Charting the Course... Airport to Cruise Terminal

Although many of our cruisers are locals and will be driving from the Southern California vicinity not all are! So besides knowing what dock to arrive at to board the Carnival Cruise Paradise Fun Ship. Others may need to decide what airport to fly into and what shuttle they need to reserve.

My personal flight recommendation is Long Beach Airport. Check out Jet Blue for flights into Long Beach and if that just doesn’t work for you, a secondary option is LAX. I recommend Southwest Air as the airline choice, if you can. No charge for two luggages! Oh my latest find? Check out Virgin America as they had great rates and the sale ends 09/21/09. Let me highlight a couple of comparisons between these two airports.

From LGB to Long Beach Cruise Terminal, approximately 7-12 miles one way

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

4100 E. Donald Douglas Drive

Long Beach, California 90808

From LAX to Long Beach Cruise Terminal, approximately 23+ miles one way

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

1 World Way

Los Angeles, California 90045

Our cruise terminal:

The Carnival Cruise’s Long Beach Cruise Terminal
231 Windsor Way
Long Beach, California 90802.
Phone: 562-901-3232

Be aware that you need to go to the Carnival Cruise Long Beach Cruise terminal NOT Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Be sure this is clear in your direction with your shuttle transport. Give them the Windsor Way Long Beach address.

You will need to arrange a shuttle transport from your airport to the cruise terminal. Sorry, I cannot pick you all up ... you all just don’t pay me enough, oh yeah I forgot…this is my volunteer work! So arrange a shuttle, please and we will meet you on deck!

Here’s a suggested option, if time allows. You might consider signing up for Alex’s pre-cruise in Long Beach. This option allows you for a more leisurely arrival and generally Thursday air flights are cheaper than Friday. Lots to see and do in Long Beach, contact Alex for further details about availability for the Long Beach Hilton pre-cruise package. Don’t forget, pre-cruise Hilton deal includes complimentary shuttle to the cruise terminal and parking during your cruise. Click here to reference our blog article that was posted on September 9^th.

Those individuals who can’t do the Pre-Cruise at the Long Beach Hilton and need shuttle service between your airport and Long Beach Cruise terminal here are options to check out:

Long Beach Yellow Cab Taxi

562-435-6111

Ruth responded by email on 09/15/2009 and quoted me a flat rate of $30 for LGB to the Carnival Cruise Terminal in Long Beach and $60 for LAX to the Carnival Cruise Terminal. There are no per person charges and no luggage handling charges. This might be worth coordinating with others to share a shuttle ride and save dollars, give it some thought as you make your arrangements. There are sedans which carry 4 passengers to mini-vans that transport 5 to 6 passengers. There are minimal vans that carry 8 to 10 passengers. But all should be arranged with a reservation and keep in mind gratuity is not included. And reminder the quoted price is for one-way so consider a round-trip deal?

Prime Time Shuttle

800/RED-VANS

As of 09/16/2009, I spoke with Liz and she quoted me for one person, LAX to the Carnival Long Beach Cruise terminal $16 per person and for LGB to the Carnival Long Beach Cruise terminal $16pp. Tip not included. Please be advised that this can take up to a ½ hour to 2 hour shuttle because of additional pick-up stops and traffic. And definitely reconfirm with a phone call

Super Shuttle

800/BLUE –VANS

As of 09/16/2009, I spoke with Ann and she quoted a price of $30 per person from LAX to Carnival LB Cruise terminal and $19pp from LGB to the Carnival LB Cruise Terminal.

To date the Nor Cal travelers below have deposited for our cruise. I have listed their names below and my take on their potential airport departure. It might be worthwhile to coordinate and share the flight and shuttle together?

The following cruisers to date from Nor Cal are:

Reagan Miyasaki (Sacramento)

Tauni Tharp (Sacramento)

Fumiko Miyasaki (Sacramento)

Sean Hagerty (Sacramento)

Andrea Babby (Sacramento)

Martie Norrbom

Gary Heard

Laura Tredinnick (Santa Rosa/SFO)

Dell Tredinnick (Santa Rosa/SFO)

Joe Paine (SFO)

Kris Paine (SFO)

Pat Moudakis

Maureen Moudakis

Photo provided by RTA & Associates

LGB or LAX...which is better?

My pick, LGB ....book early and save dollars!

Lucky for Roger (and me too)…there is a great bunch coming from Northern California to help celebrate on this special cruise. I wanted to let you know that I made a quick peek at a couple of my favorite SO & NOR Cal Airlines. They are Jet Blue and Southwest Airlines. As of 09/16/2006, one-way prices for Jet Blue (SMF to LGB) were $49 to $79 and Southwest (OAK to LAX) $49-$153.

My recommendation is that you fly into Long Beach Airport (LGB) over Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) if you can. What can I say, besides LAX being farther than LGB, it’s like flying out of Oakland or Sacramento verses SFO? Are you getting the picture?????

IMPORTANT… you should plan on boarding the ship around 12noon to 1pm, but no later than 2pm would be my recommendation. Be advised that shuttle services can take up to 2 hours with pick-up and potential traffic. We definitely have traffic in So Cal. So plan accordingly on your flight schedule. My two cent, return flight schedule should be booked for an afternoon flight anything after 1pm or later. Roger and I generally are out of our cabin by 8 or 9am but we take our time having breakfast and getting off the ship. Although those needing to catch an early morning flight can be selected to leave as early as 8am, but remember you still need to take a shuttle to the airport which can be timely. So plan ahead!

Here are some links that I explored to get a feel of the shuttle transportation for the cruise.

Long Beach Airport

Los Angeles International Airport

Flyer Talk

Taximeter

Cruise Critic

Travel Advisor

Carnival Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Wanted to give a heads up as rates have dropped from summer vacations and soon the holiday rates will hit (if not already), so plan ahead everyone “it’s time to chart your course”. We don’t want you to miss the ship.

Photo provided by FlickrDrewski2112J

Pre-Cruise option for Long Beach - Via Alex Kuncio

Alex has informed me of an opportunity for a Pre-Cruise option for an overnight stay at the Long Beach Hilton which includes free parking (while you are on your cruise) complimentary shuttle service to/from the cruise terminal, 2 drinks per room at the hotel Lobby Bar and complimentary High Speed Internet access for $89 per night.

There is much to see and do in Long Beach and this opportunity will be a good chance for those wanting to explore and extend a vacation getaway while on this cruise. Some of the highlights in Long Beach are Long Beach Aquarium, Queen Mary, Pike at Rainbow Harbor and so many others. Still can’t decide checkout the link for Visiting Long Beach to explore fun things to do. Then contact Alex if this sounds like a perfect Pre-Cruise option for you.

Photo provided by Flickr.Mine Beyaz. Long Bch