Bomb Threat Forces Emergency Lockdown at Cruise Terminal — Passengers Wait Hours
A cruise terminal in Southern California was temporarily shut down Monday morning after a bomb threat prompted an immediate security response, delaying passengers onboard a popular Disney Wonder.
What Happened at the Port
The incident took place at the B Street Cruise Terminal in San Diego. According to local reports, the threat was received around 7 a.m. by a terminal employee, triggering a rapid lockdown of the port “out of an abundance of caution.”
At the time, Disney Wonder had just returned from a three-night cruise to Mexico, with a stop in Ensenada, and passengers were preparing to disembark.
Passengers Stuck Onboard During Search
Instead of beginning the normal debarkation process, guests were required to remain onboard while authorities swept the terminal.
Harbor Police, along with explosive detection K9 units, conducted a full search of the area. Passengers reportedly waited inside the ship, many gathered in common areas like the atrium with luggage in hand, unsure how long the delay would last.
Terminal Cleared After Two Hours
Roughly two hours after the initial threat was reported, officials declared the terminal safe. Once the all-clear was given, normal operations resumed and passengers were finally allowed to disembark.
No explosives or credible threats were found during the investigation.
Cruise Schedule Moves Forward
Despite the disruption, the ship’s schedule appears to remain on track. Disney Wonder is still expected to depart later that same day on a four-night cruise itinerary, which includes stops at Catalina Island and Ensenada.
A Reminder of Cruise Port Security Protocols
While incidents like this are rare, they highlight how seriously cruise ports and local authorities treat potential threats. Even unverified reports result in immediate lockdowns and thorough searches to ensure passenger safety.
For travelers, it’s a reminder that unexpected delays can happen, even before your cruise officially begins or ends.
