Departure port · World Cruise Center, San Pedro · California
Cruises from Los Angeles
Cruises from Los Angeles leave the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, mostly for the Mexican Riviera and Baja: three- to five-night trips to Ensenada and Catalina Island and seven-night sailings to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Virgin Voyages sail from here, with Hawaii round trips, Pacific coastal cruises and Panama Canal transits in spring and fall.
- Mexican Riviera & Baja
- Hawaii
- Pacific Coastal
- Panama Canal
- Alaska
Photo: NickCPrior, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- World Cruise Center, San Pedro
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Main destinations
- Mexican Riviera & Baja, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal
- Cruise lines
- 8 lines sail from here
Sailing from Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles’ cruise terminal, the World Cruise Center, sits in San Pedro at the foot of the green Vincent Thomas Bridge, about 25 miles south of downtown LA. It’s a working harbor, one of the busiest container ports in the country, and the cruise berths are tucked in beside the cranes, the Battleship Iowa and the San Pedro waterfront.
Mexico is the staple. Short getaways of three to five nights visit Ensenada, sometimes with Catalina Island or a sea day, and seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises call at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Princess, which has deep roots in Los Angeles, also runs 15- and 16-night Hawaii round trips and longer voyages through the Panama Canal to Florida, and several lines offer Pacific coastal sailings to San Francisco, Vancouver and Alaska as ships reposition.
Los Angeles works well for Southern Californians who can drive in and for fly-in cruisers who want to add a few days of LA sightseeing. Be realistic about traffic: getting to San Pedro from the Westside, the Valley or LAX can take far longer than the mileage suggests, especially on weekday afternoons.
Where cruises from Los Angeles go
Mexican Riviera & Baja cruises
Year-round; best November to April. Whale watching December to March; Pacific hurricane season mid-May to November 30.
Hawaii cruises
Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.
Pacific Coastal cruises
Mainly April to May and September to October; some California coast sailings in winter.
Panama Canal cruises
Mainly October to April; driest mid-December to April. Few sailings in summer.
Alaska cruises
Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.
Cruise lines sailing from Los Angeles
World Cruise Center, San Pedro cruise terminals
The World Cruise Center has two terminals side by side on the main channel, with a shared drop-off area and parking out front. Lines don’t always use the same berth, so follow the signs for your ship on arrival. Porters take checked luggage at the curb, and you then go through security and check-in inside before boarding. Short Baja cruises often depart in the late afternoon, and longer trips around the same time; arrive in your assigned window and be on board at least an hour before sailing.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Los Angeles International (LAX) is about 20 miles (32 km) from the terminal, typically 30 to 45 minutes by car and an hour or more at rush hour. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is closer, about 20 to 25 minutes, and is often easier for domestic flights. John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) and Hollywood Burbank (BUR) are 45 minutes to over an hour away. Cruise lines run transfers from LAX, and taxis, rideshare and shuttle vans serve all airports.
Driving
Take the I-110 Harbor Freeway south to its end and follow the Harbor Boulevard and World Cruise Center signs; the terminal is right beside the freeway’s final exit. From Long Beach, cross the Vincent Thomas Bridge on State Route 47. Leave plenty of time; I-405 and I-110 are notorious for congestion.
Parking
A large paid parking lot sits directly in front of the terminals, charged per day, and is the simplest option for most drivers. Several off-site lots in San Pedro and near LAX run shuttles to the World Cruise Center and can cost less for longer cruises. Some area hotels sell park-and-cruise packages that include a pre-cruise night.
Where to stay before a cruise from Los Angeles
San Pedro has a few hotels within a five-minute drive of the terminal, the most stress-free choice for an early boarding window. Long Beach, 15 to 20 minutes away, has more hotels and a lively downtown waterfront. Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance put you near the ocean and about 20 to 30 minutes from the port. Hotels near LAX suit late arrivals but leave you exposed to freeway traffic on sailing day.
Things to do in Los Angeles before or after your cruise
- 1
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
history
Moored a short walk from the cruise terminal, the USS Iowa served from World War II through the Gulf War era and once carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic. Self-guided tours cover the decks, the 16-inch gun turrets, officers’ quarters and the bridge. Allow two hours.
- 2
Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse
scenery
At the southern tip of San Pedro, this clifftop park has a Victorian-era wooden lighthouse, lawns for picnics and wide views over the Pacific toward Catalina Island. It’s a good spot to look for migrating gray whales in winter and spring. The park is about 10 minutes from the terminal.
- 3
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Cabrillo Beach
family
A small, family-friendly aquarium focused on Southern California sea life, with touch tanks and local fish, beside a protected harbor beach and tide pools. It’s low-key and inexpensive, ideal for a couple of hours before an afternoon boarding time.
- 4
Korean Bell of Friendship
culture
A massive bronze bell, given to the US by South Korea for the 1976 bicentennial, hangs in an ornate pavilion in Angels Gate Park on a bluff above the harbor. The views over the port entrance and the Pacific are some of the best in San Pedro.
- 5
Los Angeles Maritime Museum
history
Housed in the old Municipal Ferry Building on the San Pedro waterfront, a few minutes from the terminal, this museum covers the history of the harbor, from fishing fleets and shipbuilding to the ferries that ran before the Vincent Thomas Bridge opened. Ship models and a working amateur radio station are highlights.
- 6
Catalina Island day trip
nature
Catalina Express ferries leave from a terminal near the cruise berths for Avalon, the island’s harbor town, in about an hour to 90 minutes. You can snorkel, kayak, take a glass-bottom boat or tour the island’s interior. Many short cruises call at Catalina too, so check your itinerary before booking.
When cruises sail from Los Angeles
Mexican Riviera and Baja cruises sail from Los Angeles all year, with the most choice from fall through spring, when Mexico is dry and sunny. Hawaii round trips usually run in spring and fall, and Panama Canal transits leave in the fall and spring shoulder seasons. Pacific coastal and Alaska repositioning cruises sail north in April and May and return in September and October. Summer brings more short getaways and family travel.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6418 | 6418 | 6418 | 6518 | 6518 | 6921 | 7323 | 7524 | 7524 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5614 | 5613 | 5614 | 5714 | 5815 | 6216 | 6519 | 6720 | 6820 | 6619 | 6116 | 5714 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.385 | 2.871 | 2.768 | 0.614 | 0.49 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.37 | 0.923 | 3.076 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Embarkation day tips
- Budget for traffic, not miles. From LAX or the Westside, allow at least 90 minutes on a weekday afternoon, and avoid arriving at the airport and expecting to make a same-day sailing.
- Bring your passport even for a three-night Ensenada trip. US citizens on round trips can usually use a birth certificate and photo ID, but a passport is the safer choice if you must fly home from Mexico.
- Go on deck for the sail-out. Ships slip past the Battleship Iowa, the San Pedro waterfront and the container terminals, then out past the Angels Gate Lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.
- Winter mornings in San Pedro can be foggy and cool, even if Cabo will be hot. Pack a light jacket for embarkation day and the first evening on deck.
- Rideshare pickups after the cruise use a designated area near the terminal; expect a wait on busy mornings when several ships disembark.
Cruises from Los Angeles: FAQs
Where is the Los Angeles cruise port?
In San Pedro, about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The World Cruise Center sits beside the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the end of the I-110 Harbor Freeway. It’s separate from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, about 15 minutes away.
How far is LAX from the Los Angeles cruise terminal?
About 20 miles, usually 30 to 45 minutes by car, but an hour or more in rush-hour traffic. Long Beach Airport is closer, about 20 to 25 minutes, and can be easier if your flights work.
Which cruise lines sail from Los Angeles?
Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Virgin Voyages are the main lines based at the World Cruise Center. Other premium and luxury lines use it for occasional departures and repositioning cruises.
Is the Los Angeles cruise port the same as Long Beach?
No. Los Angeles’ World Cruise Center is in San Pedro, and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, used by Carnival, is next to the Queen Mary across the harbor. They’re about 15 minutes apart, so check your documents carefully.
Where should I park for a cruise from San Pedro?
The paid lot directly in front of the World Cruise Center is the easiest. Off-site lots in San Pedro and near LAX run shuttles and can be cheaper, and some hotels offer park-and-cruise packages.
Where do cruises from Los Angeles go?
Mostly Mexico: Ensenada and Catalina on short trips, and Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta on seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises. Princess also offers Hawaii round trips, and spring and fall bring Panama Canal and Pacific coastal sailings.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.