California (United States) Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
48 ships from 18 cruise lines
California (United States) cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 48 ships from 18 cruise lines visiting California (United States), calling at 6 places. Cruises can start in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco and end in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare California (United States) cruise lines
Princess Cruises has the most upcoming sailings among California (United States) cruise lines (242). Starting fares run from $99 per person. Most sailings last 6–28 nights, and the most common length is 7 nights.
Ocean cruise lines (18)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (3)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 117 | $14,298 | 10–27 nights (typically 14) |
| Silversea Cruises | 92 | $3,850 | 8–27 nights (typically 12) |
| Seabourn Cruises | 48 | $3,229 | 10–81 nights (typically 12) |
Luxury cruise lines (2)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Cruises | 145 | $1,620 | 10–37 nights (typically 14) |
| MSC Explora Journeys | 71 | $3,150 | 7–21 nights (typically 7) |
Premium cruise lines (5)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Cruises | 90 | $1,980 | 7–30 nights (typically 7) |
| Viking Cruises | 84 | $2,999 | 9–77 nights (typically 14) |
| Azamara Cruises | 65 | $1,669 | 10–58 nights (typically 12) |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | 36 | $8,157 | 13–24 nights (typically 14) |
| Lindblad Expeditions | 15 | $3,680 | 7–21 nights (typically 7) |
Contemporary cruise lines (8)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | 242 | $304 | 6–35 nights (typically 7) |
| Holland America | 189 | $99 | 7–28 nights (typically 14) |
| Royal Caribbean | 179 | $199 | 4–13 nights (typically 7) |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 150 | $299 | 4–15 nights (typically 7) |
| Cunard | 91 | $689 | 9–36 nights (typically 14) |
| Celebrity Cruises | 85 | $324 | 4–15 nights (typically 7) |
| MSC Cruises | 71 | $104 | 5–19 nights (typically 14) |
| Virgin Voyages | 34 | $834 | 4–14 nights (typically 7) |
About United States
A river cruise through the United States — whether on the mighty Mississippi or the gorge-cut Columbia — offers milestone American travelers a rare chance to experience their own country's history, music, food, and landscape from the water. Small ships of 100–200 guests dock at walkable river towns, and the pace is unhurried. This is not a crowded ocean liner; it is an intimate, deeply American journey, ideal for travelers who want authenticity without being herded.
Typical routes
- Mississippi River (Lower & Upper) — broad, powerful, and historic; port towns rich in music, food, Civil War memory, and Mark Twain lore.
- Columbia & Snake Rivers — dramatic basalt cliffs, waterfalls, native culture, and western expansion history; ships transit eight locks and dams.
Ports overview
US river cruise ports are intimate and walkable. Ships range from 100 to 200 guests, so you can step off the gangway directly into Main Street America. Ports divide into three geographic groups: the Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis), the Upper Mississippi (St. Louis to St. Paul), and the Columbia & Snake Rivers (Portland to Clarkston).
Cruise season
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Find your United States sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at United States, earliest departure first.
16 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, Canada
Silver Moon
17 Days One-Way from Toronto to Milwaukee Wi
Ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Viking Octantis
9 Days Baltimore, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States
ACL American Legend
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16 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, Canada
Silver Muse
33 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
Visits United States. Also visits Japan, South Korea, Canada
Star Seeker
10 Days Milwaukee Wi, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Viking Octantis
8 Days One-Way from San Francisco to Vancouver
Starts in United States. Also visits Canada
Seven Seas Splendor
10 Days Seattle, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Oceania Riviera
20 Days One-Way from Halifax to Milwaukee Wi
Ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Hanseatic Inspiration
10 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Seward
Ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Silver Moon
8 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Whittier
Ends in United States. Also visits Canada
Seven Seas Splendor
14 Days One-Way from Kobe-Osaka to Seward
Ends in United States. Also visits Japan
Star Seeker
Where United States cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (3)
Los Angeles (cruises from) · San Diego (cruises from) · San Francisco (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (3)
Ports of call in United States
Ports of call (6)
Catalina Island · Eureka · Los Angeles (cruises from) · San Diego (cruises from) · San Francisco (cruises from) · Santa Barbara
Cruise lines visiting United States (18)
Ocean cruise lines (18)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (3)
Luxury cruise lines (2)
Premium cruise lines (5)
Contemporary cruise lines (8)
Ships by type: 47 ocean 1 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
United States is also in: Alaska, Hawaii, Canada & New England, Florida, US Rivers
Plan your California (United States) cruise
United States cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
United States cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about California (United States) cruises
Can you start or end a cruise in California (United States)?
Yes. Cruises start in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Cruises end in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
How many places do cruises visit in California (United States)?
6 California (United States) places are visited by 48 ships from 18 cruise lines.
Which cruise lines sail to California (United States)?
18 cruise lines sail to California (United States), including Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America and 12 more.
When is the best time to take a California (United States) cruise?
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Sources and further reading
Background on United States draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: United States
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: United States
- American Cruise Lines: River Cruises in the USA
- Viking: Mississippi River Cruises
- National Park Service: Vicksburg National Military Park
- National Park Service: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 0 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 0 ships visiting 0 ports across 0 unique cruises, creating 0 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!