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10 Cruise Ship Dessert Recipes You Can Make With Your Family

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• December 20, 2020

‘Tis the season to make sweet treats to enjoy with your family. The holiday season might look a bit different this year, but we hope you still plan on enjoying yummy food with your loved ones — even if it’s just your immediate family.

Many of us are missing the delicious food we might have eaten on a cruise this year had the ships been sailing — and desserts are obviously one of the best parts. So to help celebrate the season and have a taste of cruising at home, we’ve put together 10 delicious cruise ship dessert recipes (plus a bonus one!) that you can make with your family.

1. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp — Holland America

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Cup sugar
• ½ Teaspoon salt
• ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
• 11 Tablespoons chilled butter, cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 3 ½ Cups diced Rhubarb, trimmed
• 2 ½ Cups diced strawberries
• ¾ Cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a food processor, blend the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg until just combined. Pulse in the butter, using on/off turns, until moist clumps form. (Alternatively, in a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Add the butter, rubbing it in with your fingertips or with a pastry blender until the topping holds together in small moist clumps.)

Set the topping aside. The topping can be made in advance, covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Combine all the ingredients in a large glass or ceramic bowl, and toss gently with a rubber spatula. Transfer to a 9-inch glass pie pan or another baking pan, allowing the fruit to mound slightly. Carefully place the topping on the fruit, spreading it evenly over the surface with your hands. Press down gently to compact it.

Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 35 – 45 minutes, or until the top is crisp and the juices just start to bubble around the edge. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

2. Love Boat Dream Dessert — Princess Cruises

A rich, fluffy mousse-flavored with Godiva liqueur — this recipes makes 8 servings.

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 8 ounces sweet butter
• 6 large egg yolks
• 8 egg whites
• 3 ounces lady Godiva chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 3 tablespoons vanilla-flavored sugar
• 16 fresh mint leaves
• 1 ounce white chocolate
• 1 ounce milk chocolate
• 2 tablespoons strawberry piping gel
• 2 tablespoons bittersweet cocoa

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the butter. When the mixture is very smooth, quickly blend in the egg yolks and the chocolate liqueur. Whisk the egg whites until very still, and then add the superfine sugar and flavored sugar. Gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture. Pour into a heart-shaped mold and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to set.

Presentation

Unmold the chocolate and place in the center of the plate. Garnish with white chocolate and milk chocolate. Pipe strawberry gel around the plate. Dust mousse with cocoa powder and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

3. Sinful Chocolate Obsession — Norwegian Cruise Line

For the cakes

• 2 lbs semisweet chocolate
• 4 1/2 oz butter
• 12 egg yolks
• 4 oz sugar, separated
• 4 egg whites
• 8 oz heavy cream
• 2 oz almonds, toasted
• 2 oz pistachios, chopped

For the ganache

• 2 lbs dark chocolate couverture (or best-quality dark chocolate), finely chopped
• 32 fl oz heavy cream

Melt chocolate and butter together. Whip yolks and 2 oz sugar together. Combine into chocolate butter mix. Whip whites together with 2 oz sugar and rum to volume. Combine into chocolate butter yolk mix. Whip the heavy cream and fold into mixture; fold in nuts.

Pipe or spoon into individual cake dishes or ramekins, and top with a cardboard disk to act as base once flipped out. Freeze. (This recipe makes enough batter for 10 individual cakes.)

Make ganache: Bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate; allow one minute before stirring to blend. Strain and cool.

Remove cakes from ramekins and plate with desired garnishes; Norwegian’s chefs use raspberry sauce, vanilla sauce, mint sprigs, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Top cake with ganache.

READ MORE:  5 Alchemy Bar Recipes to Make at Home

4. Suksessterte — Viking Cruises

Viking’s website says that “in its native Norway, this gluten-free “success tart” is a common sight at celebrations ranging from weddings to office birthday parties.” This recipe makes 8 servings.

Vanilla Cream Filling

• 2 whole vanilla beans
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp sugar
• 1¾ cups + 2 tsp heavy cream
• 15 med egg yolks
• 2¼ cups + 1 tbsp + 1½ tsp unsalted butter

Sliced Almonds

• 1 to 2 cups sliced almonds
• 15 med egg whites
• 4¾ cups powdered sugar
• 6¼ cups extra fine almond flour

Slice vanilla beans lengthwise; scrape out seeds. Add sugar, heavy cream and vanilla seeds to a pot, bring to boiling, strain over egg yolks, mix to combine; chill in refrigerator overnight. Whip in butter until smooth; set aside.

Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C). Spread almonds on a dry cookie sheet, bake 4 minutes. Shake pan to shift almonds every minute to check for slight browning and fragrant aroma; when done, remove from oven and immediately pour onto a room temperature plate. Set aside, leaving oven on to bake sponge.

Whip egg whites and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Sift in almond flour, mix carefully until just combined, place mixture in springform pan lined with parchment paper; bake 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan before removing sides and slicing into three horizontal layers. Layer vanilla cream filling between sponge layers, then cover top and sides of cake with remaining filling and sliced almonds.

5. Peanut Butter Pie — Disney Cruise Line

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped stiff
• 1 baked 8- inch pie shell
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter

With an electric mixer, blend the peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the melted butter to peanut butter mixture, then fold in whipped cream. Pour into the baked pie shell and refrigerate for 1 hour.

For the ganache: in a saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a boil. Remove from heat and fold in chocolate until no streaks of white remain. Cool unto lukewarm, then glaze pie. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

6. Grand Marnier Soufflé — Celebrity Cruises

Pastry Cream

• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 1/2 oz granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 oz cornstarch
• 4 oz Grand Marnier

Vanilla Creme Anglaise (Sauce)

• 2 oz granulated sugar

Almond Tuile

• 1/2 oz granulated sugar
• 1/2 fluid oz fresh orange juice
• 1 oz all-purpose flour
• 1 oz unsalted butter
• 1/2 oz sliced almonds

Soufflé Mix

• 16 oz egg whites
• 3 oz granulated sugar
• As needed butter

Mango and Garnish

• 4 oz mango (diced 1/4 inch and marinated in Grand Marnier)
• 6 tsp candied orange zest
• As desired powdered sugar
• As desired mint leaves

For the pastry cream, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and remove the paste. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, vanilla bean paste, and half the granulated sugar to boiling. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the other half of the granulated sugar and the cornstarch, then add to the milk slowly, cooking and stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add Grand Marnier.

For the vanilla creme anglaise, cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, vanilla bean, and half of the sugar to boiling. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the other half of the granulated sugar, then add to the milk slowly, cooking and stirring continuously for 1 minute.

For the almond tuile, grease the baking paper. In a medium mixing bowl, stir all the almond tuile ingredients together until the batter is well mixed. Place in the fridge. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit.

Spread the batter on the greased baking paper with a spatula. Bake until golden brown. Cut rectangular shapes 1/2 inch by 2 inches. When cool, put in an airtight container.

For the soufflé mix, preheat oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit. Grease ceramic dishes with butter, and sprinkle with granulated sugar. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add to the warm pastry cream.

To serve, fill up half the height of the dish with the pastry cream mixture. Place the diced mango on top, then add more cream on top. Bake at 450 degrees fahrenheit for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and dust with powdered sugar. Decorate with mint leaves, candied orange zest, and almond tuile. Serve with vanilla creme anglaise.

READ MORE:  How to Make Carnival’s Signature Spaghetti Carbonara [RECIPE]

7. Kahlua Crème Brûlée — Royal Caribbean

This recipe serves 6.

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 shot Kahlua
• Brown sugar
• Fresh berries
• Mint leaves

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a saucepan over medium heat, slowly bring cream to a boil. In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar and beat until mixture is lemon colored. Place over simmering water and beat until mixture has doubled in volume, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep whisking to cool it down. Slowly stir hot cream and Kahlua into egg mixture. Using a fine sieve, strain into a bowl set over ice to quickly chill the mixture.

Pour mixture into individual molds set in a shallow pan or baking dish. Pour water into the pan until it is halfway up the sides of the molds and bake for 40 minutes. Evenly sprinkle top with brown sugar and place under broiler or use a pastry blow torch to heat sugar until it turns brown and bubbles. Let set for a few minutes, then garnish with berries and mint.

Tip: Set the crème brûlée molds in a shallow pan or baking dish and place in the oven. Then pour warm water around the molds. This helps avoid spilling water on the floor or into the custard when placing the pan in the oven.

8. Flourless Chocolate Cake — Viking Cruises

Viking’s website says that “this dense moist cake is like a giant chocolate truffle—crunchy on top with a deliciously fudgy center.” I have actually eaten this on a Viking cruise myself, and to me it was like a cross between a chocolate bar and a cake. VERY dense but it was delicious and if I hadn’t had it at the end of the cruise for the first time, I definitely would have ordered it more than once. This recipe makes 8 servings.

• 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup walnuts, ground
• ¾ cup walnuts, chopped
• ¾ cup heavy cream, whipped
• ¼ cup chocolate shavings
• 1 cup raspberries or raspberry sauce

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan with a small amount of butter. Melt chocolate in a microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is fully melted and smooth; set aside.

Combine cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and continue beating until mixture is pale and creamy, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add chocolate; beat until just blended. Fold in ground walnuts, chopped walnuts and cocoa mixture.

Pour into prepared pan and bake until cooked through, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Run a small knife around edges of springform pan before releasing cake. Serve at room temperature, topping with one or more garnishes to taste.

9. Bread and Butter Pudding — Holland America

• 1.5 pounds good-quality day-old sliced white bread, crust trimmed and slices cut into cubes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 quart whole milk
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup raisins
• confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling

Note: Try soaking the raisins in a little rum or cognac for 30 minutes before adding them. Or instead of raisins, substitute dried cherries or chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 8 12-ounce ramekins or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Have on hand a roasting pan large enough to hold the ramekins or baking dish, and line it with a folded kitchen towel.

Place bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle and toss with the melted butter. Spread out on a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring once, until lightly golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Custard sauce: In a saucepan, bring milk to simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk whole eggs, egg yolks and sugar until blended. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Stir in vanilla.

Divide half the bread cubes among prepared ramekins or layer in prepared baking dish. Top with half the raisins. Cover with remaining bread cubes and raisins. Ladle custard evenly over bread cubes and raisins. Let stand until some custard is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Bring a large kettle of water to boil. Place ramekins or baking dish in roasting pan and transfer to oven. Add enough boiling water to reach halfway up the side of ramekins or baking dish. Bake pudding in over for 45 minutes or until puffed and just set.

Carefully remove roasting pan from oven and remove cooking dish(es). Let cool slightly and serve while still warm, sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar.

10. Cotton Candy Milkshake — Disney Cruise Line

• 3 scoops Cotton Candy Explosion ice cream from Bruster’s (or substitute with your favorite sweet flavored gelato or ice cream like Bubble Gum or Blueberry and add a handful of Nerds candy)
• 2 cups liquid vanilla shake mix (can also just use milk with a dash of vanilla extract — play around with amounts of milk)
• Strawberry jam
• Whipped cream
• Cotton candy
• Prepare the cup with strawberry jam inside.
• Blend ice cream and shake mix (or milk and vanilla) until smooth.
• Pour milkshake into cup and top with whipped cream, sprinkles and cotton candy.

BONUS: Warm Chocolate Melting Cake — Carnival Cruise Line

We’ve actually done an entire post on this recipe, which you can find here.

We also have a video on how to make it — watch below!

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Cruise Ship Cake Decorating and Baking Tutorial

Tutorial preview.

Lesson Details

Hand picked best bits from the Cruise Ship cake tutorial.

1. Preparing the board

To start off on our cruise ship you will need a strong board. Paul is using 10mm plywood for his board however we suggest that yours be 15mm in thickness because the board may bend during transportation making it a lot more difficult than it should be!

Paul shows you how to carve this huge cake into shape!

3. Ganaching

Paul combines swiss meringue buttercream and chocolate ganache for a tasty mix which gives more stability to the buttercream. When ganaching a large cake like this remember to refrigerate between layers and use a metal pallet knife to scrape rather than plastic for a sharper finish.

4. Covering the cake

Paul is using a 50/50 mix of Karen Davies sugarpaste and Massa Ticino modelling paste, he decides that the best way to cover the cake is by panel as there is a good chance of cracking if covering in one. If you are just using standard sugarpaste then there’s no need to worry you can cover it in one go.

5. Adding the windows

The key to adding the windows is to first mark out guidelines before you place them on the cake. The second key is to roll the sugarpaste out thin so that your windows look delicate and not chunky.

6. Making the top structures

Now we are focusing on the top of the ship, Paul cuts the necessary shapes from sugarpaste and uses spaghetti to keep them in place.

7. Decorating the ship and board

In this lesson paul adds a little extra detail to the ship.

8. Other ideas

Some other ideas from the Cruise Ship cake tutorial.

9. Pro lesson

In this lesson Paul talks about how to price and distribute cakes such as this.

10. Cruise Ship - Bite Sized

Watch Paul make this Cruise Ship cake in just one minute!

Course Overview

Cruise ship cake tutorial.

Learn how to make this magnificent Cruise Ship cake with the multi-award winning Paul Bradford. This is a hugely impressive cake to pull off and would go down great at large parties with a lot of guests, bonus points if it fits in with the theme!

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to…

• Carve a large cake
• Cover an awkward cake with sugarpaste
• Add small details
• Use images to create a similar design in cake
• and much, much more

Don’t forget to share your interpretations of this wonderful cake with  Paul  and the rest of the CakeFlix community on our  Facebook group .

View hundreds of more world-class tutorials only at www.cakeflix.com.

Paul Bradford

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Sailor boy boat, loch ness monster cake tutorial | cakeflix, create a free account to start watching this tutorial and get weekly new updates.

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Cruise Ship Cake

Learn how to make a Cruise Ship Cake.

As you may remember, I have made a few boat cakes in the past but making a cruise liner ship cake has always remained on my agenda. So here it is! In this tutorial you are going to see me doing the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship as a cake. I will attempt to make it as detailed as possible using a combination of smart methods so that it is done in a  practical way without unnecessarily spending too much time. As you see with the reference pictures, this particular ship is a very large vessel with an amusement park. I am not going to worry too much about the complications you see on the deck so the techniques I will show you can be easily converted to deferent designs. This time, I will not draw any cake plans because the reference images that are available are good enough to give me exact directions to follow, meaning there are orthographic projections for the top view, and side views. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and learn something new from it.

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Downloadable Course Material

• Set of knives
• Craft knife
• Pizza cutter
• Set of scissors
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• Rolling pin (30cm long)
• Powder shaker (Filled with starch)
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• White cellophane sheets (70cm x 50cm, on side matt)
• Basic stationary (pencils, marker pens, ruler etc.)
• Semi transparent plastic file separators
• Plastic sleeves
• Set of icing spatulas
• Set of scrapers (hard and flexible)

4.5kg 3 x 2.5cm (H) 45cm (L) x 28cm (W) Rectangular

1.5kg White 1kg Black 100g Blue 100g Green 300g Light Orange

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Escape the everyday on a West Coast Getaway. Immerse yourself in the diverse history and charms of San Diego on an open-air trolley. Cruise to the welcoming port of Santa Barbara, and discover the beauty of the “American Riviera.” Take advantage of our newly added summer departures and savor a few days away.

The Princess Difference

Cuisine inspired by world–renowned chefs. Broadway-style entertainment from award-winning creators. Shore excursions crafted to immerse you into what makes the region truly unique. Princess knows that the journey and the destination aren’t separate, but together they make the most cherished memories.

• Itinerary Variety
• The California Onboard Experience
• Diverse Destinations
• Family Accommodations

With 2- to 11-day sailings and departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C., it’s easy to see why Cruise Critic has named our California Coast cruises the "Best Cruises from the West Coast." Experience what draws people to California, from fog-covered redwood forests to bright lights and excitement.

With spectacular ships offering everything you’d find at an seaside resort – from gourmet dining to world-class entertainment – there’s no better way to see the West Coast’s best cities, hidden gems and famed Wine Country than aboard our California cruises. Savor a unique selection of California wines, and partake in our new Silverado Wine Blending Experience. Sample cuisine from some of L.A.’s hottest chefs, such as Curtis Stone and Ernesto Uchimura. Our Entertainer’s Showcase features Hollywood insiders, from actors to musicians and writers, sharing stories and plying their craft. Princess also offers Discovery™ and California Science Center curated activities that explore California’s wildlife, history and national parks.

Extraordinary adventures await in diverse ports, from Ensenada to Santa Barbara and  Vancouver , B.C., each rippling with indelible beauty. Rejuvenate your senses as you stroll sun-kissed beaches and sip luscious wines under the stars. Explore laid-back coastal cities and walk beneath ancient reaching branches in the Muir Woods. Watch for marine mammals with a keen eye and quick shutter finger, as the most beautiful parts of this coast are often hidden in plain sight.  Learn more about California Cruise shore excursions

We have a wide range of comfortable accommodations for families or friends traveling together. There is room for up to four guests in all types of staterooms — Interior, Oceanview, Balcony and Mini-Suites — many with interconnecting options too! For families or groups traveling with five or more members, we offer a Two-Bedroom Family Suite option — with room for up to eight people, luxury amenities and a comfortable sitting room.

Indulge in the Finest Cuisine on a California Cruise

Wining and dining are integral parts of the California Coast cruise experience. From fajitas and margaritas to wine-tasting events and local delights that celebrate fresh ingredients and exotic influences, Princess serves up a diverse menu of food and dining options throughout the day.

Locally Inspired

From the golden state to your plate

California has always been at the forefront of cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, delicate meat and seafood dishes and compelling presentation. Taste flavors and influences from countless cultures, including Europe, Mexico and Asia, in one-of-a-kind dining experiences only enjoyed on the California Coast.

Decadent Desserts

Chocolate dreams made real

It’s your vacation, so indulge! Each evening, you’ll have your choice of delectable desserts to choose from in our dining rooms. Perennial guest favorites include the Princess Love Boat Dream, traditional New York cheesecake and create-your-own sundae. You’ll also find freshly baked made from scratch pastries offered in The Pastry Shop, International Café, and World Fresh Marketplace.

Celebrate California Wines On Board a West Coast Cruise

Excite your palate with gourmet pairings at Vines wine bar. Learn what makes California wine some of the best in the world through tastings and talks with experts. Experiment with flavors and aromas under expert guidance to create your own signature wine blend.

Princess Fine Wine Tasting

Enrich your palate together

Meet new friends while savoring fine wine selections served with hors d'oeuvres. Take in entertaining lectures by knowledgeable staff and drink in the distinct differences in terroir, grape varieties and production methods in wines from world renowned growing regions. Perfect for wine enthusiasts, from the burgeoning to the experienced.

Silverado Wine Blending Experience

A blend all your own

Create your own malbec, cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon blend under the instruction of a master craftsman from the Silverado Vineyards in California’s famed Napa Valley. In this exclusive onboard experience that features some of the best from the winery’s Mt. George vineyard, follow along to learn how to custom blend, practicing an art that winemakers around the world have been perfecting for centuries.

Vines Wine Bar

Wine and dine

Voted one of the "Best Wine Bars at Sea" by  USA Today , Vines wine bar is a cozy nook for the casual oenophile to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine with gourmet pairings, like antipasti and tapas. Vines boasts an extensive and highly diverse selection of wines not available by the glass anywhere else on board.

California Cruise Entertainment

Hollywood has always been the mecca for entertainment so it should come as no surprise that we bring the hottest talent to the Princess stages. Enjoy the best music, entertainment and craftsmanship of Hollywood and Broadway in this exclusive opportunity on board a Princess California Coast cruise.

Comedians and Magicians

Laughter & wonder

Laugh with top-ranked comedians from Comedy Central and comedy clubs across the U.S. When the laughter dies down, closely watch magicians from iconic L.A. hot spots like the Magic Castle, a members-only private club that specializes in jaw-dropping sleight of hand, as well as from Penn and Teller's television show  Fool Us .

Hollywood Insiders

Bright lights, big stars

Hear celebrities from your favorite entertainment share their experiences on board select sailings in our exclusive Entertainer’s Showcase and Workshop. Meet the stars of stage, screen and music at parties, and hear behind-the-scenes tales of your favorite movie, play or album over exquisite food and drinks. Meet the actors, composers and musicians who shaped some of the most memorable media in history and learn about their careers, methods and lives.

Movies Under the Stars

Big screen & big stars

Cuddle up under a cozy blanket with warm popcorn for an evening of Hollywood blockbusters. Enjoy popular comedies, dramas and action movies, plus on-screen concerts starring musical legends at Movies Under the Stars®, a poolside movie theater located on the ship’s top deck.

Culture & Marine Life on Cruises from California

Get to the heart of life on the coast with locally inspired programs and partnerships. Witness fantastic displays of nature like expressive sea lions and migrating whales. Learn about colorful, historical cultures and more on our California Coast cruise.

Local Connections

Live like a local

Do as the locals do. Princess has partnered with local experts to bring you immersive adventure off the beaten path. Dine at local hot spots hidden in plain sight. Attend events and have experiences only known through word of mouth. Listen as experts reveal California’s history, national parks and Spanish missions from a local point of view.

New Perspectives

Appreciate more

Experience a new perspective of California and the West Coast on board or ashore, day or night. Learn about California from the locals who know it best and uncover the secret lives of sharks during Shark Week at Sea with Discovery at SEA. Amaze your friends after a class at the Wizard’s Academy courtesy of the California Science Center.

Sail the stars

Embark on a cosmic voyage to the heavens from our top deck through Stargazing with Discovery at SEA, developed with renowned astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi and L.A.’s famous Griffith Observatory. On this interactive guided tour, learn how to find your bearings, identify the major constellations, and hear the secrets of the stars and the legends around them.

Pacific Coast Cruise Ports and Excursions

Immerse yourself in the colorful sights and sounds of the Golden State and beyond. Locals wear the region’s signature laid-back spirit like a uniform. It’s in the sand, on the streets and in hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Pictures don’t do it justice; it has to be felt and experienced, and the best way to do so is on board a Princess West Coast cruise.

California coast cruise shore excursions

Uncover the history, natural wonders and culinary delights of the California Coast through shore excursions specially designed to show you more of the state. Inspire your mind with up-close encounters with fascinating creatures and sites on immersive Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ excursions.

Discover even more with discovery at sea

Princess has joined forces with Discovery to offer exclusive excursions and tours that are not only fascinating for the whole family, but also recommended by two of the most trusted names in world travel – Discovery™ and Animal Planet™. Hear inside stories from regional experts, and learn what it’s really like to live in each of the areas you’re visiting during your Princess California cruise.

Explore the Ports of the West Coast on a California Cruise

Highlights of things to see and do on shore

• Astoria, Oregon
• Ensenada, Mexico
• Los Angeles, California
• San Diego, California
• San Francisco, California
• Santa Barbara, California
• Seattle, Washington
• Vancouver, B.C.

Enjoy a narrated drive around Astoria, and visit the Astoria Column, view the Flavel House and many picturesque homes, hotels and neighborhoods that have been featured in movies like  The Goonies ,  Short Circuit ,  Benji the Hunted  and others. Take in the views and brews of some Astoria's finest craft beers while looking out over the scenic Columbia River.

Head south and dance to live mariachi music in the Riviera del Pacifico. Visit the oldest winery in Baja California, and enjoy the beautiful weather as you taste wines crafted from nearly ancient vines. Sample delectable dishes under beach umbrellas, and enjoy the day’s special from local street vendors. If you’d like to see one of the world’s largest marine geysers, visit the scenic peninsula of Punta Banda, home to La Bufadora.

L.A. is more than swimming pools, shopping and palm trees. It’s a world-class city that embraces its movie star good looks. Explore the star-studded Hollywood Hills. Visit the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame, which features the handprints, footprints and autographs of more than 200 stars like John Wayne, Judy Garland and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson preserved in cement. Wander Olvera Street for authentic colors and tastes of Old Mexico.

Relax on a sun-soaked beach. Take a tour of the county’s thriving wineries. ‘Ooh’ and ‘aah’ over the 4,000 rare animal breeds that call the San Diego Zoo their home. Watch thrilling shows featuring bottlenose dolphins at Sea World Adventure Park. Enjoy that south-of-the-border feeling with a stroll through Old Town. Sample the nightlife – all Classic California Coast cruises stay here until 11 p.m.

You just may leave your heart in this iconic city. Home to cable cars, fog and world-class food, San Francisco is a cosmopolitan city with hip neighborhoods, parks and gardens and a relaxed atmosphere. Take a stroll down Lombard Street, the “most crooked” street in the world. Watch interesting characters flow through Union Square from a coffee shop window. Appreciate 1,000-year-old redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument.

Nicknamed “America’s Riviera,” Santa Barbara boasts whitewashed houses draped with bougainvillea, sapphire-blue water rolling up a rocky coast and palm-lined beaches. Even with all of that beauty, wine and whales may be the stars of this charming coastal city. Journey to the quaint Danish village of Solvang for wine tasting. Step aboard a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the glistening waters of the Channel Islands to watch whales and dolphins frolic.

At 110 years old, Seattle’s Pike Place Market is the country’s oldest continuously operated public farmers' market. It’s also home to the original Starbucks, where javaphiles toast to the legendary coffeehouse. Let your eye guide you to local art, and your nose to hole-in-the-wall eateries, along eclectic streets. Tour and sample the wines hidden away in the state’s most popular wineries’ private cellars.

If you’re looking for adventure in Vancouver, gather up your courage for a daring walk across the nearby Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge swaying 50 meters high. Stop and smell the cherry blossoms in world-famous Stanley Park, a West Coast rainforest fittingly dubbed the “Green Heart” of Vancouver. Ascend Grouse Mountain in the Super SkyRide tramway for a postcard-worthy view of the city over rolling hills of Douglas firs.

California Coast Cruise Articles and Videos

Read about the must-see attractions, unique cuisine and the West Coast’s signature style you’ll encounter on a California coast cruise.

2024-2025 California Coast Cruises

The Best of the West Coast. Learn more about California Coast cruises.

Wine Cruises for Oenophiles: Taste and Learn

If you're a wine enthusiast who'd love to explore some of the renowned wineries the continental U.S. has to offer, it's time to plan a cruise.

Tour the West Coast on a California Coastal Cruise

Though it's a single state, California makes up more than half of the West Coast in the U.S., affording it some of the most beautiful weather, Pacific coastline and destinations in the country.

Food in Vancouver: Cruise to Taste the Pacific

The influence from Asia and the Pacific makes Vancouver's food some of the best in Canada. Take a cruise from Vancouver and enjoy the flavors of the city.

Visit San Francisco on a California Coastal Cruise

Whether staying in San Francisco for a few hours or a few days, passengers on a cruise ship will be hard pressed to avoid falling in love with this quaint yet bustling metropolitan city.

Try Pacific Coast Cruises for a Quick Getaway Vacation

Need a quick getaway? Check out Los Angeles and Ensenada, Mexico, in one weekend on one of Princess Cruises' Pacific Coast cruises.

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Princess EZair® Flights

Stress-free airfare

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time, and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty, and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages.

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax

Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling, and the representative’s services.

Need help planning?

Princess Cruise Vacation Planners are a dedicated resource to help you every step of the way through the planning process of your cruise vacation. The best part is, their services are completely FREE!

Cruise deals & promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you can win prizes!

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