Day 1 – Home to San Diego, CA
Today we begin our San Diego with Catalina Island & Mexico Cruise adventure by boarding our flight to the west coast by the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our beautiful hotel property, the Embassy Suites, near San Diego’s waterfront. The Embassy’s nicely furnished suites, great services, wonderful amenities, and location on the harbor make for a relaxing and enjoyable four night stay! Plus, a complimentary nightly guest reception from 5:30-7:30 pm featuring cocktails, soft drinks, and light snacks is always available. A welcome dinner is served at The Fish Market as we get to know our fellow travelers.
Included Meals: Dinner, Guest Reception
Hotel: Embassy Suites-San Diego Bay (4 Nights)
Day 2 – San Diego
After a full included breakfast buffet, we will enjoy an all-day city tour with an experienced step-on guide who will orientate us to the lovely area. We’ll view “Unconditional Surrender,” the statue of the sailor kissing the nurse. We’ll visit picturesque Balboa Park, which is a National Historic Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visiting San Diego’s historic Gaslamp District with its interesting and colorful past will be a highlight! Did you know that prior to 1867, the area was jokingly known as “Rabbitville” due to the fact while they couldn’t seem to get the city built, the rabbit population was successfully creating their habitat?! Time will be given in Old Town to explore and enjoy an included Mexican lunch before departing for La Jolla, San Diego’s “Jewel by the Sea.” With a dramatic coastline boasting incredible views, being surrounded on three sides by the sea and backed by the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla is one of the most popular beach destinations in California. We will also stop and see the sea lions lounging in the sun! Lastly our guide will take us to Liberty Station, located on a peninsula jutting into the sea, this 361-acre waterfront village was a former Naval Training Center and the U.S. Navy’s first foothold in Southern California. This will be a great day getting acquainted with the amazing area. Be sure to enjoy the guest reception when we return to the hotel or have dinner on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Guest Reception
Day 3 – San Diego
This morning after breakfast, our group will meet to walk to the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier/Mueaum. Through the self-guided audio tour of the USS Midway, the story comes to life as we explore the carrier from top to bottom. Lunch is on our own before we cross the 11,178’ Coronado Bridge to magical Coronado Island, known for its cashmere-soft sands, lush parks, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and historic turrets. We will meet an experienced historian from the Hotel del Coronado. We will discover all of the incredible moments in history through an in-depth, walking tour of this grand Victorian building and gardens. A delightful early dinner is served at Little Frenchie Bistro so afterwards we can make our way to the beach to take in a stunning Coronado Island sunset!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Guest Reception
Day 4 – San Diego
A visit to San Diego must include the famous Zoo! The San Diego Zoo pioneered the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats and it houses over 3,700 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. We’ll start off with an exclusive 90 minute guided bus tour, featuring a visit to an animal habitat area that is not accessible by the general public! Then you can continue to easily explore the Zoo highlights via the Kangaroo Express Bus, the Skyfari Aerial Tram, and the regular Guided Bus Tour, all included in your pass. Grabbing lunch is also made easy with your included voucher. Don’t forget to check out the interesting animal shows! Mid-afternoon we’ll return to the hotel for the remainder of the day on your own. Beautiful Seaport Village, located within a short walking distance from the hotel, is the perfect place to enjoy some leisure shopping and dinner if you choose.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Guest Reception
Day 5 – San Diego to Ship Embarkation
Enjoy our final lovely breakfast at the Embassy Suites, then it’s time to head toward Los Angeles to board our cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas, for a 4-night cruise to Catalina Island and then on to Ensenada, Mexico! Take time to get acquainted with the ship, settle into your stateroom with its private balcony, have your first dining experience onboard, and enjoy the views as we set sail!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Late Lunch, Dinner
Ship: Royal Princess (4 Nights)
Day 6 – Catalina Island, CA
We’ll have breakfast onboard before we explore lovely Catalina Island at our leisure. In 1919, Chicago chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley purchased the Island, immediately securing its reputation as a playground for wealthy magnates and movie stars. Buffalo, imported for a 1924 movie, roam the island’s sere uplands and offshore kelp beds shelter brightly colored Garibaldi fish, sea lions, and seals. Gray whales pass by on their annual migration and dolphins are a frequent sights. Perhaps you’ll choose to hike up to the Botanical Gardens & Wrigley Memorial, wander down the waterfront and explore the shops, sink into the soft sand at Descanso Beach, or set sail on a catamaran to circle the island. There’s also the Island’s famous 1929 Art-Deco masterpiece: Catalina Casino. You won’t find any gambling here, but rather the world’s largest circular ballroom and movies playing in the original movie theater. What an Island – what a day!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – At Sea
There are so many options of fun activities and delicious food to enjoy today as we cruise along. Feeling active? Grab your tennis shoes for pickleball, table tennis, dance lessons or mini-golf. Feeling crafty? Try the cupcake class, jewerly making, or scrapbooking. Feeling adventurous? Head to the ice skating rink or The Blaster, the longest waterslide at sea! Feeling musical? Take in the live bands or remarkable shows. Feeling lucky? The arcade and game shows are waiting. Feeling relaxful? There’s amplified pool deck loungers for soaking up the sun, delve into a page-turner at the Library, there’s peace in the Solarium pool, or bask in the warmth of the whirpools! Don’t forget about the wide range of complimentary culinary delights to choose from: Main Dining Room, Windjammer Cafe, Cafe Promenade, El Loco Fresh, and room service! If you’re looking for a speciality restaurant at your own expense, the Navigator boasts anything from a signature steakhouse to a sushi feast to Starbucks.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Ensenada, Mexico
Located 70 miles south of the international border is Ensenada with its mild semi-arid climate and friendly atmosphere. Some points of interest you may wish to explore today are: 1) La Bufadora – largest marine geyser in the world blowing upwards of 100 ft; 2) Riviera del Pacifico – tour this former casino with its historic cathedral ballroom and salon and stroll through the gardens; 3) Bodegas de Santo Tomas – tour & wine tasting at this premier winery founded in 1888; 4) Avenida Lopez Mateos – shopping; 5) Casa Dona Lupe – witness the wine making process from the crushing of grapes to fermentation, pressing, aging & bottling; 6) Guadalupe Valley Winery – often compared to California’s Napa Valley, Guadalupe’s rustic landscape is dotted with over 100 wineries; 7) Mexican Folkloric Show – listen to a lively Mariachi band at the Riviera del Pacifico; 8) Ventana al Mar – enjoy a relaxing walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade. Lots of great options to fill your day as you please!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Disembark/Los Angeles to Home
We bid the Navigator of the Seas farewell and head to the airport for our flight home. Reminisce with your new traveling friends about our full, yet leisurely vacation to the Pacific Coast – what wonderful memories!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Flyaway Per Person Pricing Information
Flyaway Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
Roundtrip Airfare from MSP including all baggage fees, taxes & surcharges, 20 Meals & 4 Guest Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach, 4 Night Cruise in Balcony Stateroom
02/27/2025 03/07/2025
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
* Stay 4 Nights at beautiful Embassy Suites
* Scenic San Diego Tour with Step-On Guide including Balboa Park, Gaslamp District & La Jolla
* Famous San Diego Zoo with Special Private Tour
* USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
* Tour of Historic Hotel del Coronado
* 4 Night Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean with Ports of Call at Catalina Island & Ensenada, Mexico
