Tuesday, April 2, 2024

13 of the Best Alaska Cruises for Families

family alaska cruise

In Skagway, guests can explore the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail, a camp nestled beside a waterfall where music, puppetry and panning for gold with classic Disney characters immerse guests in the gold rush era. While visiting Ketchikan, guests can look on as professional fishermen haul in the catch of the day in 700-pound king crab pots during the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour. The standard Alaska cruise used to feature a week-long itinerary departing from either Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia, and traveling to Seward or Whittier (or the reverse).

Alaska National Parks

Their excursions encompass more family-friendly aspects than most others and offer a better diversity in activities. Also, even while on board, the entire atmosphere is completely kid-friendly. Crystal does offer age-appropriate activities (3 to 7, 8 to 12, 13 to 17), but not on every sailing has them, depending on when it is and how many other kids are booked—so be sure to ask before you book. The arts and crafts, games and hunts tend to be learning-oriented—kids can sometimes get cool tours of the ship’s kitchen or behind-the-scenes in the theater—but teens can also play video games in their own arcade. Look for bigger ships with plenty of amusements; smaller and older ships might not have as many kid-friendly attractions. Most Carnival Cruise Line Alaska itineraries include Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Seward, Ketchikan, and Juneau.

It’s Easy To Plan Family-Friendly Alaska Shore Excursions

A northbound cruise to Alaska lets you start your journey in vibrant Vancouver. Near the very end of the Turnagain Arm Waterway, along the scenic Seward Highway, this center provides a sanctuary for native Alaskan animals in need. Here you can get up close to the orphaned, injured or displaced animals, all under expert care in their natural habitats so that they can be reintroduced into the wild. The resident population varies by the season but can include caribou and moose calves, fawns, porcupines, birds, lynx, and brown and black bears. Barnette ran aground in the shallows of the Chena, so he set up a trading post. A year later, the nearby discovery of gold transformed the remote settlement into a boomtown, and Barnette the first mayor.

Top Tips for Planning a Cruise to Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line has historically offered this option, but today, most lines charge the same amount for an infant as they do a teenager. Cribs are also available on board and can be made available in your cabin by making a request in advance. If your child is a little too large for a crib, inquire about bed rails that can be installed for you. Several cruise lines visiting Alaska cater to and provide facilities and services for families. If you have young children or teens, we recommend Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, or Carnival for their kid programs, teen programs and babysitting services.

family alaska cruise

Royal Caribbean also employs a fleet of deluxe motor coaches to travel the interior byways of Alaska. Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience. Check out our helpful checklist so that you know exactly what to pack for an Alaska cruise with Princess. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. No one does seafood quite like Alaska—which is why we brought the best of the Great Land on board, so you can experience it all with Princess. Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique.

After the musher yelled "hike," the team took off, effortlessly falling into formation. We savored the soft sounds of the dogs' paws on the snow and the sun on our faces for about 20 minutes as we were pulled across the field. We could have spent the whole day gliding across the snow, but at the end of the ride we were treated to a visit with the husky puppies in the kennel.

Voyage through the untamed beauty from the comfort of our world-class ships, exclusive rail service and Princess Wilderness Lodges near national parks. Choose from a variety of Alaska cruise and cruisetour itineraries and connect with loved ones, locals and Alaska's wilderness with Princess®. As a result, your family will have plenty of time to get to know the ship, participate in onboard activities, and enjoy shore excursions without feeling rushed. Their Alaskan cruises provide guests with an adventure-packed voyage through various glaciers, national parks, and wildlife.

What To Pack For An Alaska Cruise With Kids

family alaska cruise

(HAL is the first cruise line to serve fresh, certified-sustainable Alaskan seafood.) As of September, acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto is the Fresh Fish Ambassador as part of the line’s Global Fresh Fish Program. With national parks and four of North America’s tallest mountains, Alaska’s wilderness has been preserved for generations. Denali National Park is larger than Vermont and home to the highest peak on the continent. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay National Park has over 2,000 square miles of glacial coverage. Elias and Kenai Fjords, a world of natural wonders awaits on an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.

Readers recommend booking your own flights when cruising - Roanoke Times

Readers recommend booking your own flights when cruising.

Posted: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

And Royal Caribbean Cruise Tours are guided by a local Adventure Specialist who act as guides, historians and concierges. They are by your side for the entirety of the land tour, providing insider tips and local perspective. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. Our award-winning North to Alaska program brings local personalities, culture and cuisine on board and ashore to immerse you in all things Alaska during your cruise to the Great Land. Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory.

(Classic cruises, on the other hand, take place on board Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, or Silver Moon). Nova and Moon offer the Sea and Land Taste program (S.A.L.T), offering culinary connoisseurs the incredible opportunity to experience the local food scene and culture both on and off the ship. Last but not least, keep in mind that Silversea sails between Vancouver and Seward (with the exception of one September 2024 itinerary, which sails from Nome to Vancouver). Those craving a luxury Alaska cruise need not look further than Silversea, says Goldring. The line’s Door-to-Door All-Inclusive fares cover private airport transfers, economy flights, business-class upgrades or air credits, and shore excursions.

There are also cruises that combine both Hawaii and Alaska, providing some fun in the sun combined with exploring all the splendor of Alaskan beauty. If you enjoy nature or the great outdoors, you will appreciate Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Inside Passage, and Tracy Arm Fjord. Guests will enjoy watching majestic icebergs jutting out from the sea and the splendor of snow-capped mountains.

A second will transport guests further up the mountain, offering spectacular views of icefields, the Fairweather Range and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. A network of hiking trails will allow families to explore the wilderness via a 340-foot suspension bridge swaying over a box-canyon with a 900-foot vertical drop. Another nature trail at the top-of-the-mountain wanders around a glacially carved pond. Kid's ProgramsFamily-friendly cruise lines offer on-board children's programs staffed by certified youth counselors.

Ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are each small cities with their own personalities. Experience the authentic interior of Alaska in supreme comfort, with luxury transportation and accommodations. The best Alaska cruise tours will take you in the finest lodges available with the personal attention and expertise of a dedicated Adventure Specialist, so you'll explore the wild lands of the Last Frontier your way. Explore more while spending less with Alaska Cruise Tours deals onboard our best cruise ships.

Participation in these fun and educational opportunities is optional, but most parents find that it's sometimes hard to get the kids to leave them! Activities are offered on both days at sea and while the ship is in port. Windstar’s small ship cruises in Alaska include lectures and onboard educational programming from a team of six experts who sail with the ship throughout its journey. This team of scientists and naturalists also lead optional Signature Expedition tours. Excursions include kayak and Zodiac boat trips directly from the ship, giving guests more time for extreme close-up views at sea level. The tours offer breathtaking perspectives of icebergs, calving glaciers, and gorgeous natural habitats.

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