Los Angeles, California

Getting to the World Cruise Center is manageable once you know the lay of the land, and you have a few solid options depending on your budget and travel style. Most guests fly into LAX, the region’s major gateway, though Long Beach Airport sits closer to San Pedro and tends to move at a calmer pace. However you arrive, plan around the fact that Southern California traffic can turn a 20-minute drive into an hour without much warning, especially on weekday mornings.

Renting a car gives you the most freedom, particularly if you’re planning to explore Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, or the Getty before you sail. Paid parking is available directly at the World Cruise Center, and most guests find it convenient to drop the car at the terminal on embarkation morning.

If you’d rather skip the parking altogether, several shuttle and car service companies run routes from LAX and Long Beach straight to the World Cruise Center. Many track incoming flights and offer flat rates, which takes the guesswork out of the trip down.

We always recommend arriving in the Los Angeles area at least the day before your cruise. It removes the risk of missing embarkation – and in a city where traffic is simply part of daily life, that cushion matters. It also gives you time to enjoy the city before you sail.

A selection of our guests’ favorite hotels, grouped by area.

Whether you have a morning before embarkation or a couple of extra days to settle in, Los Angeles gives you plenty to fill the time – the hard part is choosing. Here are a few of the spots our guests come back raving about.

Distance: About 45 minutes north of the port. Highlights: The pier and its Ferris wheel, the Third Street Promenade, and the boardwalk stretching down to Venice. Ideal For: Anyone wanting the quintessential Southern California morning. Plan For: A half-day, longer if you rent a bike and ride the oceanfront path.

If you’ve built extra time into your trip, the Getty Center sits in the Santa Monica Mountains about an hour from the port and is worth the drive – the art collection and the architecture alone fill an afternoon, and admission is free. From there, Beverly Hills and Hollywood are just minutes away if you want to keep exploring before you sail.

Pack for the Pacific
“Cruising from Los Angeles feels different from cruising out of Florida. Whether you’re headed to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, or Alaska, pack thin layers – those relaxing sea days can turn breezy fast once you’re out on the open decks.” The LA dining scene: “Los Angeles is one of the great food cities on Earth. The range of what’s available near the port and around the city is extraordinary, from fresh seafood in San Pedro to some of the best Mexican and Asian food you’ll find anywhere in the country. Give yourself a night in the city before you sail, if you can.”

The World Cruise Center in San Pedro is a busy, well-run homeport that generally makes embarkation straightforward, especially if you arrive at your assigned check-in time. Build in a generous cushion to get there – Los Angeles traffic is not a suggestion, it’s a way of life, and you’ll want time to cross the city without stress. Have your travel documents ready: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any health documentation your cruise line requires. A valid passport is strongly recommended even for closed-loop sailings.

Disembarkation at the World Cruise Center follows the same general rhythm as most major homeports. You’ll be assigned a disembarkation number or color and called off the ship in waves, with self-assist disembarkation available if you’d rather carry your own luggage and leave early. Plan your onward travel with Los Angeles traffic in mind, especially if you have a flight to catch – it’s always wise to build in extra time.