Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises

Can't wate to do it again fun smoth trip

This was an AMAZING trip. We saw three types of whales, two types of dolphins and various sea birds UP CLOSE, so close we could almost touch the dolphins because they were swimming right next to the boat! I'd recommend the Princess tour to anyone. Because the boat was so big, no one got a bit sea sick. Several friends have gone on smaller boats only to return green around the gills. We are most certainly returning next year!

It was a great trip, but the duration was a little less than exected. We left late and arrived early, i would have liked longer stops where the whales were. But we got to see humpback whales and blue whales which was fantastic.

me, my mom and my grand-daughter all had a great day of whale watching. Even with the not smooth seas we observed many sea mammals and bird life that day.

Trip got off to a 20 minute late start. There were 138 ticketed passengers and it seemed like the tour operators were stalling to fill the boat to its 150 passenger limit. The boat felt extremely crowded. While the blue whales were the spectacle people had come to view, the tour leader gave a 5 minute introduction to sea turtles, urging us to look for them because she was involved with research on them. The trip was advertised to last 2.5 hours but only lasted 2 hours and ten minutes. The most annoying part of the trip was when a whale was sighted on the starboard, the boat always made a turn to accomodate the passengers on the left side, leaving the starboard passengers scratching their heads as to why they always had to run to the left side of the boat to see anything. Also, the tone of the tour spoiled by the amusement park enthusiasm of the tour leader. I recommend trying the smaller companies on the wharf for a less "Disneyland-type" promotion of our planet's natural wonders.

We had a great time! It was awe inspiring to know we were in the same vicinity as so many whales. Thanks for a great time!

We had a very nice time on the trip. The only negative was there were too many people on the ship.

I would highly recommend this tour. The naturalist was enthusiastic and had so much information while at the same time being quite funny. The captain did a great job piloting the boat around the whales to give them space but at the same time allowing the passengers to get a good look. There was also a respect for other tour boats out there. All of the tour boats communicated well and did not crowd each other.

We felt very comfortable on the ship and enjoyed the hospitality of the crew. We also learned some facts about whales, turtles, dolphins, jellyfish and other aquatic wildlife. Both of my daughters and my wife were so happy with the experience.

I'm glad I read the prior reviews and bundled us up like we were on an Arctic expedition. You get pretty cold out there for sure. But the boat is great, the Guide was fabulous, and the views were just what we were hoping for. Lots of blue and humpback whales! I'm also glad I brought some binoculars. great stuff!

I was disappointed as the boat never got into a position to facilitate a good whale tale shot nor any other. The attendant promised only a wide angle lens was necessary. If I had not used my 40mm zoom I would have came home empty handed. I whale watch frequently and will use someone else next time. Sorry.

The time is now (late July, 2010). We felt as if we were visiting an aquarium, there was so much activity--Blues and Humpbacks. The staff was great. Loved the biologist on board. She made it fun and interesting for all ages. I also felt they kept a respectable distance from all species. Definitely gets cold, but with layers, including hats and gloves, it's quite manageable.

Overall, this was a great and memorable activity for the whole family. The website is very easy to find, its one of the first that comes up on Google. It is also easy to navigate and provides lots of great information. The ticket purchasing is very straightforward and eliminates guessing. On the day of or reservation, we did not realize that the Gilroy Garlic festival was that weekend and the traffic was heavy. I called the ticket desk and they were really positive, responsive and helpful. They helped me get our trip rescheduled. Once we got there, the staff was so nice and accommodating. They moved our trip with no hassle. The staff on the boat was also excellent, they were enthusiastic and upbeat. They even provided my 2 sons with loaner jackets to wear since they had forgotten theirs.

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.

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.