Princess Cruises for the first time will base a ship in San Francisco year round, beginning in May 2013.
The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will offer a series of Alaska cruises during the summer months, followed by a schedule of Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and California coastal sailings.
The ship’s Alaska season will feature 10-day Inside Passage sailings. Cruises depart between May 10 and Sept. 7, 2013.
The Grand Princess will operate two 10-day Mexico sailings, with port calls in Loreto and La Paz (both in Baja California), Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Sailings depart on Sept. 17, 2013, and March 5, 2014.
The California coastal cruises will sail to Santa Barbara, Long Beach, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. Four sailings are offered: Sept. 27 and Oct. 19, 2013, and March 15 and April 6, 2014.
Fifteen-day Hawaii voyages will visit the Big Island (Hilo), Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui (Lahaina) and Ensenada, Mexico. Twelve departures are scheduled between Oct. 4, 2013, and April 28, 2014.
“Our Bay Area passengers and travel agents have long been asking for more cruise options from San Francisco, and our new year-round schedule with Grand Princess will now give them a great selection of itinerary choices, plus the benefit of sailing on a ship that offers our signature features and amenities,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ executive vice president.
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