Port of San Diego, Holland America Line Celebrate the Start of San Diego's Cruise Season
Contact: Josh Kellems, 619.642.1153, jkellems@portofsandiego.org
Image caption: During the kickoff event and as part of its ongoing support in the San Diego community, Holland America Line donated $10,000 to the San Diego Harbor Police Foundation. Pictured left to right: MS Volendam Captain Ryan Whitaker, Port of San Diego Harbor Police Chief Magda Fernandez, Foundation president and CEO Jeffrey Wohler, Port Chairman Rafael Castellanos.
The Port of San Diego celebrates the start of its latest cruise season with longtime homeport partner Holland America Line. This season offers another robust selection of 100 different port calls and is expected to bring 338,000 passengers to the region by season end in the spring.
“We are incredibly excited to launch our annual cruise season and what better way to do it than with Holland America, which has been calling here since the 1980s,” said Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “On behalf of the Port of San Diego, we are happy to welcome back cruise customers for what will be a fun and adventurous season with great benefit to our regional economy.”
“Half of the Holland America Line fleet will visit Port of San Diego this season departing on cruises that reach as far as Australia, making it one of our most vital homeports,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “We thank Port of San Diego for decades of partnership and look forward to a successful cruising season.”
The Port and Holland America Line hosted the official kickoff for the season on Monday, October 2. This year’s full schedule features long-term Port partners Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line, as well as Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises, and more. Enjoying first time visits to San Diego this season are the Disney Magic, the Viking Star, and MSC Explora.
Itineraries include voyages to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Pacific Coast. One of this year’s most exciting voyages is the Holland America Solar Eclipse Experience which will allow visitors a once in a lifetime chance to view a total solar eclipse just off the coast of Mexico aboard the MS Koningsdam in April of next year.
San Diego is California’s third busiest cruise port behind Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Port’s two cruise ship terminals on B Street and Broadway Piers are conveniently located in the heart of the city on the North Embarcadero. They provide easy access to regional attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, and waterfront hotels and restaurants. The terminals are also close to unique historic neighborhoods like Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter.
The Port of San Diego has made some major improvements to the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal, including a project that will extend the life and long-term stability of the pier. Additionally, the Port now has the capacity to simultaneously connect two cruise ships to shore power, drastically reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses being emitted from docked cruise ships. Also, the Port will begin construction next year on a $5 million project to make interior improvements to the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal.
About THE Port of San Diego
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.
The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.
About Port of San Diego Experiences
Port of San Diego Experiences welcomes businesses, residents and visitors from across the globe to enjoy and prosper from our dynamic waterfront.
As a treasured destination, the Port provides unique opportunities to captivate visitors and ensure everyone is welcomed, connected and inspired by our beautiful waterfront.