12 Best Hotels Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal (2026)
Long Beach is one of those cruise ports where the right hotel can make embarkation morning almost silly-easy. Stay beside the Queen Mary or around the downtown waterfront, and your Carnival terminal transfer can be measured in minutes instead of freeway traffic.
Quick answer: where should cruisers stay?
If your only priority is getting onto the ship with the least possible fuss, stay on Queensway Bay near the Queen Mary. The Queen Mary itself, The Maya, and Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown keep you on the terminal side of the harbor.
Downtown is better if you want restaurants, the aquarium, and a proper evening out before sailing. Read our Long Beach cruise port guide before booking transport, because Long Beach and the Los Angeles cruise port in San Pedro are separate terminals in separate harbors.
The terminal is Carnival’s white dome beside the Queen Mary, and Visit Long Beach confirms it is the city’s dedicated Carnival embarkation point. That distinction matters when a hotel description casually says it is near the Los Angeles cruise port.
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Budget-Friendly Hotels Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Long Beach is not a truly cheap hotel market on cruise weekends, so “budget-friendly” here means good value for the location rather than bargain-basement pricing. I would pay a little more to stay close rather than save $40 and spend cruise morning fighting traffic from inland Los Angeles.
The Queen Mary
Address: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$150 to US$280 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 0.2 miles, usually 2 to 5 minutes on foot or by taxi
Shuttle: No cruise shuttle is needed for most able-bodied travelers. The Carnival terminal is directly beside the ship-hotel complex.
Perks: Historic ocean liner, restaurants, exhibits, harbor views, unbeatable terminal proximity
Why stay here? You want the closest memorable overnight possible and love the idea of sleeping on one ship before boarding another.
This is not the sleekest modern hotel in Long Beach, and that is exactly why I would choose it. The creaky maritime atmosphere feels wonderfully on-theme, and waking up with your cruise terminal essentially next door is hard to beat.
Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown
Address: 600 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$190 to US$310 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 0.9 miles, usually 4 to 8 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. A taxi or rideshare is the simplest terminal transfer.
Perks: Hot breakfast, full kitchens, larger suites, outdoor pool, harbor-side location
Why stay here? You want breakfast included and enough room to spread out before a family cruise.
I especially like this one for families who somehow arrive with twice as much luggage as they planned. A real kitchen and a proper breakfast remove two small travel-day chores, and the terminal ride is still refreshingly short.
Mid-Range Hotels Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The sweet spot is either Queensway Bay or the downtown waterfront. You get noticeably nicer facilities without moving far enough away that embarkation morning becomes a transportation project.
The Maya Long Beach
Address: 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$210 to US$350 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 0.7 miles, usually 3 to 7 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No routine complimentary cruise shuttle. Plan on a very short taxi or rideshare.
Perks: Waterfront setting, pool, restaurant, resort-like grounds, harbor views
Why stay here? You want to feel like vacation started before embarkation without sacrificing terminal convenience.
The Maya is my favorite compromise between “hotel near the ship” and “hotel I would actually want to hang around.” Grab dinner by the water, sleep without a downtown commute, and leave yourself enough time for one last coffee before the car arrives.
Hyatt Centric the Pike Long Beach
Address: 285 Bay Street, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$180 to US$330 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.0 mile, usually 6 to 12 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. Use a taxi or rideshare around Queensway Bay.
Perks: Rooftop pool, central Pike location, restaurants and shopping nearby, walkable aquarium access
Why stay here? You want a lively downtown evening and do not mind a short car ride to the ship.
This is the pick I would make if I landed early enough to enjoy Long Beach instead of simply sleeping there. The Pike gives you dinner and entertainment outside the lobby, while the cruise transfer remains short enough that it never feels inconvenient.
Luxury Hotels Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Luxury in Long Beach is concentrated downtown, which means you trade a few extra minutes in the car for better dining, spas, and polished rooms. The transfer is still so short that I would not let terminal distance stop you from splurging.
Hyatt Regency Long Beach
Address: 200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$210 to US$390 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 0.9 miles, usually 6 to 12 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. A short taxi or rideshare is the practical choice.
Perks: Harbor views, outdoor pool, on-site dining, convention-center access, excellent downtown location
Why stay here? You want a polished full-service hotel close to both the waterfront and the terminal.
This is the reassuring choice when you want everything to work exactly as expected. I would book it for a milestone trip or a multigenerational group where a dependable lobby, elevators, restaurants, and easy car pickup matter more than quirky charm.
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
Address: 210 E Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$300 to US$550 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.1 miles, usually 7 to 14 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No cruise shuttle. Arrange a taxi, rideshare, or private car through the hotel.
Perks: Spa, rooftop spaces, multiple restaurants, historic architecture, upscale rooms
Why stay here? You want to turn the pre-cruise night into a genuine luxury stay rather than a logistical stopover.
The restored Breakers is the indulgent option, and I would only spend the money if I had enough time to enjoy it. Arrive in the afternoon, use the spa or rooftop, eat well, and then enjoy the wonderfully anticlimactic ten-minute-ish ride to the terminal the next morning.
More Long Beach Cruise Hotels Worth Considering
These six round out the list with more downtown choices plus one lower-cost option farther inland. I would still favor the waterfront for most cruisers, but each one solves a specific budget, space, or brand-loyalty need.
Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
Address: 500 East First Street, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$180 to US$310 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.4 miles, usually 7 to 14 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. Use a taxi or rideshare to the Carnival terminal.
Perks: Heated outdoor pool, restaurant, Starbucks coffee, fitness center, downtown location
Why stay here? You want a familiar Marriott setup with restaurants and the waterfront close by.
Courtyard is a sensible pick when you want predictable comfort without paying for a full luxury hotel. I like it most for cruisers arriving early enough to enjoy downtown but still wanting a short, uncomplicated ride to the ship.
Marriott Long Beach Downtown
Address: 111 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$220 to US$390 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.0 mile, usually 6 to 12 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No hotel cruise shuttle. A taxi or rideshare is the simplest transfer.
Perks: Harbor views, rooftop-style pool area, restaurants, full-service Marriott amenities
Why stay here? You want a polished downtown hotel and a very short embarkation-morning ride.
This is the kind of hotel I would use for a family reunion cruise where different generations all want something familiar. The location makes dinner easy, the lobby is built to handle luggage, and the road trip to the dome is mercifully brief.
The Westin Long Beach
Address: 333 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$210 to US$380 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.3 miles, usually 7 to 14 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. Arrange a taxi, rideshare, or private car.
Perks: Heated outdoor pool, fitness studio, restaurants, downtown convention-center location
Why stay here? You value a quieter upscale room and reliable full-service amenities.
The Westin is a strong choice for travelers who care more about a comfortable night’s sleep than themed waterfront atmosphere. I would book it on a busy event weekend when I wanted a dependable hotel and zero surprises.
Hilton Long Beach Hotel
Address: 701 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90831
Typical rate: US$190 to US$340 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.3 miles, usually 6 to 13 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. A short taxi or rideshare is easiest.
Perks: Outdoor pool, restaurant, fitness center, large lobby, west-downtown location
Why stay here? You want a familiar Hilton and easy road access toward Queensway Bay.
Hilton Long Beach sits on the side of downtown that makes the drive toward the terminal pleasantly direct. It is not the city’s most exciting hotel, but on cruise morning that slightly boring convenience can feel fantastic.
Hotel Mai Downtown Long Beach
Address: 107 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
Typical rate: US$190 to US$280 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 1.3 miles, usually 7 to 14 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No cruise shuttle. Use a short taxi or rideshare.
Perks: Indoor pool, sauna, steam room, rooftop patio, modern rooms, central dining
Why stay here? You prefer a smaller modern boutique hotel over a major chain.
Hotel Mai feels fresh and personal, and the rooftop is a nice bonus if you arrive before sunset. I would choose it for a couple who wants downtown nightlife and a contemporary room without paying for a luxury flag.
Hotel Current
Address: 5325 East Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804
Typical rate: US$150 to US$240 per night in 2026 before taxes and package variations
Distance to port: 5.7 miles, usually 15 to 25 minutes by taxi
Shuttle: No dedicated cruise shuttle. Reserve a taxi or rideshare and allow extra traffic time.
Perks: Outdoor pool, family rooms, free Wi-Fi, lower rates than the waterfront on many dates
Why stay here? You want to save money and do not mind trading waterfront walkability for a longer ride.
Hotel Current is the one I would consider only when downtown prices spike dramatically. It is a perfectly reasonable hotel, but the savings need to be meaningful enough to justify giving up the walkable waterfront and adding another drive.
Best Areas to Stay Before a Long Beach Cruise
Queensway Bay and the Queen Mary
This is the no-stress zone for Carnival cruisers. You are on the same side of the harbor as the terminal, so the map distance actually behaves like the map distance.
The downside is that you have fewer restaurants and shops immediately outside the hotel than downtown. I would pick this area after a late flight or whenever I cared more about boarding smoothly than squeezing in sightseeing.
Downtown and the Pike
Downtown wins for food, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, and a walkable evening. The terminal looks incredibly close across the water, but the road wraps around Queensway Bay, so use a car rather than trying to drag luggage around the harbor.
In summer, the Long Beach Transit water taxis are a fun way to explore the waterfront without treating them as a luggage transfer. I would still use a taxi or rideshare on actual embarkation morning.
Getting From the Airport to Your Long Beach Hotel
Long Beach Airport is the airport I would choose whenever the schedule and fare make sense. It is small, manageable, and much closer to the waterfront than LAX, which is exactly what you want after a long travel day.
LAX offers far more nonstop flights, but Southern California traffic makes a same-day arrival unnecessarily risky. If you are flying into either airport, arrive at least the night before and let the hotel become your buffer against delays.
Carnival publishes current Long Beach sailings and check-in information on its Long Beach departure page. Your cruise documents always outrank hotel advice for terminal arrival time and luggage instructions.
Luggage, Accessibility, and Cruise-Morning Timing
Do not judge an embarkation transfer by mileage alone. Hotel elevators, valet retrieval, bag storage, rideshare queues, and the terminal traffic pattern can add more time than the drive itself.
If mobility is a concern, ask the hotel about a step-free route from room to vehicle pickup and confirm the type of car you need in advance. Our accessible cruise port planning guide has a useful checklist for questions that are easy to forget until travel day.
I would be downstairs with luggage ready 15 minutes before a prearranged car, even at the Queen Mary. That small cushion is much more pleasant than watching your embarkation window tick away while someone searches a luggage room.
Booking Tips
- Confirm that your cruise actually departs Long Beach, not the World Cruise Center in San Pedro.
- Compare parking, destination fees, breakfast, and taxes before deciding which nightly rate is really cheaper.
- Book cancellable rates while flights and cruise details are still moving.
- Tell the hotel you are cruising if you need early luggage storage or a later checkout.
- Keep your embarkation documents and medication in your carry-on, never in checked hotel luggage.
For a broader comparison of California homeports, our West Coast cruise ports guide explains where Long Beach fits beside San Pedro, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver. It is useful if you are still deciding which itinerary is easiest to reach.
Quick Answers
What hotel is closest to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
The Queen Mary is the closest practical overnight stay, sitting directly beside Carnival’s terminal complex. For a conventional land-based hotel, The Maya and Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown are among the easiest nearby choices.
Can I walk from a downtown Long Beach hotel to the cruise terminal?
The harbor makes walking much less direct than it looks on a map, especially with luggage. A short taxi or rideshare is the better embarkation-morning plan from downtown.
Do Long Beach hotels have free cruise shuttles?
A complimentary scheduled cruise shuttle is not standard among the hotels in this guide. Fortunately, the useful hotels are close enough that a taxi or rideshare is usually simple and inexpensive compared with the overall trip.
Should I stay in Long Beach or San Pedro?
Stay in Long Beach if your documents say Long Beach Cruise Terminal or Carnival’s dome. Stay in San Pedro if your ship uses the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, because crossing between the two harbors on embarkation morning adds needless traffic risk.
Final Tips
If I were sailing from Long Beach tomorrow, I would choose The Maya for a relaxed waterfront night, Residence Inn for a family, or the Queen Mary simply because sleeping beside the terminal is delightfully absurd. Downtown makes more sense if I had a full afternoon to enjoy before sailing.
Whichever hotel you choose, arrive a day early and verify the terminal on your cruise documents. You can browse the rest of our cruise port hotel guides if Long Beach is only one piece of a longer trip.
Research note: Hotel names, addresses, facilities, booking listings, typical 2026 rate ranges, and relationships to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal were reviewed in August 2026. Rates, destination fees, parking charges, transfer services, and traffic conditions change, so confirm time-sensitive details directly before travel. CruisePorts.co does not claim a personal stay at every property.
