Whichever cruise you choose, San Diego is a great place to start. It's close to the airport and the Cruise ship terminal is downtown, close to parking and hotels. So book your cruise reservations from San Diego.
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Each year hundreds of cruise ships dock in San Diego. Sometimes we are a day stop on a longer cruise. More often it is the end of one cruise and the starting point for another. You can catch a short three day cruise along the Mexican coast with stops in places like Ensenada or longer ones that head for what is called the Mexican Riviera, with stops in places like Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Longer Mexican cruises might also include Acapulco, Manzanillo, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo farther down the coast. You can also fly here, stay at a San Diego hotel, then embark on your cruise. Other cruise destinations include Hawaii and coastal cruises that go north with stops in San Francisco, Vancouver, British Columbia and Alaska. You can also book cruises from San Diego that will take you down the South American coastline and through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean and on to Florida. You can take a cruise as a honeymoon after your San Diego wedding. You can even book cruises that will take you to Tahiti and French Polynesia.
San Diego Cruise Lines
At least ten cruise lines sail in and out of San Diego. They include: Azamara Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean and SilverSea. Each cruise line tends to have its own personality. Investigate the cruise lines you are considering or talk with a travel agent about what each offers. Some are more family friendly, while others cater to couples.
There are theme cruises, including movies and sports. You can book cruise ship cabins that are spartan and inexpensive or, on the same ship book luxurious cabins with their own balconies high above the waves. In the same manner, there are many options when it comes to cruise onboard activities and cruise ship dining. You should check with your travel agent or the individual cruise lines about fares and discounts.
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Transportation to the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is easy. The airport, San Diego International Airport or Lindbergh Field, is just a couple of miles north along the bay. The Santa Fe Railroad Station, where Amtrak trains arrive from the north, is less than a half mile to the east, easy walking distance even. By car, you can take downtown or airport exits off of Interstate 5. Parking is near the Cruise Ship Terminal. The Port of San Diego, which operates the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal, says that with proper ID and a ticket for sailing on that day you can drive onto the pier to unload your luggage. You can't park there while on your cruise however. If you are flying in, some of the cruise lines will let you skip baggage claim at the airport. The cruise line picks up your bags and delivers them to the ship. Check with your cruise line about this service.
Security at the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal is just as tight as at any airport. You'll need a picture ID and have to show your ticket to get into the terminal. Don't forget a passport if you will be making any port calls outside the United States.
San Diego Bay Cruises
There is also one other type of cruise you can take out of San Diego, and those never leave the bay. Hornblower cruises operates cruises around the bay. The Hornblower boats range in size from the Inspiration, which can handle up to 1,000 people down to the Renown for about 50 people. In all Hornblower operates seven boats in San Diego.
Another company, San Diego Harbor Excursions, operates a number of boats on the bay as well. It also runs the best deal if you just want a short cruise on San Diego bay, the Coronado Ferry. Jump on the ferry at the foot of Broadway, near the cruise ship terminal, and ride to the Coronado Ferry Landing. For $3.50 you get a great ride on the bay. Take your bike onboard for free.
The Maritime Museum also sometimes books cruise events on some of it's boats including the Star of India and the HMS Surprise, It is the flagship used in the movie, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
