The ship, half of Disney's current fleet, will homeport in San Pedro, according to a recent announcement by the cruise line. While the itineraries have not been announced, the 1,750-passenger Disney Magic sailed weeklong Mexican Riviera cruises out of Los Angeles in 2005 and 2008, both of which were wildly popular. The agreement with the Port of Los Angeles is for two years, with an option for three more.

With the exception of the Mexican Riviera seasons and a recent foray into the Mediterranean, Disney ships have stayed pretty much in the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda since the cruise line began in the late 1990s. The company will launch Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy in 2011 and 2012, respectively, the cruise line's first new ships since Wonder was built in 1999.

Already there: Whether it's driven by increased demand or by the glut of ships during a weak economy, the major large-ship lines are putting more (and better) resources into the West Coast.

Once considered a dumping ground for older ships, Southern California is attracting a better (or at least bigger) class of vessel for its Mexican Riviera and Hawaii itineraries. Case in point: Carnival in March moved its newest ship, Carnival Splendor, to operate Mexico trips out of Long Beach. The 2,974-passenger Splendor is the largest ship in Carnival's fleet. (It made several visits to Pier 35 in San Francisco two weeks ago, but will not be making regular stops here.)

Similarly, Royal Caribbean has stationed the behemoth Mariner of the Seas in Los Angeles that, at 142,000 tons and able to carry 3,114 passengers, is the largest ship in regular service on the West Coast.

The trend follows three years of increased homeporting of ships in San Diego.

While the drop in cruise traffic for San Francisco continues (more because of federal law than anything local), cruise fans can take some comfort that the options within driving distance are improving.

Variety is the spice: Greek line Variety Cruises said last month that it will offer gay- and lesbian-themed "specialty cruises" starting this summer. Variety, which operates small-ship cruises in the Mediterranean, Aegean and the Red Sea, has scheduled a gay cruise for Aug. 21 and another in August 2010; and a lesbian cruise for July 9-16, 2010. Both voyages are aboard the 49-passenger sail-cruiser Panorama.

The specific itinerary is at the captain's discretion, but the voyages will probably include stops in Santorini, Mykonos, Folegandros, Poliegos and Kimolos. Activities will include "lengthy swim stops in selected beaches such as in Mykonos, DJ evenings off-board in specific ports of call," according to the company. Fares begin at $2,290 per person per week. For more, visit www.varietycruises.com.

Classy ship: In the latest example of the return of ship classes, Norwegian Cruise Line announced recently that its next ship, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic, will have the largest "ship-within-a-ship" complex at sea.

Translation: Epic has a first-class section.

The complex will include 60 suites and villas on two private decks (at the top), and guests there will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa complex, which has its own pool, hot tubs, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor-outdoor dining, bar-nightclub and concierge lounge. Norwegian has incorporated the ship-within-a-ship complex in several other vessels in the fleet, but this will be the largest, reflecting the significantly larger ship.

The good news is that what passes for steerage (everything else on the ship) is still plenty swanky.

Spud Hilton is deputy editor of Travel. Send comments to travel@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page G - 7 of the San Francisco Chronicle