Mariner to LGB

[stock2mail]

We are sailing on the Mariner in October and I was wondering if it was possible to disembark and make a 9:56 am departure from LGB.

[jasmith52]

It's possible but not certain. Sometimes they get in late or they have problems clearing customs/immigration etc.

 

Anyway people do such things. Tell the ship that you need to be one of the first off. You will then be allowed to hand carry all of your luggage off and will (perhaps) make your flight.

 

Me personally, I wouldn't do it. Why sweat it ?

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

NO.

 

You are supposed to be at the airport 2 hours prior to your flight to clear ticketing, security and luggage checking.

 

That would mean you would need to be there at 8 for your 10 o'clock flight.

 

Not possible. Book another flight.

[Cruisin' Chick]

You'll have to hope that:

1) the ship isn't delayed getting into San Pedro

2) customs and immigration happens early and quickly (which isn't under the control of Royal Caribbean)

3) you're in the first group to get off (there will be other people who may have nearly impossible flight arrangements too)

4) you have your ride waiting for you

5) no traffic jams on the way to the LB airport (even though it's Sunday, a little accident can cause a major stoppage; even, a car pulled over by a Chippie can cause a backup)

6) no problems getting through security lines quickly

 

And as someone said, the airlines have deadlines to make.

 

Better to have a flight for later on, and if you get to the airport early, you can see if there's room on an earlier flight.

[Bruin Steve]

Well...I'd say it actually IS possible...

 

Sundays in Long Beach shouldn't have that much traffic...

 

LGB is such a small airport that there are never much in the way of lines...and distances through the airport are short...There is really no need to be there two hours ahead of time...one hour should be more than enough...

 

You would likely have to roll your own luggage off the ship to save that step...and arrange to be among the first off...and have a cab waiting for you at the pier...

 

And, yes, you'd have to hope there were no snags with customs and they start letting you off by at least 8 am or so (which isn't necessarily out of the ordinary)...

 

Of course, you'll be stressed all morning...

And, if you miss the flight, LGB doesn't exactly have more flights to wherever you're going too often...

 

So, yeah, if you like to live dangerously, it IS possible...

But it is much better to get a flight out of any local airport noon or later...hang around the ship for one last nice breakfast in the dining room...relax...don't hurry...get off the ship when you're ready and unstressed...have a calm ride to the airport and make your plane with ease...

[akcruz]

Another flight question for you locals. Coming off the Mariner is it a lot more difficult to get to SNA than to LAX? We can save a good amount of money on flights to and from there. Is it worth it? Are there any airports you would stay away from? Don't know the area at all.

 

Thanks

[jasmith52]

Orange County airport is only a couple miles further in distance than LAX from the port of Los Angeles. So no it's not too difficult to get there. You could use Supershuttle or a Taxi or rent a car in Long Beach - Whatever suits you.

 

Orange County airport is smaller than LAX but probably as big as airports in many moderate to smaller-large size cities. That may be a plus to some travelers. Many of the flights out of SNA connect somewhere to get across the country. So you may or may not be able to get a direct flight home from SNA.

 

On the plus side SNA is new and clean. LAX is old, tired, and grungy.

 

If you can get a good deal out of SNA then I suggest you go for it.

[akcruz]

Orange County airport is only a couple miles further in distance than LAX from the port of Los Angeles. So no it's not too difficult to get there. You could use Supershuttle or a Taxi or rent a car in Long Beach - Whatever suits you.

 

Orange County airport is smaller than LAX but probably as big as airports in many moderate to smaller-large size cities. That may be a plus to some travelers. Many of the flights out of SNA connect somewhere to get across the country. So you may or may not be able to get a direct flight home from SNA.

 

On the plus side SNA is new and clean. LAX is old, tired, and grungy.

 

If you can get a good deal out of SNA then I suggest you go for it.

 

Thanks! We can get a direct flight from Newark (NJ) for about $30 less pp than LAX, and we have 4 people so it add up quick. Times are quite as good, but . . .

[Bruin Steve]

Orange County airport is only a couple miles further in distance than LAX from the port of Los Angeles...

 

Well...Not exactly...

 

SNA is a lot further from the port in San Pedro than LAX...

20 miles from San Pedro to LAX

34 miles from San Pedro to SNA

 

Some other airport distances:

LGB - 15 miles

Burbank - 37.4 miles

Ontario - 57.3 miles

 

The taxi to John Wayne (SNA) will cost you more...and the traffic is not necessarily any better...it will take you longer to get there just because of the distance.

 

The pluses are that it is a smaller airport, so easier to navigate and less confusion than LAX...Burbank and LGB are smaller still...

 

But, if you get a good airfare and flight times and have plenty of time to get there, it is a good option.

[jasmith52]

Just for fun I went to the PrimeTimeShuttle (shared Van) website. (http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/cruise_ship_service.htm)

 

4 people SNA to the Los Angeles Cruise terminal was $75

 

4 people LAX to the Los Angeles Cruise terminal was $64

[kenish]

My vote would be SNA, and not simply because I live nearby. As others have said, SNA is small and easy to navigate. From curbside to gate will take no more than 30 minutes. LAX on the other hand is very large and user-unfriendly and sometimes the security line is 5 minutes and other times it can be 90 minutes with no rhyme, reason, or predictable pattern. True it's 15 miles farther to SNA but the 15 minute longer drive on a Sunday morning is worth it to avoid LAX hassles.

 

I presume you're taking CO, they have several nonstops from SNA-EWR and quite a few connections through IAH.

 

Also check Karmel and Super shuttle, you may see a better fare; along with Prime Time, they are all good.