HAL in L.A. but not embarking/debarking

[RetiredMustang]

A request to other HAL sailors who may know:

We are booked on Noordam's Panama Canal cruise from Seattle to NYC this fall, and are starting to look at shore excursions. What is there to do in L.A. if you are just visiting, and not embarking or debarking the ship?

I went to the West Coast departure site and ran searches to see if the information may be included, but that site dealt mostly with hotels, getting to piers, etc. -- the things you would want to know if you were meeting the ship there. (Host Kat, if this thread really belongs back on that site, I understand, but I was hoping fellow HAL cruisers may be able to answer my questions).

Here's what I would like to know:

1. Are there HAL shore excursions that don't include a trip to the airport? On the HAL web site, I've looked at L.A. and it seems they offer the same tour three times -- to those who have pre-booked an airport transfer, those who haven't but want to go to the airport, and those who want to come back to the ship. If we take the latter option, do we go on the same bus as those going to LAX? Lord knows, I've seen LAX enough, and don't want to hang on a bus while they unload/load passengers.

2. If we walked off, would we have to go through Immigration (that is, should we carry our passports?). When we came back, would we have to stand in line with those embarking, or is there a way to get back on more quickly? Basically, is it a pain to go ashore in L.A.?

3. Where do HAL ships dock? Long Beach? Is there anything to see if we just walked off? If it's close to the Queen Mary I, that could be a cool tour to take. Is it convenient to take a taxi or the subway to somewhere like Olivera Street?

Does anyone have some advice?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Spinner2]

RetiredMustang, we did the Panama Canal trip out of Los Angeles (we live only about 15 minutes from the port although we seldom go there; very little to do in the area) on the Oosterdam last year and since the ship sizes are similar, I would think that the Noordam will be assigned space on the Long Beach side of the port although on the cruiseport website (http://www.pcsterminals.com/CruiseCalendar.aspx) says they'll use the San Pedro side. San Pedro and Long Beach are on opposite sides of the bay/Vincent Thomas Bridge. From the Long Beach side you could easily go to the Queen 1. On the San Pedro side there is a little port shopping district but it's really not much. There is probably transportation between the two sides; I could find out.

I do see that HAL is offering a tour to the Getty/Rodeo Drive that's not an airport-related excursion. At $50 per person you're really paying transportation only (although the cab fare all the way to the Getty would be way, way more than that) because the Getty, a world-famous art museum, one of our best, is free. It would be nicer if they were planning lunch at the Getty rather than Rodeo Drive; there's a nice unique little restaurant on the premises. Lunch on Rodeo Drive, without reservations, will probably be places you could choose anywhere. They will drive you through some interesting areas; however, who can say what would be the best drive-through, given your limited time and the size of this city?

The distance from the cruise terminal up to the Getty and back is through some of the worst traffic in the nation and I do not exaggerate! Do this with the ship; if the traffic is horrendous they'll have to wait for you. At best this is about an hour and a quarter's trip; it could be as much as 3 hours at the 3 PM time that you'll be on the road.

When we boarded in Los Angeles for our trip that sailing had also originated further up the way--Seattle or Vancouver--and we saw pax freely coming and going through the pass gate. They'll tell you what you need to bring off the ship; some sort of picture ID with your ship card for sure. Given our security level at the port, I would be pretty sure they'll check ID.

If you have special interests please say so and I can try to suggest places to visit that you could do on your own--where I know you can get back to the ship on time!

[RetiredMustang]

Spinner2,

Thanks for the info. I'm not a resident of course, but I have been in L.A. before. Long Beach/San Pedro are quite a ways from Rodeo Drive. I've been there, and found a very nice authentic Italian restaurant just off Rodeo, but that was years ago and who knows if it is still going. DW and I were in Olivera St. a couple of years ago waiting for the Amtrak Southwest Chief to Chicago and went there for lunch, but the power went out! So, we just walked around and went back and ate at the station. We've seen Graumann's, Sunset Blvd., etc. Maybe Chavez Ravine would appeal if the Dodgers were playing that day, but the timing is probably wrong. It doesn't seem like there would really be enough time to do Universal Studios, which I have done but not DW.

Again, thanks for the info!

Dave

[Himself]

Nine years ago I did a relocation cruise and the HAL ship stopped in Los Angeles. There was a tour of Los Angles available for cruisers who were going on to Vancouver. I did a three hour tour of the Los Angeles area before coming back on ship. We docked at San Pedro and it was a good long bus ride into the heart of Los Angeles.

[CruiserBruce]

We are booked on W'Dam's FLL-SEA repo cruise for Apr 2008. It stops at San Diego for the end of a 15 day segment, but we are staying on for 4 more days to SEA. HAL's website currently only list airport/disembarkation excursions- no return to ship excursions in San Diego.

In our case, I am fairly familar with San Diego, and it is extremely easy to tour individually off the ship. I am also moderately familar with docking at Long Beach, and to be blunt, there ain't much there!

For you, hopefully something will be offered. We, on the other hand, will be footloose on our own.

Bruce

[e-CJ]

We will be on the reverse cruise leaving on April 21st from New York. Noordam is scheduled to dock at Long Beach on this one, which is where the Queen Mary is, at least that is what Google Earth indicates. We might visit that, but word has it that there will be other shore tours that can be booked on board for both LA and Vancouver for passengers debarking in Seattle.

For us LA is toward the end of the cruise, so that won't be an issue, but on your cruise it would be nice if they had tours you could book on-line. You might check our roll call for more info http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=308729&highlight=Noordam especially after the cruise.

The cruise ends on Mother's Day. Afterwards, there might be some info posted there that will be helpful about what the offerings for Long Beach and Vancouver actually were.

[Spinner2]

Bruce, when you're in San Diego for the day you can easily walk across the street where you see the Amtrak station, then walk on up a block where you can pick up a city bus that will have you at the Zoo in 10 minutes or so. The San Diego transit website will provide the info you need to get you to the bus and it's really a very short walk from the ship. Of course a taxi would be easy too. There's plenty of time while you're there to get in 3-4 hours at the zoo and it's worth the time. There are some vintage ships along the port area where your ship will be in San Diego that can be explored as well; plenty to do in San Diego that you can do on your own with no fear of missing the sail-away.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

I live in LA and the Getty is a definite must see if you have the opportunity. The gardens are amazing right now and a great stroll for an hour. Chavez Ravine is not really feasible because of traffic.

When I have out of town guests, I take them to Santa Monica. The 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier are fun to see.

Rarely are ships docked other than at the Cruise Ship Terminal in San Pedro. There is an Enterprise rent a car almost across the street from the port, however, in LA Traffic give yourself an hour extra to return to the ship during the week - especially if you haven't driven here.

That being said, we're boarding in LA on May 14th to go to Vancouver on the Amesterdam and visit cruise friends that live in the San Juan Islands!

[boards]

WE are on the Apr 30 Panama Canal cruise that stops in LA then on to Vancouver. Our TA told us we could only book a excursion when on the ship and no on-line. From what I have read above the one that goes to the Getty excursion is the one to take. How the Farmer's Market excursion, call you tell us something about it? How would it compare to the Getty Museum, if it does?
Thank you in advance.

[Host Walt]

WE are on the Apr 30 Panama Canal cruise that stops in LA then on to Vancouver. Our TA told us we could only book a excursion when on the ship and no on-line. From what I have read above the one that goes to the Getty excursion is the one to take. How the Farmer's Market excursion, call you tell us something about it? How would it compare to the Getty Museum, if it does?
Thank you in advance.While this is a question that involves subjective tastes and interests, I would definitely opt for the Getty.

The Farmers Market is a large, multiple stall operation with lots of fruits, veggies and other consumables for sale at regular (not low) prices and a bunch of food stalls. Nothing there that is particularly unique or different from similar operations elsewhere.

Now the Getty is something to behold. High on a hill with gorgeous landscaping outside and a plethora of wonderful artworks inside.

In other words, the Farmers Market is not unique but the Getty most definitely is.

[boards]

Thank you, it is a good thing they wouldn't accept a request to book a tour in LA, because Farmer's Market is where we thought we would go, but your information changes our mind.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

I love the Farmer's Market. It is a piece of Los Angeles History having been built in the 1920's. There food stalls have every possible thing you can think of to eat, aside from the food markets and there are many unique stores for shopping for gifts and souveniers. A cultural diversity of Los Angeles exists there. It is right next door to the Grove, which is a new "Town Square" type of shopping center.

The grounds and exhibits are wonderful at the Getty and having to choose between these two locations, I do not think you would go wrong with either of them - just different types of experiences.

[RetiredMustang]

Thanks to all of you,

It sounds like I should really wait to book an L.A. excursion until I am on board, and then seriously consider the Getty if it is offered. I've done some googling since posting this, and see that the San Pedro pier is a ways from the Long Beach pier where the QM1 is berthed, so that may be difficult to do, but it looks much closer than Universal Studios or Hollywood.

You guys have been very helpful, but I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone on the spring Noordam Panama Canal cruise. St. Louis Sal, maybe?

I've been on the HAL roll calls site, and no one has posted yet for the 9-30-07 Panama Canal from Seattle. I'm a CC rookie who doesn't really know about roll calls, so I'm hesitant to start a thread there because I don't know what I would be getting into -- as OP, would I be expected to set up the meet and greet?.

Again, thanks to all who replied. Your input is much appreciated.

Dave, the Retired Mustang

[e-CJ]

http://www.sanpedro.com/spcom/crusshp2.htm

This link takes you to the web pages for the San Pedro and Long Beach calendars. Noordam is scheduled under Carnival ships for Long Beach on Wed May 9th and San Pedro on Wed October 3rd. So, it will not dock in the same place on your cruise that it will for ours.

The web site also list some local recreation information that might be helpful.

Smiles, CJ

[Spinner2]

I think I'd pick the Getty over Farmers Market too. With the Grove next door now, the Farmers Market isn't as large as it once was--at least it seems to me that it isn't. One exception, though--anyone who has a daughter/granddaughter who loves American Girl dolls, books, etc.: one of only 3 American Girl stores in the USA is in the Grove. If you've been wanting to visit one, that would be your chance; the other 2 stores are in Chicago and NYC. FYI, there's a nice Apple store in the Grove also if you forgot something you need for your laptop or ipod; of course, there are Apple stores everywhere but not in Long Beach or San Pedro.

No matter what you choose, if you don't go with the ship's tour, allow more time than you ever thought you'd need for traffic. Both of the above are in high-traffic areas. Rush hour here is pretty much all the time but rush lasts until at least 10 am on the 405 which is the freeway you need for both of these destinations; it begins again in ernest about 2:30 to 3 pm and will still be clogged and frustrating until 6-7 pm. It can be equally bad both directions.

The one time we sailed out of Los Angeles, the website said "San Pedro" but the ship was diverted to the Long Beach side--or the website wasn't kept current. You may need to alter your plans a bit depending on what they do.