Pam - I seem to remember we had the same situation in 2003 when we disembarked the PC cruise, and I don't think we booked a flight as early as 12:30, maybe a little later. We got off and got a cab and maybe were at the airport around 10:30 to 11:00, but that was 5 years ago and things are different now. Remember too, that you will be coming from San Pedro port area, on the 405 which is a commuter disaster. Grew up in SOCAL and spent many hundreds of hours on those freeways, and I am sure many people in SoCal will have different opinions, but LAX on its own is a disaster -- so my opinion would be book a flight a little later just to allow for any unforseen situations, and if you spend more time at the airport, then hey you are there.
Hi to you and Tom and give our love to you Mom and Dad. Hope someday, some how, some where to cruise with you and Tom again - but you guys are so far ahead of us!!