Step aboard the legendary 139-foot schooner America and let Next Level Sailing carry you across San Diego’s sparkling waters. Their Coast Guard–inspected crew blends seasoned seamanship with genuine local warmth, guiding you on gr...
Step aboard the legendary 139-foot schooner America and let Next Level Sailing carry you across San Diego’s sparkling waters. Their Coast Guard–inspected crew blends seasoned seamanship with genuine local warmth, guiding you on gr...
The crew aboard the historic replica yacht America consistently earns praise for their warmth and expertise. Captain, Diane, Ed, Axel, and Jonathan (plus Marie, the ship's dog!) create an engaging atmosphere with storytelling, marine life facts, and genuine enthusiasm for their work. Guests appreciate how attentive the staff is to everyone's comfort, helping with seasickness when needed and providing complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the journey. What really stands out is how genuinely pet-friendly this operation is. Multiple reviewers mention the crew going above and beyond for their dogs, providing beds, water bowls, and plenty of attention. Wildlife sightings vary by day—some guests saw orcas, humpbacks, and blue whales while others encountered massive dolphin pods or no whales at all. Even on days when whales don't appear, most travelers still rave about the sailing experience itself and the beautiful boat. The four-hour tours on the open water feel like authentic adventures, and the company offers return trips if wildlife doesn't cooperate, showing their commitment to customer satisfaction.
We decided to have our wedding welcome party with Next Level Sailing in San Diego and it was the best decision ever! We've gone on a couple of whale watching tours with them and when we learned that you could have events on the boat, we knew this would be the best experience for our guests during our wedding weekend. We opted for a welcome sunset cruise, we brought Board and Brew catered sandwiches aboard and homemade charcuterie boards. We had a local musician, Todd Higginson, play acoustic music during our cruise, and had a couple of friends and family members give speeches on the boat. It was such a wonderful overall experience and great way to be able to get more quality time with all of our family and guests before the big day. Troy, Fathom and the entire team are professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly welcoming, friendly, and easy to work with. Sharing some photos from our photographer Braedon Lash.
Brittany Renee
September 6, 2026
We decided to have our wedding welcome party with Next Level Sailing in San Diego and it was the best decision ever! We've gone on a couple of whale watching tours with them and when we learned that you could have events on the boat, we knew this would be the best experience for our guests during our wedding weekend. We opted for a welcome sunset cruise, we brought Board and Brew catered sandwiches aboard and homemade charcuterie boards. We had a local musician, Todd Higginson, play acoustic music during our cruise, and had a couple of friends and family members give speeches on the boat. It was such a wonderful overall experience and great way to be able to get more quality time with all of our family and guests before the big day. Troy, Fathom and the entire team are professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly welcoming, friendly, and easy to work with. Sharing some photos from our photographer Braedon Lash.
Brittany Renee
September 6, 2026