Tell me about cruising out of San Diego

[iambrink]

I am considering a 5 night on the Wonder out of San Diego next October. I have only sailed from Port Canaveral, so I feel so lost. Tell me about where you stay; how far are hotels from the port? are there Disney shuttles like at MCO? Are there hotels that offer a shuttle to the port? from the airport? How far is the airport from the port? What is the earliest departure time to consider after leaving the ship? I feel like I have so many questions..Can anyone offer some thoughts about this process? and just anything about sailing from San Diego? thanks

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am considering a 5 night on the Wonder out of San Diego next October. I have only sailed from Port Canaveral, so I feel so lost. Tell me about where you stay; how far are hotels from the port? are there Disney shuttles like at MCO? Are there hotels that offer a shuttle to the port? from the airport? How far is the airport from the port? What is the earliest departure time to consider after leaving the ship? I feel like I have so many questions..Can anyone offer some thoughts about this process? and just anything about sailing from San Diego? thanks

There are several hotels just across the street from where the ship docks. You can walk it. The airport is about 5 miles away, very close. You can see it from the ship. I wouldn't book a flight before noon. Depending on what itinerary your cruise is, it may not be unusual for debarking to not start until after 10:00.

 

[iambrink]

There are several hotels just across the street from where the ship docks. You can walk it. The airport is about 5 miles away, very close. You can see it from the ship. I wouldn't book a flight before noon. Depending on what itinerary your cruise is, it may not be unusual for debarking to not start until after 10:00.

Across the street? how awesome is that. maybe this is much more doable than i imagined! Thanks Princess Shmoo!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Across the street? how awesome is that. maybe this is much more doable than i imagined! Thanks Princess Shmoo!

Here's the view from the front of the ship in San Diego. Hotels directly across the street. Some more about a block or so away. And, of course, others at the airport.

 

[iambrink]

That is such a great visual...Thanks for posting!

 

[MunFam]

I work at the airport and Southwest is pretty much all of terminal one. I would allow 3-4 hours for a Southwest flight departure. And plan on luggage taking 45 minutes to arrive on the carousel when you arrive. For the other airlines, 2 hours is plenty of time to clear security, especially if you have TSA precheck. Sometimes, precheck is not open in terminal one, so that creates even longer lines. There are times when the TSA line goes beyond the normal "line area" and extends through baggage claim then loops back around almost to the checkin counter. There have been a few times where agents are often on bullhorns looking for passengers by name and expediting them through security...and other times there are people freaking out about missing their flights. It is especially bad on Fridays and Sundays and if a cruise ship is in port...forget it. Add two cruise ships and good luck. I refuse to fly Southwest because it is always a disaster there.

As far as getting to the hotel from the airport, you can use a cab or uber. Our airport was the first airport to actually put in a ride share app lane/waiting area. Its super easy to meet an Uber at San Diego Airport. There is a brand new Springhill Suites right across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

Extraordinary Desserts is a safe walking distance from the hotel and its amazing. You are also within walking distance of Little Italy (Bencotto is great as is Filippis Pizza Grotto). For seafood, try Anthony's Fish Grotto on the water. Next door to the cruise ship terminal is the USS Midway Museum and is definitely a great museum.

 

[iambrink]

I work at the airport and Southwest is pretty much all of terminal one. I would allow 3-4 hours for a Southwest flight departure. And plan on luggage taking 45 minutes to arrive on the carousel when you arrive. For the other airlines, 2 hours is plenty of time to clear security, especially if you have TSA precheck. Sometimes, precheck is not open in terminal one, so that creates even longer lines. There are times when the TSA line goes beyond the normal "line area" and extends through baggage claim then loops back around almost to the checkin counter. There have been a few times where agents are often on bullhorns looking for passengers by name and expediting them through security...and other times there are people freaking out about missing their flights. It is especially bad on Fridays and Sundays and if a cruise ship is in port...forget it. Add two cruise ships and good luck. I refuse to fly Southwest because it is always a disaster there.

As far as getting to the hotel from the airport, you can use a cab or uber. Our airport was the first airport to actually put in a ride share app lane/waiting area. Its super easy to meet an Uber at San Diego Airport. There is a brand new Springhill Suites right across the street from the cruise ship terminal.

Extraordinary Desserts is a safe walking distance from the hotel and its amazing. You are also within walking distance of Little Italy (Bencotto is great as is Filippis Pizza Grotto). For seafood, try Anthony's Fish Grotto on the water. Next door to the cruise ship terminal is the USS Midway Museum and is definitely a great museum.

That is also great advice...thanks. I could fly probably southwest or jetblue, so it sounds like jetblue may be the better of the options!

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Here's the view from the front of the ship in San Diego. Hotels directly across the street. Some more about a block or so away. And, of course, others at the airport.
View attachment 214569

Which ship is that?

And one thing as of today that you can scratch off the San Diego to do list - see a Chargers game.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Which ship is that?

And one thing as of today that you can scratch off the San Diego to do list - see a Chargers game.

The Wonder.

Our next time to San Diego, I think we're going to Balboa Park.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

The Wonder.

Our next time to San Diego, I think we're going to Balboa Park.

Are you definitely cruising out of San Diego again?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are you definitely cruising out of San Diego again?

No, our next cruise stops in San Diego. But I don't doubt that we'd do another cruise out of San Diego in the future.

 

[minorthr]

Which ship is that?

And one thing as of today that you can scratch off the San Diego to do list - see a Chargers game.

You and me both was really looking forward to going there next year. Have a few friends who live in the area it would have been a really good time.

Also we are cruising out of san diego in 2018

 

[Neptune's Fork]

No, our next cruise stops in San Diego. But I don't doubt that we'd do another cruise out of San Diego in the future.

What are the excursions they offer in San Diego?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What are the excursions they offer in San Diego?

On this next cruise? It's not Disney, BTW. I only gave a quick look at them - I recall a full day excursion city tour/Balboa Park; some sort of harbor cruise; trolley tour; the zoo; safari park..... that's all I can recall off the top of my head. But I wasn't really looking to choose one, just to see what they have (and how much it costs). We may do something on our own.

 

[MunFam]

On this next cruise? It's not Disney, BTW. I only gave a quick look at them - I recall a full day excursion city tour/Balboa Park; some sort of harbor cruise; trolley tour; the zoo; safari park..... that's all I can recall off the top of my head. But I wasn't really looking to choose one, just to see what they have (and how much it costs). We may do something on our own.

The "Old Town Trolley" Hop on Hop off tour is the best of the best. You get to go between all of the highlights in San Diego including Coronado, Old Town, Balboa Park and downtown. You can stay for as little or as long as you want at each spot and they are very good about getting more trolleys on the route if the trolleys are full. You can book/buy tickets here very easily. No need to purchase a package.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

On this next cruise? It's not Disney, BTW. I only gave a quick look at them - I recall a full day excursion city tour/Balboa Park; some sort of harbor cruise; trolley tour; the zoo; safari park..... that's all I can recall off the top of my head. But I wasn't really looking to choose one, just to see what they have (and how much it costs). We may do something on our own.

Yes, San Diego does sound like an easy place to put together your own excursion I would think.

 

[pudinhd]

Does anyone have suggestions for places to park during the cruise? I really have no idea where to start to look for a close, safe place. Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone have suggestions for places to park during the cruise? I really have no idea where to start to look for a close, safe place. Thanks!

We parked at the Wyndham, right across the street. It's best to reserve a spot there, as they have limited space. But it's very convenient.

If you do a google search for "cruise port parking san diego" you'll get lots of hits.

 

[pudinhd]

We parked at the Wyndham, right across the street. It's best to reserve a spot there, as they have limited space. But it's very convenient.

If you do a google search for "cruise port parking san diego" you'll get lots of hits.

Thanks! I will check it out. I actually did do a google search, which is overwhelming! It's hard to know the best / safe places without a trusted referral.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks! I will check it out. I actually did do a google search, which is overwhelming! It's hard to know the best / safe places without a trusted referral.

Personally, I'd be fine with almost any of the big parking options in San Diego. Even the ones at the airport (which usually have a shuttle to the cruise port) are fine.