Welcome to California wine country

 You are invited to arrive in San Diego one day prior to your cruise.  There will be a special gathering for all our cruise group passengers.   San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of California known for its beaches, parks and warm climate. Immense Balboa Park is the site of the renowned San Diego Zoo, as well as numerous art galleries, artist studios, museums and gardens. A deep harbor is home to a large active naval fleet, with the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum, open to the public.

 SPECIAL PRE-CRUISE NIGHT PACKAGE (TBA)

Board the beautiful Koningsdam

 Santa Barbara is undisputedly one of the most popular destinations in a state with some pretty serious competition; in many other states it would surely be the star attraction by far. That's how rich the city is, with its gorgeous buildings erected by the city's early Spanish settlers, as well as later mission revival architecture. And, of course, it occupies a prime spot along the famous oceanfront Highway 101, with a backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains and a long stretch of beach with the undeveloped Channel Islands offshore. No wonder many Santa Barbarans can trace their roots here for generations—no one wants to leave.

Some of California's most significant early history took place in Santa Barbara, going back to its origin as the homeland of the Chumash people. For those who might think of it as just a town of bikers, joggers and fine beaches, its combination of a laid-back vibe with a sophisticated art scene and an international film festival can come as a surprise. For a modest-size city, Santa Barbara offers some seriously upscale shopping, while restaurants range from trendy taquerías to establishments serving fine French fare. And the fine wine flows through the city, as downtown now hosts a slew of not just wine shops but full-on wineries. Whether you are interested in high culture or viticulture, white-sand beaches or white-tablecloth restaurants, this is one of those destinations that truly has something for everyone. 

 Monterey is a city on California’s rugged central coast. Its Cannery Row, one-time center of the sardine-packing industry, was immortalized by novelist John Steinbeck. Today, it's a popular strip of gift shops, seafood restaurants and bars in converted factories. Also famous is Monterey Bay Aquarium, with thousands of marine animals and plants on display in underwater and interactive exhibits.   One of California’s most beautiful coastal cities, Monterey boasts a charming downtown, with historic buildings, and a world-class aquarium. It’s also the setting of several John Steinbeck novels. 

San Francisco, California, has long been America’s shining city by the sea: a beacon on the West Coast that boomed during the gold rush of 1849 and, for much of the 20th century, embodied the sunny California dream. It has always been a city of dreamers, a place that appeals both to the country’s counterculture and also, ironically, to those looking to strike it rich. The Summer of Love unfolded here in 1967, while today it is the epicenter of the Internet economy, enjoying yet another period of expansion.

One thing has remained constant throughout its colorful history—the city’s enviable location at the tip of a peninsula separating San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Around every corner and from every hilltop, views of the water and the city’s bridges wait to be photographed.

San Francisco’s appeal has also owed much to its role as one of the Pacific Rim’s major metropolises. Its restaurants and neighborhoods reflect a population that includes communities of people originally from Asia and Latin America, and the city proudly embraces its multiculturalism. Finally, if you want to venture beyond San Francisco, some of California’s most celebrated attractions are nearby, from the soaring redwoods of Muir Woods to the infamous Alcatraz Island in the middle of the bay.

Another day to chill and relax.  This is the life you worked hard for all year!   

Your seat is reserved at the Winemaker's Lunch in the Pinacle Grill. 

 Nicknamed the Pearl of the Pacific, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and a mountain range to the east, Ensenada is Baja California's third-largest city and one of its commercial and cultural hubs. The weather here is pleasant year round, evoking comparisons to Mediterranean climates. But the hot days and cool nights aren't the only reasons Ensenada and surrounding towns are compared to the Mediterranean; similar crops are grown here, including asparagus, olives and grapes. It's this last crop that makes Ensenada the gateway to Baja's wine route (Ruta del Vino), where labels little known outside of Mexico are produced, often in small batches. Winery tours and tastings are a quintessential Ensenada experience. It all makes for a pleasant visit, especially for foodies and oenophiles, who will appreciate the area's farm-to-table ethic and its many alfresco restaurants. Active travelers will love the region too, their greatest challenge being how to choose among the many adventures—zip lining and horseback riding are two highlights—that await in Ensenada and its outskirts.   

Returning to San Diego, enriched by the experience of your vacation!