Port of San Diego Kicks Off the Region’s Biggest Cruise Season in Over 15 Years with Princess Cruises
Contact: Mariah Almasco, 619.643.7720, malmasco@portofsandiego.org
Princess Cruises Media Contact: Negin Kamali, media@princesscruises.com
The Port of San Diego is marking its biggest cruise season in more than 15 years, starting with Princess Cruises and continuing with 183 total voyages during the 2026-2027 season, which includes new homeports from Royal Caribbean and a second Disney ship, Disney Magic.
“We cannot wait to welcome more than 700,000 cruise passengers who will visit San Diego this year,” said Vice Chair Michael Zucchet, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We are grateful for Princess Cruises and all our cruise customers and we look forward to welcoming them each season. The year-over-year growth shows that passengers and cruise lines come to San Diego for our beautiful waterfront, strategic location on the West Coast, and our proximity to Baja Mexico.”
“San Diego is a destination people around the world want to visit, and this milestone cruise season is another sign of the strength of our tourism economy,” said Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego. “More ships calling on San Diego means more visitors staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and supporting local businesses and jobs. Their spending also generates hotel tax revenue that helps us provide the services San Diegans rely on and invest in what makes America’s Finest City such a great place to live and visit. I’m grateful to the Port of San Diego and our cruise partners for their continued investment in our city and region.”
The Port of San Diego’s cruise season officially began on September 14, as the Ruby Princess docked at the B Street Pier Cruise Terminal for a seven-day Classic California Coast tour. This year’s calls are up 68 percent from 109 calls last year and 75 in the 2024-2025 season.
“San Diego has been an important part of the Princess Cruises story for more than 50 years, and we’re proud to continue our longstanding relationship,” said Marie Lee, Princess Cruises Chief Marketing Officer. “With an exciting lineup of ships and itineraries ahead, we look forward to helping more guests discover this incredible West Coast destination and create unforgettable memories both on land and at sea.”
In addition to new homeports from Royal Caribbean and expanded Disney service, this season’s full schedule also features long-time customer Holland America Line, as well as Norwegian – now in their second year of homeport calls in San Diego, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Silversea Cruises, Viking Cruises, and more. Disney and the Port have an agreement through at least 2031 that will approximately double the number of Disney cruises out of San Diego. More than 1 million Disney passengers are anticipated during the course of the agreement. It’s the first time in more than 20 years that a cruise line has offered a minimum annual guarantee at the Port of San Diego.
The Port’s cruise industry brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the San Diego Bay waterfront each year, which injects millions of dollars into the San Diego region’s economy and supports more than 2,000 jobs in local tourism and maritime businesses.
San Diego is California’s third busiest cruise port behind Long Beach and Los Angeles, and it is the closest West Coast cruise port to Mexico, making it a key location for voyages to the Mexican Riviera. The Port’s terminals are conveniently located in the heart of the city and provide easy access for cruise passengers to explore the waterfront and visit regional attractions.
To learn more about the Port’s cruise operations and to book a cruise through the Port’s cruise line partners, go to portofsandiego.org/plan-your-cruise.
ABOUT PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalisation and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. Star Princess, the brand’s newest and most innovative ship, launched October 2025, and sister ship to Sun Princess, named Condé Nast Traveler Mega Ship of the Year for a second consecutive year. The company is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide (NYSE: CCL).
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 23 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 MARITIME
Port of San Diego Maritime is our gateway to the world—leading our working waterfront and facilitating the movement of goods and people, internationally and domestically.
Port Maritime businesses employ thousands of residents and generate billions of dollars per year for the regional economy, creating a prosperous global economic engine for all.