When To Cruise The West Coast Usa: A Month-By-Month Guide

Seasons to Sail: Best Time to Cruise West Coast USA 

For every season, there’s a time to cruise. These are some of our faves:

● January to March — Beat the post-holiday blues with weekend jaunts to Cabo, Catalina and Ensenada, an easy 2-4 night hop from L.A. For longer breaks, choose non-school holiday weeks for great deals (and quieter voyages) on Pacific Coast cruises.

● April to June — Head north with a helping of hula, a special repositioning Hawaii cruise, which mimics the humpbacks’ long swim home from the Hawaiian islands to their summer residence in Alaska’s chilly waters. Starting in May, Pacific coast cruises bring nature lovers to where the wild things are — Alaska. Spring is packed with orcas, humpbacks, otters, grizzlies emerging from a long nap and a chance to spot the Northern Lights. 

● July to September — Beat the heat on a Royal Caribbean Pacific Coast cruise to a family chill-out vacay in bucket-list Alaska. Walk on a glacier, ATV through dense forested mountains, ride a historic train through the tundra, fish for salmon (and send it home for a tasty souvenir!). As the season slips into September, head for harvests at the vineyards or the stunning and moody mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Coastal sailings offer relaxing 5-day coastal voyages from Vancouver, while the 8-day Pacific Coast cruise adds on a stop in magical Catalina Island.

October to December — Cruise West Coast USA on a special October sail of the Hawaiian islands to explore the aloha of the lava-and-flower-filled islands. De-stress with a pre-holiday long weekend escape for some sun, sea and salt-rimmed fun or go all in to enjoy a Feliz Navidad out of LA (or San Diego starting October of 2026) on fiesta and fun-filled Mexico Pacific Coast cruise sailings.  

Ports to Visit When You Cruise West Coast USA

These Royal Caribbean Pacific Coast Cruise ports are home to the best of West Coast cruising fun:

● Skagway — History, hikes and access to glaciers, all in one tiny town.

● Ketchikan — Authentic fishing village with great bars and bears. 

● Icy Straight Point — Tiny islet with beach bonfires, hot toddies and cold craft beers.

● Juneau — A city with a scenic tram overlook, ready to wow with access to bear watching by helicopter, salmon fishing, hiking glaciers and more. 

● Sitka — Fish for salmon and go flightseeing

● Victoria — Charming island with shops and nightlife.

● Vancouver — Artsy metropolitan gateway to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

● Seattle — Space Needle, home of  Pike’s Market and Alaska gateway.

● Astoria, Oregon — Quirky place to experience Oregon culture and local joints.

● San Francisco — Visit Alcatraz or the sea lions of Pier 39 or simply ride the cable cars over the hills.

● Los Angeles — Access to theme parks, Rodeo Drive shopping and Pacific Coast cruise departure port for Mexico, Hawaii and Pacific Northwest sailings.

● San Diego — Friendly city with unique neighborhoods, beautiful beaches and a world-renowned zoo and wildlife park. Soon to add “departure port” to its title.

● Catalina Island — Natural beauty and history with waters primed for snorkeling.

● Ensenada — Wine country entry point, with Calle 1 local shops and taco stands at the ready. This is the closest foreign port when you cruise West Coast USA.

● Cabo — Beach clubs, nightlife, trips to the Arches and a bustling main drag.

● Mazatlan — Resort town known for fishing and relaxing.

● La Paz — A boardwalk filled with sculptures and high-end eats or local friendly bars. 

● Puerto Vallarta — Jump into the nightlife scene or explore the beachside promenade.

● Maui — Snorkel or scuba at Molokini or Kaanapali’s famed Black Rock, lounge on Makena’s award-winning white sand beach or brave the Road to Hana for history and hairpin turns, as well as the Seven Sisters waterfalls.

● Oahu — Poignant Pearl Harbor sites, massive surf swells and hiking to Diamond Head or snorkeling Hanauma Bay. 

● Big Island, Hawaii — Excellent snorkeling and diving with turtles, manta rays and humpbacks in season, Kona coffee plantation visits and ono eats.

● Kauai — Flower and foliage-covered dramatic peaks and a river to kayak or barge to fern grotto on one side, a mini-Grand Canyon to hike on the other.