This is one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast. This is where most cruise ships depart from LA. Carnival ships cruise out of Long Beach. However, the San Pedro Cruise Port is getting a facelift.

Cruise Port

I have talked about this before, and that can be found

Where I break down some facts about this Port.

As of January 2026, the Port has officially selected a developer to build a second cruise hub to handle the surge in West Coast cruise travel.

Why the Change?

Here are some of the reasons why the change is needed

• Bigger ships
  • Older terminals can struggle with the sheer size of the “Quantum Class” ships of the newer eco-friendly Vessels.
• Economic Impact:
  • The Port estimates that every cruise Ship call generates approximately $1.3 million in local economic activity.
• Waterfront Revitalization:
  • This project is part of the larger LA Waterfront initiative, which includes the West Harbor dining and entertainment district. This is set to open later in 2026.

What are the details?

I will be talking about two different parts of this project.

1. The New Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal

The centerpiece of this expansion is the brand-new Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, located at the southernmost tip of the San Pedro peninsula. This is currently being used for surface parking.

• Design: Renderings depict a modern, ring-shaped (circular) building. It’s designed to be more than just a terminal—it will include a central green space and a new public park that opens directly onto the waterfront.
• Capacity: It will feature two berths specifically designed to accommodate the newest, largest, and most environmentally sustainable cruise ships (including those that require shore power to reduce emissions).
• Developer: The project is being spearheaded by Pacific Cruise Terminals, a joint venture between Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure (an investment firm co-founded by Magic Johnson).

1. Redevelopment of the “World Cruise Center”

The existing World Cruise Center (where ships currently dock in San Pedro) isn’t being replaced—it’s being completely overhauled.

• Purpose: To modernize the facility to handle larger passenger volumes more efficiently.
• Context: In 2025, the Port of LA set a record with 1.6 million passengers and 241 Ship calls. The redevelopment aims to make the check-in and boarding process much smoother for this growing crowd.

Where is at

3011 Miner Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

• The Specific Spot: It occupies Berths 46-50. This area was previously a large surface parking lot and an occasional outdoor event space (where concerts like Fleet Week or Growlers6 were held).
• The Vibe: Unlike the current terminal, which is tucked under the Vincent Thomas Bridge, this new location is right on the Outer Harbor. This means ships have a much shorter path to the open ocean, and passengers get 360-degree views of the coastline and Catalina Island before they even leave the dock.

Ship Schedule for 2026

I guess they have some assigned berths. Since the new terminal is still in the early stages of its massive transformation, most major ships in 2026 are still currently assigned to the World Cruise Center (Inner Harbor) or the existing Berth 46 overflow area.

Committed

While the Port operates as a “landlord” for many brands, the following lines are the primary drivers for the new expansion:

• Royal Caribbean International: They have been a massive catalyst for this project. Royal Caribbean recently homeported the Ovation of the Seas in LA—the largest Ship ever to homeport there—and has signaled they will bring even larger “mega-ships” once the new terminal’s deep-water berths are ready.
• Princess Cruises: As a “hometown” line for Los Angeles, Princess has a permanent presence. They have already scheduled their newest, largest Ship, the Star Princess, for multiple calls in LA throughout 2026.
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): NCL has consistently increased its West Coast footprint. They are expected to use the new terminal to accommodate their larger “Prima Class” ships, which benefit from modern shore power hookups.
• Carnival Cruise Line: While Carnival has its own dedicated terminal in nearby Long Beach, its parent company (Carnival Corp.) has been deeply involved in the RFP (Request for Proposal) process for the San Pedro expansion to support its other brands like Princess and Holland America.

Why are these lines moving there?

The new terminal is specifically designed for “Next-Gen” vessels:

• Size: The old World Cruise Center struggles with ships carrying 5,000+ passengers; the new Outer Harbor berths can handle them with ease.
• Sustainability: California law now requires ships to “plug in” to the grid while at Port. This new terminal is being built with Shore Power as a core feature to meet these strict environmental standards.
• Efficiency: The “ring” design of the new terminal is intended to move thousands of people through customs and security much faster than the 1950s-era layout of the current facilities.

The picture above was taken from https://la.urbanize.city/project/outer-harbor-cruise-terminal.

What to expect if you’re traveling in 2026

Well, it will be interesting.

• The Construction shuffle, you know that fun thing, because the Port is redeveloping the World Cruise Center at the same time.
• While building the new Outer Harbor terminal, you might see more ships being shifted to Berth 46 (the site of the new terminal) to relieve congestion.
• West Harbor Opening: While the new terminal building itself is a multi-year project, the nearby West Harbor (the new shopping and dining district replacing the old Ports O’ Call) is slated to open its first phases throughout 2026. You’ll be able to grab a meal or walk the new promenade right before your cruise

1. Modernizing the “Passenger Flow.”

The current facility was last significantly renovated in 2003 and struggles with the volume of 4,000+ passenger ships. The redevelopment will focus on:

• Expanded Passenger Lounges: Creating larger, more comfortable waiting areas with modern amenities and “airport-style” seating.
• Streamlined Security & Customs: Redesigning the interior layout to speed up the check-in and disembarkation process, which currently can feel like a bottleneck.
• Upgraded Baggage Handling: Modernizing the infrastructure to move luggage more efficiently from the curb to the Ship.

2. “Dual-Use” Flexibility

One of the most interesting parts of the new plan is making the terminal useful even when ships aren’t in Port.

• Filming & Events: The Port plans to market the redeveloped space as a premier location for film shoots, conferences, and large-scale events on non-cruise days.
• Community Integration: The design will include public-facing elements, such as retail and food-and-beverage options, that connect the terminal to the nearby West Harbor (the massive new dining and entertainment district opening later in 2026).

3. Sustainability & Shore Power

By California law, ships must “plug in” to the grid while docked to eliminate engine emissions.

• Infrastructure Upgrades: The redevelopment will involve a complete overhaul of the electrical infrastructure at Berths 91–93 to ensure the most advanced ships can connect seamlessly to Shore Power.

4. Better Connectivity

• Pedestrian Access: A new 30-foot-wide waterfront promenade and a town square are being built to link the World Cruise Center directly to the rest of the LA Waterfront.
• The “Berm” and Gateway Plaza: Early design concepts (such as the one from StreetStudio.LA) suggest a new “Gateway Plaza” at the north entrance, with a landscaped berm that hides the parking areas, making the walk from the city to the ships much more scenic.

Where can I find information?

Well, I got that for you.

1. Port of Los Angeles Official Website

This is the best place for official news releases and galleries. They recently (January 22, 2026) released the latest renderings for the Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal.

• Website: portoflosangeles.org
• What to look for: Search for the “State of the Port 2026” address or the “Photo Gallery” under the News section. You’ll see the “ring-shaped” terminal design and the new public park concept.

2. West Harbor LA

If you want to see what the area between the two cruise terminals will look like, this site is spectacular. It focuses on the dining and entertainment district, replacing the old Ports O’ Call.

• Website: westharborla.com
• What to look for: The “Virtual Walkthrough” and “Gallery” sections. It features high-resolution images of the new 6,200-seat amphitheater, the waterfront promenade, and the park spaces connecting to the cruise terminals.

3. Urbanize LA

This architectural and real estate news site often hosts the most detailed “hero” shots of new projects in Los Angeles.

• Website: la.urbanize.city
• Search Term: “Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal”
• What you’ll see: They have high-quality renderings of the floor-to-ceiling glass terminal interior and the elevated pedestrian bridges that connect the ships to the waterfront park.

4. YouTube (Port of Los Angeles Channel)

For a more immersive look, the Port uploaded a “2026 State of the Port Feature” video that includes a 3D fly-through of the new terminal. It shows exactly how the ships will dock alongside the new circular park.

Key Visuals to Watch For:

• The Circular Terminal: A futuristic, white, ring-shaped building.
• The Rooftop Greenery: The new designs include public park space actually on top of the terminal infrastructure.
• The Promenade: A wide, paved walkway with “International Signal Flag” branding that stretches nearly a mile along the water.

Thoughts

Well, this looks like it is going to be a very interesting project. I have sailed out of the World Cruise Center twice, and both times have been hectic.

• Long wait lines
• Long lines
• Waiting outside

Just glad it wasn’t raining or cold.

I am looking forward to this new building.

YouTube