FreudianSlipper

I'm getting to Long Beach the night before my cruise departs. I'm looking for advice on good places to eat dinner within walking distance of The Hilton Long Beach. The hotel has restaurants but I'd like to eat somewhere else.

How did you win the cruise? Is it something you have to enter or are all passengers entered automatically. I want to make sure I don't miss out!

Thanks everyone! I'll pass this along to her. Sounds like the original plan will go smoothly.

My cruise mate wants to fly home out of Long Beach after the Miracle docks January 14th. I suggested that she could fly out by 12 noon if we dock at 9. Is that good advice or does the proximity of the airport mean she could fly out by 11, or does she need to book a flight that is even later than noon? I'm flying out of LAX at 2:30 so I'm unsure about LOng Beach.

Once again everyone jumps on their own bandwagons and does not answer the OP's actual question. He simply wanted to know if he had to renew his passport before his next cruise since he would be sailing within 6 months of its expiration.

 

The simple and correct answer is no he does not. We should not be getting into the whether or not you need a passport argument because he already has one that is current so why not use it. He also does not need to renew it early as that serves him no benefit for the cruise he is about to take and he can then renew it later at his convenience.

Yes this is what I was asking. :) I just want to be sure that my passport with five months of validity will be sufficient in the event I miss the ship or get sick and have to fly back to the US from Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. It appears that I should be ok with my current passport and can renew it next spring as I had planned to do originally.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

I'm going on a Mexican Riviera cruise in January that embarks from Long Beach. My passport expires in June 2017, five months after the cruise. My understanding is I won't need my passport unless I get stuck in Mexico somehow. Is this true? I plan to bring it but I am hoping I don't need to renew it by January. Thanks in advance!

We had tasty sandwiches at the food truck lol Not kidding!

 

I love food trucks! depending on the weather this might be my first choice.

 

Thanks for all the responses! I have no idea what is where in Long Beach so I appreciate the guidance.

If anyone has taken the Carnival Miracle out of Long Beach, can you tell me if there are any decent places to catch breakfast by the cruise terminal before embarkation? No car so it would need to be within walking distance.

Weather off the west coast and the Pacific Ocean is very different than weather in the Gulf of Mexico!

Once you are in Mexico the temps should be nice but when going from California south in the winter it can be breezy and it can rain. There are sunny areas on deck that can be warm but breezy sooo when you get onto the ship be prepared with a hoodie or light jacket and long pants. You can start wearing lighter clothing as the ship gets farther south.

Good to know! Thanks for answering! :)

I took that cruise in July and it was cool during the day and cold at night until you get to San Diego or further south.

So plan on it being cold in Jan.

That's what I suspected. Thanks everyone!

I'm booked on the Jan 7th cruise on the Carnival Miracle out of Long Beach. My question for those who have sailed to Mexico in January, is the weather generally warm enough on sea days to sit on the deck in a swimsuit enjoying the sun?

What about unlimited soft serve ice cream? I've heard it's available on some Carnival ships, and I'm hoping that includes the Miracle?

For those who have done both, do you have a preference? Is there a difference in tourist safety with one or the other?

If there is a game you want to watch in Sport's Bar...go grab a burger, or whatever from the grill or food from buffet, and bring it in and watch.

 

We did that for last years Little League World Series.

Thanks for that information. That was going to be my next question--can I bring a burger or buffet food to the sports bar. This is good to know as my cruise will be taking place during the start of the NFL playoffs and I'm hoping to catch the Sunday game. Does the sports bar on the Miracle get crowded?

 

So as far as actual meals go, it seems like the Main Dining Room, the buffet and the steakhouse are the choices we'll have (and, of course, room service)?

What is the menu like at Red Frog Pub and the sports bar that is onboard? Can you get burgers and fries or is it bar foods like pretzels and peanuts?

Thank you so much to all of you. I appreciate the answers and guidance!

I'm excited to go on my first cruise next year on the Carnival Miracle to The Mexican Riviera. I've looked through the threads and didn't see this question answered already.

I've read about the sail cards that track how much you owe at the end of the cruise for food and drinks. I'm wondering if it's possible to pay in cash as you go? If not, would you recommend bringing a few travelers checks to add money to my card as needed? I assume the ship accepts travelers checks and I'd prefer that over bringing huge amounts of cash.

 

Also, as I am someone who doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't like soda, will the ship charge me for iced tea, hot tea, or coffee? Those are my preferred drinks.