Pacific Coastal - yes or no

[davekathy]

We’ve done a West Coast cruise 6 different times over the years so you can probably guess we love these ports and your cruise sounds great.

 

Does it send overnight in San Francisci? If so that’s even a bigger plus. You will Dock right at the Embarkadaro which is walking distance of China Town, Littke Italy, the Fushermans Pier and the ferry’s running to Sausalito. You can’t beat any of those venues. We love to do the ferry because it goes right by Alcatraz and we only spend a short while in Sausalito before heading back. Seeing SF from the Bay is fantastic.

 

I’ll strongly disagree with Astoria being boring. We took a cooking class, a tour of movie sights and other times just wandered. The town has no fast food places and it’s like stepping back into 1960’s. Lovely town.

 

So with all that said, I’d jump on it. Enjoy Seattle prior to the cruise - la ot to see.

 

Weather? No idea. Beautiful, rainy, foggy, windy. One of those. I always joked that the Seattlans would tell us how rainy and cold it was all the time. The 1/2 dozen or more times I’ve been there, it rained once. And the rain was a drizzly one that us Floridians wouldn’t even count as an actual rain day.

 

I never tell others I don’t know what they should do not knowing their tastes, but in this case, I can’t think of many who wouldn’t love this. Others may recommend other itineraries but that’s not what you were asking. And yeah, come join us as I plan 3-4 days in Amsterdam, then a 7 day river cruise to Basel, then train to Munich for 3-4 days then to a family reunion in Czech Rep for my wife. You get the point.

 

Den

The OPs itinerary does have an overnight in San Francisco. And agree with it being a plus.

[hcat]

Astoria was a first time stop for X on our cruise....and at that time not ready for prime time..It .sounds like alot has happened since then to make it a good port.

 

For us it was a very long tender ride ( albeit beautiful scenery), our official greeting from city reps was delayed, the train they provided to take us on a short ride broke down, the promised free tour to the fort did not happen, historic homes were closed to tours....and there was only a local flea market with lots of junk. Highlight of main street was the drug re hab.. We did find a nice eatery down by the water...that was about it... Obviously it has expanded offerings and the natural beauty remains !

 

Hope OP enjoys whatever they decide!

[Tennant]

Our son will be 18 months so he is just along for the ride. He has cruised before on Celebrity and did great. The lawn on solstice ships is a big draw for us and it’s really the only place at sea where you have a lot of free space and hardly anyone up there. We have an alcove booked for sea days. Loved them on the reflection in January.

 

We plan to rent a car in Astoria and drive to cannon beach and up the coast a bit.

 

I think you all have convinced me this is a good itinerary which was our draw to this cruise in the first place since we have never been to any of these cities before.

 

 

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[HaveDogWillTravel]

I love this itinerary and have been to all of these cities (except Astoria) many, many times. I could go on for days about these ports, but most of what I have to say is easily found on other reviews. I will say the last time we went to Settle we ended up at the Museum of Flight. If you like planes, this is an exceptional place to go.

 

http://www.museumofflight.org

[cruisingsfun]

Renting a car in Astoria and going to Canon beach is a fun way to see the area. You can also go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. This will be our 3rd Pacific Coastal Cruise. Love it.

[davekathy]

Our son will be 18 months so he is just along for the ride. He has cruised before on Celebrity and did great. The lawn on solstice ships is a big draw for us and it’s really the only place at sea where you have a lot of free space and hardly anyone up there. We have an alcove booked for sea days. Loved them on the reflection in January.

 

We plan to rent a car in Astoria and drive to cannon beach and up the coast a bit.

 

I think you all have convinced me this is a good itinerary which was our draw to this cruise in the first place since we have never been to any of these cities before.

 

 

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Visit Seaside also. Only about 15 minutes apart.

[rsquirrel]

I would check out Vancouver if you have never been. There are a lot of things to do. Since the Olympics getting to the airport is very easy. Stanley Park, Aquarium, Science World, China Town, Capilano Suspension Bridge (North Van) are some of the big tourist spots. If you don't have a SeaBus near you, just taking it from downtown to the north shore is fun (you end up at Lonsdale Quay).

[aml3679]

Do not hesitate to book - our first cruise aboard Celebrity went from Vancouver, BC to San Diego and we had a great time. No offense to anyone, but, there were no children. The weather was fantastic. Vancouver was great - we spent a couple of days there and hope to get back some day. We then went to Victoria which was beautiful. Then to Nainmo which was nothing special and our only rainy day. Then we stopped in Seattle. Then Monterey then Catalina before getting to San Diego - it is one of the best and we hoping to do it again some day.

[4774Papa]

Those Pacific Coastal cruises are always expensive considering they are rater short. One advantage is not having to pay for an expensive hotel in places like San Francisco.

[Tennant]

We got a pretty decent price for a 1A balcony cabin. Seems like there are a lot of cabins left and final payment is tomorrow.

 

 

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[davekathy]

We got a pretty decent price for a 1A balcony cabin. Seems like there are a lot of cabins left and final payment is tomorrow.

 

 

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Then the price reductions will start after the final payment deadline.

[nini]

Personally, we have lived in the Northwest for about 40 years and for us,

this would be on the repetitive side and way too short.

It seems like a long way to go for such a short cruise.

OTOH, a FULL Pacific Coastal or an Alaskan cruise would be much nicer

and more worth it IMHO. On an Alaskan itinerary, you would be in Seattle and also

Victoria (depending on the itinerary).

[boom_boom]

We have a reservation for a 9/14 Pacific Coastal on the solstice. It’s not a typical itinerary, Seattle to Vancouver with stops in Astoria, San Francisco and Victoria. What is everyone’s thoughts on this itinerary? I’m having second thoughts and final payment is Friday!

 

 

Taken a version of that cruise 3 times in the past 10 years, but we didn't stop in SF.

 

Wife and I have always enjoyed the short cruise, Astoria is a nice port and you can walk into town if you desire. I'd do it again if the timing is right:)

[retiredman]

We got a pretty decent price for a 1A balcony cabin. Seems like there are a lot of cabins left and final payment is tomorrow.

 

 

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We did the Pacific Coastal last spring. Astoria has opened up a very interesting Maritime museum within walking distance of where the Ship will dock. Make reservations for a tour of Alcatraz ahead of time. You will not be disappointed! Sailing under the Golden Gate is a mind blowing experience. Try not to miss Muir Woods. We used a private tour company booked with roll call friends. A great local escort, stopped in Sausalito on the way back and took the 6 of us through every neighborhood. Butchart Gardens outside Victoria is highly recommended. So much to see in Vancouver, one day is hardly enough. We had been there before so last year we took a local tour company trip to Whistler mountain. Beautiful! We flew back to Vancouver in a float plane, landing in Vancouver bay. Fantastic scenery! There will be no lack of things to do. Happy cruising!

[varoo]

Personally, we have lived in the Northwest for about 40 years and for us,

this would be on the repetitive side and way too short.

It seems like a long way to go for such a short cruise.

 

I agree, especially for those of us who need to fly to get to the cruise port and then again to get back home.

Those short cruises are just not worth it to us, considering the additional time and hassles involved traveling to and from airports at both ends: airport security, gate changes, delayed flights, waiting to board at the departure lounge, and then waiting in suspense at baggage claim, wondering whether or not your checked bags are going to show up this time.

 

We were disappointed when Celebrity cut the northbound spring coastal repositioning cruise back from 11 days to 10 days.

Any cruise shorter than that seems to us like it has barely begun when it is already ending, time to pack up everything and get off.

 

 

As animal lovers, we prefer the coastal cruises that begin or end in San Diego. We like to book a hotel room there for a few extra days to visit their amazing San Diego zoo and wild animal park.

Our son has always enjoyed them too, from the time that he was a toddler.

 

We also love spending several days before or after a west coast cruise in Vancouver, one of our favorite cities.

[sasset]

I have to say that I didn't read every response. We are west coasters and love Victoria. Been there many time in March and April but I don't know how 2PM to 10PM would work. Unless Victoria changes for cruise ship dates, they, except for some restaurants and bars, pretty much roll up the sidewalks at about 6 to 7PM.

[phoenix_dream]

I agree that longer cruises are better, but I also remember during my working days I was lucky to be able to fit in a 7 day cruise, with a couple days pre-cruise. The longest cruise I was able to take while working was a 10 day, and only did that once - the others had to be 7 days. Considering the OP has an 18 month old I am sure one or both of the parents have full-time jobs to consider. With that in mind, if you limit yourself to only what you can fly to close by you are missing ALOT. When you think about it, the flight to the west coast is maybe 2 hours further from Chicago than flying to FLL or MIA (I know this for a fact - have done both many times). So two more hours of inconvenience to book a fabulous cruise? Sign me up every time:):)

[Cathy in Boston]

So...I don’t want to hijack this thread, but I am wondering why Celebrity hasn’t added any Pacific Coastal cruises for 2020 yet. Any ideas why? Princess has them already.