Where Do Cruises Depart From in California?

Where do cruises depart from in California?
Cruises from Los Angeles depart from the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located south of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Cruise Terminal is operated by Ports America, the largest U.S. terminal operator, and Stevedore, with operations in every major port in the nation. It’s located in San Pedro near the corner of Swinford Street and Harbor Boulevard.
See map.
Address: 100 Swinford St, Wilmington, CA 90731
How many cruise ports are there in California?
California has several major cruise ports, each serving as a gateway to various destinations.
The primary cruise ports in California are:
- Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro): The Port of Los Angeles, also called the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, is located just south of Los Angeles in San Pedro. This is one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast, serving as a significant departure point for cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.
- Port of San Diego: Known for its convenient location and excellent facilities, the San Diego port offers cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, and the Pacific Coast.
- Port of San Francisco: Situated in the heart of the Bay Area, this port provides scenic departures and serves as a stop for cruises heading to Alaska, Mexico, and the Pacific Coast.
- Port of Long Beach: Adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach serves primarily as a departure point for cruises to Mexico. You can also catch the Catalina Express to Catalina Island at the Port of Long Beach.
These ports make up the primary cruise terminals in California, each offering a range of destinations and experiences for travelers.
What port does Royal Caribbean leave from in California?
The Royal Caribbean leaves from the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center.
Address: San Pedro World Cruise Terminal
100 Swinford Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
How far is LAX to the cruise port?
Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX) is about 20 miles from the Los Angeles cruise port at San Pedro, about a 30- to 45-minute drive away.
- Take the 110 Freeway South towards San Pedro.
- Exit at Harbor Boulevard (same exit as the Vincent Thomas Bridge).
- Stay to the right – Harbor Boulevard (Do not go over the bridge.)
- At the light, cross over the main road, turning right into the “World Cruise Terminal.”
- Follow the directions to parking and passenger drop-off.
Which cruise line depart from Los Angeles?
Many cruise lines depart from Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a major international city. Cruise lines that depart from Los Angeles include, but aren’t limited to, Cunard, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line.
Cruise destinations include the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, and South America.
Where do most cruises leave from California?
California has several major cruise ports, each serving as a gateway to various destinations.
The primary cruise ports in California are the Port of Los Angeles, Port of San Francisco, Port of Long Beach, and Port of San Diego. A large number of cruises leave from the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro.
Which cruises are out of California?
Cruise lines operating out of California offer a variety of destinations. The most common cruise itineraries from California’s ports include:
- Mexican Riviera Cruises: These cruises typically sail from Los Angeles, San Diego, or Long Beach and visit popular Mexican coastal destinations like Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.
- Hawaii Cruises: Departing mainly from Los Angeles and San Francisco, these cruises offer a chance to explore the Hawaiian Islands, including stops at Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
- Pacific Coastal Cruises: These cruises travel along the West Coast of the United States and Canada, with stops at various ports such as San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Monterey, and sometimes extending to Vancouver, Canada.
- Panama Canal Cruises: Longer itineraries. These cruises often start in California and transit through the Panama Canal, with various stops in Central America, the Caribbean, and sometimes the United States East Coast.
- Alaska Cruises: Primarily departing from San Francisco, these cruises head north to explore the stunning scenery of Alaska, including glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.
- California Coastal Wine Cruises: Focusing on the California coast, these cruises include stops at ports known for their proximity to wine-producing regions, like Santa Barbara and Sonoma County.
Cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean, among others, offer these itineraries. Each cruise line and itinerary provides a unique experience, catering to different interests and preferences, from relaxation and luxury to adventure and cultural exploration.
How much is an Uber from LAX to LA cruise port?
The average price for an Uber from Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX) is $50. Open the Uber app and input World Cruise Terminal in the “Where to?” box.
The price estimate for each ride option will appear; scroll to see what’s available for you. Prices will vary based on the time of day and how many riders are making requests.
How much is a taxi from Los Angeles Airport to the cruise port?
The approximate cost of a taxi ride from Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX) to the Port of Los Angeles (San Pedro) or the Port of Long Beach will vary depending on traffic and distance but is around $60-$100.
Which airport is closer to the Los Angeles cruise port?
The closest airport to the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center is the Long Beach Airport (code: LGB) – my favorite California airport. It’s about 12 miles and takes about 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
The second closest airport to the Port of Los Angeles is Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX) – my least favorite airport in California. LAX is about 20 miles from the Port of Los Angeles and will take about 40 minutes.
Long Beach is a quaint and tiny airport, so fares will be higher when flying into Long Beach because there are fewer options.
Does Royal Caribbean sail out of LA?
Yes. Royal Caribbean offers an extensive selection of cruises from Los Angeles, no matter how many days you want to spend. Options range from brief 3- and 4-night journeys to the delightful Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, to more extended 5-night voyages featuring an overnight stay in Cabo.
What port does Carnival use in California?
Carnival Cruise Line uses two primary ports in California:
- Port of Long Beach: Carnival operates from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, their main port in California. It’s a popular departure point for cruises to destinations such as the Mexican Riviera, Baja Mexico, and Hawaii.
- Port of San Diego: While less frequently used than Long Beach, Carnival also operates cruises out of the Port of San Diego, primarily for itineraries to Mexico.
These ports are well-equipped to handle the large cruise ships in Carnival’s fleet and are conveniently located for passengers traveling from within California or other parts of the world.
Does Royal Caribbean depart Los Angeles?
Yes, Royal Caribbean does offer departures from Los Angeles.
The Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro is a departure point for Royal Caribbean cruises.
This port is a gateway for various itineraries, including cruises to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.
Royal Caribbean, known for its wide range of activities and amenities on board, provides passengers departing from Los Angeles with various cruise lengths and experiences.
Where do cruise ships leave from LA?
Cruises from Los Angeles depart from the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located south of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Cruise Terminal is operated by Ports America, the largest U.S. terminal operator, and Stevedore, with operations in every major port in the nation. It’s located in San Pedro near the corner of Swinford Street and Harbor Boulevard.
See map.
Address: 100 Swinford St, Wilmington, CA 90731
Where do the cruise ships depart from?
Cruise ships depart from large ports in most major cities.
What cruises leave from San Francisco?
Many cruise lines depart from the Port of San Francisco, including, but not limited to, Disney Cruise Line, Crystal, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean Cruises offer some fantastic family cruises from San Francisco.
Cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others operate from San Francisco, offering a range of experiences from luxury to adventure-focused cruises. The choice of a cruise from San Francisco depends on the traveler’s preference for duration, destination, and the type of experience they are seeking.
Is it cheaper to book directly with the cruise line?
According to NerdWallet.com,
We found cruise pricing to be more or less the same across booking sites — it’s the perks that are different.
NerdWallet
Are there two cruise ports in Los Angeles?
Yes, Los Angeles has two cruise ports: The Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro and the Long Beach Port in Long Beach.
Is Uber cheaper than taxis in Los Angeles?
In general, yes. Ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft are more cost-effective than taking a taxi in Los Angeles and will save you time. Using a ride-share app will cost about half the price of taking a taxi around Los Angeles.
Is there a shuttle from LAX to the Port of Los Angeles?
No, there is no direct bus from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to the Port of Los Angeles. However, you can take the LAX-it shuttle to the Uber and Lyft lot. From there, take a Lyft to the Port of Los Angeles, which is about 20 miles from LAX and costs about $45, depending on the time of day.
Can Uber pick up at LAX?
Yes, for a pretty penny, Uber will pick you up right at the curb at Los Angeles International Airport (code: LAX). For curbside pickups at LAX, select UberBlack, UberBlack SUV, or Lux. If you want to save about $100 (I’m not exaggerating), take the LAX-it shuttle about .05 miles or walk to the lot, where you can wait a few minutes for an LYFT or Uber.
Do cruise ships go to LA?
Yes, cruise ships go to and leave from Los Angeles. Los Angeles has two cruise ports: The Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro and the Long Beach Port in Long Beach.
What is the best cruise line?
According to Condé Nast Traveler, Norwegian Cruise Line has been recognized as the world’s best cruise line. This year, it claimed the top spot in the cruise industry rankings. Additionally, Cruise Market Watch lists it as the third-largest cruise line globally regarding passenger volume.
Do cruise ships go from California to Japan?
Yes, at least three do. Departures are from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego and go to Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and other Japanese ports.
Do you need a passport for a cruise?
It’s a good idea when taking a cruise from the United States to have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, bringing a passport in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port, is always a good idea.
California Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for California?
100% YES! – With basic coverage averaging $1.50 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
💦 Can you drink the water in California?
Yes — But I wouldn’t. It doesn’t taste very good and there are contaminants in it. You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters drinking water while on the go (traveling) and helps keep you hydrated.
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in California?
Yes — Renting a car in California is one of the best ways to explore this vast, awesome state, and kind of a must! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local California companies, so you get the best rates. (read more)
🏨 What’s the best way to book my California accommodations?
For California hotels, Booking is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a California Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which has better rates than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the Ultimate California Packing List to get all the information you need about packing for a trip to California.
🛫 What’s the best site to buy airfare to California?
For finding cheap California flights, I recommend Skyscanner.


