A California Coastal Celebration Aboard the Ruby Princess – Part Two

California Coastal Cruise: Los Angeles, San Diego and Ensenada

Sailing aboard the Ruby Princess was more than just a cruise; it was a celebration of life, connections, and California’s captivating coastline. Following the adventures of San Francisco and Santa Barbara, Part Two of this journey brought more ports and unforgettable celebrations. Marking my birthday aboard the Ruby Princess added a special layer to this adventure.

In Long Beach, I wandered the Naples Canals, marveling at the beautiful homes decked out for Halloween. The peaceful waterways and charming architecture were the perfect backdrop for dreaming of a future kayaking adventure in this picturesque neighborhood. The day ended with a stroll along the beach, sharing laughter and stories with my friend Lemor who hosted my book BRAVE-ish’s 1st birthday party at Small World Books!

San Diego took the celebration to new heights—literally! One of the highlights of the trip was soaring over the coastline with Corporate Helicopters. Cynthia and I, guided by our expert pilot Christian, were treated to an awe-inspiring view of La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Del Mar, and the Coronado Bridge. Seeing the Pacific Ocean’s shimmering waves, the golden beaches, and San Diego’s vibrant cityscape from above was an exhilarating experience. It wasn’t just sightseeing; it was a thrilling new perspective on one of my favorite cities, made even better by sharing it with a dear friend.

Earlier in the day, I embraced another adventure on the water with Speed Boat Adventures. Steering my own speedboat through San Diego Bay under Alex’s guidance, I felt a mix of adrenaline and awe. The views were spectacular—spotting the Ruby Princess from the water, passing the historic Maritime Museum ships, and catching sight of the iconic “Unconditional Surrender” statue. Playful sea lions added an extra touch of joy to the experience and now I can add CAPTAIN to my resume!

Ensenada, our final port, brought a more serene and reflective energy. Waking up to a breathtaking sunrise over the mountains was the perfect way to start the day. Julie, Alessio, and I spent a peaceful afternoon at a beach resort, basking in the warm sun and our day together.

Back on board, it was time for our Halloween celebrations. I attended the Most Traveled Members party before heading to dinner at Crown Grill with Captain Marco, Julie, and Alessio. Dressed as a vibrant rainbow butterfly, I felt completely immersed in the festive atmosphere. The combination of formal night elegance, delicious food, and great company made for an unforgettable evening.

As the cruise came to a close, I reflected on the magic of celebrating life at sea. Whether it was marking my birthday with adventures, marveling at California’s beauty from a helicopter, or laughing with friends during Halloween festivities, every moment on the Ruby Princess felt like a gift.

The journey ended as it began—with awe and gratitude. Watching the sun rise over San Francisco from my balcony, I felt a deep appreciation for the experiences this cruise had offered. Princess Cruises is the perfect place to celebrate life’s milestones, and this California Coastal voyage was one I’ll treasure forever—an unforgettable mix of adventure, relaxation, and the warmth of being surrounded by friends and family aboard the Ruby Princess.

Click here to read PART ONE: San Francisco and Santa Barbara

Wake up, Ruby Princess! The sunrise at the Port of Los Angeles was absolutely breathtaking. I loved starting each day of our cruise by watching the colors paint the sky from my balcony—it was a peaceful and magical way to greet every new adventure.

Have you seen the Naples Canals in Long Beach? The gorgeous houses, beautifully decorated for Halloween, made it such a treat to explore. I can’t wait to come back and kayak here one day! Also loved strolling on the beach with Lemor—such a perfect way to enjoy this beautiful area

San Diego welcomed us with a breathtaking sunrise, its golden light streaming between the city’s iconic downtown skyscrapers. Every port has had its own unique beauty, and this view was no exception—a peaceful and inspiring start to the day. Watching it from the ship was unforgettable. The perfect way to prepare for adventures on the water and from above!

Taking the helm of a speedboat in San Diego was a thrilling adventure that I’ll never forget. At first, I was a bit nervous—after all, I was the captain of my own boat! But Cynthia believed in me, and as I got the hang of steering and controlling the speed, my confidence grew, and the experience became pure joy. Zipping through the sparkling waters of San Diego Bay, we were treated to stunning views of the city. I spotted the majestic Ruby Princess, my home for the coastal California adventure with Princess Cruises, and marveled at the “Unconditional Surrender” statue, also known as the “Kissing Sailor” statue, standing tall near the USS Midway Museum. This 25-foot sculpture, inspired by an iconic photograph from V-J Day, perfectly captures the joy of celebration—just like I felt out on the water. The sights didn’t stop there. We passed the Maritime Museum’s historic ships and even caught glimpses of playful sea lions lounging on buoys. With the excellent guidance from Alex at Speed Boat Adventures, and their motto “You’re in the driver’s seat! Speed Boat Tours with a twist,” I felt like I’d experienced San Diego from a whole new perspective—one filled with speed, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

While San Diego is often celebrated for its laid-back coastal vibes, it’s also the perfect city for an unforgettable adventure from above. Cynthia and I recently joined Corporate Helicopters for their 42-minute ‘Unforgettable Tour’ and got a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of San Diego’s iconic landmarks. From the Del Mar Racetrack, Pacific Beach Pier, and the historic Pt. Loma Lighthouse to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Bridge, Petco Park, and Balboa Park, we soared past over 20 of San Diego’s top attractions. With instructor-pilot Christian guiding the way, this aerial adventure showcased the city’s beauty in a way I’ve never seen before—truly unforgettable.

In San Diego, Cynthia and I soared above the coastline on an unforgettable helicopter ride with Corporate Helicopters. With our expert pilot, Christian, guiding us, we took in breathtaking views of iconic spots like Del Mar, La Jolla, Torrey Pines, and the Coronado Bridge. Seeing these landmarks from the sky was a completely new experience. The Pacific Ocean’s deep blues, the sprawling sandy beaches, and the glittering urban skyline were absolutely jaw-dropping. It wasn’t just sightseeing—it was an exhilarating adventure that gave me a fresh perspective on one of my favorite destinations. I absolutely loved every moment of this incredible ride!

Ensenada: Sunrise to Sail away

Ensenada marked our last port of call on the Ruby Princess during our California coastal cruise. Waking up to a breathtaking sunrise over the mountains was the perfect way to start the day. Julie, Alessio, and I enjoyed the serene atmosphere and soaking up the sun at a local resort. We returned to the ship for Halloween festivities and formal night—this whole week has been filled with friends, new adventures, and cherished moments with great company.

Princess Cruises is the perfect place to celebrate with countless opportunities to create unforgettable memories. I celebrated my birthday all week long, and for Halloween, I dressed up as a butterfly. The celebrations continued at Crown Grill and Captain Marco, Julie, Alessio and I enjoyed the delicious food and excellent service on the Ruby Princess.

So fun to have a reason to dress up! The Captain’s Welcome Party was magical, featuring the iconic champagne tower and a surprise birthday cake just for me! It’s so great to be back onboard with my friends—working at sea for Princess Cruises was an amazing chapter of my life, and it’s such a joy to now experience it all as a guest. Feeling celebrated and grateful for this unforgettable night at sea.

Ruby Princess: Bridge tour and Sunrise San Francisco

On our final sea day, I was invited to visit to the bridge, where I got a glimpse of the incredible work that keeps the Ruby Princess running smoothly. Before we disembarked in San Francisco, I watched the sun rise for a final time from my balcony over the bridge —a perfect week filled with celebrations, adventures, and memories to last a lifetime. Thank you Captain Marco and #PrincessCruises

Leaving SFO for LAX, I found myself reminiscing about my incredible California coastal cruise aboard the Ruby Princess. Just as I treasure the views from a window seat on a flight, I cherished every moment on my balcony at sea. From breathtaking sunrises to the soothing sound of the waves, it was the perfect vantage point to soak in the beauty of the coast—whether in the sky or on the water. Thanks to #Delta @Delta for the safe flight and @princesscruises for my wonderful #cruise!

Did you know I used to work for Princess Cruises? Read more about my adventures in my award-winning memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty

MAJESTIC PRINCESS:

I loved my Alaskan Summer Cruise on the Marvelous Majestic Princess. Read about cruising Alaska’s Inner Passage in 2021.

For Spring Break April 2022, I went on the magnificent Majestic Princess to Mexico! Read my article on the ship. 

Lisa Ellen Niver

Lisa Niver is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries on six continents. This University of Pennsylvania graduate sailed across the seas for seven years with Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Renaissance Cruises and spent three years backpacking across Asia. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel.

On her award nominated global podcast, Make Your Own Map, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and as a journalist has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded three Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist twenty-two times.

Named a #3 travel influencer for 2023, Niver talks travel on broadcast television at KTLA TV Los Angeles, her YouTube channel with over 2 million views, and in her memoir, Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty.