Los Angeles Cruise Port: Frequently Asked Questions

Cruises from Los Angeles dock in the Port of Los Angeles, which is also called the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located just south of Los Angeles in San Pedro.

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 20 miles from the Los Angeles cruise port at San Pedro, which is about a 30- to 45-minute drive away.

Parking is available at parking garages on the port property. Free shuttle buses will take you to and from the Los Angeles cruise terminal. The cost is about $20 per day.

When you check in for your cruise on the Celebrity app, you can choose an embarkation time. This time will be listed on your Xpress Pass and is when you should arrive. Spreading embarkation like this helps avoid congestion in the terminal.

Note that guests who have chosen The Retreat, have loyalty status with Celebrity, or have completed online check-in and already have their Xpress Pass can use priority embarkation lanes.

If you’ve decided to spend the day exploring the surrounding area and want to skip any lines by being among the last to board, please check the latest embarkation times very carefully. The time check-in closes is not the same as the ship’s departure time.

Downtown San Pedro

There are plenty of places to eat in downtown San Pedro, mainly clustered along W. 6th Street and offering everything from sushi to Tex-Mex, Thai, and pizza. From here, it’s only around five minutes by cab to the cruise terminal.

Even closer to the terminal is the famous San Pedro Fish Market, less than a mile’s walk, which is manageable if the weather is not too hot. This is the place to head for fresh seafood—try the famous sharing plates of shrimp—and cold beer.

The LA cruise port is the principal cruise port on the West Coast and as such, is highly organized with excellent facilities. You’ll find plenty of bathrooms and seating areas, and the whole space is ADA-compliant.

Before embarkation day, it’s recommended that you check in online or via the Celebrity app. This way, your credit card details will be logged, your passport details will be entered, and your electronic Xpress Pass will be issued.

Print off your luggage labels and attach them. Then, when you get to the port, all you need to do is hand over your luggage to a porter and head to a check-in desk.

You can complete this process at the terminal if you prefer. Our crew will provide luggage tags, and a check-in agent will handle the admin and issue your Xpress Pass.

Cabrillo Beach

If you have time to spare before you cruise, there’s plenty to do in the area immediately around the LA cruise port. You could visit the striking Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, which houses species native to Southern California and is also a working research facility. It’s only three miles from the port near Cabrillo Beach, where you can swim.

Anybody interested in U.S. naval history should visit the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, right next door to the cruise port. This is your chance to scramble around the decks of the famous battleship and explore its history via interactive displays.

There’s more history at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, close to the USS Iowa in the old Municipal Ferry Terminal building, a historic landmark. The museum showcases the history of Los Angeles as a port city through ship models, navigational equipment, vintage figureheads, and commercial diving gear.

Celebrity Summit

Celebrity’s revolutionized Celebrity Summit sails from the Los Angeles cruise port. Enjoy contemporary, comfortable staterooms, Broadway-level entertainment, and a wide assortment of restaurants offering world-class cuisine on this much-loved ship.

Cruises from Los Angeles sail along the coasts of California and Oregon to Vancouver, Canada, and through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale.

Pacific Coastal

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Our Pacific Coastal cruises take you north from Los Angeles to San Francisco, where you can explore the colorful neighborhoods, experience Alcatraz, ride the vintage trolleys, and take a trip into Sonoma for wine tasting.

You’ll also visit Astoria, Oregon, famous for its history connected to Lewis and Clark’s epic exploration. Explore the area’s long, empty beaches and the wines of nearby Willamette Valley. Across the border in Canada, there’s a day in enchanting Victoria, on Vancouver Island, where you can go whale watching and explore the ornate Butchart Gardens.

This cruise also gives you two days at sea to relax, unwind, and enjoy the many amenities of Celebrity Summit.

Panama Canal Cruises

On one of our Panama Canal cruises from California, you’ll sail from LA to the Mexican Riviera city of Puerto Vallarta before venturing further south to pretty Huatulco.

In Puntarenas, Costa Rica, trek through a cloud forest, test your nerve on a zipline, or explore coastal rainforests and magnificent beaches.

Panama Canal

Sail through the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal, admiring the intricacies of the colossal locks as you pass through. You’ll also cross Gatun Lake, famous for its wildlife. The trees of the surrounding rainforest are home to eagles, sloths, and toucans.

Once you’ve emerged into the Caribbean, spend a day in Cartagena, Colombia, strolling through the colorful walled city. Finally, there’s a day in Grand Cayman to enjoy the famous Seven Mile Beach.

Beach in Jamaica

Pick a slightly longer 16-night voyage and you’ll visit Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala, rich in Mayan history, instead of Huatulco. There’s also an additional day in the Caribbean, in Falmouth, Jamaica, from where you can explore old plantation houses, the famous Dunn’s River Falls, river rafting, and glorious beaches.