Disney Cruise Line to pull out of L.A., start sailing from Miami

Disney Cruise Line will leave Los Angeles at the end of 2012 and reposition the Disney Wonder to Miami, marking the first time the company will sail from that Florida port. Disney rolled out its cruise itineraries for next year on Tuesday -- and L.A. trips weren’t on the list.

The Port of L.A. issued a short statement that reads in part: “They’re a valued customer, this is a solid market for them, and we hope to continue working with them any way we can in the coming years.”

Rebecca Peddie, manager of public affairs for Disney Cruise Line, says in an e-mail that the company will continue sailing to the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii from L.A. through the end of this year. “The growth of our fleet has given us the flexibility to test new itineraries from year to year,” she writes. “While we are only scheduled to call once in Los Angeles in 2013, we will certainly consider returning again in the future.”

Last month, Disney canceled four cruises to Mexico, which sparked speculation in the media and among the cruise industry about the line leaving the L.A. market. The last cruise will depart for the Mexican Riviera on Dec. 2.

The company signed up for a two-year stint and began operations from L.A. in 2011. Prior to that, Disney had offered limited sailings on the Disney Magic in summer 2005 and again in 2008.

And as one ship leaves, another enters. Norwegian Cruise Line announced last month that the Norwegian Star will return to L.A. starting in October 2013. The ship will sail to the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal from L.A. to Miami and back.