First cruise from San Diego: common questions

These are the questions people ask before their first cruise from San Diego, answered from the port's and the cruise lines' own pages. Each answer links to the longer guide where there is one.

Which terminal do I go to?

Most likely the B Street Pier and Cruise Ship Terminal, 1140 North Harbor Drive, where the port says most ships dock. Disney, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian give that address. The port's second terminal, the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, serves when B Street already has two ships, and the port's March 2026 schedule shows three ships in port on one day, January 3, 2027. The terminals guide has the details.

What time should I get there?

At the time your cruise line gives you, and not before 10 a.m., the port says. Disney calls it your Port Arrival Time, Royal Caribbean has you pick a slot in its app, and Holland America prints a check-in time on your boarding pass. Royal Caribbean says early arrivals can't start boarding, though its itinerary pages tell guests to arrive 2 to 3 hours before departure. Disney has early guests wait outside.

What time does the ship leave?

It's on your cruise documents, and it varies by line and by sailing. A few from the lines' own pages: Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas leaves San Diego at 4 p.m. on its November 1, 2026 sailing. Disney gives a time to be on board, 3 p.m. for Disney Wonder's February 5, 2027 Mexican Riviera trip and 4 p.m. for its December 15, 2026 Baja trip. Crystal Serenity's December 21, 2026 voyage leaves at 7 p.m.

Can I park at the pier?

No. There is no parking at either terminal, and the port doesn't run cruise parking. The closest lots are across the street, and others run shuttles. The parking guide compares them, with prices.

How far is the airport?

Two to three miles, depending on whose figure you use. The port puts San Diego International Airport less than 10 minutes' drive from the terminals. The airport guide covers taxis, rideshare and the bus, $3 since October 1, 2026.

Do I need a passport?

Not for most round trips, if you're a U.S. citizen. Disney, Royal Caribbean and Holland America accept an original birth certificate with a government photo ID on a cruise that starts and ends in San Diego. Most one-way trips, such as those ending in Vancouver or Florida, need a passport. The port's own pages say passports are required for Mexico cruises, and Disney and Royal Caribbean recommend one too. The documents guide has each line's rules.

Can I bring wine, beer or water?

Each line has its own rule.

• Disney. Guests 21 and over can bring one bottle of wine or sparkling wine of up to 750 ml, or six beers of up to 12 ounces each, in carry-on bags. Disney's page listed $20 corkage per bottle in its dining rooms on October 23, 2026, and Disney doesn't allow spirits. Coolers of soda or snacks aren't allowed.
• Royal Caribbean. Each guest of drinking age can bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Other alcohol is held and returned at the end of the cruise if it is unopened. You can carry on up to 12 standard cans, bottles or cartons of non-alcoholic drinks per stateroom. The drinking age on its North American sailings is 21.
• Holland America. Wine and champagne are allowed, in bottles of 750 ml or less, with $20 corkage per bottle as of October 23, 2026. No other alcohol at embarkation. Holland America doesn't allow plastic water bottles, and limits water to one of three allowances per stateroom, such as 6 liters in total.

What happens to my luggage?

Print your luggage tags and staple them on before you leave for the pier, the port says. Disney limits you to two bags each, with its own tags, and asks you to keep your documents with you. Holland America notes there is no luggage storage at the pier, so plan for your bags on the way home too. Check your line's list of banned items before you pack.

How young can a baby sail?

Six months is the minimum on Disney, Royal Caribbean and Holland America for most sailings. Longer trips need a year. Disney sets 1 year for Hawaii and the Panama Canal, Holland America for Hawaii, the South Pacific and South America, and Royal Caribbean for any cruise with three or more sea days in a row. From San Diego, that means Holland America's Hawaii voyages need a baby to be at least a year old.

Which cruise is easiest to try first?

That depends on you, but the shortest options are easy to find. Three- and four-night trips to Ensenada, often with a day at Catalina Island, are the most common sailings from San Diego. See the 3-night cruises and the Baja and Ensenada page.

What's near the terminal if I'm early?

The terminals are on the Embarcadero, the downtown waterfront. The port's map of it marks a 1.9-mile path from the Hilton Bayfront to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, past Seaport Village, the USS Midway Museum and the Star of India. E-scooters and e-bikes aren't allowed on the waterfront promenade or the piers.

I left something at the terminal. Who do I call?

The port's Cruise Ship Terminal office, on 619.400.4744. Norwegian's San Diego page lists a different lost and found number, 619.683.8966.