sailing out of los angeles...

[mikeblum]

we have sailed out of miami...ft lauderdale and san juan...doing the caribbean on all...we are lookintg for something different...we have checked out both hawaii and the mexican riveria...hawaii is way to expensive and i'm not all that excited about ncl...and we needed a 7 day or 10 day...which airport is closest to the san pedro pier and has anyone done a pre-nite and what hotel did you use...we're thinking feb or march of 2009...the vision is leaving this route to be replaced by the mariner...looking for some good feedback...THANKS...

[RoofingPrincess]

I just sailed the Vision out of San Pedro. Flew into LAX the day before and stayed in San Pedro at the Vagabond Inn, which was very close to the pier. It was simple basic accommodations, I was not all that impressed. It was right on a busy street and I could hear traffic all night long. But there was a free shuttle to the pier.

There was a Holiday Inn right next door which looked a lot nicer (but was probably a lot more expensive) and I wondered if it was built any better to keep out the noise.

And we walked a few blocks down the street to a restaurant called Baja Fish Market which had fish tacos to die for. And a little further down the street was a CVS where I picked up a few toiletries (including sunscreen) that my son's girlfriend had forgotten, plus two 12-packs of soda (they like Dr Pepper and Mt Dew, neither of which is available onboard).

It was a good itinerary, for me mostly because I finally got to meet a bunch of Cruise Critic friends face-to-face. I didn't book any excursions in Cabo but did tender ashore and was not at all impressed with what I saw close to the port. We had fun with a privately booked excursion in Mazatlan. I thought the Town, Country & Tequila excursion through the ship in Puerto Vallarta was pretty uninspiring; too much time sitting on a bus and the tour route kept going back and forth on the street near the pier. No opportunity to explore in the interesting-looking downtown part of the city, but plenty of time at a stop at a jewelry store. The "tequila factory" isn't one. It's an exhibit regarding how tequila is made (with a "then and now" comparison) with a tasting and opportunities for purchase (of tequila, lunch, and various items such as jewelry and souvenirs).

Good mix of sea days and port days. Vision was a nice ship; I haven't sailed Mariner.

[mikeblum]

roofing princess thanks for the input...we'll remember to stay away from the vagabond inn...the fish taco's sound interesting...doesn't sound like the excursions are all that great for this itinerary...we were thinking the mexican riveria becuase it was different and in everyone's price range...any idea of how much the cab was from lax to the hotel...

[silentbob007]

I did my first cruise out of LA at the end of May. I was looking to go as cheap as possible (instead of being at the beach, sightseeing, etc). I flew into LAX and got a room at the LAX Westin for $50 on Priceline. I used the hotel's free shuttle the next day to go back to the airport to catch a PrimeTime shuttle to the port for $17. Definitely not the most glamorous of arangements, but it worked well for me. :)

[Majesty Fan]

We sailed out of San Pedro in Sept for the Hawaii cruise on Radiance. Embarkation and Debarkation was a nightmare. Ship was late getting previous passangers off. We were there at 1130pm and still have passangers getting off. We stayed at DisneyLand and had Prime Time pick up was for 10.00 am did not show until almost 11am. No organization at that part of the pier. Monarch looked much more organized. getting off was an issue did not get off until almost 10am and was in the customs line by 715am. Again used Prime Time to go back to DisneyLand. Driver had no idea where it was even with a GPS. So it took nearly 2 hours to get to the hotel. We are on Serenade again but are going to San Diego for 2 maybe 3 nights and plan to drive up the afternoon before the cruise but have not seen good reviews from either the Best Western, Holiday Inn, or Vagabond. Double tree is about $130 and Crown Plaza is around $180. We may just drive in from San Diego that am. I think it is just 2 hours away.

Lexi

[dirtgirl]

I have been to the Mexican Riviera 3 times - twice on the Vision and once on the Carnival Pride. I love going down there!

 

I have stayed twice at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, and once at the Hyatt in Long Beach. I would stay at either one again. The Crowne has a free shuttle to the pier, is clean, and is not on a busy street.

 

There is lots of info about these ports in the Mexican Riviera section.;)

 

There are oodles of excursions to choose from in Cabo and PV, not so much in Mazatlan. People seem to prefer private excursions in Mazatlan. I have kayaked, ziplined, parasailed, rode horses, gone waverunning, mountain biked, and have done the America's Cup Regatta in those ports. So yes, there is a lot to do down there!

[ccletzgo]

You might consider flying into Long Beach instead of LAX. If its possible. Jet blue goes into long beach and so does US Air.

 

Gives you more options of a nice place to stay, plus the route to the port is a bit shorter and more scenic..

[dirtgirl]

The cab fare from LAX to San Pedro is about $60. SuperShuttle and Primetime Shuttle charge $17 per person.

 

Long Beach Airport is closest, but fewer airlines fly into it. I know from Vancouver I would have to transfer planes, and I don't want to do that on such a short flight.

[Mitch LV]

We have sailed out of San Pedro 5 times.Use Price line for 3 star hotel and you should get Crown Plaza.It is a good hotel near waterfront and a short walk to many restaurants.Fly inot long beach if posssible Super shuttle is about $18 to hotel and hotel shuttle is free.We paid $65 for hotel last month.

[megsterl]

we flew into lax rented a car and drove to long beach, where we stayed at the westin long beach, which was gorgeous and we paid under a hundred a night. We then were able to explore long beach a little crossing over to the queen mary and taking a haunted ghost tour and what not. The Westin Long beach had a shuttle that brought us right to the terminal it was SO nice.

[mikeblum]

thanks for the feedback...the long beach thing maybe a problem...your not going to get flight to long beach from minneapolis...so i would have to change planes in los angeles...makes no sense...the crown plaza sounds ok to me for a hotel...

[hunnypot1]

I will say that Port Security and U.S. Customs is very serious business in the Port of Los Angeles...

Getting through U.S. Customs in Port Everglades last week was a snap compared to Los Angeles. For example, at Los Angeles last January when we disembarked from the Monarch, we were questioned IN DETAIL about the $2 puca shell necklaces we bought as souveniors for our children.

Where did we buy them?

Were they handmade?

For a minute there, I thought we were gonna lose 'em!

Just be sure to fill out your customs form accurately and be patient... cause it is going to take a LONG TIME.

While sailing out of the ports of San Diego and Los Angeles, the Monarch was escorted by coast guard boats with crew members manning a REALLY BIG GUN mounted on the bows.

I am sailing out on the Monarch again in January from the Port of Los Angeles...so I am not letting the delays stop me. Just goin' with the flow... :)

[RoofingPrincess]

roofing princess thanks for the input...we'll remember to stay away from the vagabond inn...the fish taco's sound interesting...doesn't sound like the excursions are all that great for this itinerary...we were thinking the mexican riveria becuase it was different and in everyone's price range...any idea of how much the cab was from lax to the hotel...

We used a shared ride from Prime Time Shuttle :( ; it was $16pp from LAX but was the ride from H3LL!!! Our driver had a blackberry and every time it rang she took it out to read it - WHILST FLYING DOWN THE HIGHWAY!!!! The other passenger in the van was going to her parents' house, and the driver had a lead foot thru the narrow residential streets as well. At one point, my seat belt locked up (as they do in danger) and never loosened up until the driver put it into park in front of the Vagabond.

Post-cruise, we had already booked a private van from Prime Time (we had a fourth passenger for the return trip to LAX, so the private price divided by 4 people was only $2pp more than the shared price) and the driver kept hanging around and trying to put other people's stuff into our van. He wouldn't listen to us that we had a private van, and the dispatcher had so much going on that we sat for a while until our driver finally was given the OK to go.

I was not at all impressed with Prime Time but the price was right. Not sure if I'd use them again.

[RoofingPrincess]

I will say that Port Security and U.S. Customs is very serious business in the Port of Los Angeles...

Getting through U.S. Customs in Port Everglades last week was a snap compared to Los Angeles. For example, at Los Angeles last January when we disembarked from the Monarch, we were questioned IN DETAIL about the $2 puca shell necklaces we bought as souveniors for our children.

Where did we buy them?

Were they handmade?

For a minute there, I thought we were gonna lose 'em!

Just be sure to fill out your customs form accurately and be patient... cause it is going to take a LONG TIME.

We got waved right through coming off the Vision - don't think they even LOOKED at my form! Guess it all depends on who's working that day!

[dirtgirl]

I read somewhere on the boards that there were a lot of BBB complaints about Primetime, many more than Super Shuttle. They were both trying to get my business last month, but I walked by Primetime, much to his disappointment.

 

They do circle the airport a few times looking for more passengers, and that took an extra 25 minutes.

[mikeblum]

great info...sounds like pre-nbite hoteland gettong to the hotel on a shuttel maybe a little more stressful then either miami...ft lauderdale or san juan...but then again los angeles is bigger then any of the other 3 cities...

[louanne93]

I have been to the Mexican Riviera 3 times - twice on the Vision and once on the Carnival Pride. I love going down there!

 

I have stayed twice at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, and once at the Hyatt in Long Beach. I would stay at either one again. The Crowne has a free shuttle to the pier, is clean, and is not on a busy street.

 

There is lots of info about these ports in the Mexican Riviera section.;)

 

There are oodles of excursions to choose from in Cabo and PV, not so much in Mazatlan. People seem to prefer private excursions in Mazatlan. I have kayaked, ziplined, parasailed, rode horses, gone waverunning, mountain biked, and have done the America's Cup Regatta in those ports. So yes, there is a lot to do down there!

 

I just got two rooms at the Crowne Plaza for $65 each on Priceline. Where is a good place to go and get our water and soda for the ship? Anywhere within walking distance? And what time do you suggest we get to the port on Sun.?

Thanks!

[dirtgirl]

I just got two rooms at the Crowne Plaza for $65 each on Priceline. Where is a good place to go and get our water and soda for the ship? Anywhere within walking distance? And what time do you suggest we get to the port on Sun.?

Thanks!

 

 

Sorry, but I didn't take water or soda on the ship, so I can't help you there. There is a small store inside the lobby of the CP, and I am struggling to remember what is in there. Perhaps someone more familiar with the San Pedro area can help you there. I'm pretty sure that they had water and soda there, but individually instead of in cases. You could call the CP and ask, or use Google map to see if there are any stores close to the CP.

 

They have a free shuttle that leaves on the hour and the half hour. I have arrived there around 11:45 - noon. When we boarded last month, it took us only 15 minutes from when we arrived till we were on the ship! Mind you, we were in the Platinum/Diamond checkin. The wait in the other line did not look that long, either.

 

The Crowne is clean and the staff is friendly. The gym isn't that great, though, if you are into a daily workout routine. For $65 on Priceline, I can live with that for a day!:rolleyes:

[louanne93]

Sorry, but I didn't take water or soda on the ship, so I can't help you there. There is a small store inside the lobby of the CP, and I am struggling to remember what is in there. Perhaps someone more familiar with the San Pedro area can help you there. I'm pretty sure that they had water and soda there, but individually instead of in cases. You could call the CP and ask, or use Google map to see if there are any stores close to the CP.

 

They have a free shuttle that leaves on the hour and the half hour. I have arrived there around 11:45 - noon. When we boarded last month, it took us only 15 minutes from when we arrived till we were on the ship! Mind you, we were in the Platinum/Diamond checkin. The wait in the other line did not look that long, either.

 

The Crowne is clean and the staff is friendly. The gym isn't that great, though, if you are into a daily workout routine. For $65 on Priceline, I can live with that for a day!:rolleyes:

 

Thanks Carol~I appreciate the advice. I am sure I can find a store somewhere close to pick up soda and water. I just booked a private shuttle through sky limo for $69 from the airport (for 6 of us) and $66 from the ship back to the airport on the way back!! Can't beat that for all of us!

[dirtgirl]

Thanks Carol~I appreciate the advice. I am sure I can find a store somewhere close to pick up soda and water. I just booked a private shuttle through sky limo for $69 from the airport (for 6 of us) and $66 from the ship back to the airport on the way back!! Can't beat that for all of us!

 

 

That sounds like a great deal. ;) The shuttles are cost effective for 1 or 2 people, then other options start to look attractive.

[JJ2sail]

I can also recommend the Hyatt Long Beach or Crowne Plaza, San Pedro and have also used Primetime and Super Shuttle with no problems.

[JJ2sail]

Dreaded Double Post

[JJ2sail]

I can also recommend the Hyatt Long Beach or Crowne Plaza, San Pedro and have also used Primetime and Super Shuttle with no problems. Got Hyatt for $65 on Priceline and Crown Plaza for $72 on Hotwire.