Port Of San Diego Is Ready For Big Things

Just three years since the Port of San Diego completed its $31.5 million renovation project to the North embarcadero area, the number of visitors pouring in by sea is increasing and further promoting the city “as a homeport destination,” Port of San Diego’s Marguerite Elicone said.

The Port, which hit peak popularity in 2008 with 916,000 passengers when it hosted Carnival Elation year round, suffered the effects of the recession in the late 2000s. But with the renovation, along with an increase in popularity of Mexican Riviera itineraries, San Diego hopes to return to being a major player in the cruise world.

In the last year, ships have made more than 90 calls to San Diego, bringing in 224,000 passengers on cruise lines such as Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Holland America Line. The Port, which welcomed Princess Cruises’ Island Princess (also known as “The Love Boat”) in the 1970s, anticipates being to be even busier in the coming months, with 242,000 passengers expected to arrive during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

“Travel agents should know that San Diego Bay has a vibrant, dynamic waterfront,” Elicone said. “As a treasured destination, the Port provides unique opportunities to captivate visitors and ensure everyone is welcomed, connected and inspired by our beautiful waterfront.”

With 2014’s renovation complete, the Port now sports a widened public esplanade, jacaranda gardens, new landscaped seating areas, public art, improved roadways and a new public plaza at the entrance to Broadway Pier, all within walking distance to cruise ships. Across the street there’s a brand new dual-branded Marriott Residence Inn and Springhill Suites, and a 400-room InterContinental is under construction right next door. Both properties are adjacent to Lane Field Park, the original baseball park for the Pacific Coast League Padres, the team that would eventually become MLB’s San Diego Padres.

For agents with clients wanting to take advantage of a pre- or post-sailing trip, San Diego provides the perfect environment to do so. Just a short drive from the terminal is the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge that connects the mainland to Coronado Island.

There, guests can visit the Hotel Del Coronado, where Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon filmed the 1929 classic Some Like It Hot. It’s also the home of Coronado Beach, which is consistently ranked as one of America’s best beaches by The Travel Channel. Besides that, there are a number of family-friendly options including Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and Legoland, all just a short ride away. 

The Port will continue its facelift with the completion of a new escalator at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal that should be completed in September.