I started out the way a lot of cruisers do, in the Caribbean. The West Coast is what changed how I think about a cruise vacation.
West Coast itineraries lean less on beach time with a drink in hand and more on real exploring: new cultures, Alaska's glaciers and wildlife, and ports that feel like their own places. They also feel far less commercialized. In the Caribbean, hopping from island to island can start to feel like the same stop twice, with a Carlos'n Charlie's by the pier gate where yesterday there was a Señor Frog's.
That's why I started CruiseWestCoast, and it's why this poll is my favorite one to watch. I love seeing how many readers are planning a first West Coast sailing, and how many keep coming back for more.
If you're still working on your first, the cruise destinations page is a good place to start, and you can see what sails from San Diego or Seattle. If you've been a few times and are picking the next one, the cruise planning tools can help. Either way, the best tip for new cruisers poll is worth a look for what other readers say.