I like to think of cruises as one of the last great travel bargains in America, since you can travel to numerous far-flung destinations on one trip for as little as $100 dollars a day, without suffering uncomfortable accommodations, flight delays or bed bugs like you would in some sketchy hotel that costs the same amount. I’ve covered the cruise industry as a travel editor, and cruise ship guests always praise how the on-ship experience is a story of overall ease, since you’re only unpacking once—when you occupy your cabin—yet you get to visit so many ports of call, linked like jewels on a necklace.
Depending on the ship you choose, you can enjoy multiple restaurants and bars, spa appointments, learning opportunities and wellness pursuits all before you even disembark. While East Coast cruises get a lot of the attention, since the Caribbean and Europe are conveniently right there, I’m here to recommend West Coast-originating cruise vacations to book right now, before the bargains and best cabins sell out. These trips depart from one of two Los Angeles ports, San Pedro and Long Island, and this list of the 10 best cruises range from a brief three nights to as long as three weeks. They include popular cruise lines for families as well as cruise lines for adults. Keep reading after the list—I’ve answered some of the most frequently-asked questions about Los Angeles cruises.
