Escape: San Diego Cruises to Mexico

Between family responsibilities and career obligations, it can be tough to find the time to get away. If your schedule is anything like mine, you are lucky to squeeze in a three day weekend, and extravagant three week-long vacations are completely out of the question, at least for now. Lucky for locals, San Diego is not only an amazing place to live, but it’s also an ideal city for convenient transportation.

Specifically, San Diego is known to be one of the most popular cruise departure locations in the nation because you can literally walk from the Gaslamp Quarter’s hottest restaurants and clubs onto a luxury cruise ship and out to a wide blue sea of tropical vacation destinations within minutes. Translation: Whether you have 72 hours or seven days, you have plenty of time to enjoy an incredible custom designed San Diego cruise to Mexico.

San Diego’s B Street Cruise Ship Terminal on the Big Bay is an exciting and efficient place to begin and end your journey. San Diego is the fastest growing cruise port on the West Coast, and welcomes an average of 180 cruise ships every year. But don’t just take my word for it, San Diego Bay is the 2010 Travel Age West WAVE Award winner for Best U.S. Homeport.

Exotic Escape: Now that you’ve secured your starting point, it’s time to choose your Mexico cruise, visiting ports in Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Huatulco, Zihuatanejo, Cabo San Lucas and more. San Diego is a top terminal for a variety of homeport cruises. Carnival Cruise Line is the year round home port for San Diego cruises, and more seasonal home port lines are also available, including Holland America, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Get to know your San Diego cruise lines, and check their schedule for more up-to-date information.

Carnival Cruise Line in San Diego: If you’re departing from San Diego, chances are you’ll board this popular line’s signature Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship. Described best as a floating resort, the Spirit welcomes 2,124 guests, set comfortably throughout 1,062 suites and 12 spacious decks. From the rich wood and elegant glass accents in the Atrium to the posh lobby custom built for social interaction and the plush suites adorned with contemporary furnishings, the Spirit truly is a luxury floating resort. But don’t think it’s all rest and relaxation; the Spirit boasts all the aquatic fun you could imagine, featuring pools and hot tubs, Carnival's Twister Waterslide, and even the Sliding Sky Dome. Learn more about the Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship and more San Diego Mexico at carnival.com.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in San Diego: If you’re planning to cruise with Royal Caribbean, let’s hope you find a spot aboard the Oasis of the Seas Ship. A feat of architecture and imagination, the Oasis is considerate and innovative in offering seven distinctly designed neighborhoods, including the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness with couples massage suites and 158 cardio and resistance machines; the Pool and Sports Zone with 4 pools and 10 whirlpools, 2 Flowriders, sports courts, mini-golf and zip line; and the Entertainment Place, featuring a Casino Royale, Blaze Nightclub and the 1,380-seat Opal Theater. With 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious rooms, this 16-deck marvel proves that when you cruise with Royal Caribbean, the impossible, becomes possible. Learn more about the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Ship and more San Diego cruises at royalcaribbean.com.

Holland America Cruise Line in San Diego: One of the most common Holland American cruise ships leaving the San Diego Big Bay is the signature ms Oosterdam Ship. Officially christened in 2003 by Her Dutch Royal Highness, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, the ms Oosterdam welcomes 1,916 guests to enjoy a great variety of on-board entertainment amenities, including the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food and Wine Magazine, Explorations Cafe powered by the New York Times, Greenhouse Spa and Salon, Lido Pools, Vista Dining Room, Vista Show Lounge with vocalists, dancers and comedians, and the Crow’s Nest Nightclub. Learn more about the Holland American ms Oosterdam Ship and more San Diego cruises at hollandamerica.com.

Discover more San Diego travel ideas and follow our San Diego lifestyle blog.