Different access for handicap at San Diego port?

[rlmac1001]

Leaving on Carnival Spirit, San Diego port and was wonder if there are elevators for those that have a handicap or are temperairly handicap so they don't have to use all the stairs?

[leoandhugh]

yes, there is an elevator and there is usually a line of pax waiting to use it - not very large. When you get out of the elevator you will find a series of ramps, leading up to the ship.

If you go to the check-in in the terminal which is set aside for wheelchair pax(lower desk and camera) there will usually be someone from the ship to escort you on board and push you up the ramp. (Not sure if this is true of Carnival, but it is for HAL and RCI):)

[Splinter]

If you are boarding on the north side of the pier, there is a structure with a large elevator, then a series of ramps from that. Get a ship's escort and they will help you get onto the elevator and up the ramps to the entrance (and then someone else can help you to your cabin).

 

If you are unlucky enough to be boarding on the south side of the pier (used when there are two ships or more in port), it is not as easy. There is a portable elevator that they crane into place, and in our experience, it doesn't work about half the time. This can require the use of a VERY steep ramp, which does require assistance and can be dangerous (it is no way an ADA compliant ramp).

 

I assume you are driving to San Diego. There is handicapped parking at the lot across from the pier (expensive) but I don't know of any of the other lots that have wheelchair accessible shuttles. There is no price break for handicapped parking though.

[iamirish]

What date are you traveling on? Whether you are at the main terminal, will depend upon how many cruise ships are in port that day.

 

BTW - there are TWO elevators at the main cruise ship terminal - they don't always tell you about the second one.

 

Tom

[rlmac1001]

We set sail Feb 18th on Carnival Spirit and there will be 3 ships embarking that day. With there being 3 ships in port I do not know which terminal our ship will be at.

[Splinter]

Good luck! It is a mess when there are 3 ships in port. San Diego is really not designed for this (yet). Get there early, and prepare for some significant delays, just in case.

[wrp96]

Cruisecal and the Port of San Diego website only show the Spirit and HAL's Zaandam in port on Feb 18th. What other ship is in port?

[Splinter]

The San Diego Port cruise ship schedule shows the following:

 

39. 2/18/2008: Carnival Spirit: 8-day Mexico

40. 2/18/2008: Holland America Zaandam: 15-day Hawaii

41. 2/18/2008 Carnival Elation: 5-day Mexico

 

http://www.portofsandiego.org/sandiego_maritime/cruise/schedulesearch.asp

[rlmac1001]

The San Diego Port cruise ship schedule shows the following:

 

39. 2/18/2008: Carnival Spirit: 8-day Mexico

40. 2/18/2008: Holland America Zaandam: 15-day Hawaii

41. 2/18/2008 Carnival Elation: 5-day Mexico

 

http://www.portofsandiego.org/sandiego_maritime/cruise/schedulesearch.asp

 

 

You beat me to it...lol I was just going to post this very same thing.

So with that being said, I guess the port will be very very busy :( and I am going to guess parking will be a bit more challenging.

 

Guess we could just find someone that is heading to the lot across the street from the terminal and follow them to their spot...lol

[wrp96]

The San Diego Port cruise ship schedule shows the following:

 

39. 2/18/2008: Carnival Spirit: 8-day Mexico

40. 2/18/2008: Holland America Zaandam: 15-day Hawaii

41. 2/18/2008 Carnival Elation: 5-day Mexico

 

http://www.portofsandiego.org/sandiego_maritime/cruise/schedulesearch.asp

 

Thanks, the schedule I pulled up from the Port of San Diego's website did not show the Elation.