lasvegascruising

I have three cruises booked, leaving from Long Beach. Sept 2023 Radiance, Dec 2023 Panorama and May 2024 Firenze. Driving from Vegas in Sept, flying from Vegas in Dec and not sure yet about the mode of transport for May. The hotel prices in Long Beach are so expensive in my opinion. Good luck finding a decent price! I guess it depends on what one considers decent, yes? Driving down in Sept and staying at a Hilton property in Seal Beach, flying in Dec and booked the Westin. I booked a room a while back and got a basic king room for $197. It is now over $400. I hope that when we arrive, we don't encounter any issues. I only say this because there was one cruise we took from Long Beach, had the Residence Inn Downtown booked. When the shuttle dropped us off, we walked to the front desk the clerk said, "I've been trying to get a hold of you, we are sold out". What?? I have a reservation. Well, it turned out okay because Marriott moved us to the Renaissance, paid for the taxi ride over there and paid for the room. My only point of posting is that depending when one is cruising, downtown Long Beach hotels, the ones listed by Bruin Steve, are super expensive. Of course, in my humble opinion.

We have become the folks who carry on all our luggage. For a seven day, we take two airplane type carry-on's and one larger suitcase. We find our way to the lido deck and stay put until it is time to go to our room. We have found that we like to have our belongings with us and when cabins open, we proceed to our cabin, unpack and start our vacation. I have read so many stories here on Cruise Critic of folks not getting a piece of their luggage delivered. This is what lead to my "carry on" only policy. We are the ones that find a spot outside on the Lido deck, grab a drink, one of us gets a plate of food that we share, enjoy the music and watching the other guests that are as excited about the cruise as we are! So much fun!

Yep, same for me. Did the Mexican Rivera beginning of December 2022. The last day back, a sea day, I had on warm clothes all day. Didn't bother me at all. By the last day, I was done with the hot tub, pool, water slides, and hot sun. It was good to be bundled up nice and warm enjoying the ship inside and out. Be sure to bring plenty of "summer" clothes for the days in Mexico as it does get hot. For me, on this trip, it was much colder on the last sea day vs. the first sea day. I was glad I packed warm comfy items.

Oh jmac99, say it isn't so! Only once for the MX Rivera? I've done the 7day cruise 4 times and going on my 5th this December. Each trip we do something different in port and each trip has been on different ships. We live in Las Vegas so it is a little easier to do the Rivera then to fly east. I hope latebuyer gives it a try and reports back.

Mismaloya is a bit far but WOW! So beautiful. You should look into a trip there. I have seen folks rent a car for the day and find their way down there. I have talked to a couple that were staying in PV and took the city bus.

Mike45LC, you are one lucky person. It would be great to live close to a port (not great enough for us to move to another state!). We are going to do our second time driving to a port (out of 14 cruises). Las Vegas to Long Beach in September. latebuyer, we have done both, Mexican Rivera and cruises to the Caribbean. If you have never cruised the Mexican Rivera, you really should. It is amazing in a whole different way. Nicer ship, cheaper airfare, sounds like a win to me.

Great questions and I am waiting for replies. My experiences that worked out well. Fly into Hobby the day before and stay at hotel near the airport (free shuttle to hotel). Took hotel shuttle back to Hobby morning of the cruise, hopped on cruise line bus to port of Galveston. Next, fly into Hobby the day before cruise, booked a shuttle service to Galveston hotel, Uber next morning to port. The only reason we did option two was that I stumbled upon a great price for a room down by a pier and a restaurant on the pier called Jimmy's on the Pier. Please post what your final choice is.

Not sure if you are a hot tub person, but I loved the hot tubs on deck 5(I think that is the deck). I always hit the hot tubs first thing in the morning. I like to be one of the first guests to use them.

john91498, How did Carnival inform you the ship was above capacity? Was it an announcement over the loud speaker, a notice in the cabin? I'm taking a trip on her this September and just wondering how I will know the guest count. I do not want to wait in line for one or two hours to get off the ship or get back on.

I second Little Italy. You could do your own tour by just stopping in at the places that look good to you. A small plate here, a small plate there type of "do your own" tour. I love Filippi's Pizza Grotto. Order a small pizza or sandwich. Also, Princess Pub & Grille, loved it! There are so many restaurants on India Street that you really could have a blast just walking and stopping in at any of the establishments. Don't forget to save room for a "sweet treat" stop. In fact, any of the three areas you mentioned will be so much fun. I think you would have the most fun doing your own tour. San Diego is such an amazing place to visit. Good luck!!

I agree with pinto18. The ferry boat is very rickety. The walk from the drop off point over to the Stone Island beach area is not close and not an easy walk, parts of it are very rocky. Maybe we took the wrong path? I had sandals on and thought I might twist my ankle walking across the rocks. I really had to watch where I put my foot down. It's not crazy difficult but depending on one's age, etc, I would be careful. Water taxi to Medano beach...good luck getting out of the boat and onto the beach. The waves can really toss the taxi boat around and trying to crawl out of the boat via ladder, well let's say I have been banged up. We once just walked to Medano beach but won't do that again, too far. Take a taxi. Medano beach seemed to me to be more roudy. Stone Island was very peaceful and pleasant. Had a good time at both. Good luck and have fun!

The last two times we were in PV, we walked off the ship and there is a company that sells "city" tours. It is in the "port" area so no need to walk out of the gates. December 2022, we paid $35 per person. It was me and hubby and four other folks. We had a nice driver who spoke english and spanish to each of us. The tour was about 4 hours and we covered a lot of spots. I think is it a great price, felt very safe and enjoyed it very much. The vehicle was a large SUV. My husband sat in the front seat next to the driver. I sat behind him and in the bucket seat next to me was another person. Three folks sat in the third row. We were all very happy with our seats and no one ask to switch. After we got back, we walked out of the port area and over to Walmart. That was kind of fun in its own way. Didn't buy anything because we did not have pesos. If you are looking for a simple, inexpensive thing to do, I highly suggest it.

I have two experiences. Last December went to Lety's on Stone Island. Food, drink and ladies restroom top notch. As we were walking back to the dock to catch the ferry boat, a women had a sign set up on her property "bathroom $1". Well, lets say I needed to stop. I gave her a dollar and she gave me toilet tissue. The bathroom was a small building with a regular ole flushing white toilet. Just no sink to wash hands. Saved the day and I didn't have to worry about making it back to the cruise terminal building. We really enjoyed our afternoon at Stone Island.

Many people ask me why I sail with Carnival and I tell them that Carnival has the best lunch choices and evenings are filled with so much stuff to do. I have only sailed on Royal, NCL and Carnival for comparison.

Agree, more fun stuff on the Lido deck on sea days. Bring back some of the classics. Nothing better than laughing like crazy on the Lido deck in the middle of the ocean!

We were there last December and found our way to Lety's. My husband just loved the place and the food. So did I. There are plenty of places to stop for food and drink but I had heard good things about Lety's here on cruise critic so that is where we stopped. This December we are going back and would like to try a different restaurant. Any suggestions?

What did you think of Caroline Picard's comedy? I think she is so, so funny!

Thanks for the info. Not sure what made me think the aft pool/hot tubs were adult only.

I have a trip booked in September on this ship. Besides Serenity area, is the aft pool/hot tubs adult only?

Hi Crooooze, I did just that today, no luck. That is why I thought about cruise critic and asking my question to all of you. Hi Staceyglow, you are probably right. We have been on 13 different ships, and all have been in balcony cabins and we just love it. Last couple of cruises on the Lido deck and love it even more. I'm still hoping I can snag the cabin we both really want. Hi ninjacat123, that is my plan for tomorrow. I need to reach out to a PVP and see what they have to say. Hi icft, the website will not offer to me a cabin that can hold 3 or 4 guests when I only want to pay for 2. If I were bleeding cash, I could book a room for three but only have the two of us show up. Not something I really want to do. Keep the ideas coming and big thanks to the four of you that offered help. I really do appreciate the responses.

I've always wondered about purchasing these cards at the supermarket. How do you use them?

I want to book a cruise, 7 days balcony, the first week of December 2023 which includes December 8(our wedding anniversary). Panorama looks like the ship for us and we want Lido deck for two. None left! I have played around and see cabins for 3 or 4 guests still open on Lido. Will Carnival, at some point, open up these cabins and let a party of two book one of the cabins that can hold 3 or 4 guests?

I was on the Panorama at the beginning of December and did see the silent disco. I didn't join but everyone that did sure looked like they were having a great time. It was on the Lido deck and there were guests of all ages. I also noticed that the head phones came in different colors but I do not know why.

Hi scottca075. Well here goes, The Pacific Inn on Marina Drive. Your thoughts? The only reason I picked this spot is the location. We will arrive the day before the cruise and I enjoy a place that has lots of places to walk to. Also, it looks like it is a easy drive to the port. I really will appreciate your input and suggestions for another place in Seal Beach.

Thanks Buffettfan 225. This is good information. Yes, we live in Las Vegas and have decided to drive to Long Beach for our next cruise. We are trying the four day on the Radiance. We are 11 days away from platinum with Carnival so we are going to get a four day in and then a seven day at the end of this year. If I can catch a good Southwest sale on flights to Long Beach, we may just fly but I am in the planning stages that involve driving. Any suggestions for a hotel close to the port? The Hiltons and Marriotts are really costly. I have my eye on a place in Seal Beach.