All Aboard Presidents Week Mexican Riviera February 19, 2012 Wonder

[LKFan]

We are getting in late on Thursday night so are looking for a hotel close to LAX that will fit 6. I am looking at the Embassy Suites LAX North hotel at 9801 Airport Boulevard. Does anyone know what kind of area this is? I have read that there are certain areas around LAX that have frequent gang activity after dark so I am leery to just book it. It looks like it right across the street from some of the car rental agencies.

How late are you arriving? If you are staying at LAX, I would just stay for the one night and then move to another hotel.

Have you decided what you're going to do in LA? That will help narrow down a better location to spend Friday and Saturday night.

 

[juliefsu]

So which race are you doing?

Haven't been running since I've run into problems with plantar fasciitis. I did train for a half marathon while on a cruise a couple years ago. Had to pull off a 10 mile run on the treadmill- it was an Alaskan cruise so running outdoors on deck was NOT an option. The ship was rocking big time, so I had to use handrails quite a bit of the time.

Let me know if you're looking for any pre/ post cruise running areas in San Pedro or the surrounding area.

I'm doing the Modesto Marathon March 18th. I have done a bunch of half marathons but this will be my first full. I'm hoping it's nice outside so I can run around the deck. I loath the treadmill. I don't know if running around the deck will be much better b/c I think you have to run around it 3 times to = a mile. That means I may have to run around the ship 45+ times!! That is why I was looking for other runners. If I don't get a long run in I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I am going to enjoy the cruise but make every effort to run. Hope your plantar fascitis clears up. It is no fun!

 

[samily]

How late are you arriving? If you are staying at LAX, I would just stay for the one night and then move to another hotel.

Have you decided what you're going to do in LA? That will help narrow down a better location to spend Friday and Saturday night.

We are arriving at 9:30 west coast time, so to us coming from the east coast it will be 12:30am. By the time we get luggage and rental car, we probably won't be on the road until 1:30(our time). With 4 kids, I want to get them to bed as soon as possible! Last year our flight came in later than expected and we didn't arrive until after midnight your time - that was tough.

My preference would be to get settled in one hotel and not have to move though, so I will look around a bit more. I'm looking for a hotel that can accommodate 6, includes breakfast, and has an indoor pool. It doesn't look like the Residence Inns have indoor pools, but it looks like the Embassy Suites do.

The kids want to do the Hollywood sites again for a day and spend another day in Santa Monica (I think this will probably be the day we get off the ship). I'm not sure what we will do with the other day - maybe Universal.

 

[samily]

It's off of Century which is the main artery into LAX. Just a bunch of big hotels on that street, so it should be safe. The downside is that there isn't much to see or do there.

Have you looked at El Segundo or Manhattan Beach? A bit further down south are Torrance, Redondo, and Hermosa Beach. All are safer residential areas.

Thanks - glad to hear it is in a relatively safe area. I will look in the other areas too. Are there any areas that we should totally avoid?

 

[LKFan]

My preference would be to get settled in one hotel and not have to move though, so I will look around a bit more. I'm looking for a hotel that can accommodate 6, includes breakfast, and has an indoor pool. It doesn't look like the Residence Inns have indoor pools, but it looks like the Embassy Suites do.

Hmmm, indoor pools. I don't think there are many in So Cal.

As far as places to avoid, there are too many to list. Post what you find and we can let you know what the neighborhood is like.

 

[Bruins]

Thanks - glad to hear it is in a relatively safe area. I will look in the other areas too. Are there any areas that we should totally avoid?

Someone on another thread was looking at at place on Hawthorne Boulevard in the city of Hawthorne- I'd stay away from the cities of Hawthorne and Inglewood.

 

[samily]

Hmmm, indoor pools. I don't think there are many in So Cal.

As far as places to avoid, there are too many to list. Post what you find and we can let you know what the neighborhood is like.

Someone on another thread was looking at at place on Hawthorne Boulevard in the city of Hawthorne- I'd stay away from the cities of Hawthorne and Inglewood.

How about Firestone Blvd. in Downey?

 

[Bruins]

If it's the Embassy Suites in Downey you were looking at, I've actually been there for a dinner meeting. The location is in a suburban/ bit of an industrial area with strip malls nearby.

Given the fact you guys are getting in late, I'd go with the location near LAX over the one in Downey.

There is another Embassy Suites just south of the airport which may be a bit of a nicer area than the one on Century.

 

[LKFan]

I'm looking for a hotel that can accommodate 6, includes breakfast, and has an indoor pool. It doesn't look like the Residence Inns have indoor pools, but it looks like the Embassy Suites do.

The kids want to do the Hollywood sites again for a day and spend another day in Santa Monica (I think this will probably be the day we get off the ship). I'm not sure what we will do with the other day - maybe Universal.

The indoor pool is the hard part. The Marriott in Torrance (down the street from where you stayed last year) has an indoor/outdoor pool. It is a standard hotel so you would most likely need two rooms for six people. There is a promo code for free breakfast (look under deals/promotions). I'm not sure if you have to pay more for the room to get the free breakast or not.

If the pool isn't as much of a priority to you, then there are a lot more suite type hotels in El Segundo and Manhattan Beach.

 

[nhmomofson]

I am getting very excited about his cruise. As Christmas comes closer, I keep thinking about how happy our kids will be to receive this special gift. Also, I love the prospect of having something to look forward to after the holidays. As of now, I have booked an 11 am brunch on tuesday at palo and a whale watching trip in Cabo. Our goal on this trip is to relax and enjoy some family time. What should the weather be like in February? Any tips from past MR Feb cruisers would be appreciated. Hope that all is well with all of you.

 

[LKFan]

What should the weather be like in February? Any tips from past MR Feb cruisers would be appreciated. Hope that all is well with all of you.

Last year we cruised the same week. It was cold in LA (which is probably why Samily is looking for an indoor pool ) but as soon as we got to Mexico it was warm and sunny (80s).

 

[Misako]

We rec'd first mail from Disney cruise state "Welcome back OOO family" So excited.....

 

[threeboysny]

Finally booked our flights! Flying in late Wed. night and leaving on Monday. That will give us time to visit with the grandparents and pick up any things we don't want to lug from home (wine, perhaps?!)

 

[LKFan]

Finally booked our flights! Flying in late Wed. night and leaving on Monday. That will give us time to visit with the grandparents and pick up any things we don't want to lug from home (wine, perhaps?!)

Very cool! What are your plans for the days before we cruise?

 

[samily]

My DH and I are sailing on the Dream 3 weeks before this cruise and we just got our docs for that cruise, so be on the look out for your docs in a couple of weeks!

 

[LKFan]

Wow, it suddenly got silent on this thread. Everyone must have big plans for the holidays.

We're 60 days out and should probably figure out a deadline for signing up for the FE. How about Friday, January 13 as the last day to sign up for FE? Would that work for everyone?

 

[DeannaMKB]

I've been trying to stay quiet as I don't want the kids' surprise spoiled. We are so close!! 4 days!! Wahoo! Hope they are as excited as I am! I think the 13th is a terrific cut-off for the fish extender exchange.
For anyone who is interested, follow this link and input your information:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhGgA6fsMCNxdDN5YkhqNUZKQ1h4ZWZLcUxqeEdvYVE#gid=0

 

[threeboysny]

Wow, it suddenly got silent on this thread. Everyone must have big plans for the holidays.

We're 60 days out and should probably figure out a deadline for signing up for the FE. How about Friday, January 13 as the last day to sign up for FE? Would that work for everyone?

Sounds good to me.

We got a nice surprise from our travel agent today - "the Government Taxes and Fees went down" for our cruise and we're getting a $48 refund. Not huge in the big scheme of things but, hey, we'll take it!

 

[nhmomofson]

The deadline sounds good to me too. Happy Holidays Everyone!!

 

[Misako]

The deadline sound good to me too. Is there any guide line for this group's FE? Are we still set the time to meet in first day?
Happy Holiday to everyone.