Western Cruise questions.....anybody?

[Mboothby]

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience with checking it at Port of Los Angeles? What was the process like? How long did it take? What time do you suggest we get there? We're sailing on the Repo and having never been inside Port of LA, I don't know what to expect, as far as embarkation.

Also, anyone who's cruised recently...can you tell me...what kind of coffee do they have on board. My mom wants to know...

 

[lbgraves]

I haven't been on the West Coast cruises but have read many posts that answer your questions. You might want to search for the Live threads from the Magic this summer. It sounds like the system has improved from the first weeks.

 

[pppiglet]

Check in was fine and easy for us. Get there around 10am and you'll be fine. We hadn't been there before and there were people directing you wherever you needed to go.

 

[Eeyorefan12]

I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience with checking it at Port of Los Angeles? What was the process like? How long did it take? What time do you suggest we get there? We're sailing on the Repo and having never been inside Port of LA, I don't know what to expect, as far as embarkation.

Also, anyone who's cruised recently...can you tell me...what kind of coffee do they have on board. My mom wants to know...

We drove through the terminal gates at about 11:15 a.m. We were directed through the parking lot by uniformed guys and drove up to the doors to unload the luggage. It is immediately placed on rolling carts for the crew to load so you don't lug it anywhere. Keep your carry-ons, of course. If you're parking a car, you then drive right into the parking lot. (If returning a rental, those are usually across the street.) If a cab or a friend dropped you off, wave good-bye.

As we walked in the doors, we were welcomed and handed a boarding group number. We were in a Cat 3 room so we didn't need the number but it happened to be number 8. Friends of ours who arrived about the same time also had number 8 and boarded less than 40 minutes after we did. We were directed to escalators to go up to check-in. The lines were amazingly short for that time of morning, I thought. (The agent told me it's different each cruise...sometimes everyone is early, other times they come at the last minute. No way to know, I guess.) Again, we had a separate check-in window for concierge but the other lines moved really fast. Our friends waited only 10 minutes in line. You will be presenting your boarding documents from Disney along with your passport or birth certificate. Once all is confirmed, you're ready to board.

Before boarding, everyone is in a large area with a picture-taking opportunity with Chip and Dale. Not sure what else was might have been going on since boarding began soon after we arrived (about 12 noon.) They called boarding numbers and off people went.

Once you're on the ship, you can go get ressies (if you still need them) and have a nice buffet lunch at Parrot Cay. Your room will not be available until 2 p.m. and you will not have the rest of your luggage delivered until much later in the afternoon but there's plenty to see while you wait.

As for the coffee? I'm not sure what kind it is but I only ordered it once...which was enough. I'm kind of picky about coffee (and I'm from the Seattle area so I get spoiled) so I might not be the best judge for others. Disney would probably tell you if no one here knows. What am I saying? Of COURSE someone here knows!

CB

 

[cruzings]

We were on the July 2 West Coast cruise. We got to the port of San Pedro about 10 am, unloaded our luggage and those with yellow Magic tags (you'll get these with your docs) were whisked away by porters. We showed our docs to security at the entrance and entered the terminal. Disney people greeted us and handed us our boarding number (ours was 4). We proceeded up the escalators and saw the counters. They are divided into three general catergories: US citizens, non-US citizens and Repeat cruisers. After waiting for about 15 minutes, we were able to check in and then proceeded to the "pre-departure" area where we got our kids Lab/Club wristbands/tags (we had pre-registered them online so all we had to do was get their tags). One can also line up to get portraits taken with different characters in their sailor garb. There was a band playing loud tropical music. There was a snack bar outside where you could purchase drinks, etc. We waited there for about 1.5 hours before boarding started. It didn't take long before number "4" was called. It was orderly but we had to show IDs again and this is where our carry-on bags were xrayed and inspected. After that, we walked to the outside corridor where our Embarkation portrait was taken and then it was on to the plank. Entry point to the ship at this port is deck 4. We then went down the stairs to the atrium and proceeded to Parrot Cay for lunch. About an hour into lunch, the guests who came later were directed to Topsiders.

Some differences from Port Canaveral:
1. In Port Canaveral, bags are xrayed and inspected right as you enter the terminal.
2. In Port Canaveral, one can board the ship as soon as you finish with the check-in process. There are no group boarding assignments.
3. Embarkation photo is taken in the "tube" leading to the ship.
4. Entry point on the ship is deck 3, straight into the atrium.
The bottomline, Port Canaveral process is more streamlined and quicker/easier....but it wasn't that bad at the LA port either.

Think that's all. Hope that was detailed enough to help you. Enjoy your cruise.

:thewave: