🇺🇸Departure Port

Cruises from San Francisco 2026

$999-3,500 per person · 7-16 nights

San Francisco (Pier 27 Cruise Terminal) is West Coast USA's second-largest cruise port — modern facility at Embarcadero with iconic Bay Bridge + Coit Tower views. Sails to Alaska (May-Sep round-trip), Mexican Riviera (Oct-May), Hawaii (Nov-Apr), Panama Canal repositioning (Sep + April), and transpacific. Princess is the dominant line + Norwegian + Celebrity + Cunard also sail from here. SFO airport 40 min from Pier 27 by car. Popular pre-cruise Bay Area sightseeing (Alcatraz, Golden Gate, wine country).

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Highlights

Alaska Inside Passage round-trip

May-Sep 10-14 night sailings — Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Sitka.

Mexican Riviera 7-11 night

Oct-May: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo.

Hawaii 15-16 night

Nov-Apr: Round-trip Hawaii covering 4 islands. Rare option ex-West Coast.

Pier 27 iconic sail-in/out

Under Bay Bridge + past Alcatraz + Golden Gate views. One of America's best cruise experiences.

Best time to cruise

Alaska: May-Sep. Mexican Riviera: Oct-May. Hawaii: Nov-Apr. Panama Canal repositioning: April + Sep.

Top itineraries

Alaska Inside Passage 10-Night
10 nights · San Francisco → Ketchikan → Juneau → Skagway → Glacier Bay → Sitka → Victoria → SF
From
$1,299
Mexican Riviera 7-Night
7 nights · SF → Cabo San Lucas → Mazatlán → Puerto Vallarta → SF
From
$999
Hawaii Round-Trip 15-Night
15 nights · SF → Kauai → Oahu → Maui → Big Island → SF
From
$1,999

FAQs

How do I get from SFO airport to Pier 27?+

SFO to Pier 27: 40 min drive. Options: (1) BART Yellow Line to Embarcadero + walk 15 min ($9, 45 min). (2) Uber $50-75. (3) Taxi $65-90 (flat rate + toll). (4) SuperShuttle shared van $25-40. BART is best value; Uber best for families/luggage.

SF vs LA for a Mexican Riviera cruise?+

SF: cheaper airfare from Northern California/Pacific Northwest, prettier sail-away (Golden Gate!), less crowded ships. LA: bigger ship variety, cheaper airfare from Central/Southern California, warmer year-round. For West Coast US travellers: base decision on your home airport, not the ship differences.

SF cruise pre-hotel with Bay views?+

Fisherman's Wharf area (5-10 min drive to Pier 27): Argonaut Hotel, Marriott Fisherman's Wharf. Embarcadero (walking distance): Hotel Vitale, Hyatt Regency SF Embarcadero. Best luxury: Fairmont San Francisco. Iconic: Hotel Nikko + St Regis SF.

Alaska via SF vs Seattle vs Vancouver?+

SF: longer sea days each way (SF → Ketchikan = 2 sea days), fewer Alaska ports, cheaper + iconic sail-away. Seattle: 1 sea day, more Alaska ports, best value for US travellers (round-trip). Vancouver: 1 sea day, best Alaska ports (Whittier), Canadian visa required. SF is a novelty; Seattle/Vancouver are the workhorses.

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