Quick Pick
Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Port of Long Beach.
Want more options? Browse all restaurants and activities below.
1Where to Stay
Hotels near Port of Long Beach for the night before
Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown
All-suite hotel with kitchens and a Stay, Park & Sail package — the family cruise hotel in Long Beach
$$
The Cove Hotel
Long Beach's original Park & Cruise hotel — free shuttle, extended parking, and a pool the kids will love
$$
Hotel Maya — a DoubleTree by Hilton
Waterfront resort with heated pool, fire pits, and Queen Mary views — the fun option for families
$$-$$$
Hampton Inn Long Beach Airport
Budget-friendly airport hotel with free breakfast and parking — practical choice for early flights in
$-$$
Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach
Modern waterfront hotel with rooftop pool — steps from the Aquarium and family-friendly restaurants
$$-$$$
Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
Dependable Marriott with pool and easy access to family activities — the safe bet for one night
$$
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
Stunning 1926 luxury hotel just reopened — rooftop bar, full spa, and old Hollywood glamour steps from the port
$$$
Hilton Long Beach Hotel
Solid business hotel on the World Trade Center campus — nothing flashy but everything works
$$2Where to Eat
Every restaurant worth eating at near Port of Long Beach
Shenanigan's Irish Pub & Grille
Waterfront Irish pub at Shoreline Village — burgers, fish and chips, and harbor views the kids will love
American
Tequila Jack's
Casual waterfront Mexican at Shoreline Village — tacos, tostadas, and a colorful vibe
Mexican
Naples Rib Company
Long Beach's premier BBQ spot since 1980 — baby back ribs and cozy booths the whole family will love
BBQ
Domenico's Italian Restaurant
Old-school Italian since 1954 — one of the first pizza joints in California, and it still delivers
Italian
P.F. Chang's
Reliable Asian-American chain near the waterfront — lettuce wraps, noodles, and something for every picky eater
Asian-American
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Movie-themed seafood chain on the waterfront — kids eat it up (literally and figuratively)
Seafood
RAKKAN Ramen
Tokyo-born ramen chain on 2nd Street — plant-based broths and rich tonkotsu that kids slurp up
Japanese
Holey Grail Donuts
Gourmet taro-based donuts on 2nd Street — a sweet treat before boarding that the whole family will obsess over
Bakery
Parkers' Lighthouse
Iconic Long Beach seafood house with panoramic harbor views — the pre-cruise power move
Seafood
L'Opera Ristorante
Zagat-rated Italian institution in a grand early-1900s bank building — white tablecloths and zero pretension
Italian
Fuego at Hotel Maya
Latin-inspired waterfront restaurant with skyline views — right next to the cruise terminal
Latin American
Ammatoli
Stunning Mediterranean spot in the East Village — mezze platters and kebabs in a gorgeous courtyard
Mediterranean
The Attic on Broadway
Long Beach's beloved brunch destination — craft cocktails and creative American comfort food
American
The Bamboo Club
Polynesian-inspired tiki bar and kitchen in a lush tropical setting — inventive cocktails and shareable plates
Polynesian-Asian Fusion
Sky Room at Fairmont Breakers
Rooftop elegance in a newly restored 1926 hotel — harbor views, cocktails, and SoCal glamour
New American
King's Fish House
Long Beach seafood institution since '93 — fresh oysters, seasonal catches, and a lively bar
Seafood3Things to Do
Things to do near Port of Long Beach before you board
Aquarium of the Pacific
California's largest aquarium — sea otters, penguins, touch pools, and a million things to point at
Toddlers through elementary age, families who want an easy half-day activity
Shoreline Village Carousel & Boardwalk
Classic carousel, candy shops, and a waterfront boardwalk — perfect toddler-speed adventure
Toddlers and preschoolers, families who want a mellow morning
Rainbow Lagoon Park
Tiny waterfront park with ducks, fountains, and a grassy lawn — ideal for toddler energy burns
Families with toddlers who need to run around before being confined to a ship
The Queen Mary — Deck Walk
Explore the outer decks of a legendary 1930s ocean liner — kids think it's a pirate ship
Kids who love boats, ships, and anything that floats
Mother's Beach
Sheltered beach with no waves and shallow water — basically a giant toddler pool with sand
Families with toddlers and young swimmers who want beach time without waves
AquaBus Ride
Dollar water taxi across the harbor — a mini boat ride that feels like a big adventure to little kids
Boat-obsessed kids, families who want a quick unique experience
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Tranquil Japanese garden with koi ponds, waterfalls, and footbridges — surprisingly magical for kids
Families who want a calm, beautiful experience without crowds
PanIQ Room Long Beach
Themed escape rooms downtown — Pirates of Tortuga, Haunted Manor, and Wizard Trials for groups
Teens who love puzzles, group bonding, competitive families
Belmont Shore & 2nd Street
Long Beach's coolest shopping strip — skate shops, vintage stores, and boba tea on every corner
Shopping-obsessed teens, boba addicts, anyone who wants a chill SoCal vibe
The Queen Mary
Haunted ship tour on a legendary 1930s ocean liner — spooky history right next to your cruise ship
Teens who love history, ghost stories, or anything slightly creepy
Shoreline Village Arcade & Carousel
Classic boardwalk vibes with arcade games, a vintage carousel, and waterfront people-watching
Teens who want laid-back boardwalk fun without a big commitment
Rainbow Harbor Bike Path
Flat, scenic bike path along the waterfront — rent bikes and cruise from Shoreline Village to Belmont Shore
Active teens, anyone who wants fresh air before a week on a ship
Long Beach Ferris Wheel
Waterfront Ferris wheel at The Pike — quick ride with panoramic harbor and skyline views
Quick activity, photo ops, anyone with 30 minutes to kill
Rosie's Dog Beach
The only off-leash dog beach in LA County — even if you don't have a dog, it's pure entertainment
Dog lovers, teens who need to burn energy, beach time
Shoreline Village
Charming boardwalk with shops, restaurants, and harbor views — Long Beach's version of a seaside village
Couples, anyone wanting a relaxed pre-cruise stroll
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
The only museum in the US dedicated solely to Latin American art — a hidden gem in Long Beach's East Village
Art lovers, culture seekers, couples
Long Beach Museum of Art
Oceanfront art museum in a 1912 estate — more about the views and setting than the galleries
Art enthusiasts, couples, architecture fans
The Pike Outlets
Open-air waterfront shopping center with chain stores and restaurants — good for killing time near the port
Shoppers, anyone who needs last-minute cruise supplies
Naples Island & Canals
Venice Beach meets actual Venice — a tiny neighborhood of canals, gondolas, and million-dollar homes
Couples, romantic pre-cruise experience
Harbor Breeze Whale Watching
Whale watching cruises right from Rainbow Harbor — blue whales, grays, and dolphins in the channel
Nature lovers, anyone who wants to be on the water before being on a ship4Getting to Your Ship
World Cruise Center (Carnival)
Passport & Documents
Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.
Last-Minute Stops
Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.
Vons — Belmont Shore
Full grocery store for snacks, water, sunscreen, and anything you forgot to pack
3900 E Ocean Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803
DirectionsCVS Pharmacy — Downtown Long Beach
Dramamine, phone chargers, toiletries, and travel-size essentials
596 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
DirectionsTarget — Long Beach
Everything last-minute — clothes, toiletries, snacks, electronics, luggage tags
2270 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90815
DirectionsUSPS — Downtown Long Beach
Post office to drop off mail before you set sail
300 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Directions5Getting There & Parking
How to get to Port of Long Beach — from the airport and beyond
From Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Cruisers who can find a flight into LGB — the easiest transfer by far
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Most fly-in cruisers — LAX has the widest flight selection
Driving & Port Parking
Cruisers driving from Southern California
Hotel Shuttle Services
Cruisers who want a relaxed morning and don't want to deal with port parking
Uber/Lyft from Anywhere
Flexibility and door-to-door service
Long Beach Transit
Budget-conscious cruisers already staying in downtown Long Beach
6What to Pack
The essentials you'll actually need — plus a few things most people forget
Carry-On Day Bag
Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm
- Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
- Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
- Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
- Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
- Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
- Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready
Cruise Essentials
Things that make the whole trip better
- Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
- Power strip (non-surge, cruise-approved) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. A cruise-approved strip lets you charge everything overnightAmazon
- Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
- Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
Easy to Forget
The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop
- Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
- Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
- Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
7Boarding Tips
1. Download the Royal Caribbean app and complete online check-in
You'll get your boarding group assignment and can set up your on-board spending account ahead of time. This alone can save you 30+ minutes at the terminal. Upload your photo for facial recognition boarding — it makes the security line faster.
2. Arrive at your assigned boarding time — not earlier
They've gotten strict about this. Showing up early means waiting in the terminal with no access to the ship. Your assigned time gets you on the ship fastest. If you have Crown & Anchor status, you may have priority boarding — check the app.
3. Pack a carry-on bag with swimsuits, meds, and essentials
Your checked luggage won't reach your cabin until 3-4pm. Pack a day bag with swimsuits, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and your phone charger so you can start enjoying the ship immediately.
4. Head straight to the pool deck or Windjammer for lunch
The main dining room is packed right after boarding. The Windjammer buffet and the pool deck grill have shorter lines, and you'll snag a good lounge chair while everyone else is still exploring.
5. Book specialty dining and shows on Day 1
Popular restaurants and shows fill up fast. Open the app as soon as you board and reserve your top picks. The chef's table and specialty dinner shows sell out first.