Guests Informed of Parking Limitations for Upcoming Carnival Cruise
Travelers who drive to the cruise homeport know that between traffic, unfamiliar directions, and general congestion, finding the best parking at the cruise terminal can be a challenge.
Unfortunately, guests setting sail this weekend on Carnival Panorama‘s June 21, 2025 departure may have even more parking challenges than they anticipated, due to limited options at the Port of Long Beach.
Carnival Cruise Line has sent out an advisory to booked guests to help them navigate the situation, but is also urging travelers to find alternative transportation if possible.
“Due to limited parking at the Port of Long Beach, we have secured an offsite parking area for your sailing, but we encourage guests to use alternate transportation that does not require parking,” the notification explains.
The impacted sailing is an 8-night Mexican Riviera cruise with stops planned for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas before the ship returns to Long Beach on Sunday, June 29.
Carnival is advising guests that they should first drive to the cruise terminal to drop off their traveling party and luggage before proceeding to the offsite parking facility.
This is an essential first step, as they will receive an entry card that will identify them as a Carnival Panorama guest – without this, they may be denied parking.
The parking fee is $20 per day, including embarkation and debarkation days, for a total of $180. This must be paid at the facility, in advance, and only card payments are accepted.
Complimentary shuttles will then bring guests back to the cruise terminal to set sail, and will be available after Carnival Panorama returns for drivers to head back to their vehicles.
On embarkation day (Saturday, June 21), the last shuttle will leave the parking facility 30 minutes before final boarding to ensure all guests arrive at the cruise terminal on time.
It is unclear, however, if full parties will be able to be accommodated on the shuttles – another reason to drop one’s traveling companions at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, and perhaps a consideration for debarkation.
Guests should note that not all vehicles can be accommodated at offsite parking area. No vehicles taller than 6 feet 6 inches will be permitted, nor will any oversized vehicles that require more than one space – such as RVs or trailers.
It is also important to note that back-to-back guests who are also sailing on Carnival Panorama‘s June 29 departure, a 6-night cruise, cannot use the provided area, as it is only in use for a single sailing.
As no alternative suggestions other than to find a way not to drive to the cruise terminal are offered, guests with larger vehicles or who are on back-to-back sailings will need to do their own research about parking near the Port of Long Beach.
All guests are also reminded to stick to their pre-selected cruise terminal arrival appointments.
“No matter what you choose, please adhere to your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment,” the email said. “We must allow debarking guests to leave the cruise terminal before we can accommodate your arrival.”
Sticking to those time windows will also help alleviate parking difficulties, as debarking travelers can vacate parking spaces before other cruisers arrive.
Why Is the Parking Full?
Carnival Cruise Line has not offered any explanation about why the port’s parking is limited for this one sailing, but it is not the first time the Port of Long Beach has had crowded parking.
While Carnival Panorama is the only cruise ship using the port on Saturday, June 21, Carnival Firenze is returning the next day, while both Carnival Radiance and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas will be docked on Monday, June 23. Ovation of the Seas returns on Wednesday, June 25.
Read Also: Full Guide on Long Beach Cruise Terminal Parking
It is possible that other considerations, such as repaving or restriping projects for parking areas or other port traffic, may be impacting parking for this one Carnival Panorama cruise.
Savvy travelers should always plan alternative options in case their first choice for parking may not be available, just so they aren’t faced with extra confusion or frustration and left scrambling for a space on embarkation day.
Guests Informed of Parking Limitations for Upcoming Carnival Cruise