I recently charted a yacht for employee appreciation week at the company I own. We all had a…read moredelightful time, except for the Executive VP who barfed into the harbor--an unlikely and smelly chum--and caused the fish to start floating belly up in the water! (AG, you know who you are, lol). Other than that mishap, it was a fantastic experience, and it made me consider participating in a yacht timeshare myself. Boating makes me want to quit my career and travel the world by sea. But alas, Wifey likes her diamonds, and I like my luxury cars...

Poor customer service and poor quality of boat. I have to…read moresay it's difficult for me to write this review as my family and I were very much looking forward to spending a beautiful day on the bait to celebrate my dads birthday. And all though we still made the best of it it really did not live up to what was promised and the amount of money we paid. So let's start with m: 1. The address did not match what was listed on their Yelp page and created a lot of confusion and frustration especially since we had kids with us. I had to text the owner, Mario, and he gave us another location to charter form which was not at all what was listed on their page. 2. Not sure if the captain of the day,Noah, was having a bad day or what but he was definitely not in the mood to greet us properly. He was very short, not so friendly and barely spoke to us during our ride. 3. The boat was not like the photos they presented or posted on Yelp. I even texted the owner and asked him to send me a few photos of what the boat will look like. It was definitely dirty, the coaches were so damaged and dirty they had black clothes over them. One of inside couches was wet, my uncle sat on it unknowingly making his pants wet and him uncomfortable for the rest of the ride. 4. The table surfaces were all damaged & chipped. We had to be careful for the kids not to get splinters when they would approach the table to grab something to eat. 5. Worst of it all was that we only watched cargo shipments for 2 hours!! On our phone call with Mario mentioned we can go through the canals and even get a far glimpse of the Queen Mary but we didn't. We even asked Noah to take us the other way around into the open water and he said no he needs to this way first (meaning by the cargo shipments). It was very disappointing since it was my dads actual birthday and the experience was completely robbed from us. It's very sad that we wasted over a thousand dollars and didn't receive what we had paid for. And I even texted Mario afterwards telling him our concerns but didn't get a reply back. Poor customer service.

I took the 2 1/2 hour Whale Watching & Dolphin Tour. I've always wanted to see a whale…read more When you check in you get a paper ticket and they tell you which dock you go to then you line up. There was a lot of people in line. I was in the middle and thought I wouldn't get good seats, but I ended up sitting outside in the front. The boat is really nice and big. The front is the best place to sit with a good view of the whales and dolphins. The inside was packed and you don't really see a lot and sitting outside in the back you could smell the fumes from the engine. I did see dolphins and whales - the mom and the calf. They had a couple of experts talk about the whales and dolphins. We were past Newport Beach when we finally saw the whales. We spent a good amount of time seeing them. Then we went back. It's gets windy. It was a fun experience.

When you say the trip is at 3:15...and you don't start loading UNTIL 3:15. It is currently 3:30 and…read morewe are still just BAKING IN THE HEAT!!!!! LAME I realize there is a downstairs that I could sit in-WHY WOULD I DO THAT??? 3:32 Finally started the engine.

One of the best experiences in my life! Everything was very smooth, the captain Andrey is really…read moreattentive and nice. He also asked all my questions about sailing and even showed some tricks. The price is really affordable. Highly recommend!

From the owner: Take your trip with experienced captain to open ocean and enjoy all moment! You will have a chance…read moreto see wildlife and beautiful sunsets! Also you can take a trip to Catalina island and explore underwater life!

POSITIVES +1) The crew was very friendly…read more+2) The boat was very clean. Especially the galley and restrooms. +3) The narration from tour guide was informative and easy to hear over the loudspeaker. +4) I appreciate them taking precautions with COVID like requiring masks and having a separation window in the galley. +5) The galley snacks are reasonably priced. You can bring your own snacks if you like. We did. +6/-6) The crew does accept tips. For our experience I would absolutely have tipped. But because of -2) below I did not because that had my unused $40 ticket fee already that was not refundable. I felt that was my tip instead. See below. NEGATIVES -1) The access to the boat IS NOT handicap accessible. I did not see this warning on their webpage when we ordered a ticket for our 75 year old mother. If I missed the warning I apologize. -2) Tickets are non refundable once you order. This was noted on their website. We ended up loosing (1) $40 ticket cost because our mother was not able to go. It would have been nice to have been offered a voucher to come back at a later date considering, A) you had our money already, B) 1 return voucher would have obviously turned into other purchased tickets and not just the one person and they would have gained more fees. -3) Because tickets are non refundable I do not recommend buying them in advance. Although you save $5 by buying early you may end up loosing out if your whole party doesn't end up going like we did. Just get there at least 30-45 minutes early and get in line. You'll be fine.

We did the Harbor tour and really enjoyed it! A nice way to take in some fresh sea breeze. The…read morestaff was super nice and knowledgeable. My main complaint is that I wish they wouldn't blast music the entire time, esp as it sort of ruins the experience. I took a tour a year back and there was no music. I also wish there was a little less chatting through the intercom and more time for quiet to enjoy the scenery. Other than that we enjoyed it!

Reservations: Do your booking on their website: https://catalinaexpress.com/schedule-fares/ or call…read morethem at: (800) 805-9201. Discounts: No discounts here. Costco use to sell Catalina Express gift cards. They haven't sold them since covid. Parking: There's a parking place and a shuttle bus that takes you from the parking lot to the terminal. About $22 for all day parking. Ferry's Ambiance: The ferry's are relatively clean, has a decent amount of seats inside and outside, and a couple of working unisex restrooms. The boat ride is about an hour long. So make sure you take your Scopolamine or any other sea sick pills. If you schedule a evening ride back, please do yourself a favor and seek shelter inside or wear a lot of layers of clothes when sitting out. It's get a bit chilly and slightly wet. Sightseeing: You'll be able to see the famous vincent thomas bridge and a lighthouse nearby. When you get closer to Catalina Island, you'll be able to see the Casino. Food and Drink Of Choice: Haven't had any food or drinks, but they do sell them. Note: You're able to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks onboard. Catalina Express For Thought: Only company that shuttles you to Catalina (Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point) besides Catalina Flyer (Newport). I guess i'll have to travel via Catalina express.

2024 & 2025 | San Pedro | The Catalina Express is always a fun adventure with friends or when I…read moretravel solo! Great customer service, speedy ride & well-organized! I also love the great vibes of everyone excited to get to Catalina Island, it's awesome!! On Board | Plenty of seats, upstairs and downstairs of the boat! It also depends on which boat arrives, one is bigger than the other! I like sitting on the inside of the ferry & glancing out of the large windows! Sometimes there are Catalina Express Magazines on board to look through! Restrooms are inside of the building, as well as on board! Tickets | Buy online! $42 each way! I always buy a round-trip ticket, as sometimes, especially on holidays, the ferries can be fully booked; sold out! Also, if you need to change the time on your booking, it's $5! Parking | Plentiful! $22 per day! Free for the 1st hour! $2 afterwards! Refreshments | Cafe | Upon arrival, inside of the building and on board! I usually go to the café inside of the building and get a freshly made egg and cheese burrito to go...so delicious, especially with the side of salsa! There are tables and chairs outside to sit down and eat! Arrival | Arrive early to get a great seat, as there are no assigned seats! Customer Service | Incredibly friendly! You're greeted by someone who scans the ticket on your phone, as you're boarding, as you hand your one item/luggage(23″x23″x37″, also allowed 1 carry-on) over to the baggage handler, on board and during the trip! I've gone back-and-forth to Catalina so many times that some of the crew and I recognize each other! Hahaha! Larger Ferry Arrives | There are tables & seating and some areas! Instead of having over your luggage, you wheel your luggage onto the ferry! Other Passengers | On my first ferry ride, a day trip, I sat near a solo traveler from South Asia! We ended up talking plenty, had plenty in common, including travels and she joined my friend and I throughout the day exploring Catalina Island, was so much fun! Overall | I'm always excited to board the Catalina Express, as there's always an adventure in store! Let's go!!

We use these docks during the summer for loading scout to go to summer camp on Catalina Island…read more High quality facilities in a great location.

The best idea the Port of LA ever had Now visiting boaters…read moretie up and enjoy the Museum and the restaurants and soon the new Ports O Call! This Harbor despite its size had nowhere for a visiting boater to tie up and spend some money! I only hope the new Ports O Call developers add more dock space for boaters to tie up down there as well. Plus hopefully the owners of the Queen Mary should add some visiting boater docks because who loves to tour a ship more than anyone... boat owners! Look at the success across the channel over at Rainbow Harbor and the visiting boat docks over there-- always full of boaters spending money on souvenirs, food and drink.. Bring your boat or a group of boats over to the downtown marina in LA right in front of the USS Iowa and tour the ship, go inside the Maritime Museum next door-- its only like $2 or eat across the street at The Grinder--(awesome burgers) cheap date :) Take the free trolley ( on tires not rails) to several points of interest in the area!! Even the kids can climb on one of the Queen Mary's propellers laying on the grass right next to the docks :0 And no I don't work for the Port... I'm just a boater who uses the new docks and my kids love going-- Keep up the great work POLA in making our Port the most fun, family oriented Port in the US....

I found Boat & Bottle when looking for a memorable experience to take my wife on for our first…read moreValentine's Day as a married couple, and I am very glad I did. Captain Sebastian was super friendly and a fantastic communicator, making sure we had all the information we needed to make it to the launch ramp on time (directions, parking, etc.). We got lucky and caught a SpaceX launch from the boat, which was surreal to see. We opted for the V-day package which included flowers, chocolates, and balloons and really added to the ambience. Overall it was a magical night, and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique date night.

I booked a boat and bottle for my sister's birthday. Captain Sebastian was kind, communicative, and…read morean all around amazing host! We will definitely be booking again!!

Jake is so kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating. His vessels are also well-maintained. I highly…read morerecommend.

We drove two hours in Friday primetime traffic just to do this sunset tour with Glass Bottom Boat…read moreand it was so worth it. Our group was 4 adults, 4 kids, and our dog and everyone had a blast. I had done one of those regular glass bottom boats before and it was honestly boring. This one is way different. The boat has two levels. You start on the top deck cruising King Harbor where you get to see sea lions, and then go downstairs into this cozy underwater room with huge windows on both sides. You can sit right next to the glass and watch fish swim by like you're in a tiny underwater aquarium Captain Erik was amazing. He was hilarious, super interactive, and thoughtful. He noticed when one of my friends didn't have a jacket and made sure she wasn't too cold, let the kids try on the captain's hat, and somehow made everyone on board, including a few strangers, feel included. The sunset was beautiful, the ride was smooth and easy for kids and dogs, and it was way better than we expected. If you're in the South Bay and think you know what a glass bottom tour is, this one will surprise you. I get TERRIBLE seasickness and I did not feel sick for a second! Totally worth the traffic and we'll definitely be coming back.

I live in Long Beach California. World War 2 battle ship in my backyard…read more I highly recommend this Naval Battle ship tour. You can spend literally hours on the ship. Plenty of knowledgeable to soak up. God Bless the US Navy!! I recommend.

Went on a Saturday with a friend whose father was a mariner. The ship has a colorful and diverse…read morehistory. Hosting Presidents, involved in conflicts spanning decades, numerous upgrades and refits. For a military history nerd like myself the experience was unforgettable. We did the self guided tour and spent time absorbing the videos and explanations posted throughout. The volunteers were more than happy to answer questions and provide additional information. Seeing how the 16 inch guns operated especially sustaining the rate of fire they did was unbelievable. I came away with a new level of respect for those sailors. There is a lot of history here and is worth taking the time to learn and share it.

There are two major cruise ship ports in the L.A. area: Long Beach and the Los Angeles World Cruise…read moreCenter in San Pedro. Carnival sails out of LB while Princess, Crystal, and NCL sail out of this one. Both terminals have their pros and cons, but I slightly prefer the San Pedro port over Long Beach for several reasons. First, parking here is super easy. There's a large open and uncovered parking lot that has plenty of spaces. Expect to pay around $23 per day to park. It's easy to drive here, but the surrounding area is pretty industrial. It's safe, but those vacay vibes don't kick in until you're actually on the ship. Check-in can be a mixed bag. When it's organized, it moves quickly and smoothly. When multiple ships are leaving at once, it can feel crowded and a little chaotic. Security and boarding are fairly standard, but this port employs an outside private security company. That means the employees can often be surly and downright rude. I guess it's good they keep us all safe, though. If you arrive before your specified time, be aware that you WILL be standing outside in the direct sun. There is no shade, no overhang, and no seating. It's best to arrive late rather than early. Once you are inside the terminal, there are rows and rows of chairs where you can sit and wait to board the ship. The terminal has restrooms and usually cups of tap water are provided while you wait. Boarding the ship (especially Princess and NCL) is pretty painless and simple. Of course, it helps if you have an elevated repeat customer status on a cruise line because you'll get to bypass a lot of the lines (but only inside the terminal). Dropoff and pickup via rideshare is also easy, and there are plenty of porters waiting and eager to take your luggage. Be sure to throw them a tip if you let them take your bags! Traffic folks keep the flow of cars moving pretty quickly, and it's so much more efficient than the total clown show at Long Beach. Overall, the LA World Cruise Center is functional and no-frills, and that's all it needs to be. Not exciting, not awful, and just a reminder that the real vacation starts once you step onboard.

$23/day for parking. Just a lot, no garage like the Long Beach cruise terminal…read more Tap your credit or debit card when you enter and tap when you leave.