Bomb Threat Locks Down San Diego's B Street Cruise Terminal

The B Street Cruise Terminal on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego was briefly locked down the morning of March 30, 2026 after an unspecified bomb threat, temporarily preventing cruise passengers from disembarking.

San Diego Harbor Police Sgt. Jose Torres said the threat was reported at about 7 a.m. by a terminal employee, prompting officials to secure the facility while officers investigated. The terminal was cleared roughly two hours later, with authorities deeming it safe around 9 a.m. and allowing normal operations to resume.

Harbor Police response and what authorities have confirmed

Torres said the lockdown was implemented “out of an abundance of caution” as Explosive Detection Canine Units were brought in to search the premises. Harbor Police have not disclosed additional details about the origin or nature of the threat, including whether it was made by phone, text, or another method.

No arrests or suspects were announced in the immediate aftermath, and Harbor Police did not release further information beyond the timing of the threat, the decision to secure the terminal, and the eventual all-clear.

How the lockdown affected Disney Wonder’s port call

Vessels at the terminal were impacted during the inspection, including Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder. With the terminal closed to the public, passengers were not permitted to disembark while the search was underway; once the terminal was cleared, disembarkation proceeded.

The Disney Wonder, with capacity reported at about 2,700 guests and a gross tonnage of 84,130, had just returned from a three-night sailing to Ensenada, Mexico. Cruise coverage noted the operational impact appeared limited, in part because Disney’s earliest Express Walk-Off disembarkation typically begins around 8 a.m., about an hour before authorities reopened the terminal.

Same-day schedule and upcoming deployment

After the all-clear, the ship’s turnaround continued, with the Disney Wonder expected to depart San Diego later that day at about 3:45 p.m. Pacific Time for a four-night itinerary that includes Catalina Island and Ensenada.

• March 30, 7 a.m.: Harbor Police said a terminal employee reported the bomb threat, triggering a temporary lockdown and a sweep using Explosive Detection Canine Units.
• March 30, about 9 a.m.: Authorities determined the facility was safe and passengers were allowed to disembark as normal terminal procedures resumed.
• March 30, about 3:45 p.m.: Disney Wonder was expected to sail on a four-night cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada.
• Through May 2026: The ship is scheduled to continue operating short Baja-region cruises from San Diego, generally in the three- to four-night range, before repositioning to Vancouver for its 2026 Alaska season.

Bomb hoaxes at cruise ports: uncommon, disruptive, and potentially criminal

While bomb threats involving cruise terminals are described as rare, coverage noted they can disrupt tightly scheduled port days tied to security screening, disembarkation, and boarding windows. Recent examples cited include a March 3, 2025 bomb threat at PortMiami that contributed to traffic and delays on a day when five ships were in port, and an Aug. 9, 2025 incident in Southampton, U.K., in which P&O Cruises’ Ventura began evacuating guests due to a bomb hoax.

In the United States, people who knowingly make false bomb threats can face criminal consequences. Section 35 of Title 18 of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Resource Manual is often referenced in connection with bomb hoaxes; the felony provision allows penalties of up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Authorities also emphasized in coverage that the public should still report suspicious activity in good faith, even if a report ultimately proves unfounded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long was the B Street Cruise Terminal on lockdown?

Harbor Police said the threat was reported around 7 a.m. on March 30, 2026, and the terminal was cleared about two hours later, with the facility deemed safe around 9 a.m.

Were passengers allowed to disembark during the lockdown?

No. While the terminal was secured for the investigation, passengers on vessels at the terminal, including Disney Wonder, were not permitted to disembark until police cleared the facility.

What steps did Harbor Police take after the threat was reported?

San Diego Harbor Police secured the terminal and conducted a search using Explosive Detection Canine Units before reopening the facility.

Did authorities release details about the threat or announce arrests?

Officials did not release additional details about the origin or nature of the threat, and they did not announce arrests or identify suspects in connection with it.

What penalties can apply to false bomb threats in the United States?

Section 35 of Title 18 of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Resource Manual outlines civil and criminal penalties; the felony provision allows for penalties of up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

With the terminal reopened and disembarkation back underway, Disney Wonder’s San Diego port day continued toward its scheduled departure for Catalina Island and Ensenada, while any further updates on the threat remained dependent on additional statements from law enforcement.