New Small Ship Cruises in California
by Anne Kalosh
If you are California dreamin’, take a look at new small ship cruises in California from American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages.
Coming up soon, in October, American Queen Voyages is capping its inaugural expedition cruise season in Alaska with an itinerary from San Diego, California, to Costa Rica. (It’s also possible to sail from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, or Puerto Vallarta to Costa Rica.)
And American Cruise Lines will explore California for the first time starting in 2023 on an itinerary that covers San Francisco Bay, Napa Valley and San Joaquin Valley.
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American Queen Voyages Calls on California
Pacific Coast on Ocean Victory
American Queen Voyages’ new Pacific Coast sailing on the 186-pax Ocean Victory embarks at San Diego for a 15-day adventure to Costa Rica’s Puntarenas, the gateway to San José, the capital.
The trip starts with a pre-cruise hotel night in San Diego and sails Oct. 3 (2022) for Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Huatulco and Puerto Chiapas in Mexico, plus Playas del Coco in Costa Rica.
The extraordinary rock formations off Cabo San Lucas. * Photo: American Queen Voyages
“Guests have given Ocean Victory rave reviews on her inaugural Alaska season, and our Pacific Coast sailing provides a final opportunity to experience this unique vessel in 2022 before she returns to North America again next year,” said Isis Ruiz, chief commercial officer, American Queen Voyages.
The cruise combines science, history, wildlife and adventure. Highlights include learning about indigenous cultures, spotting marine life from Ocean Victory’s over-sea observation platforms or from the comfort of the Deck 8 Observation Lounge, or when dining on regionally inspired cuisine.
Ocean Victory’s retractable observation platforms extend out over the sea for marine-life viewing. * Photo: American Queen Voyages
Free Air For Bookings by Aug. 31
For the first time in American Queen Voyages’ history, the line is offering free round-trip air from select gateways for travelers who book the full voyage by Aug. 31.
Guided tours led by local experts and historians are available at each destination and included in the fare.
Among the premium (extra-charge) tour offerings is the chance to observe turtles and iguanas from Manzanillo’s Cuyutlan Turtle Sanctuary on a panga (boat) ride through the Palo Verde lagoon with a coconut water refreshment stop at a plantation.
On a whale shark encounter from La Paz, snorkelers can get up close to marine life including the world’s largest fish, the docile whale shark. There’s also a deep-sea fishing opportunity from Huatulco aboard a 30-foot yacht.
Other premium options include a cooking and quaffing tour where participants learn how to make authentic Mexican salsas, Oaxacan guacamole, pico de gallo and rompope, an eggnog-like drink.
And at Playas del Coco, adventurers can glide through the rain forest canopy on a zip line with views of one of the oldest beach communities in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province.
A premium (extra-charge) tour offers zip lining through the canopy at Playas del Coco. * Photo: American Queen Voyages:Getty Images
Eight- & Nine-Day Segments
The October 2022 cruise is also offered in two shorter segments: San Diego to Puerto Vallarta, eight days, and Puerto Vallarta to Puntarenas, nine days.
For the full 15-day voyage, it includes a pre-cruise hotel stay at San Diego and is priced starting at $5,099 per person with free air from 30 gateway cities, including a $600 onboard credit.
Interested in This Cruise?
American Queen Voyages’ eight-day option, including the San Diego pre-cruise hotel and ending at Puerto Vallarta with calls at Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, starts at $2,499 per person with a $300 onboard credit.
Meanwhile, the nine-day Puerto Vallarta to Puntarenas option on Oct. 9 includes a pre-cruise hotel in Puerto Vallarta and calls at Manzanillo, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas and Playas del Coco, with fares from $2,799 including a $300 onboard credit.
Besides the pre-cruise hotel and daily tours, the fares cover ground transfers, unlimited beverages/open bar and Wi-Fi.
Passengers who book by Aug. 31 can save up to $2,000 per stateroom.
Costa Rica’s capital, San José, accessed from the port of Puntarenas, is the end point of the cruise. * Photo: American Queen Voyages
American Cruise Lines Sails from San Francisco, California
San Francisco Bay on American Jazz
American Cruise Lines’ new San Francisco Bay itinerary sails round-trip San Francisco on the 190-pax modern riverboat American Jazz. This eight-day cruise explores the heart of wine country along the Napa River and the San Joaquin Valley.
Destinations include Napa, Vallejo, Stockton and the state capital, Sacramento, on waterways including San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Napa River and San Joaquin River.
Picturesque San Francisco. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
“American continues to expand the possibilities for exceptional domestic small-ship cruises across the country. Exploring this beautiful region of Northern California by riverboat will provide a new opportunity for our guests to discover the Bay Area and the Napa Valley in an exceptional way,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO, American Cruise Lines. “Many have driven there, but not many can say they have actually cruised through wine country.”
Four cruises will operate in 2023 on the modern riverboat American Jazz. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
History, Culture, Geography
The itinerary highlights historical, cultural and geographical influences that gave rise to the City by the Bay, as well as the lush vineyards and flourishing agricultural communities throughout the Bay Area and its surrounding valleys.
Experiences on American Cruise Lines’ California departures include a scenic sail of San Francisco Bay past the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Treasure Island with visits to Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square and Alcatraz.
Special experiences include a Napa Valley winery visit and a NASCAR-style driving opportunity at the Stockton 99 Speedway.
The cruise also offers a guided tour of Old Sacramento’s underground city and port, and a visit to the California Railroad Museum.
It’s home to five full-size steam locomotives including Central Pacific No. 1 Governor Stanford, and exhibits including one honoring the Chinese contribution to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, and the infamous Golden Spike which commemorated the railroad’s completion of in 1869.
American Cruise Lines will explore San Francisco Bay, the Napa Valley and San Joaquin Valley. * Map: American Cruise Lines
Sunrise Yoga, Wines & Cooking
Shipboard activities on these small ship cruises in California will include sunrise yoga, wine presentations focused on regional varietals and cooking demonstrations of Northern California cuisine. Passengers will receive a local cookbook to take home.
Interested in These Small Ship Cruises in California?
The American Cruise Lines’ California 2023 departure dates are Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10 (2023).
Fares start at $6,095 per person. American offers domestic flat-rate airfare for all its U.S. cruises.
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