Monterey CA (California)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
West Coast USA and Canada
Local Time
2024-12-04 08:43
13.9°C
3.6 m/s
50 °F / 10 °C
Monterey is a port city located on the southern part of Monterey Bay, California USA. The city is at elevation 8 m (26 ft above sea level) and has population around 28,000.
Monterey was Alta California's capital under both Mexico and Spain. It was California's only port of entry for taxable goods. Following the Mexican-American War (1846-48), California became part of the USA. Monterey City has California's first public building, school, library, and theater.
Among the notable current-day attractions are the Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, the annual Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Museum of Art, Salvador Dali Museum, premium art galleries.
Monterey CA is popular for the diversity and abundance of its marine life, including sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, kelp forests, bat rays, dolphins, pelicans and several species of whales. Just a few miles offshore is Monterey Canyon, the biggest and deepest (3.2 km /2 mi) underwater canyon off North America's Pacific coast, which within hours provides scientists with access to the deep sea.
As cruise destination, Monterey Bay is visited seasonally and on voyages to ports in Alaska or Mexico. Most cruise vessels visiting Monterey are on relocation itineraries (RepositionCruises.com) scheduled in Spring and Fall.
In 2017, Port Monterey (locode USMY3) handled a total of 10 cruise ship calls (compared to 2016's only 2 and 2015's 6). Additionally, the privately/residents-owned ship MS The World remained anchored here for 3 days.
In February 2023, the City Council voted 3-2 in favor to terminate passenger landing (docking and disembarkation) services for cruise ships. The vessels continue to be allowed to anchor in Monterey Bay and ferry their tourists to the shore via tender boats. However, cruise companies/ship operators are required to hire staff at the Port to process the visitors at the public dock. According to CLIA data, cruise tourists spend ~US$125 per person (average) while ashore in the USA.
Prior to the COVID crisis, the Port had between 7 and 12 cruise calls/ship visits annually. In 2023, Monterey had a total of 21x cruise ship calls/visits scheduled for March-April-May-October-November.
Monterey CA cruise terminal
Monterey CA is a tendering port, meaning it has no docking facilities (wharf or quay) for large vessels. Cruise ships anchor in front of the harbor and their passengers are transported / ferried to the town via tender boats. Disembarkation and embarkation ashore is done at Fisherman's Wharf.
However, the port can handle only one cruise vessel per day, and has 2 anchorage areas designated for such vessels.
- Cruise Industry
Cruise ships are no longer welcomed by Port Monterey (California USA)
The city council in Monterey (California USA) voted last week to terminate passenger landing services for incoming cruise ships. The council sent a...
February 15, 2023 - Cruise Industry
HAL-Holland America introduces 2023-2024 West Coast USA cruises
San Diego (California USA) has been a West Coast homeport for HAL-Holland America since the 1990s. Season 2023-2024 is highlighted by two solar...
January 20, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Cruises launches new 2022 Fall voyages from ports on USA's both coasts
Celebrity Cruises is setting sail on a series of new journeys through both the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera beginning in fall 2022. Celebrity...
April 19, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Santa Barbara CA suspending cruise ship calls until March 2022
Santa Barbara California announced its continued suspension of cruise ship calls on Monday, August 30. According to Waterfront Director Mike...
September 1, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises introduces 2022-2023 Mexico, California Coast, and Hawaii itineraries
Princess Cruises announced its 2022-2023 season of Mexico, California Coast, Hawaii and Tahiti sailings. On sale on April 28, a total of 6 ships...
April 23, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises introduces summer 2021 roundtrip departures from Los Angeles
Princess Cruises announced a new (company's first) summer season with homeporting in Los Angeles (Long Beach CA) in 2021. Offering various voyages...
October 3, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises Announces California Coast Trips 2019-2020
Princess Cruises returns to the West Coast in 2019-2020 with new itineraries visiting top destinations such as Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Diego and...
June 28, 2018 - Cruise Industry
VIDEO: Outdoor Ethusiast Paddles Around Massive Cruise Ship
See here how an outdoor ocean enthusiast paddled around a massive cruise ship this past week while the vessel was anchored in Monterey Bay...
September 30, 2017 - show more news