I stayed at the Long Beach Hilton last night. They offer a free shuttle to the port but it was looking like it was going to be at least a half hour wait based on the number of people in line for the shuttle. I took a Lyft instead and just got dropped off. I was in my Uber at 11:13 and dropped off at 11:22.
That’s the Queen Mary where I stayed in 2020 just before the COVID shutdown.
I am actually an hour late for my arrival time so I’m going to have to go in the Early/Late line.
This is the Early/Late line. It’s significantly longer but I don’t hate it because I get to drink more of my “coffee.” I’m in line at 11:26.
That short line on the other side is the On-Time arrival line.
The check-in agents are wearing their leis.
There was a bit of an incident in security. I brought my suitcase through and they found a Bluetooth speaker in it. I got it for Christmas. It was in my suitcase for my two Norwegian cruises in February and March but I haven’t used it yet. Since those are now banned on Carnival I had to take it out.
They didn’t give me the other details yet so I’m thinking I either have to take it back to Texas now or toss it. And remember I’ve had a few brews in me already. So I take it out of the case and they have this covered bin with a hole in the middle. I toss it at the bin like cornhole. It bounces off and lands on the ground. The lady looks at me and says “you don’t want to tag it?” What’s that? You didn’t say anything about that. They fill out a form and bring it to me on the last night. “Yeah, let’s do that.”
I am through security at 11:42. After security there are a few photo ops.
That’s the Captain’s Lounge. The platinum and diamond get to wait in there before boarding. Boarding has already started today so I’m going to get right on the ship.
They are passing out leis to everyone on the way upstairs.
I’m getting the blue one.
The fun part about Long Beach is the ramps. You have to go up about three of these.
I am upstairs at 11:48.
Here is another photo op before you get on the ship.
I am onboard at 11:55. Next time we will cover day one on Carnival Radiance.
