San Diego, California Port Information
Contributed by
Tom Ogg

What Airport Do I Fly Into?
How Do I Get From The Airport to the Ship?
Should I Fly in a Day Early?
Where is the Best Place to Stay if I Fly in a Day or Two Early?
Where Can I Park My Car if I Drive to the Ship?

What Airport Do I Fly Into?

The best airport to fly into is the San Diego International Airport (SAN).

How Do I Get From The Airport to the Ship?

The airport is located only about 2 miles from the "B" Street Cruise Terminal and the best way to get there is to simply grab a taxi cab from the airport. Taxis are plentiful and are readily available at the airport. The fare will be between $5 and $10 depending on the traffic. Here is a hint. Rather than have the taxi driver take Harbor to the cruise terminal, suggest that he go inland at Laurel Street to Kettner Blvd. and then go all the way up Kettner to Broadway. At Broadway, he can turn right back down to Harbor and enter the cruise terminal and avoid the line of cars and taxis waiting to enter from the north side of Harbor. This will save you time and money.

Should I Fly in a Day Early?

It depends on the air service service that is available from your home gateway. Let's say there are a number of flights and that you are taking the earliest one. If that one doesn't make it out on time, you have several other opportunities to make it to San Diego in time to board the ship, then I would think you could fly in the same day. An example of this would be if you were flying in from Phoenix where there are several flights to San Diego every day.

On the other hand, if you are looking at a "make it or break it" flight that would be affected by adverse weather somewhere along the way with no alternatives, then by all means, fly in at lease a day early. Never risk making a ship's departure by arriving shortly before it departs with no back-up air service to bail you out should the first flight not materialize.

Finally, San Diego has so much to offer visitors that I would just assume that folks would want to spend a day or two before and after their cruise to enjoy San Diego's great weather, beaches, shopping, restaurants and overall ambiance.

Where is the Best Place to Stay if I Fly in a Day or Two Early?

San Diego has GREAT hotels to select from, however if you are staying just one night and want a hotel that is close to the cruise terminal and yet convenient to restaurants, shopping, activities and sightseeing so that you do not have to rent a car, there is only one choice.

The Holiday Inn on the Bay

You can see the obvious attraction to the Holiday Inn on the Bay. It is right across the street from the "B" Street Cruise Terminal. Add to that that there is a Ruths Chris Steakhouse, as well as the Elephant and Castle Restaurant and Pub on the property and that all of San Diego's harbor front and downtown restaurants, sights, activities and nightlife are within easy (and safe) walking distance, the Holiday Inn on the Bay becomes the best and only choice.

Here is their contact information and no, I do not get anything for providing this:

Holiday Inn on the Bay
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, California 92101
619-232-3861 (telephone)
619-232-4924 (fax)
http://www.Holiday-Inn.com/SanDiego-OnTheBay
Reservations Call Your Travel Agent

Where Can I Park My Car if I Drive to the Ship?

The Parking Lot Across From the "B" Street Cruise Terminal

The most convenient parking lot for cruise passengers is located on Broadway between Harbor and Pacific Highway. Note that there is an opening in the fence directly across from the cruise terminal so that cruise passengers can park near the opening and then simply walk across Harbor into the cruise terminal. You will pay $12 per day for this convenience, however. If you look at the above picture of the Holiday Inn and the ship and then this picture, you can get an idea of the closeness to the ship.

There are other solutions, however. Since the airport is so close to the pier, many of the airport lots offer transportation to the cruise terminal, as well as the airport.

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