Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises

This trip was very exciting, sorry that we waited so many years to take the tour. We want to go again, this time with our grandchildren! We've lived in the area all our life and we finally got to see the beauty in our Monterey Bay. We were lucky to see three different species of whales. They are marvelous creatures so big, but yet so gentle and graceful. Their performance was great. Yes it was as if they performed for us, just to let us know to take care of them and they will take care of us. We took a lot of pictures, but next time we'll bring a video camera as well. If you live locally, and just want to get away for the day - don't forget about our local beauty and all it has to offer. The Sisters

Although the boat ride itself was smooth and we didn't get sea sick due to calm waters, the whales were farther away then the tour guide had described prior to our journey. The tour guide, although she seemed funny when meeting us at the dock, was continually speaking in a high-pitched, loud, squeaky, chatty voice that we often could not hear through the speakers on the boat. She was inaccessible once we boarded the boat due to her standing the entire time in a "staff only" level of the boat, so we couldn't climb the steps and ask her any questions due to this restriction - so she just spewed out whatever she wanted over the microphone - and would exaggerate sightings. Additionally, the speaker friction made the guide's voice drown out so we just got this high-pitched "wah wah wah..." and most the guests had no idea what she was rambling on about due to the poor sound quality (and again we couldn't tell her because she was on an "employees only area" of the boat--) In summary, although it was nice to be on the calm waters, it would have been nicer to have a more calm, realistic guide with a relaxed speaking voice that we could actually enjoy listening to and a better speaker system on the boat.

Very good cruise. The driver of the boat got as close to the whales as he could without disturbing them. At one point we were literally surrounded by whales. It was nice to have a marine biologist on board also who was enthusiastic and shared knowledge about the whales. We were lucky enough to see 3 different types of whales; many Humpbacks, Blues, and a rare Minke whale. Great trip.

The trip was great. We saw lots of whales (Blue and Humpback). The crew was very helpful and answered many questions, plus they gave us many interesting facts about the whales and the area. We were able to change our original scheduled time easily to an earlier time after we arrived. It was a fantastic trip - take a coat with a hood!

My wife and 6 year old daughter went out on the 9 am whale watching tour on Sunday July 25, 2010 figuring we would see whale or two. Boy, were we wrong. After about 45-50 minutes out, we began to see more whales than I have seen in my entire lifetime! What a show! We saw between 20-30 humpback whales (closer to 30) breaching, tail slapping, lunge feeding, and waiving their flukes in the air as they went for a deep dive. Large ones, small ones, mothers and babies, you name it. We also saw at least 4 blue whales: wow, that's the largest living thing I've ever seen, with a body about the size of a commercial jet plane. Truly incredible. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and the captain and crew went out of their way to make sure that the passengers had the best time possible. Check the website for current signtings to see what you will likely be seeing. Bring a telephoto lens, if you have one, so you can get close-ups of these magnificent critters! These tours are extraordinary and should not be missed.

I had a fantastic time. We saw dozens of whales, blue and humpback. The crew was very welcoming and knowlegeable; I felt like I could approach them with any question. The only thing I think could be improved is to have a boat where the passanger could go on the upper deck to have a better view.

We saw probably a dozen whales total, at times VERY close to the ship. It was a great time, but it got pretty cold very quickly. Mittens and a heavier coat would have been nice.

We had a great informative docent that made the trip fun. She gave lots of information about the mammals. We saw 8 to 10 humpbacks, some with calves, and four or five blue whales along with jellyfish and dolphins. Some large birds. Good info about the grand canyon of Monterey Bay .

Thanks! Special props for the tour guide; she was enthusiastic and knew her stuff. I had a great time.

The crew was so great, they took us out to where the whales were. Two whales stayed with our boat for about twenty minutes. The crew was even excited. Great information from the from our naturalist. It was fabulous. Highly recommend it. I want to go again.

We had two Humpbacks that decided to play with the boat for about half an hour. They came within a few feet of the people lining the rails, sprayed and eyeballed us, literally rolled over to have their stomach's scratched. I have been on whale watching boats here, Mexico, and Hawaii, with some great encounters, but nothing like this trip. My four year old grandson was speachless, and that was a first. Even the crew had their cameras out. We also saw a pod of Dolphins, and as many a eight Blue's. Some trip, everyone should be so lucky. Go out, if it happens it's undescribeable.

This was an unbelievable trip. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Smooth seas. Fantastic photo ops. You could almost touch the Humpback whales. They came right up to the boat!

I had not seen blue whales previously and was anxious to add them to my life list. We got excellent views of these magnificent creatures. The docent was fantastic and the information she gave was very useful, however , I had a hard time hearing her,

We had a wonderful time viewing the Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Dolphines, birds and other sea wildlife. The presenter did an excellent job covering not just what we were seeing but also the background on the animals. Highly Recomend this Cruise!

Very easy to use. Highly recommend.