BlaakLane.com books Long Beach Cruise Terminal car service at a fixed fare. The terminal occupies the large white dome next to the Queen Mary, 15 to 25 minutes from Long Beach Airport and 35 to 60 minutes from LAX. Your chauffeur drops you at the passenger curb and, on return, collects you from the pre-arranged vehicle area outside the dome.
The terminal under the dome
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is at 231 Windsor Way on Queensway Bay, across the water from downtown Long Beach. Passengers check in inside the geodesic dome that once housed Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose flying boat, and the ships berth alongside, next to the historic liner Queen Mary, now a hotel and attraction. Carnival Cruise Line ships sail from Long Beach, largely on short Baja Mexico itineraries and longer Mexican Riviera sailings. The only road access is over the Queensway Bridge from downtown, which slows when a ship turns around, so chauffeurs plan the approach.
How to book
Pick the airport and flight or the hotel, enter "Long Beach Cruise Terminal" and choose a vehicle. The booker shows one fixed fare, with no meter and no surge. Rides are driven by a vetted local affiliate from the LimousineWorldwide.Directory network, contracted to the BlaakLane.com written standard, and dispatched 24/7 by our Toronto desk; the confirmation names operator and chauffeur.
Airports within reach
| Airport | Typical drive | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach Airport (LGB) | 15 to 25 minutes | Closest; a small terminal with quick baggage |
| LAX | 35 to 60 minutes | Most airlines and all international flights |
| John Wayne, Orange County (SNA) | 30 to 50 minutes | Convenient for Orange County visitors |
| Hollywood Burbank (BUR) | 45 to 80 minutes | Useful from the San Fernando Valley |
| Ontario International (ONT) | 50 to 80 minutes | Inland Empire flights |
Long Beach Airport is the easiest start when your airline flies there. LAX is the usual choice for international passengers, and John Wayne suits anyone combining the cruise with a stay in Orange County. The chauffeur tracks the flight, waits 30 minutes free on domestic arrivals and 60 on international ones, and meets you at the airport's area for pre-arranged cars. At Long Beach, as elsewhere, meet and greet with a name board is an add-on, offered in selected locations.
Sailing day
The chauffeur follows the signs from the Queensway Bridge to the passenger drop-off in front of the dome. Porters take checked bags and tag them for your stateroom. Keep ID, medication and anything needed for the first evening with you. Short cruises board quickly, so arrive at the start of your assigned slot rather than early.
Disembarkation morning
Ships usually arrive at dawn, and the morning runs to a schedule of disembarkation groups after customs clearance. Pre-booked cars wait in the ground transportation or pre-arranged vehicle area outside the Long Beach terminal building. Call or text the chauffeur once you have your bags; the chauffeur sends the exact meeting spot. Pickups at the port include 15 minutes of waiting from the booked time, then 15-minute blocks.
For a flight home, LGB is quick and a domestic departure from about 11:30 am is practical; from LAX, allow the drive plus check-in and aim for after about 12:30 pm.
Staying in Long Beach or Anaheim
The Hotel Queen Mary lets you sleep aboard a 1930s liner a few steps from the terminal. Across the bay, downtown hotels such as the Hyatt Regency Long Beach and the Westin Long Beach are 5 to 10 minutes away. Many families combine the cruise with Disneyland; the Anaheim resort hotels are 30 to 45 minutes from the terminal, and a Sprinter handles park bags and cruise luggage together.
Tours before and after sailing
Hourly bookings, minimum 3 hours, suit a spare afternoon. Near the terminal: the Queen Mary itself, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village and the canals of Naples. Further afield: Huntington Beach, the art galleries and coves of Laguna Beach, or a day in Los Angeles. Your luggage stays in the car. For Long Beach day plans, read hourly chauffeur service and city tours and day trips.
Vehicles by party size
- Two travellers: Standard Sedan, Luxury Executive Sedan or Executive First Class Sedan (Maybach), 2 passengers and 2 bags.
- Families of four to six: Standard Black SUV or Executive Black SUV, 6 passengers and 6 bags.
- Families with lots of luggage or a Disneyland combination: Sprinter Van, 12 passengers and 12 small bags.
- Birthday or bachelor groups on a short cruise: Luxury Stretch Limo (8) or Party Bus (14).
- Light-packing groups: Sprinter Luxury Jet Van, 7 passengers, carry-on only.
Vehicle photos for Long Beach transfers are on the fleet page, and planning ranges are on rates.
Groups and crew moves
Group bookings, company trips and crew changes are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing. For Long Beach group logistics, see cruise lines and ports and group transportation.
Queensway Bay traffic and downtown events
The Queensway Bridge and the southern end of the 710 are the practical ways to reach the terminal. When a ship turns around, the lanes toward the dome back up, and the Grand Prix of Long Beach, usually held in April, closes downtown streets for several days. Conventions and concerts at the Long Beach Convention Center add traffic along Shoreline Drive. The chauffeur watches for these and sets the pickup time with a margin, while the fare stays the same.
Parking or a chauffeur?
The terminal has a parking structure for guests who drive, charged by the day. A private transfer skips that cost for travellers flying in from outside Southern California and saves the search for a space on a busy turnaround morning.
Cancellation
Cancel more than 72 hours before pickup at no charge; 10% applies within 72 hours, 50% within 48 hours, and 100% within 24 hours or for a no-show.
Visitor information is on Visit Long Beach, city and airport information on the City of Long Beach site, and harbour background from the Port of Long Beach. See also Long Beach chauffeur service, Anaheim and the San Pedro World Cruise Center.
