Tips For Luggage And Passenger Drop
Both San Diego cruise terminals have drop-off points close to the ship and there are wheelchair accessible elevators and a passenger gangway. Customer service staff are available to help with any special needs.
Most car rental companies have offices just a short walk from B Street Pier. Most companies offer free transfers to and from the cruise terminals.
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The incident occurred aboard the cruise ship Sapphire Princess when crewmembers contacted the Coast Guard Sector San Diego Join Harbor Operations Center about needing a medevac for a man suffering from heart attack symptoms, the U.S. Coast Guard stated in a release.
Air crews from sector San Diego and Coast Guard Sacramento assisted in air support for the victim on the Sapphire Princess.
The Jayhawk crew from San Diego were able to take the 82-year-old man back to San Diego, where an ambulance transported him to Scripps Memorial Hospital Hillcrest, Coast Guard officials said. He is currently in stable condition.
Cruise Ships Still Part Of The View
The two lightly-manned cruise ships off the coast, Celebrity cruise lines Millennium and Eclipse vessels, are around to view from Coronados beaches for the foreseeable future.
The Centers for Disease Control extended its no sail order through Sept. 30, though cruise companies may opt for longer when planning ahead. Celebritys two ships nearby have been in the outer anchorage area off the Coronado coast managed by the US Coast Guard since the mid-March pandemic shutdown.
Deaton explained how the ships come into port every 15-20 days for supplies, although that cycle might become less frequent since theyll be going up to Long Beach for fuel while the companies try to wait out the pandemic.
The present crew isnt allowed to get off the ships for their protection, Deaton said, and there are no infections on board either vessel. He reviewed how there were some COVID-19 cases early on aboard the Eclipse but they have since recovered, and the ships remain safely quarantined.
Early on in the pandemic, Deaton said, there was a lot of communication with the ships and coordinating with the Coast Guard for health and safety as well as to get the crew down to minimal manning. Now the Port will communicate about the day the ships want to come in and about how many pallets of what they will need it also brings in a little funding.
Deaton added how the loss affects numerous businesses, from hotels and restaurants to shops.
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Cruises Are Once Again Facing Disruption Because Of Covid
LA PAZ, MEXICO – MAY 08: The Koningsdam cruise ship from the company Holland America Line anchored off the Bahia de la Paz spews pollutants into the air and into the Gulf of California, during a protest against cruise ships industry on May 8, 2021 in La Paz, Mexico. Many cruise ships have arrived since february to sit anchored off at Bahía de la Paz in the Mexican State of Baja California Sur, most of them coming from Los Angeles area. According to some environmentalist groups, the ships are spilling oil and other susbtances as a result of their activity with no punishment form the local or federal authorities. Diverse organization and inhabitants of La Paz have gathered to ask the government to move away the ships.
— At least four ocean cruise ships were turned away from ports of call or were prohibited from letting passengers disembark in the Americas this week because of Covid-19 cases aboard.
Though other cruises have had cases since US-based ships resumed service this summer with vaccine requirements and other measures meant to minimize outbreaks, the rate of cruises forced to alter their itineraries appears to have ticked up.
The disruptions still are a far cry from , when the pandemic shut down the industry and led to weeks of efforts to get already embarked passengers and crew members home as ports closed to virus-hit vessels.
The recent cruise ship disruptions include:
Coast Guard Medevacs Woman From Cruise Ship Off San Diego
Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter file photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joel Guzman
SAN DIEGO The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 73-year-old woman from the cruise ship Sapphire Princess approximately 200 miles south of San Diego, Sunday.
Sapphire Princess crewmembers contacted 11th Coast Guard District command center watchstanders at approximately 11:00 a.m., Sunday morning, requesting assistance for a passenger who was displaying appendicitis-like symptoms.
Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter with a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Special Tactics and Rescue Team paramedic aboard to assist.
Once on scene, the Jayhawk crew lowered the rescue swimmer to Sapphire Princess to assess the patient, and then safely hoisted the patient into the helicopter.
The crew transported the patient to awaiting EMS for transfer to Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego.
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Top Destinations On Cruises From San Diego
Panama Canal
Admire the engineering masterpiece of the Panama Canal, the water channel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During your journey, youll visit top beach destinations in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta the jungles of Costa Rica in Puntarenas and the towns of Cartagena, Colombia and Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, where colorful, colonial architecture is found at every turn.
Pacific Coast
From picturesque vineyards to gorgeous ocean views, all of the port destinations on a Pacific Coast cruise are a sight to behold. Overnight in the exciting city of San Francisco, where you can cross the Golden Gate Bridge or spend an afternoon touring Alcatraz. Sip on wine and stroll around the hills of Californias wine country. Embark on an outdoor adventure in Vancouver, head to the top of Seattles famous Space Needle, and stop by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of the worlds best aquariums.
Holland America Cruises Things To Do
- The refined atmosphere of Holland America Line ships draws interest from older cruise travelers who can also afford to pay the cruise lines higher prices. When you set sail on a HAL ship, you will enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. Therefore, guests onboard like the afternoon tea service and activities that feature ballroom dancing. However, that does not mean the cruise line does not attract families. KId-friendly programs are available online for the younger crowd, 3 to 17 years old. Nevertheless, if you are seeking a more family-friendly adventure, you may want to set your sights on a cruise provider, such as Disney or Carnival. Most families take a HAL cruise during the summer when the kids are on summer vacation from school. Older travelers, who have retired, like to take the world cruises as well as longer excursions. Because the cruise line features life enrichment programs, it draws people who have both creative and intellectual interests and goals.
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Health And Safety Protocols
Cruise companies implemented many onboard health and safety requirements — and have updated them as conditions changed — to avoid a repeat of spring 2020. That included requiring Covid-19 vaccines for crew members and passengers , with vaccines offering strong protection against severe illness and death.
The companies recommend booster shots for their passengers. Holland America Line says its crew members receive boosters as soon as they are eligible.
Cruise companies generally require their passengers to test negative for Covid-19 before starting the trip, and require frequent testing of their crews.
Passengers testing positive during the trip generally are required to isolate
US-based cruises also require masks to be worn in indoor public areas. That policy was recently updated to extend indoor mask-wearing to fully vaccinated passengers.
Next Stop Go: Wherever The Tide Takes You
The Port of San Diego welcomes you to a charming waterfront paradise, a city that offers nothing but good times and even better fish tacos. Discover the perfect destination for fun with friends, a romantic getaway, or a trip with the little ones, all within sight of your ship. With our two cruise ship terminals located right in the heart of the city, picturesque sunsets and a dazzling skyline greet you and will have you wishing you could stay forever.
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San Diego Safari Park
San Diego Safari Park is much larger than the downtown zoo. Located 33 miles northeast of the city near Escondido, this drive-through safari provides a thrilling experience among Africas wildlife. Drive through the Savannah in an open-air safari truck or join a safari cart guided tour.
Ride the zipline and keep your eyes open for giraffes, antelope, ostriches, rhinos, storks, cheetahs, coatis, camels, kangaroos, gorillas and many cute babies. Tour Elephant Valley with its herd of elephants and learn how this remarkable herd of giants lives. Its a day youll never forget!
Where Do Cruises From San Diego Go To
Cruises from San Diego serve a diverse number of destinations including Hawaii, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera / Baja Mexico Cruises, as well as California Coastal / Pacific Coast cruises.
Many cruises lines also use San Diego as the starting or ending destination for very long cruises that visit Central and South America, Asia, and the South Pacific including Australia.
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Top Sights & Attractions For Cruises To & From San Diego
Mission Beach
Head to Mission Beach for a quintessential San Diego beach experience. Mission Beach is known for its miles of wide, golden sand and its bustling boardwalk full of rollerbladers and surfers enjoying the sunshine. Its conveniently located adjacent to Belmont Park, a carnival-style amusement park with a wooden roller coaster and games.
Windansea Beach
For a more serene beach day, head north to Windansea Beach in La Jolla. Located in the laidback Bird Rock neighborhood, Windansea Beach is surrounded by large flat rocks that create the perfect hideaway to lay your towel over the powdery soft sand. While its secluded location may make you feel like youre far away, youll be just a couple of blocks from coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is considered one of the best zoos in the world, thanks to its incredible conservation efforts and large animal enclosures. Visitors of all ages will enjoy its wide variety of species and educational live shows. The San Diego Zoo is known for its panda exhibit, as its one of the few zoos outside of China where you can still see them in person.
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According to the Port, when a ship like the Disney Wonder home ports in San Diego meaning it starts and ends along the Embarcadero it has the potential to bring about $2 million into the local economy. And when a cruise stops into San Diego even for the day, like the Grand Princess, the passengers coming off that ship can bring about $600,000 to the local economy.
They get off the ship and they do everything we love them to do, said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. They eat in our restaurants, they shop at our local retailers, they support all of the small businesses here in San Diego.
But then it also gives them an opportunity to see San Diego on that one day stop and, oftentimes, they will then book future trips to come back to San Diego and spend more time here, Coker added.
According to the Port, San Diego is Californias third busiest port, just behind Long Beach and Los Angeles. Its also the gateway to the Mexican Riviera, plus the path for major cruising destinations like Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Pacific Coast. Since the start of the pandemic, the Port if San Diego said 173 local passenger cruises have been canceled.
Over the past year and a half, cruise liners have sometimes docked at the Port of San Diego, but not for actual cruises. Holland Americas Koningsdam, for instance, has docked to refuel and restock supplies.
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Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In San Diego
San Diego has two cruise ship piers located on the Embarcadero just minutes from the San Diego International Airport and the downtown Gaslamp Quarter entertainment district.
Depending on the date and cruise line, different piers are used for different cruises. Luckily, both the B Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal and Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. B Street Pier is the larger of the two and is where the majority of cruise ships dock, this is especially true of the larger vessels like those from Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Carnival.
Arizonans Are Interested In These Cruises
Not only is there more interest in cruise bookings among Arizonans, but they’re also booking longer itineraries than they did before the pandemic, Vazquez said.
On average, Arizonans are most interested in 14-night cruises this year, up from 10 nights in 2019, he said.
Cruises to Mexico from Southern California typically run shorter, while cruises to Alaska, Hawaii and Europe run longer because of the distances involved to get to the destination.
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San Diego Will Soon Be Home To Four Cruise Ships For The Next Several Weeks As The Holland America And Princess Cruise Lines Prepare For The Time When They Will Be Allowed To Transport Passengers On Voyages To Us And Foreign Ports
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Barred from sailing for the last nine months because of the pandemic, several cruise ships are making their way to San Diego this month, but dont expect to see thousands of passengers boarding or disembarking from the ocean liners.
The extended visit by the Holland America cruise ships is the first step toward getting certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the time when they will be able to begin welcoming passengers aboard next year.
For now, its not likely San Diego will see cruise lines resuming voyages until at least the spring, but even then it remains uncertain how many ships that normally sail out of the port will have met all the federal requirements.
The first of the four Holland America ships coming here the Koningsdam arrived at the B Street Pier on Wednesday. Because the vessels had not previously been in U.S. waters, they are taking that step now in order to begin laboratory testing of crew members on board. It is part of the first phase of the CDC process for the restart of cruising, which also requires the eventual launch of simulated voyages to test the ships ability to manage any outbreaks of COVID-19 on board.
During the time the Holland America ships are in San Diego, they will periodically return to the B Street Terminal to refuel and get more supplies. Each ship will average 90 to 120 crew members, who will not be allowed to disembark except for needed crew changes
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San Diego Cruise Port Facilities & Location
Cruises from San Diego depart from the modern B Street Cruise Terminal and Broadway Pier. Here, you’ll find souvenir shops and a beautiful park where you can sit and admire the beautiful view of the water. There is ample off-street parking available, with shuttles that will take you to the cruise terminal, as well as easy access via taxi or public transportation from the airport or downtown area.
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Where Is San Diego Cruise Port Located
San Diego Cruise Terminal is located in the historic downtown district, just a short walk from many popular attractions. San Diego Airport is just 2.4 miles from the cruise port and the journey takes about 10 minutes by taxi. Known as The Port of Land and See, San Diego Port has two cruise terminals:
The main San Diego Cruise Terminal is located at B Street Pier, 1140 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA92101. The second cruise terminal, known as Port Pavilion, is located on Broadway Pier at 1000 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA92101.
Cruise Lines Operating From San Diego Cruise Terminals
Holland America operates many cruises out of San Diego from October to April. Other cruise lines that home port from San Diego include Disney Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line , Celebrity and Windstar.
In addition, the port serves visiting cruise ships from Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hurtigruten, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Silversea, MSC and Viking Cruises. Destinations include Hawaii and the South Pacific, Mexico, South America, Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast
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Taking A Cruise From San Diego Here’s What You Need To Know
When you cruise from San Diego, or cruise to California in general, you are getting the best of both worlds: a beautiful cruise and everything that California has to offer. When planning your cruise vacation, it is important not only to know where you will be cruising from, but also what is there for you when the boat docks.
What Cruises Leave From Southern California
Most cruises from California sail on itineraries to the Mexican Riviera, which encompasses several Pacific Coast towns known for sandy beaches with crystal blue waters, vibrant nightlife, ample watersports opportunities and stunning landscape views.
Port stops on Mexican Riviera cruises include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz, Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line, offer short cruises to Ensenada that also stop at Santa Catalina Island, which is 22 miles off the California coast and only accessible by boat or plane. Catalina is known for its views, kayaking, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing opportunities and seafood restaurants.
Panama Canal cruises from Southern California stop in port cities along the man-made waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. These trips may include stops in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.
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Be aware that Panama Canal cruises are one-way sailings and do not return to California, so youll need a way to return home from where the ship disembarks.
Some northern Pacific Coast itineraries include stops at Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. But like the Panama Canal sailings, they aren’t round-trip.
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