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Full Port of Los Angeles Guide

What to Pack for Port of Los Angeles

The complete cruise packing checklist. Every essential item with explanations — so you don't forget anything for your cruise from Port of Los Angeles.

23 packing items · researched from public reviews and official sources

Packing for a cruise from Port of Los Angeles

Cruise terminals are not shops. Whatever you forget has to be bought before you reach the curb, so pack the checklist below and use these Port of Los Angeles notes to plan the last stop on the way in.

Los Angeles World Cruise Center

Nothing is inside the terminal gate, but downtown San Pedro is five minutes away. The Vons at 1221 S Gaffey Street and the CVS at 700 S Gaffey Street between them cover water, snacks, sunscreen and pharmacy items, and there is a post office at 839 S Beacon Street if something has to be mailed home before you sail.

Forgot something? Stops near Port of Los Angeles

Vons — South Gaffey Street — Full supermarket for water, snacks, sunscreen, and whatever got left on the kitchen counter

1221 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

CVS Pharmacy — South Gaffey Street — Motion sickness tablets, chargers, toiletries and travel sizes, with a pharmacy counter attached

700 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Ralphs — North Western Avenue — The larger grocery run up the hill, worth it if you are stocking a cabin rather than grabbing one thing

1050 N Western Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732

San Pedro Post Office — South Beacon Street — Closest post office to the World Cruise Center for anything that has to be mailed before you sail

839 S Beacon St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Parking and transport at Port of Los AngelesLAX to Port of Los AngelesAll Port of Los Angeles terminals

The complete cruise packing checklist

Packing for a specific itinerary or wondering what each cruise line actually lets you bring aboard? Read the full cruise packing guide, or jump to the Alaska and Caribbean lists.

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Carry-On Day Bag

Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm

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Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
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Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
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Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
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Sunscreen (reef-safe) — The pool deck sun is intense — apply before you even get on the shipAmazon
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Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
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Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
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Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready

Cruise Essentials

Things that make the whole trip better

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Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
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USB multi-port charger (no power strip) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets, but most cruise lines now ban power strips and surge protectors outright — a USB-only charger is not confiscated at security
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Packing cubes — Cabin drawers are small — cubes keep things organized in tight spacesAmazon
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Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
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Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
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Night light — Cabins are pitch black. A small night light prevents midnight stubbed toesAmazon
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Over-the-door pocket organizer — With three or more in one cabin there is no counter space — the pockets hold toiletries, chargers and sunscreen on the back of the bathroom door
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Pop-up laundry hamper — Folds flat in the suitcase and keeps a week of kids' dirty clothes separate from the clean ones in a cabin with nowhere else to put them

Easy to Forget

The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop

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Motion sickness remedy — Even experienced cruisers can get queasy on rough sea daysAmazon
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Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
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Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
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Small OTC medicine kit — Pain reliever, antacid, anti-diarrheal, cold and allergy tablets, bandages. The onboard shop stocks little of this and the medical center charges for a visit — the pharmacy at home is where it costs a few dollars
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Small battery clock — Many cabins no longer have a bedside clock, and an interior cabin at 3am is too dark to find a phone
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Waterproof phone pouch — Pool photos, water slides, port excursions — protect your phoneAmazon
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Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
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Children's medicines (their usual brand and flavor) — Ships rarely sell children's formulas at all, and a feverish kid at midnight is not the moment to discover that
See packing list in the full guide →

Want the complete Port of Los Angeles cruise guide?

Restaurants, activities, hotels, terminal tips, parking, packing lists, and boarding advice — all in one page.

View Full Guide

Let them watch you sail

Port of Los Angeles has a live camera pointed at the water. Send this to whoever is staying home and they can watch your ship leave.

We sail from Port of Los Angeles. You can watch our ship leave on the port's live camera: https://cruisedayguide.com/guide/san-pedro/webcam

See what the cameras show →

More Port of Los Angeles Guides

ShipsSailing ScheduleTerminalsParking & TransportRestaurantsHotelsActivitiesBoarding TipsPacking List

Flying In?

LAX to Port of Los Angeles

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