Catalina Express — Attraction in Long Beach

Just arrived off the boat from Avalon to Long Beach 8/4/2023. The boat was for 2:15pm. My family and I got to the general ticket line (not commodore lounge), about 2 hours early. It’s hot, I have a 1 1/2 year old daughter who is simply just not happy. Finally, commodore lounge begins to board. We have been coming to Catalina for YEARS, generations have passed now but we carry on the tradition because it’s a must. As many of you know, the Catalina express policy does not allow you to stroller down a child, you have to be holding them while going down the ramp. As mentioned, we are FIRST in line in the general ticket line. Commodore lounge has just about boarded when my daughter becomes extremely uncontrollable and simply does not like being held. I turn and ask Joe, one of the crew members in a blue shirt taking tickets to let me and my daughter go on now (mind you we are not cutting, we are first in line). He ignores me and laughs. Then he allows stragglers from commodore to get on, making us wait another 15 minutes. None of those people are ready, have their tickets out, etc. and it’s frustrating. I’m annoyed now, it’s hot, and my daughter is screaming. In a stern way I say, ‘can you please let us on now.’ He takes our ticket and I begin to take my daughter down on my hip. I get about a few feet down the ramp when under his breath he says ‘stop complaining.’ I turn and say ‘what did you just say to me?’ I’m overwhelmed, burnt out, and simply exhausted. I don’t have a lot of help, my husband is not there, and honestly I’m just doing my best. I then say multiple times ‘don’t talk to me like that, you have no idea what it’s like.’ He then gives me more of a hard time and attitude. I begin to move back up the ramp and point my finger at him and say he’s out of his mind to be talking to me like that. He laughs, smiles, and shrugs me off. He then says I should have gotten commodore lounge if I didn’t want to wait. MIND YOU I HAVE BEEN WAITING A WHILE. I don’t have all the money in the world to get commodore lounge either. Joe should be fired immediately, crew members for the Catalina express have always been kind, and even helpful with the stroller, luggage, etc. Joe is a rude, arrogant, prick who clearly does not have kids so simply lacks the empathy or sympathy to understand that it’s A LOT on a parent. He’s just a young, immature little boy. He did not get on the boat back to Long Beach.

When I started to talk to another crew member that I was upset and wanted to talk to the captain, I was directed to another man who was considered co captain (no name) but was in a white shirt, male, with shaved hair. I was in tears at this point telling him I was not okay with what had happened to which he puts his hands up and says ‘stop complaining and go sit down.’ ‘I didn’t witness it so there is nothing I can do.’ We exchanged a few words once docked in Long Beach as well. My stepfather came down the ramp to help us with the luggage absolutely LIVID. He refused to give my mother his name. I reported to the front desk and will be calling Catalina Express tomorrow since they are closed. I have never in my life been so uncomfortable on a boat ride home, and will do all I can to ensure this does not happen another human being and that...

After some research and reading multiple reviews we booked the tickets to Catalina Island from Long Beach. Unfortunately, by the time I got around to booking tickets (the same week of travel) all the best times were sold out. Since we were doing a day trip, we were forced to do a reservation that involved a rapid turn around in about 2.5 hours. But we were still looking forward to the trip.

On the day of, we arrived with about 20 mins to spare. The parking garage is right opposite to the ferry entrance. It is safe and easy - although can get pricey but the website is clear about charges. The one thing the website was not accurate about was the ferry ride time. Coming from Hollywood, I took long beach instead of San Pedro as the site listed a 1 hour ferry ride time. This is not true. Looks like both Ferry's take about 75 mins and this is with great weather. The only reason this was concern to me is because as i mentioned earlier, we had a short trip and if we got there late, factoring in that we had to be there 30 mins before the return, this trip could have been a bummer.

However, to our pleasant surprise, when we did get to Avalon, the ticket agent did change our return ticket to a later ferry and so all was good. They charge $5 for this but it was well worth it. So do not be upset if you dont see your ideal time available online.

Another thing to consider is that not all ferries are equal. Some are larger than others, accommodate more people but most importantly in the summer - some have AC while others either did not or was not very functional. But you don't have any control over this so nothing to fret over, except that your experience may vary each way.

The last aspect is that depending on the ferry and on when you get there in line, you may or may not be able to sit together with your party. But hey its an hour or so - not a big deal. If you absolutely must, then get there early.

A huge shout out to all the staff, they are great. Both on land and on the water. The safety announcements and life vest demos can be better for sure. The galley staff was also very accommodating and don't forget $1 soda refils (so keep...

Catalina Express falls under public transportation so they have to follow the rules and regulations guidelines... and so does the passengers. Currently, you have to wear mask 😷, the boat gets full of passengers and it is open seating 💺so you get to pick where you want to sit. The seats can be reclined slightly and enough to let you relax 😌. The passengers and the crews tends to be more on the friendly side if you compare being on a plane. I really love the experience and definitely would be back to the Catalina Island and look forward to the ride going there. It took us about 70 minutes to get there from the port at Long Beach. There are few Catalina Express boats that goes back and forth from different locations so make sure you know your gate number ahead of time and not wait in line on the wrong area just because people are gathering there. The ride itself is very smooth and it didn't feel like 70 minutes. The bathroom is pretty compact but it's clean. The flush button is on the wall and the one I went in to has the label missing, but I guessed it right 😅🤣. Don't put paper in the toilet other than toilet paper as it doesn't really flush from the top. Other than that, just avoid it if you can and go before boarding. The windows outside can use a little more cleaning as the dried up sea water and looking out thru them and taking pictures is really obvious. It really takes away from the overall experience. I still gave it full 🌟 since you can move around and take pictures outside if you'reseated inside. Just a very minor inconvenience. Have fun and safe...