The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is operated by Carnival under agreements with the City of Long Beach and Urban Commons, serving as Carnival Corporation's primary West Coast facility. Located directly adjacent to the historic Queen Mary in the City of Long Beach (separate from the Port of Los Angeles/San Pedro terminals), this dedicated terminal is used primarily by Carnival ships sailing to the Mexican Riviera, Baja Mexico, and Hawaii.
Brief History of Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Carnival has operated the Long Beach Cruise Terminal since 2003, initially using a partial area of the Geodesic Dome that formerly housed Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose" attraction. In 2016, Carnival signed an agreement with the City of Long Beach and landlord Urban Commons to expand terminal operations and assume full usage of the 142,000 square foot dome facility. Construction was completed in 2018, nearly tripling the terminal size from approximately 66,000 square feet.
The expanded facility accommodates larger ships and provides additional space for two-way operations, enabling embarking passengers to access the terminal prior to completion of disembarkation. The terminal features a five-story parking garage with 1,450 spaces and serves as one of the busiest year-round cruise terminals on the U.S. West Coast.
Destinations and Cruise Lines Sailing From Long Beach
Three Carnival ships sail from Long Beach in 2025: Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Firenze. These vessels operate primarily Mexican Riviera and Baja California itineraries, with most other cruise lines using the nearby Los Angeles World Cruise Center (San Pedro).
Carnival Panorama operates 6- and 8-day Mexican Riviera cruises. Six-day sailings feature calls in Ensenada and two days in Cabo San Lucas, while eight-day cruises visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas.
Carnival Radiance offers 3- and 4-day Baja Mexico cruises. Three-day Friday departures visit Ensenada, while four-day cruises stop in Ensenada and Catalina Island.
Carnival Firenze operates 4- and 5-day cruises. Four-day itineraries visit Catalina Island and Ensenada, while five-day Mexican Riviera sailings include Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.
Carnival Legend is scheduled to run 14-day Hawaii "Journeys" cruises from Long Beach starting October 2027–March 2028 (now open for sale). Ship deployments and itineraries change; confirm current schedules before booking.
Parking at Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Parking costs $23 per day (rates subject to change by Port Authority) in a five-story parking garage with 1,450 spaces. Short-term rates include free parking for the first 30 minutes, $4 for 31-59 minutes, and $8 for 1-2 hours.
The garage has a height limit of 7'0". Oversized vehicles (those utilizing more than one parking space) cannot park in the cruise terminal garage and must make alternate/offsite parking arrangements. No advance reservations are required, and handicap parking is available with valid permit verification. Payment is due upon garage exit, with major credit cards and cash accepted.
Alternative parking options include nearby hotels offering park-and-sail packages and private off-site facilities.
How To Get To Long Beach Cruise Terminal
From Los Angeles Area: From LAX, travel southbound on Interstate 405, then south on the Long Beach Freeway (710). Follow signs for the Queen Mary and stay to the far right of the Queen Mary entrance for cruise terminal access.
Driving Times and Distances (allow extra time for LA-area traffic):
- San Diego: Approximately 2 hours via Interstate 5 north to 405 north to 710 south
- Orange County: 45-60 minutes depending on specific location
- Downtown Los Angeles: 45-60 minutes via 110 south to 710 south
- LAX Airport: 26 miles, approximately 30-45 minutes depending on traffic
- Long Beach Airport: 15 minutes via Lakewood Boulevard to 405 to 710
Airport Transportation: Carnival offers transportation from LAX (arrivals no later than 12:00 PM, service 9:30 AM-12:30 PM) and Long Beach Airport (arrivals no later than 12:30 PM, service 9:30 AM-1:00 PM) on embarkation days only. Shuttle services, ride-sharing, and taxi options are readily available from all area airports.
Public Transit: Long Beach Transit runs service to the Queen Mary/Cruise Terminal (weekend service), though most travelers use rideshare/taxi/shuttles.
Accessibility Features: The terminal provides handicap parking and accessibility accommodations. The terminal doesn't loan wheelchairs for personal use; wheelchair assistance is for embark/debark only and passengers who need devices should arrange rentals (e.g., Scootaround) or bring their own.
Overnight Accommodations: Many travelers drive from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County on sailing day. For those preferring to stay overnight before cruising, Long Beach hotels provide convenient access to the terminal. The Queen Mary, permanently docked adjacent to the cruise terminal - typically a few-minute walk (≈0.1–0.2 miles) when the path is open - offers a unique overnight experience on a historic luxury ocean liner before boarding a Carnival cruise (note occasional event closures).
Shore Power and Sustainability
The Port of Long Beach has implemented comprehensive shore power infrastructure as part of its Green Port Policy adopted in 2005. Shore power enables ships to plug into the grid while alongside; under California Air Resources Board's At-Berth rule, there's >95% compliance statewide with emission cuts at-berth of ~95–98% when connected.
Since 2005, environmental measures port-wide at the Port of Long Beach have achieved a 92% reduction in diesel particulate matter, 71% reduction in nitrogen oxides, and 98% reduction in sulfur oxides, while container traffic has increased 20%. The port continues expanding its environmental initiatives, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, zero-emission cargo handling equipment, and advanced air quality monitoring systems.
Photos and Videos of Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Visual documentation of the terminal facilities showcases the modern passenger processing areas and the impressive harbor setting. Professional photography captures both the operational efficiency of the facility and its scenic waterfront location adjacent to the Queen Mary.
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Note: The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is one of two major cruise ports serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area (the other being Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro), specifically designed for Carnival cruises including departures to the Mexican Riviera, Baja Mexico, and Hawaii.
If you are staying longer, make sure to check out our guide for things to do in Long Beach before or after your cruise!
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