Los Angeles / Long Beach Cruise Ports Cruise Port Guide
"Los Angeles cruises" actually depart from two separate, unaffiliated terminals about 25 miles apart: the World Cruise Center in San Pedro (part of the Port of Los Angeles, used by Princess, Royal Caribbean, and other lines) and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal — the geodesic dome next to the retired Queen Mary — which is used exclusively by Carnival Cruise Line. They are in different cities with different addresses, parking systems, and nearby hotels, so the single most important step in planning this trip is confirming which one your cruise line's paperwork actually lists. LAX is the main gateway airport for both, roughly 20-25 miles from either terminal, with Long Beach (LGB) and John Wayne (SNA) airports as smaller regional alternatives. Both ports offer on-site parking, but rates, height limits, and shuttle setups differ between them.
Last updated July 9, 2026
"Los Angeles cruises" actually depart from two separate, unaffiliated terminals about 25 miles apart: the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, part of the Port of Los Angeles and used by Princess, Royal Caribbean, and other lines, and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal — the geodesic Dome next to the retired Queen Mary — used exclusively by Carnival Cruise Line. They sit in different cities with different addresses, parking systems, and nearby hotels, so confirming which one your cruise line actually uses is the single most important step in planning this trip.
This hub is a practical starting point, not a booking engine. Use it to size up the choices in a few minutes, then follow the deeper guides for parking and hotels. Details differ enough between the two ports that we call out where to double-check with the provider before you book.
How to think about it
- Confirm your terminal first. Everything else — which parking lot, which hotel area, even which airport makes sense — flows from whether you're sailing out of San Pedro or Long Beach.
- Driving in? Compare each port's own lot against independent off-site parking and hotel park-and-cruise packages; rates and height limits differ by terminal.
- Flying in? LAX serves both ports, roughly 20-25 miles from either, with Long Beach (LGB) a closer regional option if you're sailing from the Dome.
We are an independent guide and are not affiliated with any cruise line, the Port of Los Angeles, the City of Long Beach, or any airport. Always verify current terminal assignments, prices, and shuttle details with the official or provider source before you travel.
Plan your trip
Nearby airports
| Airport | Distance to port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | ~21 mi | The main gateway for both ports, roughly 20-25 miles from either terminal depending on traffic; drive time 45-75 minutes to San Pedro, 30-45 minutes to Long Beach. Widest choice of flights and ground-transport options. |
| Long Beach Airport (LGB) | ~11 mi | Small, low-hassle regional airport located in Long Beach itself — the closest airport to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal (roughly 8-12 miles). Noticeably farther from San Pedro across the harbor; confirm which port you're sailing from before choosing LGB. |
| John Wayne Airport (Orange County) (SNA) | ~28 mi | About 28 miles / 30-45 minutes to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal via the 405; noticeably farther to San Pedro. A useful alternative for travelers already in Orange County, but not the closest option to either port. |
Common timing mistakes
- Going to the wrong port — San Pedro's World Cruise Center and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal are about 25 miles apart in different cities; always confirm the exact terminal on your cruise documents before booking a hotel or transfer.
- Entering just "Port of Los Angeles" or "Port of Long Beach" into GPS/rideshare apps instead of the specific terminal address — use the exact street address for your terminal.
- Assuming Long Beach Airport (LGB) is convenient for a San Pedro sailing — it's close to the Long Beach Dome only, not the World Cruise Center.
- Driving an oversized or lifted vehicle into the Long Beach Cruise Terminal garage without checking the 7'0" height limit.
- Booking a generic "near the cruise port" hotel without checking which of the two ports the property is actually near.
Cruise terminals
- World Cruise Center (Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro). Address 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro. The West Coast's largest cruise terminal by passenger volume; used by Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and other lines sailing from LA. Not affiliated with the Long Beach terminal.
- Long Beach Cruise Terminal ("The Dome"). Located next to the permanently docked Queen Mary in Long Beach; the 12-story geodesic dome was originally built to house Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose. Owned/operated by Carnival Corporation and used exclusively by Carnival Cruise Line.
Official source
Verify terminal, parking, and schedule details with the official source before you travel.