Port of Long Beach

By Melissa Mayntz

Long Beach is just south of Los Angeles.

The Port of Long Beach is one of the nation's busiest seaports for cargo, and it is also home to a thriving cruise itinerary calendar. By knowing the details of this port, passengers setting sail from Long Beach can ensure a stress-free check-in and embarkation to their cruise ship.

Long Beach or Los Angeles?

Long Beach is located just a few miles south of Los Angeles, and both the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles are located in San Pedro Bay, side-by-side. Which cruise port passengers use depends on which cruise line they are sailing with: the Long Beach terminal is used almost exclusively by Carnival Cruise Line, while other lines such as [Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines]] sail from Los Angeles.

Industry at Long Beach

The Long Beach cruise port is primarily an industrial seaport and it is one of the busiest in the United States, handling more than $100 billion worth of cargo annually. The majority of the cargo is from East Asian trade, including trade routes with China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

The port is also committed to becoming the most environmentally friendly industrial cruise port in the world. Regular programs dedicated to preserving wildlife habitat, improving air and water quality, and other environmental initiatives are always active at the Long Beach port, and the port also hosts research groups and environmental tours.

Port of Long Beach Cruise Terminal

The Long Beach terminal is well equipped to handle thousands of cruise passengers for the biggest Carnival cruise ships sailing along the Mexican Riviera. A five story parking garage has more than 1,400 available spaces and the parking fee is $12 per day, with both cash and major credit cards accepted. Taxi and shuttle service is also available with flat rate charges to the port from major hotels, airports, and public transit centers.

The port's signature structure is the massive dome that once housed a variety of exhibits. Today, the dome is the processing hub for passenger check-in, customs, and both embarkation and debarkation procedures.

With its proximity to Los Angeles, the Long Beach cruise port is convenient to a number of airports. The closest is the Long Beach Airport, while Los Angeles International is only slightly further away. The Burbank and Ontario airports are also just short drives from Long Beach.

Queen Mary

The most distinctive feature of the Long Beach port is that it is home to the famous cruise liner Queen Mary. This nostalgic ship entered service in 1936 as part of the Cunard Cruise Line and served faithfully for 30 years, including military service during World War II. During her three decades of service, the ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean 1,001 times, setting speed records several times. In December of 1967, the Queen Mary arrived in Long Beach to become a permanent resident and popular tourist attraction.Today, the Queen Mary is a luxury hotel with a classic art deco atmosphere as well as a detailed maritime museum. Banquet and conference facilities as well as a fitness center, spa, and several restaurants are available on board. In 1993, the ship and the adjacent dome were named the Queen Mary Seaport in her honor, and today cruise passengers can still enjoy the Queen Mary either before or after their voyage. In fact, the Queen Mary is used as an early check-in station for Carnival passengers from 9-11 a.m. on sailing days, allowing passengers to obtain their cruise ship ID cards early to ease boarding once crowds arrive.

Visiting Long Beach

Passengers arriving in Long Beach a day or two prior to their cruise have many options for sightseeing and regional entertainment. Los Angeles is home to several theme parks, sports teams, and a thriving artistic and entertainment industry. The mild climate ensures a comfortable visit, and many tour companies offer full or partial day tours to the most popular local attractions.

Cruise Itineraries

Long Beach is the starting point for a range of Carnival Mexico cruise itineraries including three, four, and seven day options. Ports of call include Ensenada, Catalina, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan, as well as abundant days sailing quietly along the coast of Baja.