) to when we our flight departs LAX (4pm)

 

There are seven of us and I plan to reserve a private shuttle (Prime Time). I would prefer not to hang around the cruise ship terminal any longer then necessary on the final morning.

 

My first question is, do they serve breakfast the morning of disembarkation and how late can we stay on the cruise ship. According to Prime Time's on line reservation system the earliest time we can set for pick up is 12:25pm. Maybe if I were to call Prime Time they will provide an earlier pickup. Although, I'm not sure if that will be necessary, depending on how late we can stay on the ship.

 

Breakfast is served in the MDR on the morning you disembark. You should try the James Beard French Toast.

 

I am not sure why Prime Time told you 12:25. I have never dealt with a private shuttle. I have made reservations for 9:30 AM and there is always a shuttle waiting. Did you put in your flight time? If so, that may be the reason they are "suggesting" a 12:25 pick up. I modify the times until I get the time I want rather than they time they suggest.

 

I'm curious to hear how others deal with this situation. I'm not in any rush to get into the airport, however, with seven of us and all our luggage I'm not sure if there's a better option.

 

Just thought of another question. Can our luggage be safely left at the terminal while we go for breakfast in San Pedro and wait for the shuttle, this could be several hours. Also, can luggage be freely picked up by anyone, similar to the airport or is it controlled.

 

I would not leave your luggage in the terminal. There is no security at the door when you walk out. AND, generally your ship is on a turn around. That may mean that your luggage will get "accidentally" loaded to go somewhere else.

 

What time is your flight? The last call off the ship is around 9:30 AM. They try to have the ship cleared by 10 to start the embarkation soon after.

 

Renee

[tytan]

I am in a similar situation we are a family of five getting off the Sapphire on March 30th and we have a 4:30 flight out of LAX.

 

I booked a ride to LAX and asked for a 10:30AM pick up time we will take our time getting off the ship and probably get to LAX around noon, a little early so we will get something to eat and hang out for a few hours. I can post back after the trip and let you know how this plan works out.

 

Like the other poster mentioned the shuttle companies base the pickup time on your departing flight time so either change your flight time or call them and ask for an earlier pickup.

[Keith1010]

This will be our first cruise, California Costal April 27th, and I'm uncertain how the process works from the time our cruise ship returns to San Pedro (7am) to when we our flight departs LAX (4pm)

 

There are seven of us and I plan to reserve a private shuttle (Prime Time). I would prefer not to hang around the cruise ship terminal any longer then necessary on the final morning.

 

My first question is, do they serve breakfast the morning of disembarkation and how late can we stay on the cruise ship. According to Prime Time's on line reservation system the earliest time we can set for pick up is 12:25pm. Maybe if I were to call Prime Time they will provide an earlier pickup. Although, I'm not sure if that will be necessary, depending on how late we can stay on the ship.

 

I'm curious to hear how others deal with this situation. I'm not in any rush to get into the airport, however, with seven of us and all our luggage I'm not sure if there's a better option.

 

Just thought of another question. Can our luggage be safely left at the terminal while we go for breakfast in San Pedro and wait for the shuttle, this could be several hours. Also, can luggage be freely picked up by anyone, similar to the airport or is it controlled.

 

No. You can't leave your luggage there. You could not get back in the terminal.

 

Personally, I would be in the last group off the ship and have your shuttle pick you up at 10:00 AM. They will serve breakfast in the morning.

 

Keith

[Splinter]

I have seen San Pedro busy (3 ships) and not have the last group off the ship until 1100, but that is not the norm.

 

Usually you will need to be out of your cabin no later than 0800 or 0830 (depending on the cruise line) so they can get the cabins cleaned for the next cruise...so you would have to sit around in the public areas if you remain on the ship until your group is called. Seats are hard to find, esp. for a group, and public areas will be crowded. The pool, etc. will not be open, nor the bars or casino. With a later flight, you are likely to be in a later disembarkation group as well.

 

Try SuperShuttle to see if you can get an earlier pick up time than what PrimeTime gave you, otherwise you will be sitting around with the people waiting to board the next cruise in the terminal. Also, I have NEVER seen a shuttle company check your flight times or numbers. I have scheduled shuttles a number of times by putting in a fictious flight number and time to fit my needs, and the shuttle companies never bat an eye. Put in a time that gives you a pick-up time that works for you as far as leaving the ship and getting to the airport.

 

Breakfast will be served in both the buffet and dining room on the last day, although the hours will be different than on other days. We nearly always do the dining room as it is less crowded and frantic.

 

Another option might be to take the shuttle to the Aquarium in Long Beach instead of to LAX, where you can store your luggage while seeing the Aquarium, then schedule another shuttle to pick you up there and take you to LAX. You need to be at LAX no later than 2PM for your 4PM flight though.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I have seen San Pedro busy (3 ships) and not have the last group off the ship until 1100, but that is not the norm.

 

Usually you will need to be out of your cabin no later than 0800 or 0830 (depending on the cruise line) so they can get the cabins cleaned for the next cruise...so you would have to sit around in the public areas if you remain on the ship until your group is called. Seats are hard to find, esp. for a group, and public areas will be crowded. The pool, etc. will not be open, nor the bars or casino. With a later flight, you are likely to be in a later disembarkation group as well.

 

Try SuperShuttle to see if you can get an earlier pick up time than what PrimeTime gave you, otherwise you will be sitting around with the people waiting to board the next cruise in the terminal. Also, I have NEVER seen a shuttle company check your flight times or numbers. I have scheduled shuttles a number of times by putting in a fictious flight number and time to fit my needs, and the shuttle companies never bat an eye. Put in a time that gives you a pick-up time that works for you as far as leaving the ship and getting to the airport.

 

Breakfast will be served in both the buffet and dining room on the last day, although the hours will be different than on other days. We nearly always do the dining room as it is less crowded and frantic.

 

Another option might be to take the shuttle to the Aquarium in Long Beach instead of to LAX, where you can store your luggage while seeing the Aquarium, then schedule another shuttle to pick you up there and take you to LAX. You need to be at LAX no later than 2PM for your 4PM flight though.

 

While I started reading the thread, the Aquarium popped into my head too. Get a taxi (or request a more reliable shuttle service than PT) to take you to Long Beach. If you're a member of your auto club, you may be able to take advantage of a "show and save" discount if they still have it. They'll stash your luggage for you while you check out the exhibits. You can eat there there at the Aquarium in their cafe, or get your hands stamped, and either walk over to the Shoreline Village on the waterfront or jump on the free bus that services the area.

 

Make sure to allow for time to get to the airport by the lead time you'll need. If it's a weekday, add some time.

[daveon]

"James Beard French Toast", sounds wonderful, I think.

 

The Aquarium, what a great idea. I'll have to run that by the others.

 

Cruisin' Chick, what would be a more reliable shuttle service. There are seven in our group.

 

As it has been pointed out, for the shuttle, I can simply change the flight time to suite my needs. Can I do the same with the cruise ship so that we get an earlier time off. If we end up going to the Aquarium we'll need the extra time. Wow, this is the complete opposite of my original plan.

 

BTW, I emailed the Aquarium re: storing our luggage and they replied within two hours, "You may check in your luggage at our information desk located inside the Aquarium at no additional cost". Not that I didn't believe you Splinter, just wanted to get confirmation.

 

Excellent feedback, thank you all.

[jbobst]

We are going on the Sapphire in a little over two weeks. You can do a self embarkation I believe and leave the ship pretty early, but that means you'll have to carry your luggage off. We are planning on doing that but, we there are only two of us, and we don't have much luggage. Prime Time should be able to pick you up much earlier than the 12:30pm time. They'll have shuttles there all morning most likely (we scheduled one for 9:30 and they said if we are off the ship earlier, we can ask if we can hitch a ride on another shuttle). I would probably take a cab over to the aquarium, and then reschedule your prime time shuttle for a later time at the Aquarium. I love the aquarium, but I am a "marine" life kind of guy.

 

And as other said, they do serve breakfast, but typically they want you out of your cabins around the 8am-8:30 time frame. Good luck.

[Cruisin' Chick]

"James Beard French Toast", sounds wonderful, I think.

 

The Aquarium, what a great idea. I'll have to run that by the others.

 

Cruisin' Chick, what would be a more reliable shuttle service. There are seven in our group.

 

As it has been pointed out, for the shuttle, I can simply change the flight time to suite my needs. Can I do the same with the cruise ship so that we get an earlier time off. If we end up going to the Aquarium we'll need the extra time. Wow, this is the complete opposite of my original plan.

 

BTW, I emailed the Aquarium re: storing our luggage and they replied within two hours, "You may check in your luggage at our information desk located inside the Aquarium at no additional cost". Not that I didn't believe you Splinter, just wanted to get confirmation.

 

Excellent feedback, thank you all.

 

I used On Time for my last cruise. They actually sent the vehicle to the right location both times. Other people have used services such as Karmel and Execucar (after getting quotes last fall, I basically went "einy, meeny....").

[tytan]

I am in a similar situation we are a family of five getting off the Sapphire on March 30th and we have a 4:30 flight out of LAX.

 

I booked a ride to LAX and asked for a 10:30AM pick up time we will take our time getting off the ship and probably get to LAX around noon, a little early so we will get something to eat and hang out for a few hours. I can post back after the trip and let you know how this plan works out.

 

Like the other poster mentioned the shuttle companies base the pickup time on your departing flight time so either change your flight time or call them and ask for an earlier pickup.

 

This is how it worked for us getting off the Sapphire on March 30th. We selected one of the later disembarkation times because of our late flight time.

Disembarkation was organized but slow we had a 4:30 flight from LAX so we were in no rush. We were out of the room at 8am had breakfast in the Horizon Court then waited for our assigned 10am meeting time in the Explorers Lounge we were called to the gangway at 10:10 and then waited 45 minutes in the line up for CBP, after collecting luggage we were curbside at 11:05 as the CBP lines were slow. We had a private car and were curbside at LAX at noon.

[panamatiger]

This is how it worked for us getting off the Sapphire on March 30th... after collecting luggage we were curbside at 11:05 as the CBP lines were slow.

 

We are on the April 24th sailing of the Golden to Hawaii. It ports back in San Pedro on May 8th along with two other ships. I'm imagining a zoo (7800 passengers expected between the three ships). Can you describe "curbside" ?

The San Pedro website map is not very detailed.I guess I'm concerned about finding the proper Supershuttle location area .

Our pickup time is 10:40 am to be at LAX for a 2 pm flight Thanks

 

panama

[daveon]

Still a few weeks until our cruise, April 26th actually, but I'm considering the Aquarium route.

 

Does the following sound reasonable. Either self disembark or choose an early group disembarkation to ensure we're curbside by 8:30. Take a taxi to the aquarium, opens at 9am. Lunch at Bubba Gump at noon which is located just outside of the aquarium, then private shuttle to arrive at LAX by 1:30. Flight departs 4pm.

 

Im not 100% convinced this is the way to go to save 4 hours at the airport so I still might take the later disembarkation process as outlined by Titan, so thanks for getting back to this thread on your experience.

 

Sent from my GS2 using Tapatalk 2

[Cruisin' Chick]

We are on the April 24th sailing of the Golden to Hawaii. It ports back in San Pedro on May 8th along with two other ships. I'm imagining a zoo (7800 passengers expected between the three ships). Can you describe "curbside" ?

The San Pedro website map is not very detailed.I guess I'm concerned about finding the proper Supershuttle location area .

Our pickup time is 10:40 am to be at LAX for a 2 pm flight Thanks

 

panama

 

 

Don't worry. According to this (unless there's changes): http://www.portsamerica.com/cruise/los-angeles-terminal.html, your ship will be at 93, and the NCL ship at 92 (the Celebrity ship will be slightly to the south, I believe). There is a marque, that will list all of the cruise ships at those berths, that is right where the shuttle vans will enter. Not sure how their vans will get divvied up, but for sure, there should be some outside of 92 and 93. When you leave the terminal building, you will go with your luggage across the street to the "shuttle island." You should be able to see vehicles for the various land transportation companies parked along that island. Just have someone from your party go over to one of the curbside reps and tell them which shuttle you've reserved and you'll be pointed in the right direction (there will definitely be a Supershuttle rep, so you may find him or her on your own).

 

There will be a similar group of vehicles at the berth where the NCL ship is, and undoubtedly for the Celebrity ship too. If you have reserved a private vehicle and the driver went to the wrong location, the rep should be able to get him over to where you are. If the driver calls you, just remind him the name of your ship.

[panamatiger]

Don't worry. According to this (unless there's changes): http://www.portsamerica.com/cruise/los-angeles-terminal.html' date=' your ship will be at 93, and the NCL ship at 92 (the Celebrity ship will be slightly to the south, I believe). There is a marque, that will list all of the cruise ships at those berths, that is right where the shuttle vans will enter. Not sure how their vans will get divvied up, but for sure, there should be some outside of 92 and 93. When you leave the terminal building, you will go with your luggage across the street to the "shuttle island." You should be able to see vehicles for the various land transportation companies parked along that island. Just have someone from your party go over to one of the curbside reps and tell them which shuttle you've reserved and you'll be pointed in the right direction (there will definitely be a Supershuttle rep, so you may find him or her on your own). There will be a similar group of vehicles at the berth where the NCL ship is, and undoubtedly for the Celebrity ship too. If you have reserved a private vehicle and the driver went to the wrong location, the rep should be able to get him over to where you are. If the driver calls you, just remind him the name of your ship.[/quote']

 

Thanks Patty for the great description above.

 

panama