The Port of Los Angeles gets two, loses two cruise lines

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Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines announced this week that it will return to the Port of Los Angeles next year for the first time in eight years.

The announcement marks the second cruise line to commit to the port next year.

Disney Cruise Lines has already said it plans to base its 964-foot Disney Wonder in the port off the coast of San Pedro for at least two years.

Port officials hope the two additions will help make up for the loss of Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Lines, both of which plan to leave the Port of Los Angeles next year. A port spokesman said the decision by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian to leave reflects changing demands for cruise destinations.

From the Port of Los Angeles, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate 11 departures between September 2011 and January 2012 on the 960-foot Carnival Spirit to the Mexican Riviera and one round-trip 15-day voyage to Hawaii in December. Carnival also operates two ships year-round from the Port of Long Beach.

In the past, Carnival’s West Coast voyages have departed from San Diego and Alaska as well as Long Beach.

Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said the move was designed to give cruising customers more departure options.

Beginning in January, the Disney Wonder will launch cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, according to the cruise line’s website.

-- Hugo Martin