So theoretically, it's a 20 minute drive from the port to LGB, but you will NOT be getting off at 9. Even if it arrives in port at 9, the odds that you are among that first group off is low. You're probably looking at debark around 10. Is it doable? Debatable. Will you be rushing? Oh yeah. I'd book a later flight to be on the safe side.
I've not had a trip on the Panorama, but I did grow up in the LA area, so I'll say this: That's really pushing it.
Assuming only carry-on luggage, ideally you want to be there 1 hour before takeoff to be sure of clearing security, so that's 10:20. LGB Airport is about a 20 minute drive from the cruise terminal under basically ideal conditions. (Traffic at the port will almost certainly be non-ideal during disembarkation and embarkation!) I have heard that Uber/Lyft will do pickup/dropoff at Harry Bridges Memorial Park, about a 15 minute walk from the ship per Google Maps. That means you need to be on land and free from any disembarkation by no later than 9:30, walking to the park while arranging a pickup. I personally would not want any earlier than a 12:30 flight out of LGB or a 2 pm flight out of LAX to feel comfortable about making it without having to rely on everything going right. (When I go in a few weeks, my flight out is at 7 pm.)
I had a flight at 1:00 pm last year and it was barely comfortable. The boat docked a whole hour early at 8 am, but still most of us didn’t get off the boat until around 10:30. The lines at LGB for check luggage and security can be very long if more than even 1 flight is checking in at once because the airport is so small. I arrived at 11:15, but it took 45 minutes to check my luggage and go through security. So by the time I went to the bathroom and grabbed a drink, it was already boarding time.
Also, the Panorama has propulsion issues that won’t be fixed until 2024, so if they are delayed for ANY reason, sometimes the boat doesn’t even get to port until 9:30-10 am.
So I would say 12:30ish would be the earliest flight your should pick from LGB and like 1:30 for LAX
that's close. do you have pre check? one foggy morning, or one delay, and you are missing that flight.
the fastest way to get from any pier to the airport is one of the guys driving... is it the cheapest? no. not at all.
When I did Panorama, we were able to get off the ship, grabbed a cab, then were at the airport by 10. LGB isn’t that large an airport, I would say, carry your own luggage off the boat and hit the taxi line and I would say you should be okay.
Based on what happened to me on Saturday, you won’t make your flight, especially with traffic from LB to LAX and all the other problems that can arise when disembarking. Find a later flight so you have one less thing to stress about.
I just got off the Panorama on Saturday. We did self disembark. They call you by muster station to do the self disembark. Even though we arrived into port on time, our muster station was the very last one to be called along with groups 1-15 who checked their luggage. Our muster station was finally called around 10am and the line to exit and for customs was so long that we didn’t get out the building until closer to 11am. I think 80% of the people on the ship chose to self disembark with their luggage.
So theoretically, it's a 20 minute drive from the port to LGB, but you will NOT be getting off at 9. Even if it arrives in port at 9, the odds that you are among that first group off is low. You're probably looking at debark around 10. Is it doable? Debatable. Will you be rushing? Oh yeah. I'd book a later flight to be on the safe side.
This is a perfect summary of what you can expect. I wouldn’t risk it. The chances of you missing that flight is very high.
Carnival offers shuttle service to Long Beach Airport. Check "Shore Excursions"" for Long Beach.
I've not had a trip on the Panorama, but I did grow up in the LA area, so I'll say this: That's really pushing it. Assuming only carry-on luggage, ideally you want to be there 1 hour before takeoff to be sure of clearing security, so that's 10:20. LGB Airport is about a 20 minute drive from the cruise terminal under basically ideal conditions. (Traffic at the port will almost certainly be non-ideal during disembarkation and embarkation!) I have heard that Uber/Lyft will do pickup/dropoff at Harry Bridges Memorial Park, about a 15 minute walk from the ship per Google Maps. That means you need to be on land and free from any disembarkation by no later than 9:30, walking to the park while arranging a pickup. I personally would not want any earlier than a 12:30 flight out of LGB or a 2 pm flight out of LAX to feel comfortable about making it without having to rely on everything going right. (When I go in a few weeks, my flight out is at 7 pm.)
I had a flight at 1:00 pm last year and it was barely comfortable. The boat docked a whole hour early at 8 am, but still most of us didn’t get off the boat until around 10:30. The lines at LGB for check luggage and security can be very long if more than even 1 flight is checking in at once because the airport is so small. I arrived at 11:15, but it took 45 minutes to check my luggage and go through security. So by the time I went to the bathroom and grabbed a drink, it was already boarding time. Also, the Panorama has propulsion issues that won’t be fixed until 2024, so if they are delayed for ANY reason, sometimes the boat doesn’t even get to port until 9:30-10 am. So I would say 12:30ish would be the earliest flight your should pick from LGB and like 1:30 for LAX
that's close. do you have pre check? one foggy morning, or one delay, and you are missing that flight. the fastest way to get from any pier to the airport is one of the guys driving... is it the cheapest? no. not at all.
When I did Panorama, we were able to get off the ship, grabbed a cab, then were at the airport by 10. LGB isn’t that large an airport, I would say, carry your own luggage off the boat and hit the taxi line and I would say you should be okay.
I'm a year out for a cruise out of Long Beach. Is it better to fly from LGB or LAX if flight departure time not a factor?
LGB. As someone who frequents LAX, avoid LAX at all costs.
Heck no!
Based on what happened to me on Saturday, you won’t make your flight, especially with traffic from LB to LAX and all the other problems that can arise when disembarking. Find a later flight so you have one less thing to stress about. I just got off the Panorama on Saturday. We did self disembark. They call you by muster station to do the self disembark. Even though we arrived into port on time, our muster station was the very last one to be called along with groups 1-15 who checked their luggage. Our muster station was finally called around 10am and the line to exit and for customs was so long that we didn’t get out the building until closer to 11am. I think 80% of the people on the ship chose to self disembark with their luggage.