West coast cruise newbie needs help

[bedfordmom]

Hello cruise critic friends:

 

As a veteran of (4) East Coast cruises, we have decided to try a West Coast cruise, trying to decided between MOS and Splendor. and realize that they leave from different ports. From Boston it is cheapest to fly into LAX and we are trying to figure out; how to get to those ports and where to return our rental car following a weekend of touring LA. Also how hard is it to get from those ports to LAX at the end of the cruise (probably for an evening flight)

 

Also if people have any feedback on MOS vs Splendor. We have enjoyed Royal as NCL and look forward to trying Carnival. This is a last minute change for us having to cancel our 4/17 Mediteranean cruise due to exhorbitant flights to Venice. Any feedback is appreciated.

[codyboy]

Are you planning to stay over night in CA or leaving same day?:cool:

[jonbgd]

I always try to recomend Jet Blue to long beach/LGB also first bag flies free with them:D

The airport is closer to both ports and less traffic than LAX

You can save money on car rental using Hotwire

Havnt been on the Splendor and going on the Mariner in 2 weeks so I cant give complete comparison

Tthe Splendor usually the rates are cheaper but we got a JS on the MOS for 759pp and couldnt pass it up

Carnival always has good food and service great shows and it is nice and staying at the Queen Mary the night before as we did before our multiple Pride cruises was fun and very convienent

THe MOS has an ice skating rink that supposedly has a must see show

We do like the 2 sea days coming back on the MOS

[codyboy]

We will be heading out to LA area in August to Mariner of the Seas. We at this time have not made our mind yet to leave Saturday or very early Sunday Morning. But we got all the information from hotel about getting shuttle in part of package. Good Luck:)

[yogi2929]

The Mariner sails out of Port of Los Angeles/San Pedro and the Splendor sails out of Long Beach at the Queen Mary. The two ports are about 7 miles apart.

[kathy_bc]

We went on the Mariner last March, and we are trying Carnival in 2 weeks! The only reason we are trying Carnival is that we got an inside room on the SPA level at an insane price. LOVE the thermal suites (tried it on Holland). Will let you know when we get back if we did enjoy it, or if it was too "party boat" for us.

[bedfordmom]

Are you planning to stay over night in CA or leaving same day?:cool:

 

We plan on leaving CA the same day after the cruise.

[Cruisin' Chick]

As stated above, the Splendor leaves from the Port of Long Beach and the Mariner from the Port of LA (which is in San Pedro). So close to each other that some people could stay in a hotel pre-cruise in San Pedro or Long Beach and be close. But more likely more stay in Long Beach as a few hotels will shuttle to either port. There are two recommended (by cruise critic members) in San Pedro which will shuttle to the Port of LA. Wherever you stay, make sure you tell the driver which port, as it could be a pain to be taken accidentally to the wrong port (even though they are close, going to the other one would involve the freeway and a bridge).

 

If you're using LAX, do not schedule a post-cruise flight any earlier than 1pm (noon could be doable, but pushing your luck if there are any delays in disembarkation and any traffic jams -- even on weekends). If you get a flight out of Long Beach airport, you may be able to do an earlier time.

 

The two ships go to the same ports -- maybe in a slightly different order. My first cruise was a MR on a Carnival ship (that's no longer with Carnival), the second MR cruise was on Princess. Haven't been on Royal Caribbean, but rock climbing walls and ice skating wouldn't be a necessity, while no onboard self-service laundry would be a deal breaker.

[jonbgd]

My first cruise was a MR on a Carnival ship (that's no longer with Carnival)' date=' [/quote']

My first was on the Holiday so I know about first cruise ships not being around

[bedfordmom]

As stated above' date=' the Splendor leaves from the Port of Long Beach and the Mariner from the Port of LA (which is in San Pedro). So close to each other that some people could stay in a hotel pre-cruise in San Pedro or Long Beach and be close. But more likely more stay in Long Beach as a few hotels will shuttle to either port. There are two recommended (by cruise critic members) in San Pedro which will shuttle to the Port of LA. Wherever you stay, make sure you tell the driver which port, as it could be a pain to be taken accidentally to the wrong port (even though they are close, going to the other one would involve the freeway and a bridge).

 

If you're using LAX, do not schedule a post-cruise flight any earlier than 1pm (noon could be doable, but pushing your luck if there are any delays in disembarkation and any traffic jams -- even on weekends). If you get a flight out of Long Beach airport, you may be able to do an earlier time.

 

The two ships go to the same ports -- maybe in a slightly different order. My first cruise was a MR on a Carnival ship (that's no longer with Carnival), the second MR cruise was on Princess. Haven't been on Royal Caribbean, but rock climbing walls and ice skating wouldn't be a necessity, while no onboard self-service laundry would be a deal breaker.[/quote']

 

So does Carnival have self-serve laundry?