Image Doctors California Adventure Cruise 2025
October 25 - Nov. 1, 2025 round trip from Los Angeles, CA
Join the Image Doctors photography podcast hosts on a fun “photo vacation” as we explore the California coast aboard the Royal Princess! This unique adventure takes us from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, plus a stop in Ensenada, Mexico on Halloween! We’ll be sharing our secrets for putting together travel photos that will make your trip even more memorable. We’ll have on-board learning sessions and photo walks. The best part about this event is that you are completely free to choose the excursions you find most interesting at each port of call. Whether it’s a trip to the wine country, or a lobster lunch in Ensenada, the opportunities for photography are endless! Non-photographer companions are encouraged to join us on this trip, and we’ll be giving our tips for smartphone photography, too. We can’t wait to sail away with you!
Event Pricing
$2949 per person (double occupancy, balcony stateroom)
Non-photographer companions (smartphones only) save $250
Contact me for pricing on different stateroom categories
What’s Included
- 7 nights accommodations aboard Royal Princess in a balcony stateroom*
- All shipboard meals, activities and entertainment
- Instructional sessions with Jason & Rick
- Photo walks with Jason & Rick
- Post-cruise image review session via Zoom
- Port taxes and fees
*Other stateroom types may be available. Contact me for pricing.
Solo traveler supplement: $1450
Not Included
- Shore excursions
- Alcoholic beverages onboard (drink packages are available)
- Shipboard WiFi
- Spa/Wellness onboard
- Specialty dining
- Airport/Hotel transfers
- Onboard gratuities
Itinerary
Note: We recommend arriving in Los Angeles at least one day prior to sailing, especially if you’re flying.
- Saturday, Oct. 25: Embarkation Day
All aboard Royal Princess! Join us in the lounge as we set sail from Los Angeles before settling in for dinner in the dining room with the group.
- Sunday, Oct. 26: At Sea
Today is a sea day, and we’ll have onboard sessions for our photographers. We’ll discuss shooting opportunities, composition and creative techniques, and how to get the most out of your smartphone camera. Join us for a photo walk onboard Royal Princess as we explore photo opportunities that surround us at sea.
- Monday, Oct. 27: San Francisco 8:00AM- 10:00PM
San Francisco is one of the most culturally diverse cities in California, and one of the most beautiful. Today, you’ll have the entire day to choose from a variety of guided excursions, or set out to explore the city on your own. Explore Fisherman’s wharf, Chinatown, visit Alcatraz, or take an excursion to Sonoma and the wine country. This evening, join us for sunset and blue-hour shooting before returning to the ship for a late departure.
- Tuesday, Oct. 28: At Sea
Today is another sea day, and we’ll be offering more educational sessions for our photographers. Today we’ll share our secrets for making your best shots better through post-processing. We’ll show you how we create selection masks using Lightroom, and how to spice up your photos with filters from the Nik Collection suite.
- Wednesday, Oct. 29th: Santa Barbara 7:00AM - 4:30PM
Santa Barbara is a beautiful town with an long history going back to Spanish colonial times. Santa Barbara’s mission dates back to the 1700s, and is a very popular attraction and photographic point of interest. Today, you can choose from a variety of excursions, including food and wine tours, whale watching, or visit the charming “Danish” village of Solvang, with its iconic architecture and windmills. Meet us back on board for a pre-dinner cocktail hour and the opportunity to share your day with the group at dinner.
- Thursday, Oct. 30th: San Diego 9:30AM-10:00PM
San Diego is California’s southernmost city, and from here there are all kinds of fun activities for you to explore and photograph. Visit the Old Town and Gas Lamp district, Balboa park, or even do a photo walk at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. This evening, join Rick and Jason for another sunset/blue hour photo walk before returning to the ship for a 10PM departure.
- Friday, Oct. 31st: Ensenada, Mexico
Today is a great opportunity to explore Mexican culture, or just relax by the beach with a margarita and fish tacos. Go snorkeling by boat, or just shop and enjoy the street food. For a special treat, consider the Day of the Dead tour where you’ll learn more about this unique Mexican holiday that honors the connection between the living and the departed. Tonight, meet back on board and bring your laptop or tablet to share photos with the group before dinner on board.
- Saturday, Nov. 1st: Disembarkation in Los Angeles
All good things must come to an end, and we say farewell as you journey home or continue your adventures. We’ll schedule an online image sharing session on Zoom after we’re all back home.
How to Book
Deposit: $500* per person due by April 1, 2025 reserves your cabin
Remaining balance due May 15, 2025
Deposit is refundable if the minimum group size is not met by April 30, 2025
