Sailing From The World Cruise Center
The Port of Los Angeles is the busier of the two ports. A number of lines, including Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity depart from the port.
The port features three berths . Expect it to take about 30 minutes to an hour to get to the port from the Los Angeles International Airport. Its about the same time coming from downtown.
Getting To The Port Of Los Angeles
Southern California is known for its car culture. It shouldnt be a surprise, then, that the most convenient way to get to the cruise ship is to take an Uber/Lyft. These services provide access from all major airports in the area. And you can be picked up anywhere else in the area to get to the ship on your own schedule.
Expect the ride to cost at least $30 for a car from LAX to the cruise port. Higher rates will apply if going a longer distance or during peak times.
Estimated ride times from major points of interest are below:
- Los Angeles International : 30 min
- Long Beach Airport : 25 min
- John Wayne Airport : 45 min
- Downtown: 40 min
You can read more about all your options on getting to the ship and pricing on our Los Angeles cruise transportation page.
Thrills On Deck In Between Destinations
The incredible ports youll visit arent the only things to look forward to when you book a cruise from Los Angeles. The ship youll be sailing on offers just as many one-of-a-kind experiences. Amplified with epic activities and spaces to unwind, Navigator of the Seas® is a fleet-favorite that truly lives up to the hype. If youre chasing thrills, brave any of the ships hair-raising waterslides, like The Blaster® aqua coaster and the RiptideSM mat racer. If all you want to do is kick back and bask in the sunshine, youll be happy to know the ship features an expanded resort-style pool deck with plenty of room to chill out in between refreshing dips. And at night, the adventure keeps going with dazzling ice-skating shows, Broadway-style performances and drinks that raise the bar at Bamboo Room and The Lime and Coconut®.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises From Los Angeles
Royal Caribbean is an innovative cruise line popular with families and young couples. They offer cruises from Los Angeles to Mexico, Canada and through the Panama Canal.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships feature adrenaline pumping rides, advanced technology, and dazzling live entertainment. Things for kids to do are everywhere. These cruises are targeted to fun-loving couples and young families.
What’s included? Accommodations, meals, onboard activities, exclusive entertainment shows, youth programs, and fitness center.
The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas is one of the newest mega-ships. It is an advanced vacation platform.
Southern California & Baja California
Stationed in Los Angeles, year-round guests have the opportunity to sail onboard Navigator of the Seas 3-, 4- and 5-day cruises to Southern California and Baja California, Mexico.
Her first voyage from LA is a 7-day cruise sailing today, which will make calls in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, with a day at sea after departing Los Angeles and a day at sea before arriving back in Los Angeles.
Other cruises include a 3-night cruise sailing to Ensenada, a 4-day cruise sailing to Isla Catalina and Ensenada, and a 5-night cruise that calls at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.
The crew and officers of Navigator of the Seas have been waiting for their first cruise with guests for twenty months while the ship remained on hold since the start of suspensions. And with plenty of improvements to the ship there is more than enough to enjoy for guests onboard.
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This Was The Big Announcement
The day before Royal Caribbean revealed its plans to return to Los Angeles, Freed told travel agents to expect a big announcement, referring to it as “the news we’ve all been waiting for.”
While cruises from the West Coast are significant, many readers were disappointed the news was not worthy of the hype preceding it.
Because several travel agents reported being told by Royal Caribbean that the big announcement was being delayed or canceled, we suspect that larger news was originally on the docket.
Sailing From The Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Los Angeles while far from being the biggest cruise departure port in the country offers two different cruise ports. The Long Beach terminal is a short distance from the Port of Los Angeles . It serves Carnival Cruise Lines, which primarily sails shorter trips to the Mexican Riviera.
Visitors will also recognize the historic Queen Mary, which is docked permanently at the port. As with the Port of Los Angeles, expect it to take about 30 minutes to an hour to get to the cruise port from the LAX airport, depending on traffic. If flying in, Long Beach Airport is much closer, reducing travel time.
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Los Angeles Cruise Guide
Due to its location along the Pacific Coast, many cruise itineraries to Mexico, the Panama Canal, South America, the Transpacific and Hawaii depart from the city of Los Angeles. This is the best port to find affordable getaways to the Mexican Riviera.
The port itself is actually located in Long Beach, which is a short drive away from the big-city L.A., but also has its fair share of attractions. You can stay overnight at the Queen Mary, a retired vintage luxury ocean liner that is rumored to be haunted and offers ghost tours. Take a dip in the calm waters at the beach, or take a whale watching tour along the Pacific Ocean. Once youve seen it all at the port, a short ride by car, Uber or the L.A. Metro brings you to the star-studded city of Los Angeles, where you can easily spend a week exploring all that it has to offer.
There are many ways to snap a picture of the infamous Hollywood sign, depending on the angle youd like. If you have a car you can make a pit stop along Deronda Drive, and take a quick walk over to the sign. If youre looking for more of a challenge, take the 6-mile hike along the Brush Canyon Trail, where youll eventually get that picture-perfect shot. You can also see the sign from outside of the Griffith Observatory, where for a small fee you can go up to the top of the observatory and take in the best panoramic views of the city of Los Angeles.
Royal Caribbean Will Once Again Offer Cruises From Los Angeles
Royal Caribbean will begin offering cruises from Los Angeles in 2022 for the first time in 10 years. Navigator of the Seas will sail three and four night sailings to Catalina Island, California and Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The cruise ship will also offer week long holiday sailings that will feature an overnight port visit.
Royal Caribbeans new year-round adventures from LA that begin June 2022 will open for sale the week of March 29, 2021.
After a $115 million amplification in 2019, Navigator of the Seas brings star power that will thrill guests with its reimagined Caribbean poolscape anchored by the lively three-level bar The Lime & Coconut two daring waterslides that cantilever over the edges of the ship The Blaster aqua coaster, the longest waterslide at sea, and Riptide, the industrys only headfirst mat racer the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea, To Dry For elevated nightlife and dining, and transformed spaces that each are dedicated to kids and teens.
Take a video tour of Navigator of the Seas:
The winning combination of these thrilling features and activities alongside Royal Caribbean favorites against the backdrop of Hollywood Hills will make for a new short getaway, over the week or weekend, that makes the most of every minute for vacationers of all ages.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don’t know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
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Parking At World Cruise Center
Of course, if you live in the area as millions do then you may be interested in simply driving and parking at the port.
The good news is that there is ample parking right at the port. You can park practically at the terminal and walk right in. While the convenience is nice, it does come at a cost. Rates are $20 per day for most vehicles. So over the course of a weeklong cruise, you can expect to spend $140.
For more details on parking, see our Los Angles cruise parking page here.
Want to park cheaper? If you are traveling from farther away and plan to stay at a hotel in the area, then look for a hotel with a park and cruise package. With these deals you can get your hotel and have parking included.
See our list of Los Angles cruise hotels with parking deals.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Highlights
- An incredible company that has been in operation since 1969.
- A well-known name in the cruise line industry, with service standards that accompany their length of time in the industry.
- Winner of a plethora of service awards, including “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean,””Best Cruise Line Overall,” and “Best Cruise Ship Symphony of the Seas.”
- Amazing rooms in various sizes available for all of your accommodation needs and party sizes.
- Breathtaking views, offering you uninterrupted views of the water, the shores, and all of the beautiful sights of each destination.
- Unmatched customer service to make your trip a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
- Knowledgeable tour guides to accompany you to places that you might have never heard of.
- Lots of space to explore and get to know the ship.
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Getting To The Long Beach Cruise Port
As with the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, your best bet for getting to the port if you need transportation is with an Uber or Lyft. These services are widely available, including offering rides from the major airports.
Prices will vary depending on where you are coming from. For reference, you can expect to spend around $30 for a ride from Los Angeles International to the Long Beach cruise port. Prices will vary based on traffic.
Here are some estimated commute times from certain points:
- Los Angeles International : 40 min
- Long Beach Airport : 20 min
- John Wayne Airport : 35 min
- Downtown: 45 min
You can read more about all your options on getting to the ship and pricing on our Long Beach cruise transportation page.
Reserve Transportation Between Lax Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal & More
Book a transfer to a Royal Caribbean Cruise out of Los Angeles with Xpress Shuttles. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line operates out of the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, CA . And whether youre headed to LA or leaving, Xpress Shuttles is a great to travel to or from the cruise port. Hop aboard the Vision of the Seas® to the Panama Canal, and it all start with an Xpress cruise shuttle. Avoid traffic and long-term cruise terminal parking in San Pedro with Xpress Shuttle. Royal Caribbean Cruise transfers can be arranged from hotels, LAX, and more.
On a Royal Caribbean International Panama Canal Cruise you can explore the Mexican Riviera and Caribbean Islands. Stops include Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala Puntarenas, Costa Rica Panama Canal, Panama Cartagena, Colombia George Town, Grand Cayman and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Set sail on your perfect Panama Canal vacation with Royal Caribbean!
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Returning After A Decade
Royal Caribbean’s announcement that it will cruise from Los Angeles regularly after more than a decade is significant, as industry insiders have speculated about its West Coast return for years.
While other cruise lines returned, Royal Caribbean stayed away, claiming it was able to make more money elsewhere.
In 2015, Freed pointed out the low rates competitor cruise lines were getting. “We always look at the West Coast. But we continue to look at the rates that the other cruise lines are getting, and we offer an experience that we can’t afford to be selling at those low rates.
“If and when we see the rates start to bounce back, and we feel we can get paid for what we offer for our product, then well be back there. But right now, unfortunately, it’s a bath out there. They’re selling four-day cruises at $199 per person, and were not just talking Carnival.
“We spend more on food, more on entertainment and more on our overall onboard experience , and so we cannot be the low-price leader out in any market.”
The line also cited the logistical challenges of returning its ships to the West Coast, much of which had to do with the rise of cruise popularity in other areas of the world, such as Europe and China. Sending ships to those locations meant fewer ships to go to other ports.
Where To Stay For A Los Angeles Cruise
Flying into Los Angeles for a cruise? Its always a good idea to plan to arrive into the city the day before. That way if there are any delays, you arent scrambling to make it to the port or have any worry about missing the ship.
So where should you stay? The area around the port offers a number of hotels within just 1-3 miles of the ships. This includes some right on the waterfront and some that offer a shuttle service to get guests to the cruise terminal.
You can see a list of nearby hotels to the World Cruise Center here.
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Los Angeles & Long Beach Cruise Port Locations
Both ports are located just a few miles of each other, with one in San Pedro and the other in Long Beach.
If youre unfamiliar with the area, these cities are both part of the greater Los Angeles area and are about 25 miles south of downtown LA. If flying in for your cruise, expect the trip from Los Angeles International to take at least 30 minutes and possibly more due to traffic.
Which port you cruise from will depend on which cruise line you sail, as they each have their designated spots To help you find your way, weve covered each port in detail below.
The Royal Caribbean Navigator Of The Seas
Based in Los Angeles and refurbished just three years ago in 2019, over 3,300 travelers can set sail on this highly-rated RCI VOYAGER class ship.
Want to puzzle your way out of an escape room or do tricks on the Flowrider artificial surf wave? These features are only offered by Royal Caribbean and are both found on the Navigator of the Seas. Plus, experience rare amenities like an ice skating rink and a roller skating rink.
The Navigator of the Seas also offers a ping pong table, a basketball court, an outdoor movie theater, a solarium, a spa, four pools, a gym, a waterslide, a casino, and seven jacuzzis.
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Royal Caribbean Is Returning To Cruising From Los Angeles
Anne Kalosh| Mar 17, 2021
The amped-up Navigator of the Seas will operate the program, Royal Caribbean announced during today’s Coffee Talk with Vicki Freed, SVP sales and trade support & service.
Three-, four-, five- and seven-night itineraries
Navigator will operate a variety of itineraries, including three-/four-night sailings to Ensenada and Catalina Island, five-night cruises to Cabo San Lucas and, in winter, some seven-night cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas will overnight in Cabo.
Reaction from travel partners on the Coffee Talk was enthusiastic. Freed cited one who called the news a ‘lifeline to recovery.’
Sales open the week of March 29.
$115m amplification
After a $115m amplification in 2019, Navigator of the Seas offers features like the three-level bar The Lime and Coconut, specialty seafood venue Hooked, two waterslides that cantilever over the sides of the ship and a standalone blow-dry bar.
Royal Caribbean Is Back In La
It has been ten years since Royal Caribbean sailed from Los Angeles, so the return of Navigator of the Seas to the city will seem long overdue to fans of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. However, with a massive $115 million investment in 2019, guests will be able to enjoy the best Royal Caribbean has to offer.
California was calling us home once again, and what better way to reintroduce Royal Caribbean than to bring our next-level cruise vacations to the City of Angels and make it a year-round adventure,said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. Were excited to return to Los Angeles to add bigger, bolder vacation options along the West Coast. With a ship like Navigator of the Seas, complete with waterslides, activities from day to night and a lineup of restaurants, bars and lounges, friends and families alike are in for a memorable getaway.
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The voyager-class Navigator of the Seas will remain in LA year-round, and she departed on a short two-day cruise with media and travel companions on board on November 17. Her first cruise with guests sails today from the Port of Los Angeles.
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Royal Caribbean Back In Los Angeles With Navigator Of The Seas
After more than a decade, Royal Caribbean International is resuming homeport operations in Los Angeles.
Setting sail on its first post-pandemic cruise today, the Navigator of the Seas is marking the companys return to the West Coast with a seven-night cruise from LAs World Cruise Center.
Sailing to three ports in Mexico, the first voyage includes calls in Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
With departures currently scheduled through April 2023, the year-round program also features a variety of short three-, four- and five-night cruises to additional destinations, including Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
A Voyager-class vessel, the Navigator of the Seas originally entered service in 2002. Extensively refurbished in the past, it drydocked in Cádizs Navantia shipyard this summer for maintenance work and cosmetic enhancements.
The refit follows a bigger, $115-million modernization that took place in 2019, as part of the Royal Amplified program. The refit added new attractions to the 3,500-guest ship, including a resort-style Caribbean pool deck, the three-level signature bar The Lime & Coconut and the first blow-dry bar at sea To Dry For.
One of the vessels most iconic features, the Royal Promenade, was also reimagined, with the creation of new restaurants, retail and nightlife.
The Navigators entertainment lineup also includes the Studio B, an ice-skating rink and the FlowRider surf simulator.