These days, travelers are looking for cruises out of ports that are closer to where they live. Almost all cruise reviews have people expressing their concern about having to take lengthy airplane trips to faraway places. They now wish to cruise out of ports closer to home so they can have a cruise vacation that is less stressful.
Cruise lines have now become aware of this trend in demand and are now putting ships up and down along the East and West Coasts of the US and also in the Gulf of Mexico. Let's talk specifically about California cruise packages and also talk a bit about Hollywood cruise deals. California is also a good place to start looking for beach cruise deals if that is what you are interested in.
To begin with, if you have time before a cruise or after, be sure to spend some time in beautiful San Diego. As a city that has year round balmy weather and a seventy mile stretch of the Pacific Coastline to enjoy, San Diego is the perfect jumping off point for any California cruise or any of the beach cruise deals you can find that you may be interested in. San Diego has many attractions you can enjoy while visiting. There is the world renowned zoo at Balboa Park. Check out the Old Town State Historic Park to learn about California's history. Near downtown are 15 great museums as well as beautiful gardens.
Especially if you have found some good beach cruise deals, go a little north to Long Beach, which is only 20 miles south from Los Angeles. In 1967 the Queen Mary was retired here, docked permanently and is now a hotel.
So how about Los Angeles? If you would like to start your California cruise from LA, there are a lot of great things to see and do before or after you go.
A before or after cruise package, like some of the Hollywood cruise deals offered, that you can get from many of the cruise lines will give you the opportunity to see some of the various cultural sights or check out such areas like Hollywood, Bel Air and Malibu. Don't forget to visit Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Chinatown.
You will also want to explore Venice Beach to experience some great dining at one or more of the amazing restaurants. There is so much more to see and do, which can make a California cruise an unforgettable experience!
So whatever cruise you are booking, try to pick a port close to you so you can have more time to explore the city where you embark or disembark.