Carnival Cruise Los Angeles

Carnival Cruises Long Beach features 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries year-round in 2010. Departing every Sunday, the 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise itinerary visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Carnival Cruises Long Beach sailings includes 3 "Fun Days" at sea to enjoy the ship. TIPS: The lowest cruise fares on Carnival Cruises Long Beach are in January, February, April and August thru early December. The Carnival Splendor is featured on the 7-night cruises and is one of Carnival's newest and best ships – even if you never get off the ship, you are on a great floating resort! And, the Carnival Splendor just had a $57 million investment after the engine room fire in November 2010 -- she is back in service as of February 2011 and is better than ever! Carnival sails from Long Beach which is a 10-15 minute drive from Los Angeles' cruise ship terminal in San Pedro.

Carnival Cruises Long Beach offers 3- and 4-night Baja Mexico cruise itineraries year-round. The 3-night Baja Mexico departs on Friday afternoon at 5:30 PM and returns on Monday by 8 AM to the Carnival Cruises Long Beach ship terminal. The 4-night itinerary departs on Mondays and returns on Friday. The 3-night itinerary visits Ensenada while the 4-night Baja Mexico itinerary visits Catalina Island and Ensenada. The 3- and 4-night itineraries both include a "Fun Day" at sea. TIPS: The lowest cruise fares on Carnival Cruises Long Beach are in January, February, April and August thru early December. ADVISORY: The Carnival Paradise is featured on the 3 and 4-night cruises. Like most cruise lines, Carnival puts the older ships on the shorter cruises. It has been well-maintained and upgraded with many of the latest amenities that Carnival offers. It is a good ship for a 4 or 5-night getaway. But, be advised that you are not sailing on the biggest, newest ship in the Carnival fleet.

Los Angeles is the top cruise port on the West Coast for year-round cruising. Carnival Cruises departs from Long Beach which is in the south end of the Port of Los Angeles harbor. However, Carnival Cruises from San Diego offers some of the best cruise itineraries to Mexico. Carnival Cruises to Mexico from San Diego features 4- to 9-night sailings with port calls in places like Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas & Mazatlan. However, the months during which Carnival offers cruises from San Diego are very limited - Los Angeles has 3 cruise departures per week, year-round.

One of the most popular getaways from Los Angeles is the famed Carnival Ensenada Cruise. Carnival offers Ensenada cruises from Los Angeles year-round. The 3-night Carnival Ensenda cruise departs every Friday at 5:30 PM and returns to Long Beach by 8:00 AM Monday. The 4-night Carnival Ensenada cruise departs Long Beach every Monday at 5:30 PM, spends the first full-day with a port call to Catalina Island and spends the 2nd full day in Ensenada. You will get a chance to take-in some nightlife in Ensenada as the ship does not depart Ensenada until 10:00 PM.

Check out Carnival Cruise Mexico for all Mexico cruise options.

Can you travel on short notice? Are you looking for great savings? Then you may be up for some big savings with Last Minute Deals on Cruises from Los Angeles. Check-out the upcoming savings on cruises departing soon. You better book soon as last minute cruise deals from Los Angeles sell out quickly. For you convenience, we have included last minute cruise deals for all cruise lines sailing from Los Angeles.

Flight Arrival and Departure Times

If you are flying in to any of the Los Angeles area airports on the day of your cruise make sure you allow plenty of time to get to the ship. Carnival recommends arriving by 2:30 PM. After your cruise, your flight should not leave before 12:30 AM. (updated February 2011)

Parking at the Port of Long Beach

There is a 5-story parking garage at the Port of Long Beach. The parking garage is $15 per day. Payment is due as you enter the lot. (updated September 2010)

Other Parking options for Carnival Cruises Long Beach Port

There are also offsite parking lots that are walking distance or have shuttles to the port. If you are arriving by car the night before your cruise, several of the hotels in the area may let you leave your car in their lot while you cruise. However, you will need to stay at least one night before your cruise – look for "Park 'n Stay" rates advertised by the hotel. These hotels usually have a shuttle to take you to and from the cruise port. (updated December 2010)

From Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to the Port of Long Beach

Los Angeles International airport is approximately 23 miles from the port and it can take at least 50 minutes to get there depending on traffic. The cab fare (with tip) will run in the $80-$100 range. If you fly in to Long Beach airport (LGB) you are only 20 minutes from the port. There are a few shuttle companies that you can use to get to the port as well. Cruise Line transfers are available from LAX to the port for $26 per person each way. Cruise line transfers are a better value than cab fare when going from the Los Angeles International Airport to the Port of Long Beach. (updated July 2010)

Online Check-in for your Carnival Cruises Long Beach Port

Complete the FunPass check-in online at least 3 days prior to your cruise. This will speed up check-in for your Carnival Cruise from Los Angeles. (updated February 2011)

Boarding for your Carnival cruise starts at 1:30 PM at the Port of Long Beach

If possible get there early to avoid the lines. You must be checked-in at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled cruise departure. (updated September 2009)

Required Travel Documentation

As of June 1, 2009 U.S. Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that start and end from the same port) can still cruise with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID (children only need a birth certificate). Passports are required if you have to leave the cruise early and fly back to the U.S. Passports may also be required depending on the country your ship is visiting. Be sure to check the U.S. State Department's web site for up-to-date information. (updated January 2010)