The short version: Virgin Voyages sails from the World Cruise Center at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Brilliant Lady, in spring and fall between her Alaska and Caribbean seasons. On-site parking is about $23 a day, and the terminal is 30 to 45 minutes from LAX. Sailings include seven-night Mexican Riviera trips, Pacific Coast sailings to Vancouver, and the Panama Canal.
Virgin Voyages now sails from Los Angeles, giving West Coast travelers an adults-only cruise without a cross-country flight. Brilliant Lady sails from the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro in spring and fall, between her Alaska and Caribbean seasons. Here's everything you need to know: the terminal, parking, getting there from the airport, where to stay, and what to do before you sail.
Brilliant Lady, the Virgin Voyages ship that sails from Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Cruise Terminal at a Glance
Terminal: World Cruise Center at the Port of Los Angeles
Address: 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Parking: On-site secure lot, about $23 per day max
From LAX: About 30 to 45 minutes by car
From Long Beach Airport (LGB): About 20 to 30 minutes
Ship: Brilliant Lady
Where Virgin Sails From Los Angeles
Brilliant Lady spends spring and fall on the West Coast, between her winter in Miami and her summer in Alaska.
Mexican Riviera: Seven-night round trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, with sea days on both ends
Pacific Coast: One-way sailings between Los Angeles and Vancouver, with stops like San Francisco, Astoria, and Victoria
Panama Canal: Long repositioning sailings between Los Angeles and Miami, with a full transit of the canal
When She's in Los Angeles
Spring 2027: Brilliant Lady arrives from Miami through the Panama Canal in April 2027, then sails a few weeks of Mexican Riviera trips before heading north to Vancouver in early May
Fall 2027: She returns in September 2027 for weekly Mexican Riviera sailings through November, then sails the Panama Canal back to Miami at the end of November
Schedules change, so send me your dates and I'll check what's open. If Alaska is on your list too, see my Virgin Voyages Alaska Cruise Guide.
Getting to the Terminal
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Plan on 30 to 45 minutes by car, and more at rush hour. Your best options:
Uber or Lyft: Rideshare pickups at LAX are at the LAX-it lot, reached by a free shuttle from the terminals
Taxi: Also from LAX-it
Shuttles and transfers: Private shuttles and cruise transfers are available. Book ahead and confirm your pickup time.
From Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Long Beach is the closest airport to the terminal, about 20 to 30 minutes away. It's a smaller, easier airport, so it's worth checking for flights.
Driving
The terminal has direct access from the 110 Freeway, which ends right at the San Pedro waterfront. Traffic in Los Angeles is unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of extra time.
Parking at the Cruise Terminal
There's a secure lot right at the World Cruise Center with a courtesy shuttle to the terminal.
Cars: About $23 per day max
Oversized vehicles: About $40 per day max
Entrance: Swinford Street off Harbor Boulevard
Reservations: Not required
Rates change, so confirm the current price before you go.
How Check-In Works
Complete check-in in the Virgin Voyages app, including your photo, documents, and terminal arrival time.
Arrive at your time slot. Arriving early won't get you onboard sooner.
Drop your bags with the porters at the terminal.
Pick up your Band at check-in. See Virgin Voyages' The Band.
Clear security and board.
Documents: Mexican Riviera round trips start and end in Los Angeles, so U.S. citizens can sail with a birth certificate and photo ID, but I always recommend a passport. Sailings that start or end in Canada need one. See Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?
Fly In the Day Before
Ships don't wait for delayed flights, so plan to arrive in Los Angeles the day before you sail.
Where to stay
San Pedro: The closest option, with a few hotels near the waterfront and the easiest morning to the terminal
Long Beach: A walkable downtown with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and the Queen Mary, about 15 minutes away
Near LAX: Convenient if you land late, but you'll want to leave plenty of time for traffic in the morning
Things to Do Before or After Your Cruise
Battleship IOWA Museum: A World War II battleship you can tour, just up the waterfront from the terminal
San Pedro Fish Market: A local favorite for a big seafood lunch on the water
Point Fermin Lighthouse and Korean Bell of Friendship: Ocean views and great photo spots
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: A small, family-friendly aquarium on the San Pedro coast
Long Beach: The Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific
Catalina Island: The Catalina Express leaves from right next to the cruise terminal if you have a spare day
Frequently Asked Questions
What terminal does Virgin Voyages use in Los Angeles?
The World Cruise Center at the Port of Los Angeles, 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro, CA 90731.
How much is parking at the Los Angeles cruise terminal?
As of November 2026, the on-site lot charges about $23 per day max for cars, with a courtesy shuttle to the terminal.
What airport is closest to the Los Angeles cruise port?
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is closest, about 20 to 30 minutes away. LAX is about 30 to 45 minutes away.
Which Virgin ship sails from Los Angeles?
Brilliant Lady, in spring and fall between her Caribbean and Alaska seasons.
Where does Virgin Voyages go from Los Angeles?
Mostly the Mexican Riviera, with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. Brilliant Lady also sails one-way trips to Vancouver and the Panama Canal to Miami. See every Virgin departure port.
Sailing From Los Angeles?
PTO Passport is an independent cruise travel agency and Gold Tier Virgin Voyages First Mate. I'll find the right Los Angeles sailing, choose your exact cabin, and stack every offer you qualify for, including resident rates for West Coast Sailors. Same price as booking direct.
