What to Expect
The World Cruise Center in San Pedro has two terminals (Catalina and World Cruise Center) handling primarily Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity sailings. San Pedro is a working port community at the bottom of the Palos Verdes Peninsula — separated from central LA by geography and distance. The terminal itself is modern and functional. Allow significantly more time than you think you need from anywhere in LA: the city's traffic is reliably worse than any estimate.
Getting to the Port
From LAX Airport: 25 miles by freeway, $50–75 by rideshare, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. No direct public transit. From downtown LA (Union Station): $40–60, 30–50 minutes. From Burbank or Pasadena: add 30–45 minutes. Parking at the World Cruise Center: $18/day. Hotels in San Pedro or Long Beach are the most practical for the night before — cutting the drive entirely. San Pedro's downtown (Sixth Street area) has restaurants and a few hotels within walking distance of the terminal.
Tipping and Currency
USD. Los Angeles norms: 18–20% at restaurants, 20% common in nicer establishments. Parking valets: $2–5. Rideshare tip via app. Cash is useful at farmers' markets and food trucks.
Los Angeles with an Extra Day
If you have a full day before embarkation, the Getty Center (free, closes at 5:30pm, requires advance timed-entry reservation) is the single best use of a museum day in the city. The LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Broad are downtown alternatives. Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade are manageable if you're staying on the Westside. Hollywood (the Walk of Fame, the Griffith Observatory) is a legitimate day trip but requires a car. For food, the Grand Central Market downtown has everything. The Oaxacan food corridor in the Mid-City neighborhood is the best Mexican food in the city.