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Thank you to Princess Cruises for hosting us on this California Coastal Cruise Aboard The Crown Princess to facilitate this review. All opinions and photos are ours.
Our third day started early in the morning with room service coffee on the balcony as we watched the pilot boat guide us into San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise is a breathtaking experience that we will remember forever!
Emmy has told everyone we have met today about it. I am 100% with her on this one; it was really cool, and I would even call it a bucket list item.
Once we docked we set off to explore the city and then we took a tour of Alcatraz Island Federal Penitentiary.
We had tried to do this tour before each time we were in San Francisco, but it was always sold out. I understand why now, it’s one of those things you just have to see. Be sure to buy your tickets early. Another tip, once on board the boat to the island, walk all the way around to where the bathrooms are. That’s where the best seats in the house are… they are right by the exit so you can get off quickly too.
Here is a picture tour of our visit to Alcatraz.
One quick note, we did the self-guided audio tour. When we were getting the headsets, I asked for new ones or once that were freshly washed. They have those in a separate area; you just have to ask for them. Also, with Emmy being only five, she was a bit concerned at some parts of the tour. We talked through those parts, but you might want to have them remove their headphones during the prison riot part, or at least be prepared to talk about it.
There is so much history on this island. You should plan to spend at least 2-3 hours on the tour and seeing the other parts. We brought a stroller, and I’m very glad I did. There is a lot of walking. If your child is old enough for a fold up stroller, that’s the best way to go because there are also stairs along the way. You can bring water with you, but no food so eat before you come over. There are two sets of bathrooms too… one at the bottom where you get off the boat and the other up at the prison.
After we got back from Alcatraz we headed down to the famous Pier 39.
Pier 39 is a quick 5-minute walk from the cruise terminal, and there are tons of fun foods available to purchase like cookies, crepes, ice cream, etc. to snack on… not that you will need to do that during a Princess Cruise! The girls all (yep even the older ones) went on the carousel! We took our oldest here when she was 2, and she rode it ten times then… so it was fun taking her back and telling her all about that visit!
It was “Funky Disco Party Night” for the 5 and 12-year-old in the kids clubs, so we had to get back to the ship quickly!
My oldest came with Pete and me to get coffee and dessert.
We love the premium coffees and are getting good use out of our pre-paid card. We sat and enjoyed some piano music and talked about tomorrow’s day at sea. There was also a mariachi band playing in one of the show rooms… it was packed in there, and everyone was talking about how awesome they were!
Day 4 is a sea day, so we are going to have lot’s of kids club fun, afternoon tea, good food and maybe a visit to the sanctuary for Pete and I! I’ll be back tomorrow with all the details!
What destinations are on your cruise wish lists?
PS. See our complete Crown Princess, Princess Cruises Review and Detailed Daily Posts Here.
I have always wanted to go on a cruise. This seems like so much fun.
I have visited Alcatraz. It was interesting to visit it. I enjoyed San Franscisco.
I would love to visit Alcatraz. I know it might be kinda scary for my kids but there is so much history at the prison. I know that is one event that we don’t want repeated either.
I would love to cruise again. Maybe soon. 🙂
We loved our visit to Alcatraz the last time we were in San Francisco (which was way too long ago). We did a nighttime tour that made it feel even creepier. I don’t think my kids are quite ready for it, but I would love to take them someday.
Sounds like a great trip and everyone is having a lot of fun! That is such an amazing experience!
This sure is bringing back some fond memories. I’d love to go on another cruise to anywhere in the world. I haven’t been on the crown princess yet though.
I have always been curious about the Princess Cruises that depart SF and want to give it a try. Thanks for sharing the initial leg of your cruise Heather. 🙂
This cruise looks so amazing, I love the pictures a lot!
This is so beautiful, I hope you’re having the time of your life on this cruise!
Hubby wants to visit Alcatraz. I’ve never been to Cali but he has several times. I would just love to make it over there.
This looks like an amazing time indeed to go on the cruise and than to see Alcatraz along with Pier 39. I would so love to do all these things with my family one day. It looks like an interesting time indeed. Thanks for sharing. I love all your pictures which are totally amazing.
We took a cruise in January with Princess. We absolutely loved it and are taking another one in December!
How beautiful that you got to watch the sunrise at the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m so jealous that you got to visit Alcatraz too!
That is one huge cruise ship. When my husband and I were there a couple weeks ago they said that cruise shops docked at the piers, but we never saw one. We did go visit Alcatraz. The audio tour was wonderful, and then we stopped in the cafeteria and wrote postcards to prisoners from the Wei Wei exhibit. I could not believe how small the cells were.
Looks like an amazing trip! I have wanted to take a cruise with the whole family, I think we are going to the Disney one for our first but this would be on my list soon!
Thanks for sharing your Alcatraz photos! They are all stunning!
How wonderful! I’ve never been on a cruise… one day, one day. San Francisco looks nice, great photos!
It looks like you guys had a great time! I would have especially enjoyed the tour of Alcatraz. Thanks for sharing the experience – I really enjoyed the photos!
That tour looked amazing. What a great way to teach the girls some history while having fun!
What an amazing cruise! That view of the Golden Gate Bridge is stunning! I can’t wait to see more!
I have heard that Alcatraz is something to not miss. One day I will visit.
This sounds like such a blast! I have heard nothing but great things about the Crown Princess–glad you’re having so much fun!
I love all of your fantastic pics! I went to SanFran by myself but would love to visit with my family. A cruise is a great idea to do it.
What an amazing experience. I have never been on a cruise before. I would love to go
Looks like you are having an amazing time!
What an amazing experience for your family! Those are some great shots you got and looks like you made some great memories that will be cherished forever. 🙂
I would love to go on a family cruise one day 🙂 (That dessert looks good)
This is something I would really love to experience with my family. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world!
I’ve never been to California, but hope to some day. And I’ve never been on a cruise and it is on my bucket list. Looks like a great experience!
San Fran is definitely on my family’s bucket list! What an amazing picture of the Golden Gate bridge!
I’ve always wanted to visit Alcatraz! What a cool experience!
I have a serious obsession with Alcatraz. I have seen just about every movie – whether its true or not. I have read 100s of books . Some were true stories, others were just novels that used Alcatraz as their backdrop. I just love it. Someday I am going to travel across the US so I can see it.
That looks like an amazing cruise!! I have never been on one before, jealous!! 🙂
That sunrise was gorgeous but the toilets at Alcatraz? Not so much lol. Still so cool, I would love to visit Alcatraz one day.
I have been wanting to go on a cruise for the longest time but I get horribly seasick. If I can get over that I would definitely want to partake in one like this one with my family.
Oh man I would love to take a cruise some day. I keep thinking about it and I hear about the Crown Princess a lot!
It looks like there were so many wonderful sights to see with your family on this trip. I would love to take my family on a vacation like this one.
I really love to travel in cruise. This Princess California looks very much gorgeous. The Pictures are really awesome. Glad to know that you had a great time.
What an amazing time that cruise sounds like! I have wanted to visit Alcatraz Island for so long now. Hope we make it there someday. It looks like such a fascinating place to be able to visit. Loved all of your pictures!
Looks like you had an amazing time! I’d LOVE to go on a cruise with my family!
You have a very beautiful family and this would be fun and amazing to be with whole family on a sailing trip!
I still envy you…the cruise look like fun. And I always wanted to Alcatraz!
One of these days, I want to go on a cruise. Visiting San Francisco is also on my things to do list.
You captured some beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a blast, I have always wanted to go on a cruise!
I would love to cruise to Greece! Those dessert look so yummy and I’d definitely be grabbing one before bed!
That is very neat that you got to tour Alcatraz! What a unique experience!
Thanks for sharing your coast cruise with us. It looks like you all had fun and probably learned a lot of things too. 🙂
This sounds like such an amazing cruise! We love cruises, but have yet to sail on Princess Cruise Lines. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely amazing. I want this to be my next trip! Very beautiful photos!
I’ve never been on a Princess Cruise before, but have heard amazing things about the Cruise Line. I love the pictures you took!