Getting ashore
Catalina Island is usually a tender stop.
Build in extra time at both ends of the day, especially if you are planning an independent tour or want to be first ashore.
United States
Catalina Island Cruise Port
Catalina Island is a solid port day with frequent tendering and lighter cruise traffic throughout the year, but concentrated in March, April, May, June, August, September, and December.
Usually tenders
Usually quiet
~10h typical visit
Mid-size ships
What to expect in Catalina Island
How much time will you have?
About 9h 30m is typical
Most cruises spend 9h to 9h 30m in Catalina Island, which makes it a solid port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Catalina Island get?
This is usually a quieter cruise stop.
Multiple ships overlap on roughly 0% of days, so most dates should feel manageable.
- Typical day: ~2,900 passengers
- Busy day: 4,250+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 0% of days
Check your date
September 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Where Catalina Island fits into a cruise
Catalina Island is most commonly visited on Mexican Riviera itineraries, often alongside Los Angeles and Long Beach .
Commonly arrives from
Catalina Island
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Catalina Island
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from March, April, May, June, August, September, and December.
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from March, April, May, June, August, September, and December.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
18
17
29
22
23
24
21
24
24
17
17
22
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Catalina Island typically carry around 2,896 guests, with Ovation of the Seas, Carnival Radiance, and Serenade of the Seas calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Ovation of the Seas 47 calls
- 2 Carnival Radiance 29 calls
- 3 Serenade of the Seas 16 calls
- 4 Carnival Firenze 11 calls
- 5 Voyager of the Seas 6 calls
- 6 Brilliant Lady 2 calls
Next port calls
Sep 17 Brilliant Lady
Sep 22 Carnival Firenze
Sep 26 Ovation of the Seas
Sep 27 Quantum of the Seas
Sep 29 Carnival Firenze
Cruises that visit Catalina Island
Once the port-day tradeoffs look right for you, here are some good sailings that feature Catalina Island.
Ovation of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Ensenada → Los Angeles
Dec 4 · 7 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 2
Good value
$449 inside · $64/night
17% below typical · 6-month low
Voyager of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Mazatlan → Los Angeles
Nov 5 · 8 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 2
Exceptional value
$499 oceanview · $62/night
26% below typical · 6-month low
Voyager of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Mazatlan → Los Angeles
Oct 22 · 8 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 2
Good value
$379 inside · $47/night
18% below typical · 6-month low
Ovation of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Ensenada → Los Angeles
Oct 26 · 4 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 3
Exceptional value
$249 inside · $62/night
26% below typical · 6-month low
Voyager of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Cabo San Lucas → Los Angeles
Mar 26 · 6 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 2
Exceptional value
$449 inside · $75/night
30% below typical · 6-month low
Ovation of the Seas
Los Angeles → Catalina Island → Ensenada → Los Angeles
Oct 19 · 4 nights
Visits Catalina Island on day 3
Good value
$259 inside · $65/night
23% below typical · 6-month lowCruise routes that include Catalina Island
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Catalina Island, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Cabo San Lucas
From $449
$449
·
5 upcoming sailings
·
1 ship
5 upcoming sailings
1 ship
View itinerary →
Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Cabo San Lucas
From $379
$379
·
2 upcoming sailings
·
1 ship
2 upcoming sailings
1 ship
View itinerary →
Mexican Riviera Loop: Catalina Island & Ensenada
From $189
$189
·
100 upcoming sailings
·
6 ships
100 upcoming sailings
6 ships
View itinerary →
Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Cabo San Lucas
From $449
$449
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Ensenada
From $531
$531
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
West Coast Coastal via San Francisco & Santa Barbara
From $791
$791
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Related ports near Catalina Island
Compare nearby cruise ports with active sailing coverage.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Catalina Island
Short answers for common search intent around the best time to visit, itinerary patterns, and how to compare cruises that include Catalina Island.
What is the best time to visit Catalina Island on a cruise?
The best time to visit Catalina Island depends on both schedule density and live pricing. Use the calendar above to compare exact port-call dates and the featured cruises section to see which sailings currently stand out.
When is Catalina Island busiest for cruise traffic?
Traffic patterns are still building as more schedules get indexed. Jibhop will surface the busiest months as upcoming port-call coverage expands.
Which cruise itineraries usually include Catalina Island?
Common upcoming itinerary families that include Catalina Island include Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Cabo San Lucas, Mexican Riviera Loop via Catalina Island & Cabo San Lucas, and Mexican Riviera Loop: Catalina Island & Ensenada. Open any itinerary card to compare route mix, next departures, and which sailings look strongest on price.
How should I compare cruises that visit Catalina Island?
Start with the best cruises section to see today's strongest pricing signals, then use the port-call calendar to find the exact visit dates that fit your trip. Once you narrow the timing, compare itineraries and ships rather than choosing on this stop alone.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Catalina Island
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Catalina Island in your trip.