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.
May 9-13, 2018, on Princess Cruises (Emerald Princess) from Los Angeles (San Pedro) to Vancouver: The 4 Day cruise on Princess Cruises departs from Los Angeles in the afternoon, has two full days at sea, stops in Victoria on day 3, and then arrives in Vancouver in the morning on day 4. Cost is $300 plus the cost of your berth which should be booked directly with the cruise company. Non-birders traveling with you are exempt from the $300 WINGS charge. Berth prices for this cruise start at only about $350 per person plus tax, gratuity, and port charges. Details on booking a berth can be found here.
Updated: 22 May 2017
Prices
- 2018 Cruise Price : $300
- 2019 Cruise Price Not Yet Known
Notes
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 the 4 day, May 9-13, 2018 cruise on the Emerald Princess from Los Angeles (San Pedro) to Vancouver is 11.
There is no limit to non-birders.