The Port of San Diego’s cruise season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 with the arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ Infinity.

The 2,170-passenger vessel will stop at San Diego harbor as part of a nine-night Pacific coastal cruise that begins and ends in San Francisco.

The cruise also visits Monterey, Santa Barbara, Catalina and Ensenada. October is a busy cruise month with the Disney Wonder arriving in port on Thursday, Oct. 1, for a three-night Baja cruise.

The vessel returns for three five-day Baja cruises that begin and end at the Port of San Diego. Other highlights in October include a 15-day Mexican Riviera Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Sun, and an 18-day Inca Discovery Cruise on Holland America Lines’ Zaandam. The Port’s cruise season runs from September through May.

Currently 65 vessels are scheduled to arrive, that number may change as the season progresses.

The Port’s homeported (cruises that begin and end in San Diego) lines are Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises.

On average, each homeported cruise has an economic impact of $2 million to the region.

That impact is from passenger spending, businesses servicing the vessel, transportation services, crew spending and more. Last year, the Port completed a $31 million project that completely redesigned the North Embarcadero area, adjacent to where the cruise ships berth. Improvements encompassed an area from the Midway Pier to the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal.

Widened esplanades, public seating areas, jacaranda groves and public art now greet cruise guests as they embark or disembark, creating a grand first impression of San Diego for cruise visitors. Another addition will be a new restaurant.

Hungry passengers will be able to enjoy “Tail Waggin’ Good!” delights at the new Carnitas’ Snack Shack location at the North Embarcadero. Carnitas’ is expected to open in January/February 2016. The Port of San Diego cruise schedule is available on portofsandiego.org/recreation. You can also visit the websites of Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises for detailed information on cruise itineraries and pricing.