6 best Alaska cruises for families
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There are also supervised playrooms with plenty of age-appropriate fun activities such as gaming consoles, candy-making machines, and arts and crafts. If you have kids below two years old, Carnival offers reasonably priced day and evening babysitting. The cruise line has a dedicated 4,000-passenger ship for Alaskan cruises (the Norwegian Bliss), which offers thrilling amenities including a go-kart track, a water park, water slides, and an open-air tag course. Whichever ship your family hops onto, you’ll find lots of activities and day-long entertainment for all ages. So, whether you love golf challenges, lounging by the pool, or even karaoke, you’ll find it all on a Holland America Alaska cruise.
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Carnival is a popular choice for families, and their Alaska itineraries are no exception. They offer a variety of onboard activities for kids, including water slides, mini-golf, and a youth program for kids of all ages. Carnival also offers flexible dining options and a variety of shore excursions. Holland America Line (HAL) — which recently snapped up a 2023 World’s Best Award in the large-ship ocean cruise line category — has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years. HAL prides itself on having more permits for Glacier Bay National Park visits than any other cruise line.
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And, it has elements designed to maximize guests’ exposure to the majestic landscape that makes Alaska so special. Culinary-focused European river cruises have become a popular way for food and travel enthusiasts to explore the... Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories. With so many amazing destinations to choose from, planning an Alaska cruise can be an exciting and rewarding experience for families.
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The panoramic view atop Mount Roberts, in particular, isn’t something to miss if you venture inland. You may also want to visit some of the biggest gold mines in the world during your stopover in Juneau. On their part, your kids will love the dedicated play area that’s fully equipped and staffed. Since Cunard is a British cruise line, a formal night is a norm, so expect to have one during your Alaskan cruise. Royal Caribbean has spacious staterooms designed with family accommodation in mind. These rooms come equipped with large bathrooms, fun bunk beds, and everything else needed to ensure a fun-filled cruise.
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Their cruises include obscure towns such as Wrangell, Haines, Inian Islands, Alert Bay, and Prince Rupert. They also provide a “direct-to-wilderness” train service, seamlessly transitioning guests from cruise to lodge (or vice versa). Their domed rail cars offer uninterrupted views of the landscape during the journey. So, Juneau, for instance, has ships arrive early (7 am) and leave by 1 pm, making it a short stop.
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Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own.
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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. This luxury cruise line offers classic and expedition-style cruising, the latter of which takes aboard the 274-passenger Silver Wind. (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.
Of the three Celebrity ships that sail to Alaska, we recommend the Celebrity Edge for those new to cruising or seeking a more contemporary experience. Launched in 2018, the ship features standout innovations like Eden, a multi-level bar with panoramic views, and the Magic Carpet, a multi-purpose floating space suspended directly above the sea. We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special.
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Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply taking in the stunning scenery, Alaska has something for everyone. If you have older kids, allowing them to be part of the planning can add to the excitement. Part of the decision is the ship, but the ports of call and excursions can play a significant part too. I took a cruise to Alaska on Cunard Queen Elizabeth, and while it had a kids’ club catering to those aged two and up, there was only a handful of children on the ship. It’s no secret that luxury lines like Silversea, Regent, Windstar, Viking, and Oceania cater to adults.
The Norwegian Bliss is a 4,000-passenger ship explicitly designed for Alaskan trips, with thrilling features such as a go-kart track, a water park, water slides, and an open-air tag course. This World’s Best Award-winning cruise line combines the best of expedition-style and luxury cruising, making it a popular pick amongst well-heeled, adventure-seeking travelers. According to Goldring, both Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Odyssey offer similar Alaska itineraries in 2024; however, it will be the latter’s final sailing since it was sold.
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. Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage.
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The Queen Elizabeth has a fun Games Deck featuring paddle tennis, boules and croquet. You will also find traditional shuffleboard and a card room with a library of board games. And the ship offers lots of educational and enrichment activities such as watercolor classes, different styles of dancing lessons, and fencing classes.
Select “Kids in Nature” departures of the Wild & Woolly Alaska Cruise are designed specifically for families, with no minimum age limit. Enjoy kid-focused guides and activities on this exciting and educational cruise aboard 86-guest Wilderness Legacy. Every day offers a new opportunity for adventure with hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and skiff rides. A variety of activity levels from easy to challenging appeal to all generations of travelers from kids to grandparents. Looking for an Alaska family cruise with a focus on active exploration and wildlife viewing? Not only do we specialize in planning small ship Alaska family cruises and custom vacations, we are parents who’ve traveled to Alaska with our own kids.
Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," Ketchikan is a popular stop on Alaska cruises. Families can enjoy fishing excursions, wildlife tours, and cultural experiences like totem pole carving demonstrations. The city also features a historic downtown area with shops, restaurants, and museums. When planning your family cruise, it’s good to know that not all cruise lines offer kids’ clubs, and some that do, have very few children onboard.
Plus, the specialized play area, which is fully equipped and staffed, will be a hit with the kids. The NG Venture onboard specialists offer educational lectures to help your family make the most of thier time in the Last Frontier. Icy Strait Point and its wilderness experiences are included in the 7-day program. The state’s largest Native Tlingit community is located at Icy Strait Point, and surrounding waterways are abundant with wildlife, including orcas and humpback whales. You’ll also enjoy the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, located just outside Juneau.
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