A Complete Guide to San Pedro Cruise Terminal Activities and Virgin Voyages Embarkation Day Tips
- Jayson R.
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Waiting at the San Pedro Cruise Terminal before your Virgin Voyages adventure can feel long if you don’t know what to do nearby. At the same time, embarkation day can seem confusing if it’s your first time sailing with Virgin Voyages. This guide will help you make the most of your time before boarding and walk you through the embarkation process step-by-step. You’ll also discover a favorite local spot to enjoy breakfast, brunch, or lunch with great coffee and friendly service.
Things to Do Near San Pedro Cruise Terminal While Waiting
San Pedro Cruise Terminal is located in the Port of Los Angeles, a busy area with limited but enjoyable options for passengers waiting to board. Here are some practical ideas to pass the time comfortably:
Think Cafe: 302 W 5th St #105, San Pedro, CA 90731
One of the best nearby spots for breakfast, brunch, or lunch is Think Cafe. This cozy café offers excellent coffee, including rich lattes and refreshing drinks. The staff is friendly and welcoming, making it a relaxing place to start your day. Whether you want a light bite or a full meal, Think Cafe has options that suit most tastes.
Walk Along the Waterfront
If you want to stretch your legs, take a stroll along the waterfront near the terminal. The views of the harbor and docked ships provide a pleasant backdrop. It’s a calm way to enjoy fresh air before your cruise. You will likely see many others headed to the terminal too.
Visit the Ports O’ Call Village
Just a short walk from the terminal, this area has shops, eateries, and small attractions. It’s a good spot to grab a snack or browse local souvenirs.
Relax in Nearby Parks
There are small parks and green spaces close to the terminal where you can sit and relax. Bring a book or simply enjoy the surroundings.
How Virgin Voyages Embarkation Day Works
Embarkation day with Virgin Voyages has a smooth flow once you know the steps. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare:
Parking at San Pedro
When you arrive at the terminal the lines of cars to get into the parking structure was long and tedious, parking is limited and may cause challenges. It's best to carpool or take a Lyft & Uber as the parking will be costly...
Cruise Passenger Parking
Cruise passengers have a variety of options for convenient parking at the Port of Los Angeles. Secured overnight parking lots for cruise facilities are managed by Parking Concepts, Inc. (PCI).
For more information, call:
Parking rates: Free for the first hour and $2/hour thereafter
($23 maximum per day for standard vehicles; $40 maximum per day for oversized vehicles)
Parking rates apply to the following PCI-managed locations:
Los Angeles Cruise Terminal • Battleship IOWA • Catalina Sea and Air Terminal
Early Morning: Baggage Tagging and Drop-Off
When you arrive at the terminal in the morning, your first task is to find a table where you will receive your baggage tags. This is an important step because your bags will be taken from you and delivered directly to your cabin.
Tip: Arrive at least 4 hours before your designated embarkation time. This gives the crew enough time to get your bags onboard and to your cabin before you board. If you arrive later, you might have to wait longer to receive your luggage.
After tagging your bags, take them to an attendant with a luggage cart. They will load your bags onto the ship for you.
Boarding Process
When your embarkation time approaches, you will join a roped line outside the terminal. The process includes several checkpoints:
Security Check
The first stop is security screening. Have your documents ready for a smooth pass-through.
Document and Payment Verification
Next, you will line up to show your travel documents, verify your credit card billing, or sort out any cash payments. This step ensures your account is set up for onboard charges.
Wristband Activation
After verification, you will receive and activate your wristband. This wristband is your key to your cabin, onboard purchases, and access to ship amenities.
Optional Bar Tab Setup
Before you step onboard, you have one last chance to add a bar tab to your account. This option offers extra perks that won’t be available again during the voyage, such as special drink offers or priority service at bars.
Consider this if you plan to enjoy cocktails or other beverages onboard.
Boarding and Meeting Your Bags
Once all steps are complete, you will board the ship. Head straight to your cabin where your bags should be waiting for you. If you arrived early enough, your luggage will be there when you get to your room, allowing you to settle in quickly.
Tips for a Smooth Embarkation Day
Plan to arrive early to drop off bags and avoid delays with your luggage.
Keep your documents and payment info handy to speed up the verification process.
Take advantage of the bar tab option if you want to enjoy onboard drinks with added perks. You are always best to purchase this 48 hours in advance in the app (NOT 24 hours, you'll be locked out from the app bar tab well ahead of the 24 hours noted in the app, don't be fooled!) If you get it at the terminal, you will most likely encounter a line.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes since you may spend some time standing (or in our case: sitting) in lines.
Stay hydrated and grab a coffee at Think Cafe before heading to the terminal to keep your energy up.
Final Thoughts on San Pedro and Virgin Voyages Embarkation
Virgin makes the process simple, however if you arrive too early to your time to embark, you'll be waiting in line. I found that it was more comfortable sitting on the floor with my friends, but that may or may not be your cup of tea. There are no chairs in the lines and few places to sit for those in need of a rest, you won't get one while you wait in line.
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