Los Angeles ADVICE NEEDED - Cruising on NCL and We Need Your Tips!

After several cruises with Royal Caribbean, we are going back to NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) and our next voyage begins in Los Angeles. Here's the problem: we don't know what to do. Take a look at our itinerary and other plans and help us figure out what some fun options would be!
#cruise #cruiseline #losangeles

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[stevewebster]

Take a trip over to Catalina Island. Ferry’s leave every morning . Great little island with some fun restaurants and bars .

[norinechang]

Cabo San Lucas-- I recommend watching the sail-in around breakfast. You go through a row of white patrol boats, past that arch, and drop anchor. Prepare to tender in.

[lorindaesposito]

Hi Morgan, long time viewer. First comment. I just want you to know I'll never tire of the drinking fountain moment in your opening. 😅

[cyoda]

Catalina ferry is a great idea. Some cruise ships even stop there. I’d stay in Santa Monica which has a fun beach, a great pier with activities and tons of bars and restaurants plus shops. You can Uber to the rest of LA from there without breaking the bank. For a splurge consider Shutters on the beach for a great and very nice hotel …

[InvisibleVisible]

I finished "Getting Stitches." OMG Brad AND Bart. You have had a blessed life, but you sure paid your dues. You wrote a roller-coaster-book; I think it's in your nature....giggles. No one wants to spend time reading a book that's predictable, kudos to you and your delightful sense of humor.

[KathyMcLaughlin-bh]

You should visit the Queen Mary. In fact, stay on the Queen Mary. It's right next to your cruise ship's dock.

[EW-cqyv]

I agree with the previous comment. Catalina Island is a great day trip and you can catch a ferry there to spend the day. There is also The Getty Villas and Gardens which are amazing. Hope you have a fun trip!

[duanscott]

Though You'll be near long beach, I'm pretty sure your NCL ship will be actually leaving from the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro. The terminal at Long Beach is pretty exclusive to Carnival and occasionally, their sister brands. Having said that, the Queen Mary would be a good choice of pre-cruise hotel. This will require an Uber or Lyft over to the port of Los Angeles, however. And as others have suggested, an excursion to Catalina would be great. The Naples area of Long Beach is cool, with restaurants and bars and their gondola rides. Happy Cruising!

[AussieInUS]

Hey Morgan, I bought a copy of your book and read it while on the Bliss. I left it in the ships library. In case you're looking for something to read!! 😂

[ericmanner]

1. The BLISS is a beautiful ship built for Alaska. It has the best observation lounge. This same design was revamped on the other Breakaway Plus ships and filled with more balcony cabins. Not having been on the Prima class ships, the BLISS is my favorite.

2. Catalina is a great day trip, or longer. Just be aware that if there are no cruise ships in port or no special events happening, it could be a quiet place, BUT still, kewl.

3. San Diego zoo? (rental)

4. Puerto Vallarta -kewl

5. Cabo - kewl

6. Maz - STAY ONBOARD!
The place is generally unsafe for independent travel. Organized trips have encountered serious problems in the past involving crime, although the area inside the port facilities is secure. It's a great day to enjoy the BLISS and its toys and drinks package.

ALSO - Mazatlan is currently on the U.S. State department list of "Are you fucking high" travel alerts.

Have fun and Keep the Peace

[DznyGirl]

I live very close to Long Beach. If you’re staying in Long Beach, there’s the aquarium and the pike area that you can walk around. There’s also Belmont Shore that has a lot of small shops, restaurants, and bars to go to. I think you’ll be very disappointed in Magic Mountain as it has definitely gone downhill over the years and is attracting not the greatest element.

[happycruiser]

Catalina Island is exactly what you are looking for. We were there once on Princess and had a great day, eating and drinking.

[susanr]

Rent a car or uber to Getty VILLA, very very good. Take some free tours, go before noon.
The Getty Museum is also very good.
Drive out thru Malibu, eat at famous eatery, hang out at point Dume if sunny day.
Spend 1/2 a day touring Venice canals then 1/2 at Venice Beach, hopefully catching a drum sundown.
Spend 3 or 4 days driving north/south along pacific coast highway to so many sites Monterey, Salinas, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara etc.

[ericmanner]

Forgot to say,

Either stay at Crown Plaza, or Double Tree by Hilton in San Pedro.

[georgianapage]

I love the Getty museum and gardens in Los Angeles.

[davidellison]

NCL uses the San Pedro Cruise Terminal, not Long Beach. Long Beach Cruise Terminal is owned by Carnival, so only Carnival brands use that terminal. We took a Royal Caribbean cruise from San Pedro and NCL uses the same dock.

The Battleship Iowa is right next to the San Pedro cruise terminal and offers tours.

[happycruiser]

Have been to Cabo and Puerto more than once. Both times we just wandered around in port. Puerto V has what they call the Malecon which a huge long walk along the water. Full of wonderful bars and restaurants. We also did a cooking class there once. In Cabo the one time we took a boat out to the rock with the hole at the bottom when the tide is right, sand in every crevice of our bodies, but it was fun.

[norinechang]

If you go to amusement parks, you will have to put up with lots of LA traffic; none of those are particularly close to the cruise ports.

I'd say Long Beach probably has more things to do than San Pedro, especially if you are without a car.

[Claire.L]

Mexican Rivera on Bliss was my first post "rona" cruise which was so special and memorable to be back on a ship! Cabo had the best whale watching ever but I was there in March, I'm not sure if the same would apply to November. Mazatlan we just stayed on board, it was me and my BFF and we had heard that going off ship independently was probably not a great idea for 2 women traveling without our spouses. In PV we took the ship excursion to Las Caletas as I think that is the only way you can get to that private beach. The day before the cruise we just had a relaxing day at the Westin in Long Beach, I had hotel points that I used for the booking. I hope you two have a fabulous time! If you get your Haven upgrade we will need all the tea!

[sarasue]

Loved loved Cabo. Been back a couple times by air. Hated Mazatlan, and enjoyed Puerto Vallarta. Have fun