Pre-Cruise, Hotel Maya, Long Beach

Hotel Maya, Long Beach and Ports O' Call, San Pedro -- January 19, 2014

We had arranged a 4-day Baja cruise for about 30 member ministers of GLACMA on the Carnival Inspiration departing from Long Beach on January 20. We decided to stay at the Hotel Maya, a Doubletree Hotel with the Hilton Group near the port the night before. This will give us an early start the next day plus free parking for the duration of the cruise instead of paying $17 for daily parking at the port. Using the Carnival code got us the cheapest rate, even better than AAA, AARP, or Hilton Honor.

We were upgraded to an oceanview room as Hilton Honor Gold member and were sent to our with some warm cookies for the night. Our room was in Building 3 on the 3rd floor with a balcony overlooking the shoreline. The room was of good size and nicely appointed. We could see the Queen Mary and downtown Long Beach from the balcony.

I thought the headboards were interesting, the pebbles made for a beach-like atmosphere.

Ports O' Call, San Pedro

After settling in, we needed to find a place for dinner. We had not been to the Ports O' Call for many years and wanted to check it out. It turned out that the place went through a lot of changes. Seems like most business in the area were closed down and the place was very quiet, except the part where there were stalls selling freshly cooked seafood. Mariachi bands were playing and many people enjoying their expensive seafood there. We didn't feel comfortable eating there but found the restaurant called "Ports O Call" at the other end of the port and enjoyed a nice dinner.

From our table looking out towards the Los Angeles Port area.

The quiet restaurant with a nice salad bar.

We weren't that hungry, so we ordered an appetizer platter to share. Stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari, artichoke and spinach dip, tortilla chips, and sweet potato fries.

Both Christian and I ordered the Clam Chowder while MOR had the soup and salad bar. Clam Chowder $6, Soup and Salad Bar $14 (MOR ended up paying $12 for the salad bar and the bowl of Clam Chowder, maybe because he had only one bowl of soup). The appetizer platter was $19. Everything was delicious and the salad bar was nicely-stocked with a few sushi items and also caviar.

Entrance to the restaurant

Front of the restaurant. It seems like the restaurant was the only thing that's opened.

Hardly any one in the area. I remember it used to be a busy place filled with tourists before.

Heard that they have plans to renovate this area. I think they need it badly in order to revive this place.