Fall 2019 Pacific Pelagic Cruise Introduction

Black-footed Albatross. NW of San Francisco. Photo by Rick Bowers May 2018 ©.

One of the Princess Cruise ships we will be abord.

The majority of our days at sea are spent on the bow of the promenade deck, moving to one side or the other if weather & light conditions warrant. Here, several stories above the ocean you have a huge field of view when on watch that allows scanning for pelagic birds and marine mammals with ease. The promenade deck is covered, the ship is large and stable enough to allow the use of spotting scopes and the list of pelagic bird species is long and filled with potential deep-water goodies.

Our cruise begins in Vancouver, British Colombia. We hope to find a good sampling of near-shore species as we begin our cruise. Before the sun sets we hope to see Surf Scoter, loons, Red-necked Grebe, Sooty Shearwater, cormorants, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, gulls and Northwestern Crow.

As the sun rises on our first day at sea, we’ll be in deep water far off Washington/Oregon coast. Here is where we begin our search for rarities such as Mottled Petrel. Storm-petrels of several species are possible, topped by striking Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels pattering about the ocean all around our ship. Shearwaters are well represented with five regularly occurring species possible.  Black-footed Albatross will be common with some Laysan Albatrosses thrown in here-and-there.  The chance for a Short-tailed Albatross is always tempting!

We will then have two full days at sea to search for exciting deep water pelagic birds, whales and dolphins.

Highlights from our spring 2017 cruise include four species of shearwaters, hundreds of albatrosses, thousands of storm-petrels and a good showing of whales topped by many breaching Humpback Whales and prolonged looks at a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale.  Our Fall 2018 Pacific Pelagic Cruise was the smoothest and most wind free every, which made some seabirds difficult but gave us a fantastic cetacean show.  Five species of whales (Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, and about 20 Sperm Whales) and five species of dolphins (Dall and Harbor Porpoise, Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common Dolphin and a pod of 12 Northern Right Whale Dolphins) put on quite a show!   

It should be noted that this is a true pelagic birding experience and we’ll have two full days at sea, scoping for seabirds from dawn to dusk. Folks can come and go from our gathering on the promenade deck as they like for meals and rest breaks thus making birding much less difficult. And pelagic birding is often difficult. Just much less so when you have all the amenities of a luxury cruise liner at your disposal.

Leader’s Take: Our Pacific Coast Pelagic Cruise is a fantastic option for anyone who gets seasick easily, wishes to search for deepwater pelagic species and do so in comfort. Our 2017 and 2018 cruises proved that photographic opportunities are surprisingly good as well. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings. Join us and let’s find out together!

ITINERARY

Day 1, September 14 – Arrive in Vancouver. Group members arrive independently at Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, British Colombia (YVR) and transfer to our cruise ship, the Emerald Princess.  After arrival at Vancouver International Airport and clearing Customs and Immigration, make your way to the Princess Cruise desk and they will direct you to the bus that will take you to our ship.  The ship departs at 4:30pm and we will be on deck until dusk to watch for various waterbirds and possibly our first pelagics before dark. WE WILL MEET IN THE EXPLORER’S LOUNGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MUSTER DRILL AND THEN TO THE APPROPRIATE SIDE OF THE SHIP TO BEGIN OUR PELAGIC ADVENTURE.

NOTE: Folks planning to arrive on October 19th, our day of departure, should insure that their flights arrive as early as possible in the morning hours. If your flight is delayed or cancelled causing you to miss our ship’s departure, joining us becomes an impossibility. You might be better served arriving in Vancouver the evening of October 18, 2018, staying at an hotel near the airport and catching their shuttle back to the airport (Or to the ship) midday the next day.

Laysan Albatross. Photo by Kim & Cindy Risen.

Day 2-3, September 15-16 – At Sea.  After an overnight steam south we will begin our first pelagic watch shortly after dawn. Two full days are spent aboard our home for four nights, the exceedingly comfortable 951ft long cruise ship, Royal Princess. While daily activities are up to each individual, leaders will spend the majority of the day scanning and scoping for seabirds from the forward deck of the ship for deep-water pelagic species. Group members will be able to come and go as you like for meals or breaks. We plan to eat dinner near the same time each evening so that we can have a social period together in order to review the day’s sightings, discuss ID challenges, etc.

Black-footed Albatross, the most common albatross on our Pacific Pelagic Cruises. Phot by Rick Bowers on our May 2018 Pacific Pelagic Cruise.

Most of our time at sea will be in deep water, as much as 50 or 60 miles offshore. The ship does move steadily while at sea, so getting everyone on each bird can sometimes be a challenge. Pelagic birding is often difficult and weather can complicate matters. While scopes are not required, if you are proficient with your scope you might find it helpful. NatureScape Tours will have a scope set up at all times. With patience and a bit of luck, everyone should get good looks at most things.

Seabird possibilities at this time of year are many. Possibilities include Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed, Buller’s, Sooty, Short-tailed, Black-vented and Flesh-footed Shearwaters, Fork-tailed, Black, Ashy, Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Mottled Petrel, Northern Fulmar, perhaps Ancient or Marbled Murrelets, Tufted Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine’s Gull, Pacific Loon, Arctic Tern, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, perhaps a Scripps’s, Craveri’s or Guadalupe Murrelet and maybe a Laysan or, if exceedingly lucky, a Short-tailed Albatross!

Pink-footed Shearwater. Photo by Rick Bowers ©.

Day 5, September 17 – Arrival in Los Angeles, transfer to LAX  After breakfast, we’ll complete our off-loading procedures and say, “Good-Bye!” to the Royal Princess. Boarding our comfortable coach bus, we’ll make the short journey to the airport in Los Angeles. Everyone departs with fond memories of our Fall Pacific Pelagic Cruise…and hopefully some great photographs as well.

TOUR PRICING AND INFORMATION

TOUR COST: $ 350.00

COST – The cost of this trip, based on a minimum group size of SIX is $ 350.00 per person from Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. If the final group is smaller than six participants, a small group supplement may be charged.

COST INCLUDES:  Expert guide service. All transportation, this may be by private or chartered car, station wagon, van or bus. Taxes & local fees, all group admissions, park entry fees and local access fees are included in the tour price.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Not included are transportation to Vancouver, British Colombia and from Los Angeles, meals not on the ship, laundry, personal tips, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juices, mineral waters and other beverages, souvenirs, insurance of any kind, telephone calls, and overweight baggage fees.

MEAL COSTS: Meals are included in the cost of your cabin. Water, tea, and coffee are available at all meals free of charge. There are six restaurants to choose from that are included in your cabin fee. There are several restaurants that offer higher end meals for an additional fee.  Most soft drinks and alcaholic beverages are available for an additonal fee that is charged to your shipboard account.

UNANTICIPATED COSTS:  Rarely we have had unexpected costs. Cancellation of a flight or train has required staying in a hotel an extra night, hiring vehicles for extra excursions and other services. At times schedule changes or route changes have been necessary. If such changes are proposed and accepted by participants, it is with the understanding that they accept the obligation to pay any extra unanticipated costs.

On all of our tours, participants are responsible for any extra expenses incurred from deviations to our scheduled tour itinerary which result from events out of our control (additional hotel nights, transfers and transportation by air, water or ground). During fall on the West Coast this could be a rare weather related event, or could be a result of flight or rail cancellations, labor strikes, acts of God and the like.

DATE OF COST QUOTATION: June 15, 2018
We can only quote current costs. Tour planning begins more than a year before the tour runs. While we try to arrive at the best estimates, we cannot predict fluctuation of currency exchange rates, increases in hotel or vehicle rates, etc. Therefore, we reserve the right to increase the tour cost when there are justifiable reasons. However, we make a sincere effort to arrive at the closest possible estimate and even absorb small increases at times to avoid raising tour costs.

REGISTRATION: THIS TRIP IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF NINE PARTICIPANTS WITH ONE LEADER OR EIGHTEEN PARTICIPANTS WITH TWO LEADERS! Your non-refundable tour deposit of $300.00 and completed registration form are required to confirm space. Without these, no one is considered registered.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS TRIP PLEASE CONTACT THE NATURESCAPE TOURS OFFICE TO INSURE SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS TOUR.  SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION FORM WITH FULL PAYMENT FOR THE TOUR TO HOLD YOU SPACE ON THE TOUR. IF THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE, YOU NEED TO CONTACT PRINCESS CRUISES DIRECTLY TO BOOK YOU CABIN.  YOU WILL BOOK A CABIN FOR THE 14 SEPTEMBER 2019 SAILING OF THE ROYAL PRINCESS, VANCOUVER, BC to LOS ANGELES, CA. CLICK HERE TO SELECT AND PAY FOR YOUR CABIN AFTER YOU HAVE CONFIRMED WITH THE NATURESCAPE OFFICE THAT SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE ON THIS TOUR. ONCE YOU HAVE RESERVED YOUR CABIN, EMAIL THE NATURESCAPE OFFICE WITH YOU CABIN NUMBER AND FLIGHT INFORMATION.

NOT included in your cabin cost are gratuities of $13.50 per person per day that will be billed to your shipboard account, optional excursions, drinks and any services not included with your cabin. Cabins are based on double occupancy, and we may be able to find you a roommate. If we cannot, you will be charged the cost of single accommodations by Princess Cruises.