kevmare:

We are doing the same thing as Bill & Brenda.  Leaving Vegas on Sat May 2nd and arriving at LAX Saturday PM.  Hoping to sight see as well.

You can hang out on Pine Avenue if you are arriving late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Unless you want to go to the touristy places like Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, etc., which I wouldn't normally recommend on a Saturday night, you should find plenty to keep you occupied in the downtown area. There are may nice restaurants, bars, and clubs, plus some interesting stores.

 ~ MattInSoCal

Hilton in Long Beach has a cruise special....the rate vary by season but if you tell them you are cruising on Carnival you stay one night and they shuttle you to the pier and you can leave your car there for 7 nights.........It is a great savings on parking and shuttle services...it is like getting the room for freee!

Marriott is opeing a new hotel right down the block from the Queen Mary and they have wonderful stay and sail rates to store the car for a week (free parking for the week).  The Queen Mary has the history but in reality the city hasn't put any money into the hotel in years as it has been in bankruptcy more times than you can count.  Just a thought but I am going to stay at this Mariott.

Mark, you don't say which Marriot. I'm interested, but can't find one near the Queen.

Good afternoon,

If you go onto the Marriott website and type in Long Beach, look for the one that says "new hotel".  It is the one on Queensway which is near the Queen Mary.  They have very good stay and sail packages with free parking for the week.  While everybody would love to stay on the Queen Mary, and I have many times just for fun, it really hasn't been kept up and the prices, at least for the day before our cruise, are way out of line.  Good luck and if you need anything else just let me know.

We're taking a Nov. 8 cruise on the Splendor and thanks to the info on this site, I've also booked the night before at the new Marriott on Queensway.  They have a complimentary shuttle from the Orange County airport and a shuttle to the ship the next day.  The booking agent at the hotel said they offer a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning. 

Thanks for all the info on this site!

We're staying at the new Marriott also.  It is called the Residence Inn and as mentioned it is just down the street from the Carnival Terminal.  All the rooms there are suites and the rate is $169.  This includes your one night stay, free hot breakfast, parking for the week, and vouchers for taxi rides to and from the terminal.  All rooms have a water view and the hotel opened this year.  If you don't need parking, we know the senior rate is $127 which is a good deal for a suite on a Saturday night.

Hi All;

We're staying at the Hotel Maya (right beside the Queen Mary) on the waterfront. It has new owners and has just been fixed up and looks pretty nice. Most of the room s have a private balcony and either garden or ocean views. They also have a stay and cruise rate. Weve stayed at other jdvhotel in CA and love them, they each have their own look, style and personality.

try:

http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/losangeles/maya

I would absolutely reccomend the Queen Mary.  The food there is great.  The history is incredible. (Take the walking tour... cheap, easy and informational!)  There is a nice club to visit on board there, and who knows... you may see a ghost!

Curious to why no one has posted reviews of their pre-cruise stays........??

Anyhow, we have 9 rooms booked at the QM for 1 night on Oct 3, 09. When we get back from our Oct 4 Splendor cruise, I will definitely post a QM review.

We have also stayed at the Hilton in LB before and they are excellent. Shuttle service was great, room was very nice (great beds). Plus they have that free bus/trolly to take you to the pier shops & restaurants. I was very impressed with LB, never knew there was so much to see there.

 I've stayed at the Coast Hotel, the other closest hotel to the port.  It was a very nice green lush and safe property.  They even let me park my car there for the duration of my cruise for free.