The 7 best cruises from Los Angeles

4 weeks ago 12

Los Angeles serves as a West Coast hub for some of the best cruise destinations out of the U.S. With two convenient departure points — the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach — cruisers have easy access to trips ranging from tropical getaways in Mexico to scenic excursions along the Pacific Coast and up to Canada.

Whether you're seeking a short weekend escape or a longer exploration of the Panama Canal, Hawaiian Islands or even Tahiti, each of these seven cruises departing from Los Angeles offers an unforgettable experience.

7-night California Coast cruise with Princess Cruises

Fall is the perfect time to take a weeklong cruise up the California coast to San Francisco and back down to San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. Princess Cruises offers this itinerary a couple of times in October and November 2024 and 2025.

An overnight in San Francisco allows for plenty of time for excursions, such as touring Alcatraz and Sausalito, sightseeing and eating dim sum in Chinatown or heading to Sonoma's wine country. It also means you can experience this vibrant city's nightlife. (One easy option: Have dinner and take a stroll at Pier 39.)

In San Diego, visit the world-famous zoo or take an iconic Old Town trolley tour. In Ensenada, try a zip line through the desert, indulge in a tequila tasting or snorkel off the Todos Santos islands.

Discovery Princess is one of the newest ships on the West Coast, having debuted in 2022. It sails out of Los Angeles during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

The ship offers its 3,660 passengers a diverse array of culinary offerings, including the signature "360: An Extraordinary Experience," which transports guests to the sights, sounds and tastes of the Mediterranean through a seven-course culinary and visual journey. During sea days, cruisers can enjoy fun workout classes in partnership with Xponential Fitness, marvel at the 270-degree sweeping views from Princess' largest balconies at sea, unwind at the Lotus Spa, watch movies under the stars with fresh-popped popcorn or soak in the ship's hot tubs.

Who should book: This sailing is ideal for couples, multigenerational families and groups of friends looking for an itinerary that balances active experiences in port with relaxing days on board.

16-night Panama Canal cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line

Ready to head south of the border with Norwegian Cruise Line? In October 2025, Norwegian Encore begins its 16-night Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles to Miami with four stops in Mexico. First up is Cabo San Lucas, where kayaking, snorkeling and off-roading adventures reign supreme. Next you'll visit Puerto Vallarta, choosing from charming city tours and tequila tastings, as well as Mexican fiesta lunches and countryside horseback riding. Then you'll visit Manzanillo and Acapulco before moving on to Central America.

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In Guatemala, you can tour a coffee plantation or Mayan ruins. Take a jungle cruise or see an Andalusian horse show in Costa Rica, and canoe through the mangroves or discover the best of Cartagena in Colombia. The best part of this cruise? The day spent transiting 40 miles through the Panama Canal, of course.

Launched in August of 2017, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Encore keeps passengers busy on this itinerary's six sea days. Guests can unwind in the Thermal Suite (perhaps in the sauna or salt room), order a round of cocktails at the Observation Lounge while toasting the 180-degree views or speed around the largest racetrack at sea. Tempt taste buds at one of the many delicious dining options, including the Italian Onda by Scarpetta, or enjoy a moonlit dinner along The Waterfront, a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade.

Who should book: Retirees with extra time on their hands or remote workers with flexible schedules will especially appreciate this voyage that lasts more than two weeks. If you have kids in tow, they can take advantage of the ship's water park, teen club and Splash Academy camp for children ages 3-12.

5-night Cabo overnight cruise on Royal Caribbean

Sometimes you need a short getaway to reset, and a five-night Royal Caribbean cruise with two sea days and a full 24 hours in Cabo San Lucas provides just that. Overnight stays here are special, allowing plenty of time for long beach breaks, a catamaran sunset cruise, a horseback ride or camel ride along the beach, or a tequila and taco fiesta. Another highlight in this area is El Arco, the natural rock formations that jut out of the sea and make for beautiful photos. Save a little time for shopping, as the colorful local pottery makes for excellent gifts and souvenirs.

In June 2025, 4,900-passenger Ovation of the Seas will make its way to the West Coast for the first time. Once based out of Los Angeles, it will offer this particular itinerary on several sail dates from June through September 2025. Scope out the scenery from the ship's North Star, a London Eye-style pod that lifts passengers high above the top deck of the ship, or spend an afternoon on board at the surf simulator or the SeaPlex roller-skating/bumper car pavilion.

You might not have time to try all 17 eateries on board, but don't miss the inventive culinary program at Wonderland or Tuscan-inspired fare at Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. After hours, settle in for outdoor movie nights, hit the dance floor salsa-style, or catch an energetic song-and-dance show in the main theater.

Who should book: This cruise caters to couples looking for a little alone time, groups of friends (hello, bachelor/bachelorette and birthday parties!) and young families.

18-night Los Angeles to Tahiti with Crystal

Want to visit French Polynesia but aren't excited about such long flights? Sail there on luxury Crystal cruise ship Crystal Serenity, and you'll only have to book a return flight. The ship departs on its 18-night cruise from L.A. to Tahiti in January 2026.

Ten glorious sea days are in store for you, but you'll also have stops in Hawaii to help break up the lengthy sailing. Consider visiting Pearl Harbor for a deep dive into history or stretch your legs on a nature walk through a rainforest.

Once you reach French Polynesia, you'll have plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, exploring marine life in a glass-bottom boat, snorkeling in crystal clear waters, picnicking on a lagoon cruise and luxuriating in Polynesian paradise after dark on a couple overnight stays.

Want to extend this trip? You can take the ship all the way to Auckland if you have 38 days free!

The 740-passenger Crystal Serenity was refurbished in 2023 to enhance cabins and public spaces alike — expect a pickleball court, golf driving nets, a lounge for playing bridge and a lap pool. The culinary program is second-to-none, whether you choose to eat at the Waterside Restaurant (main dining room), legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa's Umi Uma sushi restaurant or the Italian Osteria D'Ovidio. Each cabin comes with highly attentive butler service, and the evening entertainment is truly excellent — an unexpected treat on such a small ship.

Who should book: Passengers enjoying their golden years are most likely to be on board, though Crystal does draw an array of guest profiles with bigger budgets.

8-night Mexican Riviera cruise with Carnival Cruise Line

A Mexican Riviera sailing is a classic cruise vacation, and Carnival Cruise Line's round-trip itinerary from the Port of Long Beach hits all the highlights over dozens of sailings in 2025 and 2026. The order of ports varies by sail date, but each cruise visits the same stops.

In Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California Peninsula, you can kayak past El Arco or sip a margarita on the beach. When the ship heads to La Paz, look for sea lions as you sail through the Sea of Cortez. Snorkelers and divers might see gentle whale sharks, as well.

In Mazatlan, enjoy salsa two ways, with an excursion that teaches you how to make salsa and then shows you some salsa dance moves, or go shopping in the Golden Zone and stop for an authentic lunch. Things heat up in Puerto Vallarta, with a candlelit dinner and show in the jungle, a mule ride through the forest or a beach break with a mezcal-tasting and parrot encounters.

Built in 2019, Carnival Panorama holds 4,000 passengers and is rich in amenities. It has the only Sky Zone trampoline park at sea, a pedal-powered suspended bike experience called SkyRide, a ropes course, mini golf and the WaterWorks water park. Or if you prefer, skip the adrenaline-inducing activities and relax at the Cloud 9 Spa and the Serenity adults-only sun deck.

Restaurant options range from the refined fare of the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse to brand classics like BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Who should book: Carnival cruises are budget-friendly and fun for the whole family. Starting rates for this cruise are under $100 per person, per night, for all your food and nonstop entertainment.

6-night Pacific Coastal sailing with Celebrity Cruises

Make your way north from Los Angeles to Vancouver with Celebrity Cruises and see some of the most magical cities the West Coast has to offer on this six-night, one-way sailing in May 2025.

San Francisco is up first, with opportunities to see such iconic landmarks as the Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop by Astoria, Oregon, next and stroll through the revitalized 1920s-era downtown filled with Victorian homes. No visit to Victoria, British Columbia, would be complete without spending a few hours in Butchart Gardens and having afternoon tea at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel.

The cruise ends in Vancouver, where you'll surely want to add on an extra day (or three!) to explore Stanley Park, take an eight-minute gondola ride up Grouse Mountain through the Douglas firs for views of the entire city and the Gulf Islands, and sample the city's incredibly diverse culinary scene, with options ranging from Malaysian food to farm-to-table produce.

Celebrity Summit has been in service since 2001 and received a hefty remodel in 2019. It holds just 2,200 passengers but packs a lot into its smaller footprint. This ship offers The Retreat suites, which come with a dedicated butler, sun deck, lounge and restaurant. Wellness options include a spa, fitness center and thermal suite.

Dining is also a main attraction on board, from a 3D interactive dining experience at Le Petit Chef (with a pre-fixe menu) and handmade pasta and veal marsala at Tuscan Grille to lobster ramen and shrimp tempura at Sushi on Five.

Who should book: Cruisers looking for a more manageable ship size, refined culinary offerings and exclusive spaces (like The Retreat) will feel right at home on Celebrity Summit.

19-night Los Angeles to Vancouver sailing with Silversea Cruises

At first glance, L.A. to Vancouver sounds like a straight shot that should only take a few days, so why does Silversea Cruises' April 2025 cruise take 19? Because you'll be spending seven of them in Hawaii.

After five relaxing days at sea, the ship will arrive in Hilo and your tour of the Hawaiian Islands begins. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo are highlights on the Big Island, as is a guided hike of Kilauea Crater followed by a visit to Rainbow Falls. The next day, the ship moves to Kona, on the opposite side of the island, where you'll overnight for even more access to the area's offerings, such as visiting a coffee farm, driving to the slopes of Mount Hualalai to an endangered cloud forest or touring a farm that grows cacao, Kona coffee, citrus, fruits and tropical flowers.

During your next stop in Kauai, visit Waimea Canyon and Spouting Horn or take a train ride through Kilohana Plantation. Two full days with an overnight in Honolulu allow for long beach days, tours of Pearl Harbor and a hike up Diamond Head Crater. A final stop in Maui rounds out this adventure before six more sea days deliver you to Vancouver.

Launched in 2019, Silver Moon holds 596 passengers and 414 crew, making the crew-to-guest ratio nearly 1:1. All Silver Moon accommodations are suites with ocean views, and almost all offer private verandas as well. Guests will no doubt spend plenty of time enjoying the views from the Panorama Lounge during sea days, but they can also make use of a fitness center, spa and library. This vessel offers Silversea's immersive SALT program (Sea and Land Taste), which showcases destination-based gastronomic experiences curated with Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine.

Who should book: Sophisticated travelers looking for more personalized service, upscale dining and accommodations and a clear all-in price — butler service for every suite category, in-suite dining service, onboard gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, and wines, spirits and bottled water are included in Silversea's fares.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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