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 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 Harbor House 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 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 grab lunch on your own 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, Guest Reception
Day 3 – 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. Enjoy exploring & taking in on all the Zoo highlights as well as grabbing lunch on your own. This afternoon we’ll enjoy some leisure shopping at the beautiful Seaport Village before returning to the hotel for a rest. Later we board the coach for dinner and a live theatre production at the Lamb’s Players Theatre located in Coronado’s iconic Spreckels Building!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – 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 on the Midway. After lunch we head to the Museum of Making Music. Founded in 1998 by the National Association of Music Merchants, the Museum was developed to showcase and celebrate the music product industry. The Museum has hundreds of vintage instruments, audio & video clips, and a vibrant interactive area. As we make our way back to the hotel, we’ll taking a relaxing drive through Carlsbad, Encinitas, and DelMar. There may even be time to see the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. The evening is free to relax & enjoy the guest reception or have dinner on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Guest Reception
Day 5 – San Diego to Ship Embarkation
Enjoy our final lovely breakfast at the Embassy Suites, then it’s time to board our cruise ship, The Royal Princess, 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 Santa 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 on their annual migration and dolphins are a frequent sights. 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. Princess Live! provides non-stop entertainment throughout the day and each evening with interactive culinary shows, live concerts, and late night comedy & game shows. Experience unparalleled views of the sea on the SeaWalk, a 60 ft long dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway, cantilevered 128 ft above the waves! You may wish to visit the Vegas-style Casino, the Sports Court, the freshwater pools & hot tubs, the quaint boutiques, and more! Plus there is original musicals, dazzling magic shows, feature films, top comedians, and more for great entertaiment. Don’t forget about the wide range of culinary delights to choose from: endless buffet choices, gourmet pizza, traditional southern BBQ, frosty treats, decadent desserts, and more!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Ensenada, Mexico
Located 70 miles south of the international border is Ensenada with its warm Mediterranean 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 Royal Princess 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, 18 Meals & 2-3 Guest Receptions, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach, 4 Night Cruise in Balcony Stateroom
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Stay 4 Nights at beautiful Embassy Suites
Scenic San Diego Tour with Step-On Guide including Balboa Park, Gaslamp District
Famous San Diego Zoo
Museum of Making Music
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado
4 Night Cruise aboard Royal Princess with Ports of Call at Catalina Island & Ensenada, Mexico