Cruise West – California Wine Country Cruise

Cruise West's luxurious Spirit of Yorktown takes autumnal voyages to California's Napa Valley, where passengers can examine the art of winemaking and fine cuisine against a backdrop of breathtaking vineyards.

Designed for both the connoisseur and the casual wine drinker alike, Cruise West's California Wine Country excursions immerse guests in the wine, food and scenery of the Napa Valley. Two different offerings, the four-day Culture of the Vine cruise and the five-day Vintner's Choice cruise, provide in-depth explorations of this world-renowned wine region. These unique boat based tours remove the stressful aspects of driving and arranging lodging in the often congested San Francisco Bay Area, allowing guests to enjoy the natural beauty both of the Bay and the fertile wine country.

Both cruises begin at San Francisco's world-famous Fisherman's Wharf and serve a champagne dinner once the ship embarks and the passengers have gotten settled into their cabins. With the agility and grace of a large private yacht, the Spirit of Yorktown cruises through the Bay and up the Napa River where passengers disembark and experience the region first-hand. Once passengers come back on board, evenings are marked by a cocktail hour often featuring local wines and discussions which highlight various aspects of the region.

Exploring the Wine Country
The planned excursions showcase some of the Napa and Sonoma's finest establishments, with wine tours and tastings at premiere wineries and meals served at world-famous restaurants. Among the cruise's optional excursions are further winery tours or hot air balloon rides which provide brilliant panoramic views of the Napa valley. The Vintner's Choice cruise spends a day south of the wine country in the bayside town of Sausalito, with its many boutique shops and art galleries and grand views of San Francisco from the stunning vantage point of Marin County.

While the Spirit of Yorktown is a relatively small ship, there is nothing small about this cruise experience. With three decks and a large observation lounge, guests have ample room spread out and relax on the ship while still enjoying plenty of opportunity to become acquainted with the 138 guests onboard. Each cabin is furnished with two queen beds and a private bathroom with the configuration and window size varying with class of cabin. Dining is a casual affair with a single open seating for dinner and a buffet style breakfast and lunch.