Splendor - Best time to arrive at Long Beach port?

[SuziQT]

We've sailed out of Long Beach before but the Carnival Splendor is a bigger ship than our previous ships. What is the best time to arrive at port to avoid lines?

[SadieN]

Early check in starts at 9:30 at the tables set up in front of the Dome.

Boarding usually starts around 11:30.

 

If you are parking at the pier be warned that Long Beach charges by the day and hour. So if you get to port by 9 and leave after 9 when debarking you will be charged the 7 days plus the extra time at the hourly rate. (Voice of Experience)

 

If you arrive too early the parking structure is a zoo with people leaving.

The cabins do not open until 1:30 so you will have to schlep your stuff around the ship until then.

 

Try around 1 for minimal lines. The only real wait is gettong into the Dome and going thru security.

[glrounds]

Sadie hit it right on the nose. ;)

 

I have early boarding PLATINUM perk so I get there reasonably early. I really enjoy walking around the grounds, with the QUEEN MARY nearby (see WEBSHOTS). I'm a bit of a logistical nut, so I also enjoy watching the string of trucks come in to be off-loaded and loaded onto the ship. So I'm probably an aberration. I like to take pics so getting onboard before almost everyone else is a big bonus for taking shots of the ship without a zillion passengers milling about. Long Beach is one of the most beautifully maintained ports in my cruising experience. :)