We drove down from Sacramento the day before the cruise and stayed at the Comfort Inn which offers a package of "cruise and park" for $155.00. The hotel was very comfortable and clean and the package includes breakfast the next day, as well as parking your car for the week, and transportation to and back from the port. Be aware that the location of the hotel is only about 10 minutes drive time from the port, but the hotel itself is located in a rather unsavory part of town.

There were 12 of us on this cruise ranging in age from 9-60+. The other 8 in our party stayed at the Queen Mary for the night, and though that hotel was a bit more regal, they didn't get any sleep due to loud people in the hallways partying and they paid a bit more.

We all got to the dock at around 11:15am and were on the ship by 12:05pm. Lots of different lines, but really no trouble boarding. Bags were outside our room by 2pm. We had cocktails while we waited and bought the kids their soda cards. I had unpacked everyone by 3-3:30pm. Read more