San Diego is one of the most convenient cruise ports in the country: the terminals are on the Embarcadero in downtown, and San Diego International Airport is about two miles up Harbor Drive. Most ships use the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal, with the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier handling additional ships. The Port lists Holland America, Disney, Princess, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean as partner lines.
Itineraries focus on Mexico: Baja California getaways and seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises, plus longer round-trip Hawaii voyages and some repositioning cruises. Disney's ship and Royal Caribbean's are the most frequent visitors in the 2026-2027 schedule, and the season is clearly weighted toward fall, winter and spring, with only a few departures in summer when West Coast ships move to Alaska.
Because the port is downtown, you can walk to the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy and the USS Midway Museum before boarding. Parking is the one weak spot: the Port does not run cruise parking and the terminals have none, so you choose among private lots and garages.
Where cruises from San Diego go
- Mexican Riviera West Coast sunshine: Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on easy round trips from Southern California.
- Hawaii Four islands in a week from Honolulu, or a long Pacific crossing from the West Coast.
Cruise lines sailing from San Diego
- Disney Cruise Line Family cruising built around Disney storytelling, characters and top-tier kids' clubs.
- Royal Caribbean International Giant resort ships where the ship itself is the destination.
- Holland America Line Mid-size ships, classic service and long, port-rich voyages, with deep roots in Alaska.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle cruising: no fixed dinner times, no formal dress rules, lots of restaurants.
- Princess Cruises Classic, comfortable cruising with tech-smart service and an Alaska specialty.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from San Diego on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| B Street Cruise Ship Terminal 1140 North Harbor Drive. Two berths and the main terminal used by most ships; about 2.4 miles from the airport. | Varies |
| Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier 1100 North Harbor Drive. One berth; about 2.7 miles from the airport. | Varies |
Getting there
From the airport, a taxi or rideshare down Harbor Drive takes under 10 minutes. Have your driver drop you beyond the gate on the pier to avoid lines. The Santa Fe Depot train station is two blocks east of the terminals for Amtrak, COASTER and trolley connections.
- SAN San Diego International Airport: about 2.5 miles
Parking
The Port of San Diego does not own or operate cruise parking, and passengers may not park on the pier. The Port's long-term cruise parking page lists several private options: Ace Parking at the hotels across from the terminals, ABM's nearby surface lots and the Campus at Horton garage, San Diego's Park, Shuttle & Fly with a 24/7 shuttle, Aladdin Airport and Cruise Ship Parking with a free shuttle, and the airport's own parking plaza. Each sets its own rates and reservations.
Where to stay the night before
Downtown waterfront hotels, Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter are all walking distance or a very short ride from the terminals.
Season: Fall through spring is the main season; summer has only a handful of departures.
Embarkation-day tips
- Do not plan to park at the terminal; reserve a private lot ahead of time.
- The Port asks passengers to arrive at their assigned boarding time and not before 10 a.m.
- Arrange mobility assistance with your cruise line before you travel.
- Bring your passport for Mexico itineraries; the Port recommends it.
- Check which terminal your ship uses; most use B Street, but some use Broadway Pier.
Cruising from San Diego: questions
How far is the San Diego cruise terminal from the airport?
About 2.4 miles to the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal and 2.7 miles to Broadway Pier, usually less than 10 minutes by car.
Is there parking at the San Diego cruise terminal?
No. The Port does not operate cruise parking and you cannot park on the pier. Private operators including Ace Parking, ABM, Park Shuttle & Fly and Aladdin offer long-term lots nearby, and the airport's parking plaza is another option.
Which cruise lines sail from San Diego?
The Port lists Holland America, Disney, Princess, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean as its partner lines, with Disney and Royal Caribbean sailing most often in 2026-2027.
When is cruise season in San Diego?
Mainly fall through spring. Most West Coast ships move to Alaska in summer, so there are only a few San Diego departures from about June through September.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
