One of the things that makes San Diego such a perfect port to start your cruise as well as a great destination to visit on a cruise is that it is extremely easy to get around. There are tons of options from public transportation to rideshare and it is also very walkable to attractions located along the embarcadero such as the USS Midway, Seaport Village and the Maritime Museum. However, if you want to get out and explore on your own you'll want to grab an Lyft or Uber to get there fast, or use San Diego's public bus and trolly system if you want a slower and cheaper way to explore the area.
Read more: San Diego Transportation Tips For Cruisers Looking To Get Around Town
The culinary diversity of San Diego is evident within a few blocks – and even a few steps – of the city’s cruise ship port. Here is a rundown of our recommendations, most of which are very close to cruise port or an easy Uber, ferry, or walk to get there. San Diego is a vibrant city packed with incredible restaurants that are perfect for those visiting before embarking on their cruise as well as those wanting to get a taste of what makes "America's Finest City" one of the nation's top foodie destinations. From standout seafood options to colorful beach bars and taco shops, there's something here to tantalize all kinds of taste buds!
Read more: Our Picks For Top Places To Eat In San Diego For Hungry Cruise Visitors | Updated 2024
San Diego is blessed with a pleasant climate all year round, making it an ideal destination no matter the season! From its warm and sunny days in summer to its mild temperatures in winter, San Diego's weather is highly sought after by tourists and that of course includes cruise visitors.
Read more: What Cruisers Need To Know About The Weather In San Diego
Embarking on a cruise vacation from the beautiful port of San Diego? Choosing the right hotel can make all the difference in creating those unforgettable pre or post-cruise memories.
Read more: The Best Cruise-Friendly Hotels In San Diego For Your Next Vacation
Many Alaska cruises now offer a stop in Icy Strait Point, one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports and the 2020 Seatrade Port of The Year Award-winner. This cruise stop is owned entirely by the Alaska Huna Totem Corporation, which in turn is owned by the Huna, a native tribe. Profits from Icy Strait Point go directly to support the Huna tribe in Hoonah, Alaska. It’s for this reason that Icy Strait Point is both a historical museum and cultural learning center.
Read more: Icy Strait Point Is A Great Alaska Cruise Port For Families
The town of Ketchikan is often the first or last port for most Alaska cruises. Situated as the southernmost city on the Inside Passage, this town of about 13,000 people started life as a fishing and logging community that morphed into a tourist destination. It occupies a 10-mile stretch of waterfront along the Tongass Narrows. This port offers numerous activities that are perfect for families, including the Alaska Lumberjack Show to walking tours and even fishing as well as whale watching expeditions.
Read more: Fun Things To Do As A Family Visiting Ketchikan On An Alaska Cruise
There's an inclination when selecting your cruise hotel to get as close to downtown or the cruise port as possible but at the same time going where the tourists go since that's all you know and the guide books drive us in that direction too. I'm guilty of that too but in reality if you are going to be taking a ride from the hotel to the cruise port then there are a lot of options beside being just a few minutes closer. That's why we're sharing a gem of a hotel that offers everything great about San Diego - food, sunshine, craft beer, and history - located in the hip harbor-front neighborhood of Point Loma.
Read more: The Monsaraz San Diego Makes A Great Pre-Cruise Hotel Option
While many people think of Napa and Sonoma as the top wine regions along the Pacific Coast, Baja California's Valle de Guadalupe or Calafia Valley is ready to challenge that preconception. Located just north of Ensenada offers a fun and unique perspective on the rapidly maturing Mexican wine industry. While Baja wine doesn't quite have the same ring to it as other regions of the world such as Bordeaux or Napa the truth is that this area is rapidly maturing and now produces some excellent vintages. This makes doing a wine tour as part of your Ensenada cruise a fantastic opportunity to escape from the downtown area and explore a bit of baja's rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards.
Read more: Ensenada Wine Tours - Cruise Excursion Or Private Tour Guide?
We have loads of content coming soon from our Pacific Coastal voyage on Viking Orion - one of the Viking Ocean Cruises small ship vessels but this topic is at the top of my mind because it was a missed opportunity that could have resulted in cruise guests getting a bucket-list opportunity instead of the inevitable disapointment caused by a missed port due to rough seas and the complications due to tendering. To be clear, I'm writing this from our perspective on this trip but this is the second time in the past few months that we've been forced to miss Santa Barbara, though just one of many over the years in various parts of the world that has been dropped due to issues related with tendering in general.
Read more: Channel Islands Scenic Cruising Is A Great Alternative To Another Sea Day
Princess Cruises guests sailing on the upcoming partial summer 2021 Alaska season will be thoroughly immersed with authentic Alaska-themed activities offered throughout the cruise line's award-winning "North to Alaska" culinary, entertainment and shore excursions series.
Despite Hawaii being one of the top west coast cruise destinations for decades, many folks we talk with still don't realize that you can take a cruise to Hawaii. Even fewer understand just how amazing of a way it is to explore the culture, food, history, and natural beauty offered by this magical destination. Let's take a look at some of the ways that you can explore Hawaii on a cruise.
One of the biggest challenges with Hawaiian cruises is that unlike other itineraries such as going to Alaska, California Coastal, or Mexican Riviera - there are no international ports anywhere close to Hawaii. As a result, cruise options are relatively limited compared to others. It also means that these cruises are generally more expensive, smaller ships, or longer than your typical cruise.
Icy Strait Point is one of the most exciting recent additions to the list of Alaska cruise destinations and I suspect it is the beginning of a new phase of planned and privately owned cruise ports that will ultimately allow the destination to continue expanding without overcrowding the existing ports. However, it isn't just me saying this. In fact, Icy Strait Point claimed the 2020 Port of the Year award at the 14th annual Seatrade Cruise Awards earlier this month.
Read more: Icy Strait Point Wins 2020 Seatrade Port of The Year Award
What better way to visit the historical city of San Diego that once belonged to Spain than to approach its shores by way of the Pacific Ocean as did its conquerors? Before arriving near the shore, travelers on a cruise ship may easily see the whales that swim in the ocean, and they might spot expert surfers such as Rob Machado and others. In San Diego, where the weather is perennially pleasant, there are many interesting places to visit during shore excursions on a cruise ship. Here are a few:
Read more: Things To Do In San Diego California On A Cruise Ship Visit
Glorious Skagway Alaska lies on the Alaskan panhandle. This small settlement in between the sky and the mountains is an understandably popular tourist destination. People from all over the world come here to admire the magnificent scenery, clean air and explore this part of the United States. Skagway is a particularly popular destination for cruise ships. If you're heading up north and want to stop here on your planned cruise, you'll find many a great many things to do once you embark. From exploring the region's history to shopping and charming gardens, it's all easy to admire even in a few hours.
Read more: Things To Do in Skagway Alaska On a Cruise Ship Visit
There are vacations, and then there are escapes. Along the gently rolling California coast is a seaside paradise known as Santa Barbara. Unlike its fast-paced neighbors of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Santa Barbara is a town of charm and tranquility nestled in the American Riviera. The sun-splashed stucco city is a seaside escape where mountains meet the ocean. Known for its world-renowned vineyards, golden valleys, arts and culture, and exceptional culinary scene, Santa Barbara is a haven for exploration and adventure. Santa Barbara has near-endless amount of activities and experiences that make it hard to plan a day trip itinerary. Here are 5 cruise shore excursions to experience the best of Santa Barbara.
When thinking about taking a perfect romantic cruise, most folks think about the Caribbean, Hawaii, or maybe even the Mediterranean but we love cruising on the west coast! That’s why we’ve decided to put together our picks for the top five most romantic cruise ports in California, Mexican Riviera, and British Columbia. Sorry, Alaska and Hawaii … I’m not counting you guys this time.
Read more: Things To Do In Seattle Washington On a Cruise Visit
Thanks to its location on the Inside Passage's southern edge, Ketchikan is an incredibly convenient stop for Alaskan cruise vessels. But it's not just convenience that makes Ketchikan an unforgettable port of call. Not only is Ketchikan surrounded by phenomenal rainforest scenery, it's also home to incredible architecture and many fantastic cultural institutions.
Read more: Things To Do In Ketchikan Alaska On A Cruise Ship Visit