A Cook’s Petrel arcs over the Pacific off Santa Barbara, California Photo: Tony Leukering
When major cruise companies reposition their boats from winter to summer cruising schedules, the cost of these staging cruises are often remarkably reasonable. Recently West Coast birders have used these cruises as a comfortable platform to look for offshore species, including several pterodroma petrels, albatrosses, and storm-petrels. On this cruise we have a reasonable chance of encountering Hawaiian, Murphy’s and Cook’s Petrels among many others.
26-30 April 2021, on Holland America Cruises (Eurodam) from San Diego to Vancouver: This 4-Day cruise with Holland America Cruises departs from San Diego in the afternoon, with a stop for a day in Santa Barbara, then has two full days at sea, then arrives in Vancouver on the morning of 30 April. Cost is $425 plus the cost of your berth which should be booked directly with the cruise company. Non-birders traveling with you are exempt from the $425 WINGS charge. Berth prices for this cruise start at only about $660 per person (includes tax, fees, gratuity, and port charges).
3-7 May 2021, on Princess Cruises (Coral Princess) from Los Angeles (San Pedro) to Vancouver: This 4-Day cruise with Princess Cruises departs from Los Angeles in the afternoon, has two full days at sea, and then arrives in Victoria on the morning of 6 May. The cruise then departs Victoria that evening and arrives in Vancouver on the morning of 7 May. No land excusion will be organized in Victoria. Cost is $435 plus the cost of your berth which should be booked directly with Princess at the number below. Non-birders traveling with you are exempt from the $435 WINGS charge. Berth prices for this cruise start at only about $335 per person (interior shared cabin) plus tax, gratuity, and port charges based on double occupancy. Details on booking a berth with Princess Cruises can be found here.
Updated: 15 April 2020
Prices
- April 2022 Tour Price : $435
- May 2022 Tour Price : $435
Notes
Questions? The Tour Manager for this tour is Kim Dean. Call 1-866-547-9868 or 520-320-9868 or click here to email.
The “Tour Information” tab at the top of this page links to details on booking berths, deposit and payment dates and other relevant information.
* The maximum number of birders for these cruises is 12.
** Note that a WINGS deposit or payment is not required of non-birding companions who should not expect to join the daytime birding activities. Non-birding companions must of course book their cruise berth with the cruise line.