Thread: Do you prefer leaving from LA or Long Beach?

I'm narrowing it down on which cruise we might want to book. Do any of you who have cruised out of these ports have a preference? Is one easier to get in and out of? I see that parking is a bit more in LA.
Any insight you might offer is appreciated.

Thanks

Wanda

We are going into long beach in 3 weeks.......our first time to land there. I have heard it is less crowded, heard there are only 4 gates (can't confirm yet) and San Pedro where we sail out of isn't that far away. We are staying at the Westin in Long Beach and have dinner reservations at the Queen Mary for the night before the cruise.

I'll let you know in about a month.......but I can tell you for us........we saved over $400 by flying into Long Beach instead of LAX.........that was good enough reason for us to try it and see.

Jim

I prefer Long Beach...it's not as crowded and the traffic isn't AS bad (I won't say it's not bad, because it's still So Cal!)...

Jodi

How far is it to San Pedro from the LB airport?

I'm a little confused here. The Port of Los Angeles is in San Pedro, the Port of Long Beach is in Long Beach, they are only about 6 miles or so apart, so it's no big deal which one you sail out of. Carnival and some ships owned by Carnival Corp. are the only ships that sail out of Long Beach.

I've actually only sailed out of San Pedro, my only Carnival cruise was before the had the Carnival port in operation.

The Port of San Pedro is huge, the World Cruise Center is where you will board your ship. There is plenty of parking if you are driving to port. The Long Beach airport is closer (by about 7 miles or so) than LAX, but Long Beach airport is tiny in comparison and a much nicer experience.
Make sure you are very clear to your taxi/shuttle driver which port you are sailing out of. I think LAX is around 20 miles from port, LGB is around 12-13 miles. Those few miles can make a big difference.

isujim, you will love dinner on the Queen Mary, which restaurant are you going to? We enjoy Sunday Brunch on the old Queen and have stayed overnight on her, it was a delight. Make sure you enter the ship through the hotel entrance, it's less of a hassle there than at the "tour" entrance. (just in cas eyou haven't been there before, if so, please disregard me!)

The drive is about a 10-15 minute drive. As opposed to LAX to San Pedro which could be as good as 35 minutes or as bad as over an hour!

Great information here!!! Thanks! I'm looking into going a day early and Having dinner on the Queen Mary. Are there any links to that? I'll do a search and see.

Wanda do a search.......I started a Queen Mary thread and got some great information........I'll see if I can find it.........it is probably under the California or Long Beach or San Pedro area's........but I did start one and there is some great information.

Jim

Wanda

It is in the air and hotel section.

Jim

When I cruised on Carnival, they were still using SP so I can't comment on that port. IMO, I wouldn't select the ship based on whether they use LB or SP as they are pretty close.