Table Of Content
- Best Alaskan Cruise For Families: Choosing The Perfect Family-Friendly Adventure
- Choosing the Perfect Alaskan Cruise for Your Family
- Historical and Cultural Tours
- About Susan B. Barnes, Your Alaska Cruise Guide
- Solo Cabin Booking Options on European Cruises: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Vacation
- The Best Alaska Cruises for Families

From dedicated play areas to supervised activities, children are sure to be entertained throughout the cruise. Some ships even have water parks, mini-golf courses, and rock climbing walls, providing endless fun and excitement for kids of all ages. When selecting a cruise, take into consideration the variety and suitability of the shore excursions offered.

Best Alaskan Cruise For Families: Choosing The Perfect Family-Friendly Adventure
You can paddle a canoe up to the glacier in Juneau, indulge yourself with a salmon feast, or go panning for gold. The “North to Alaska” onboard program brings authentic Alaska experiences to life through local seafood while real Alaskans come aboard to share their stories. Sled dog fans will love “Puppies in the Piazza,” where husky puppies are available for photos and snuggling, and Iditarod sled dog champion musher Libby Riddles tells tales of her winning Alaska races.
Choosing the Perfect Alaskan Cruise for Your Family
The 11 Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Families and Kids - Upgraded Points
The 11 Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Families and Kids.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
With over 15 years of experience in travel journalism, Cristina has a profound understanding of the cruise industry, from the intimate details of ship life to the broad spectrum of global destinations. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights.
Historical and Cultural Tours
And, there’s also “Puppies in the Piazza,” where guests can interact with real Alaska sled dog puppies on the ship. X-Club provides supervised activities hosted by youth counselors, including social activities, gaming consoles, sports activities, and late-night teens-only dances. The Edge (for kids 11 to 14) features a large array of hi-tech entertainment, including an illuminated dance floor and tables with notebook computers. Vibe (for teens ages 14 to 17) is a chaperoned lounge with music, movies, video games, big-screen plasma TVs, dance floor, Internet cafĂ©, and teen-only activities.
When do cruises go to Alaska?
HAL also sponsors a youth-oriented Culinary Arts Center that provides hands-on cooking classes for kids and teens. Kids learn basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, new ingredients, and how to follow recipe instructions. Youth activities also include an array of arts and crafts programs, gaming tournaments, contests and themed parties.
About Susan B. Barnes, Your Alaska Cruise Guide
5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise - Cruise Critic
5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise.
Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
While on board a Caribbean sailing with the cruise line, I had the chance to indulge in this chef- and sommelier-led multi-course food and wine pairing adventure. Four years later, I still find myself dreaming of the delicious circular-shaped dessert known as “The World” — the perfect combo of peanut butter ganache, chocolate mousse, and salted caramel gelato). Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. In 2022, the cruise line was the first to receive Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification, meaning its Alaska-bound ships serve only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. The 7-Day Glacier Discovery itinerary is offered both northbound and southbound, both of which include cruising the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay, and calling upon Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Solo Cabin Booking Options on European Cruises: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Vacation
Another way to make your Alaskan cruise more budget-friendly is by taking advantage of free or reduced fare options for children. Many cruise lines offer special rates for kids, making it more affordable for families to embark on this adventure together. During these off-peak times, cruise lines offer reduced rates to attract more passengers. Not only will you enjoy lower cruise fares, but you may also find discounted rates on shore excursions and other activities.
The Best Alaska Cruises for Families
Another exciting option is a whale-watching tour, where you can spot majestic whales breaching the surface of the water. For those interested in Native American culture, a visit to a traditional totem pole park is a must. Here, you can learn about the rich history and symbolism behind these impressive works of art.
Six Popular Ports of Call on Alaskan Family Cruises

There are several science adventures, steam train adventures, horseback adventures and more. Their excursions encompass more family-friendly aspects than most others and offer a better diversity in activities. A cruise to Alaska with children and teens is a once-in-a-lifetime family experience. The Alaskan views are breathtaking, with vast swathes of wilderness, towering snow-capped mountains, and crystalline glaciers thunderously pouring ice into the sea. All of the new experiences create an excellent opportunity for family bonding. Activities include beach parties, kayaking and paddle board relays, local history and culture talks, arts and crafts, photography lessons, and more.
The Windstar Breeze offers a port-intensive 23-day cruise with only three sea days. Along with regular ports, guests visit Haines, Kenai, Wrangell, Valdez, Point Adolphus, Petersburg, and Prince Rupert. Alternatively, some lines offer up to 23-day cruises with different ports of call.
This means you have more sailing to choose from than any other cruise line listed here. Each of the six ships cruising to Alaska offer special routes and experiences, which means no two Holland America Cruises to Alaska are the same. You and the kids could really book all six and not experience the same thing more than once. Some cruise lines allow children to sail for free or at a heavily discounted rate when sharing a cabin with two paying adults.
On your shore excursions (included in your ticket!), you’ll hike through lush Alaskan rainforests, paddle your kayak into secluded inlets, and marvel at crystalline icebergs from a Zodiac. You’ll even got to spend a full day basking in the wonder of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Onboard, there is a well-equipped kids club with activities for children as young as six months, so the grown-ups can enjoy a little bit of vacation time on their own! You can also enjoy one of the numerous entertainment venues, or work up a sweat in the Fitness Center.
When it comes to planning and pricing an Alaska cruise for families, it's important to consider the type of cruise, budget, and timing. Round-trip cruises are more convenient, but one-way cruises offer more opportunities to explore Alaska. Budget considerations include booking early, traveling during the shoulder season, and choosing an inside cabin. Finally, the best time to cruise is during the summer months, from May to September. Many Alaskan cruise ships have pools and water parks for kids and adults to enjoy. Some ships have multiple pools, including ones with water slides and splash pads.
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