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
The best way to immerse yourself in the stunning beauty and outdoor adventure of the Puget Sound area of the Pacific Northwest is through an American Cruise Lines vacation. With this travel experience, you will enjoy the stunning landscape of the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands as you visit a number of distinct destinations, including a visit to the international hotspot of Victoria, British Columbia. Here are a few things to know about this exciting travel adventure.
Read more: Puget Sound and San Juan Islands Cruises With American Cruise Line
In the greater Los Angeles area, Long Beach stands out as offering a special mixture of metropolis and coast. To hear the crashing of the waves on the beach while just a block away from top-of-the-line urban entertainment options is what makes Long Beach such a remarkable place. From fascinating museums to eclectic neighborhoods, the area has so much to offer, and all just a stone’s throw away from the waters of the Pacific. If you like your cities infused with a bit of salty air, then you’ll love your stop in Long Beach. Here are seven of the top activities to take advantage of during your stay.
Read more: Things To Do In Long Beach, California On a Cruise 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.
If there's one cruise line that has been a cultural icon representing cruises from the west coast, it is Princess. The 2021 and 2022 cruise seasons are just around the corner and now is a great time to start saving for a full transit Panama Canal cruise.
Read more: Princess Updates 2021-2022 Panama Canal Itineraries
One of the first things you'll notice when cruising is that cruise ships have a VERY loud horn that while it could be used like your car's horn - actually has a more sophisticated use. While you might just blast your car's horn at a driver that cuts you off, or tap it to let someone know they can go, cruise ships have an internationally recognized set of horn signals that lets everyone around them know exactly what's going on.
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.
Crystal Symphony spent some time sailing out of San Diego this winter and we were fortunate to be invited to visit her for a tour. While Symphony may not be the newest, biggest, or fanciest ship in terms of amenities - she is certainly one of the grandest. As a small ship experience that focuses more on the voyage, rather than the ship as a destination, it was impressive to see that it still had all the things that you ultimately need on a cruise.
There are a lot of topics related to efforts that the cruise industry is making to "go green" and while some such as banning straws and single-use plastics are easy ... the fuel that runs these giant ships is not so clear. While there are currently no LNG or hybrid-powered ships planned for service on the west coast currently, we are home to four environmentally sensitive areas that are playing a global leadership role with reducing greenhouse gas emissions on cruise ships. This includes Alaska, Hawaii, California, and British Columbia who led the way by mandating the use of scrubbers and are now progressing to improve on that as well.
Read more: The Future Of Cruise Ship Fuels: LNG vs Marine Gas Oil
The norovirus infection is sometimes spread on cruise ships, but thankfully, it occurs infrequently. The symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, muscle pain, malaise and a low-grade fever. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure, and the symptoms may last one to three days. There are some tips you can use to try to prevent getting the infection.
Read more: What Cruisers Need To Know About Avoiding Norovirus
Read more: Things To Do In Seattle Washington On a Cruise Visit
Juneau has rightly earned its reputation as being the go-to destination for Alaskan adventure. The town is nestled into one of the country’s largest and most pristine wilderness areas in the Northern hemisphere. Whether you’re exploring ancient glaciers, setting sail on the fishing trip of a lifetime, taking a helicopter tour of the region, experiencing an authentic Alaskan seafood dinner fresh from the ocean, or taking in the wildlife of the incredible region, Juneau isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience. The lush rainforest and iconic glaciers make it a thrilling destination for outdoor experiences. When spending the day in Juneau, don’t miss out on these top cruise shore excursions.
Read more: Things To Do In Juneau Alaska On a Cruise Ship 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
Vancouver is the gateway for most Alaska cruises since it serves as a foreign port and so you can spend more time heading to Alaska, whereas Seattle cruises must stop in Victoria. The city is a cosmopolitan destination with a large Asian and South Asian population and offers a variety of cultural tourism opportunities as well as eco-tourism in Vancouver itself as well as the mountains just outside the city.
Read more: Things To Do in Vancouver British Columbia Canada
Ensenada, Mexico has the fortune of being just far enough away that it avoids some of the security concerns towns closer to the Mexico/US border face but it is still close enough to be a perfect cruise ship stop. Whether you are coming through the Panama Canal, Hawaii, or simply a quick 3 or 4-day cruise from Los Angeles, Ensenada is probably on your itinerary if you are sailing from California. Here's why I enjoy visiting Ensenada, Mexico and you probably will too!
Read more: Things To Do in Ensenada Mexico On a Cruise Ship Visit
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a fabulous cruise port that is safe for American visitors and offers a wealth of cultural, eco-tourism, and foodie excursions that you won't want to miss.
Read more: Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta Mexico On a Cruise Ship Visit
Cabo San Lucas might be Mexico, but it has been a playground for Americans looking to have fun for more than 100 years. Fishing, golf, food, tequila, and eco-tourism await cruise guests here.
Read more: Things To Do In Cabo San Lucas Mexico On a Cruise Ship Visit