Port of Los Angeles?? About This Page:

[HansenFam]

Does anyone that's back from the West Coast cruise have a report about checking in and boarding?? FIL booked this family trip with AAA for the cruise portion only, so we're on our own for the hotel stay the night before and getting to the port via the hotel shuttle. So any pointers on how to make this go smoothly without DCL's balm would be appreciated! Our first cruise was last summer and we did AAA but all through DCL, so it was a breeze! I'm just fearful that this could potentially be less so....
Thanks!

[geffric]

I am not sure I have the answer but we are taking super shuttle from LAX to the Doubletree at San Pedro. Then staying the night there and taking their free shuttle to the port the next day..

[Marv]

Originally Posted by HansenFam

Does anyone that's back from the West Coast cruise have a report about checking in and boarding?? FIL booked this family trip with AAA for the cruise portion only, so we're on our own for the hotel stay the night before and getting to the port via the hotel shuttle. So any pointers on how to make this go smoothly without DCL's balm would be appreciated! Our first cruise was last summer and we did AAA but all through DCL, so it was a breeze! I'm just fearful that this could potentially be less so....
Thanks!

We just sailed on the June 8 sailing. Can you give me more specifics on what info you want if my explanation below doesn't cover it? Where are you staying the night before? I know where doubletree and holiday inn are in relation to the port.

We stayed at Crowne Plaza before cruise. Getting to port was a breeze! We boarded a shuttle about 10:00 and it took us the few blocks to the port. (Night before they told us first shuttle wasn't until 10:30, no reservations, first come first serve. I got to lobby about 9:45 with instructions to DH and kids to arrive at 10:00. At about 9:50, the bell service guy told us the first shuttle arriving from port would arrive about 10:00 and we could take that. So we did!)

Once at the port, they collect your checked bags outside the building. I had DH do this (make sure you have the disney tags on) while I went inside to get in line (just went up an esculator). We were repeat cruisers, so I got in CC line. Other line was near it. Then we checked in and went around a corner to another part of the building. We were in boarding group 4. On other threads, I read they called 1-3 together, but for our sailing they called each number seperately. Before number 4 was called, I waited in line to check my son into Ocean Quest. At 10:30, a band started playing. It was a little loud for me but sure festive!

Group 4 was called at 11:40. I believe number one was called about 11:30. We pretty much walked right on, got our name called and went to get a spa reservation that couldn't be booked online. Then we went to eat at Parrot Cay and checked out Ocean Quest and The Stack, the clubs our kids would be in. We got a pager from Ocean Quest (although DS age 12 NEVER paged us once, ha!) We got into our rooms about 1:45. We tried at 1:30, but weren't allowed into that area yet (there's a rope type thing blocking access to rooms). Some of our bags were already there, so I sent DH and kids away to explore so I could unpack in peace. Our other bags arrived shortly. They just leave them outside your room.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this or anything else!