Indulge Yourself in the wonderful world of California wine, on a leisurely cruise experience that takes you deep into the famed Napa and Sonoma wine valleys. You will also enjoy a day exploring Sausalito and beautiful San Francisco Bay. Both wine novices and connoisseurs will enjoy tastings and interactive discussions about the history, mystery and delicacies of wine.
Each afternoon, you'll return from your day's adventures in the Wine Country to experience delightful hours on board ship, cruising on the rivers and the bay. A Guest Wine Speaker joins you on board to offer special tastings and personal insights into the world of fine wine.
Vintner's Choice
Cruise #36A
5 Days, 4 Nights
San Francisco to San Francisco: Round Trip Cruise
Departures: October and November
Sailing Dates: Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & Nov 7, 2005
BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 1 Monday Sail from San Francisco
- Prior to boarding the Spirit of Endeavour in San Francisco you will be transferred from San Francisco Airport to Cruise West's Hospitality Suite at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy the delights of Fisherman's Wharf until boarding time. You will be welcomed onboard with a flute of champagne or champagne punch and a toast as you cruise by the San Francisco skyline. Following a delicious dinner, gather in the lounge for a short presentation and casual conversation. D
- Day 2 Tuesday Highlight of the Napa Valley
- Overnight, cruise up-bay to set the stage for a busy day in the Napa Valley. You will be treated to a cooking demonstration, "Cooking With Wine" with the chefs at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Greystone campus and have time to peruse their amazing cooking store.
Lunch will be served at the world-renowned Auberge du Soleil 
restaurant perched on the slope of Rutherford Hill affording an impressive view of the entire Napa Valley. This exclusive Cruise West lunch will feature food and wine pairings explained by the sommelier.
On a mountainside south of Calistoga, Schramsberg occupies a lovely landscaped site with ponds, gardens and a Victorian house. Explore the thousands of feet of 19th century tunnels today stacked high with fermenting champagne. You will have a rare chance to taste fine champagne in the caverns.
- Later you will head back to CIA for a wine blending seminar taught by an expert instructor in cooperation with a local winery. You will learn about how wines blend and when they clash.
- Back onboard ship enjoy a leisurely cocktail hour and a delicious dinner. (Note that you may visit today's wineries in an alternate order. Winery selection is subject to change.) BLD
- Day 3 Wednesday Sausalito
- Enjoy the relaxing morning sail into Sausalito. Brunch will be served onboard as the Spirit of Endeavour ties up near the charming seaside town of Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
- You'll be treated to a wine tasting at Bacchus and Venus, an elegant wine and art gallery. There will be time for you to walk and explore this artists' town on your own.
- Later, the Spirit of Endeavour will sail back to Napa where guests will enjoy Cruise West's exclusive reception, tasting and tour of Duckhorn Winery. BLD
- Day 4 Thursday Sonoma
- There will be time this morning for shopping and exploring at the park-like Sonoma Plaza, the largest of its kind in California. The Plaza is 8 acres square at the heart of Sonoma's unique historical district. –or– For those of you who would like the opportunity to personalize your cruise by exploring one of your individual passions there will be optional tours available.
- The Cabernet Lovers Limo Tour
will visit 3 amazing wineries known for their high-end Cabernet Sauvignons: Quintessa, Silver Oak, and Joseph Phelps.
- – or–
- The "Grow Your Own" grafting seminar at St. Supéry
will teach guests about vine cultivation and offer the opportunity to graft a vine to take home with you.
- –or–
- Tour the Olive Grove at Round Pond during the harvest/press season.
You will have a chance to see olive oil pressed, taste it and listen to the music that inspires the harvest workers.
- – or –
- For guests who enjoy the outdoors, there is a horseback ride through the different vineyards at Roche Winery, the only vineyard in the U.S. that offers a tour by horseback.
- Return to the Spirit of Endeavour for lunch. The afternoon will be filled with visiting two wineries in Sonoma.
- At St. Francis you will be treated to food and wine pairings, touring and tasting. St. Francis is known for its Cabernets, Meritages and Chardonnays.
- The Chateau St. Jean visit will include tasting and time to enjoy its magnificent gardens. This winery is known for its Cabernets and Chardonnays.
- Back onboard the ship you will experience a leisurely cocktail hour with featured wines and a delicious dinner. BLD
- Day 5 Friday Return to San Francisco
- You will want to be out on deck early this morning as the Spirit of Endeavour sails under the Golden Gate Bridge before returning to the San Francisco pier for disembarkation. A transfer to San Francisco's airport is included. B
Tour Costs
The cost of your cruise includes service charges for land-based personnel and $157 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees, and onboard services. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars.
Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable.
Handling fee, Airfare and Pre/Post San Francisco Stay extra. For payments in Cash Exchange Rate and Bank fees will apply..
Category Deluxe: $2,371 pp
Category AAA $2,071 pp
Category AA $1,871 pp
CAtegory A $1,671 pp
November 7, 2005 sailing $100 pp less, than as shown above.
