by Scott Laird
Last updated: 8:00 PM ET, Wed May 24, 2017
Perhaps some of the least known itineraries in the industry are the repositioning cruises along the Pacific Coast. They're operated by several of the large mainstream cruise lines as they transition vessels from warm weather sailing during the winter to Alaska itineraries during the summer.
Because of the Jones Act-which prohibits foreign-flagged vessels from sailing itineraries between U.S. ports-cruise lines have to get creative when repositioning ships between U.S. home ports.
This spring, Star Princess had an interesting spate of repositioning itineraries: Fresh off a two-week Hawaii sailing, she berthed at Los Angeles World Cruise Center-the world's most recognizable cruise terminal, thanks to The Love Boat. There, I embarked on a four-night sailing to Vancouver with two sea days and a port day in Victoria, British Columbia.
Now, one might ask what the wisdom is in boarding a cruise ship for just four nights with a single port of call. (Stay with me, dear reader, that's what I'm here for.)
Nostalgia:
I confess to being a consummate Love Boat fan, but in all the years I've loved cruising, I've never departed from that iconic terminal.
In addition to being star struck, I was gleeful when I found that those famous covered gangways-lowered to the Pacific Princess by crane at the beginning and end of every episode-are still in residence on the roof of the terminal! (Nonetheless, the modern day Princess Love Boats tower nearly twice as tall as their TV star predecessor and carry some five times the passenger compliment.)
Princess Cruises seems to be well aware of the fact that much of their success (and that of the whole cruise industry) is owed to the runaway success of the series, and they've done a good job blending cruising tradition with contemporary amenities.
It's fun to watch reruns of the show and notice that, to this day, the martini glasses seem to retain the same design. A certain shade of yellow-perhaps best described as "Singapore Sunset Saffron"-remains popular in table cloths and menu covers, while the Aloha Decks and Coral Dining Rooms remain more than just fiction onboard modern Princess ships.
Interestingly, I also encountered one of the most omnipresent and engaging Princess Captains I've ever sailed with.
Captain Michele Tuvo seemed to have great rapport amongst the staff, chatting constantly with passengers and crew alike. He made plenty of amusing onboard announcements and even spent an evening posing for funny pictures with passengers.
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Price:
Introductory cruise fares for this particular sailing were a steal, starting at as little as $158 for an obstructed view stateroom.
I was traveling with a friend who was brand new to cruising and, even with the single supplement, it was a bargain. It gave him the opportunity to spend four nights in a cabin and decide whether it was something he could tolerate sharing with another person on a future sailing.
Duration:
A four-night sailing is a great introduction to a cruising novice-it's long enough to yield a full experience, but not so long that someone who discovers cruising isn't their cup of tea has wasted a fair amount of vacation.
It's really just a long weekend, and this particular sailing seemed a popular way for spring breaking Vancouver families to return from Southern California.
Scenery:
The shipping lanes up the West Coast are generally too far from the coast to be considered scenic, but the Strait of Juan de Fuca is perhaps one of the least raved-about scenic cruises in the industry.
Star Princess slipped into the strait during the predawn hours, and the morning light revealed snowcapped peaks in Washington's Olympic Peninsula on one side of the ship and Vancouver Island on the other side while pods of orcas could be seen in the open water and along the shore.
Escapism:
Sea days are good for getaways. Sometimes, the destination is the escapist paradise that a bar, a book and big picture window with a view to the swells gliding below can provide. My companion discovered that he was also a fan of sea days, where the time has a curious habit of feeling both suspended and passing without notice.
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Victoria Still Rules:
Victoria is one of Canada's most enchanting cities. It's a small town on Vancouver Island that is known as the most British city in Canada. Its long-embraced British heritage-with well-tended gardens, manicured lawns, and afternoon tea-includes the highest per capita number of British-born residents.
The port call is just enough time to explore the best of this little hamlet, which is also known for its mild climate.
A Taste of the Exotic:
Star Princess wasn't headed directly to Alaska upon arrival in Vancouver. It was scheduled to do a 10 Day Wine Country roundtrip from Vancouver followed by a 15 Day Hawaiian Islands roundtrip from Vancouver before heading north for the season. The ship was still basically configured for Hawai'i cruising, with themed gifts and treats in the onboard shops and a mix of Hawai'i and Mexico cocktail menus at the onboard bars. The dining rooms, however, offered West Coast and Pacific Northwest cuisine featuring fresh seafood.
Princess West Coast repositioning cruises typically operate in April and May on three- and four-day northbound itineraries from Los Angeles, and during September on Southbound departures from Vancouver.
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