ATSEAMYLIFE

I feel your pain. We recently moved from CA to San Antonio and it's cheaper to fly to Germany than to Sacramento.

As pointed out, SF is a very compact city. I would look more for something in your price range rather than something close to the port. We use to do several long weekends a year when the price was right and would do Union Square mostly and Financial District second. Uber is everywhere and within seconds of you most of the time.

Just follow signs to "Ride Share" and when you are on the bottom floor of a parking garage and think you're lost because you can see any signs take the elevator to the top floor of the parking structure and that's where the ride share drivers pick up. Your RSVP will have pick up number on it so you stand by that number. I got lost and had to ask a cop and he was going up there so I just followed him. If you Google Earth SFO and find Terminal 3 parking you can see the pick up area on the roof of the garage.

SF is a rather compact city I wouldn't get hung up on "minutes" to the port. I would look more for a nice location (near the port isn't) and also price. We visit SF often and tend to go to the Union Square or Financial District area. You won't find any shuttles, but SF is Uber's HQ so they are minutes away from where ever you might be. Uber from SFO is easy once you find the pickup spot. They send all the ride shares to one location on top of a parking structure and when you book it will show which "number" you should stand at. It's easy once you figure it out.

We spent a few days in Nice after a river cruise and we loved the city. You will be happy if you just walk on your own. We found a great beach front place La Galet and spent several hours there. Service was slow and we felt ignored at times, but learned that's the Nice way. https://www.galet-plage.com/

We have stayed several times at the Gallery One Doubletree great price, nice large rooms on the water with a water taxi stop in front. Great places to eat across the street at the mall. You can walk to the beach. A little more pricey would the the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort but it's right on the ocean with awesome views and amenities. Plus we loved Lulu's Bait Shack on the beach for dinner and drinks.

SNA is my go to airport for southern parts of LA/Orange. Just navigating the airport makes it worth the little bit it might take to get to the port. Security is much easier, it's smaller, and seems cleaner. But due to flight hour restrictions the schedule isn't as good.

Take the helicopter it was awesome.

We did the Rhone and there never seemed to be a lack of bikes. We did outside of summer vacation so not a lot of younger parents with kids. I would guess half were used at most ports.

We didn't ride them, but they looked very decent and well maintained. One day we did a quick stop at a small pier and off loaded several people and bikes. We were probably stopped less than five minutes. They met with somebody on land along with the cruise director got off. We headed on down the river and we would see them periodically along the levee trails. They met up with us when we docked for the night, sure seemed like a lot of fun.

Not sure the river cruise to see the Christmas Markets is your best choice. We are doing the Emerald Sky December 2025 AMS-ZRH. We did an Avalon last year on the Rhone and I didn't see many people using wheelchairs or scooters. At some ports it might not be an issue, but at others it would be impossible. We had a couple of port stops where we rafted and you might be able to use them to get off. We had another where we rafted but had to go up to the sun deck walk across to the other ships sun deck and then down steep stairs with tight turns to the gangway. I think if you can manage to get the wheelchair to the pier and you can walk to the pier you would be good. If you can't walk up/down steep stairs you might have an issue. There are a few ships that have elevators that go to the sun deck, but I don't think there's many. Good luck I hope it works out. Maybe look at a land tour for the Christmas Markets.

Friday evening is the worst and pray it doesn't rain or there's a big crash or three day weekend. Saturday morning will be a walk in the park. If I didn't get in before 1400 hrs at the latest I would stay in the LAX area. Unless you wait until after 2100 hrs it won't be worth the time in traffic and that's on a good day.

I think it all depends on how long of a travel day and when you get into LAX. We stayed on the QM many years ago and it's a wonderful bit of nostalgia.

Then my vote would be Il Foraino or the bay dinner cruise.

One of my mom's fav's. It had been very good but we haven't been in five years.

Truer words were never spoken. I use Uber all the time both in the US and Europe and it's amazing how we did without it.

Eric is dead on, plenty of hotel shuttles from LAX but no hotel does a shuttle to the port. You might consider a Carnival shuttle from LAX if they offer one. We did that on RCL from Orlando airport Grand Hyatt after spending the night after a late flight the day before.

You won't find any hotel shuttles that will do that route. You will find plenty of shuttles from LAX to hotels near LAX. But from the LAX hotels to LB you will have to hire somebody. Best to just price shop for LAX hotels and see what rates you like. We always stay at the Hilton LAX as we like the shuttle, rooms, location, food, and bar.

I'm Hilton brand loyal and we stayed at the Doubletree. It wasn't one of my best experiences at a Hilton property. We got in late and the shuttle to the ship was sold out so we had to RSVP an Uber. Rooms were a little tired and dark. We ended up with a 3rd floor room overlooking the courtyard and there was a wedding reception with very loud music. I went down to the front desk and asked how much longer and they told me they had to shut down at 10:30 PM, which I'm good with but come 11:15 and then 11:30 I'm not OK. Pro: the food at the restaurant was excellent as was the service. It sits directly on the marina with outside meal seating so much better view than the CP. I would stay again but would book a marina view room.

Now that's the way I would do it. My mom and dad lived on Coronado at the Landing and there's several very good places to eat near the ferry landing and the trip isn't bad also. Now if you want to go 1st class book a dinner or cocktail sunset bay cruise.

I'm Hilton brand loyal and have stayed many times at the Hilton directly across the street from SNA. In fact have walked a few times to/from. The hotel has a very nice restaurant if you don't want to walk. There's an IHop, El Torito, and Gulliver's all within walking distance and not bad. Personally I would just eat at the hotel. Yes those times should be good for avoiding traffic.

It's not near the cruise terminal but a short trolly ride into Gaslamp our fav is Louie & Mickey's. Just avoid it if there's an event at Petco. https://www.louandmickeys.com/

We found it rather calm almost like being on a lake most of the time.

Eddie V's (steak and seafood) is good and in a cool area. It doesn't open until 4:00 PM however.

Still a great place to stay.