Monday, April 1, 2024

Top 7 of the Best Alaskan Cruises for Families

alaska cruise for families

Our 10,000-foot vantage point gave us a sense of Ruth Glacier's massive size — it's a seemingly endless stretch of blue ice slit with crevasses and laced with turquoise pools. When we were within two miles of Denali's summit, the clouds lifted and we saw Denali's peak pierce the sky. Returning over the park, we spotted grizzlies loping across the frozen turf. Not only is a cruise to Alaska at the top of many families’ bucket lists, but it’s also a convenient way to sample The Last Frontier.

Visiting Scenic Restaurants in Alaska

And, certified field educators will help kids and teens cultivate their Alaska observation skills and learn to document their experiences through photographs, videos, maps, drawings, and more. Kids have a range of activities to choose from, and the opportunity to explore interests such as marine biology and photography. Other activities include journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, and other hands-on nature and science programming. With an expedition heritage that dates back to 1896, it’s no wonder Hurtigruten Expeditions found its way to Alaska.

Fishing Trips

Members can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, iceberg exploring and viewing wildlife, just to name a few. Take advantage of the adventures afforded by small-ship traveling and plan an Alaska family reunion cruise with your family aboard the M/V Sikumi. The Sikumi’s smaller size allows access to places that larger cruise ships just can’t reach. And since you set the itinerary for your family-friendly cruise, you can choose to spend as much time as you like at any location. What better way to learn about Alaska than to see it up close, and in the company of family. The memories of hiking glaciers, catching salmon and halibut, and spotting whales will last a lifetime.

The Best Alaska Cruises for Families

The expedition-style cruises sail seven to 14-day itineraries around Glacier Bay National Park and as far south as Seattle. In addition, UnCruise Adventures cruises can be paired with an optional six-day pre-cruise Alaska Railroad excursion to Denali National Park. Disney’s port excursions highlight the beauty of Alaska while bringing local culture and customs to life. During many of these excursions, there are special Disney touches, characters, and storytelling.

Scenic cruising

The idea of cruising on your own schedule is what makes this ship unique, and you have options. From nightly entertainment to games, fun in the pool, kids clubs, ice skating, rock climbing, and even miniature golf to ice cream and other fun restaurants, there is something for everyone. It’s such a cool experience to get to see so much of such a vast – and really inconveniently located in terms of everyday travel – state. If you’re looking to expose your kids to a bit more than the Senor Frogs and the Nassau’s of the world, try an Alaskan Cruise.

Wildlife Cruise

In July I spent a week on the Sikumi with my 5 and 7 year old girls along with lots of family and friends. Before the trip I had concerns that the kids at times might feel cooped up or that I would be worried about their safety. It turned out that the fun was endless and within the first couple of hours on the boat I felt very relaxed about their safety.

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Kid-Friendly Shore Excursions

Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dogsled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears, and whales. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running.

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As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour, or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls. Icebergs and harbor seals decorate the water below while Dawes Glacier soars into the sky above.

Best for Casual Family Cruising: Norwegian Cruise to Alaska

You can head to shore in Sitka to visit the Alaska Raptor Center and play with bald eagles. Then, when you dock in Ketchikan, you can choose from even more activities like a visit to Totem Bight State Park. 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. To find Alaska family cruise deals and added value for kids, browse our Alaska small ship cruise deals.

New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips. From classic grizzly bears and glaciers to float planes and totem poles, this Alaska bucket list of must see and dos is designed to be do-able by the average traveler. No extreme fitness or special access required, just a ticket to Alaska and a readiness for adventure. Our Adventure Specialist was exceptionally helpful during our rather more complicated preparations involving travelers from 3 locations and various ages and special needs.

In these instances, we can usually learn if the children's program will be in effect inside of 60 days of sailing. Royal Caribbean International offers Alaskan cruises that every family enjoys. Royal Caribbean offers a plethora of family-friendly excursions and activities. They depart from Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska. Now that you’ve read about the many ways to plan your Alaska family cruise, start your trip search below. Our top five small ship Alaska cruises for families are detailed above, but your ideal Alaska family cruise may revolve around interests offered in another of our below options.

No port of call along Alaska’s heralded shoreline radiates Alaskan history better than Sitka. Whether you want to join the New Archangel Dancers in their patterned aprons and crimson skirts in a jingle, or prefer fishing, you’ll have it all in Sitka. Beyond the colorful shoreline, the town invites you to experience Alaska’s rich past and present.

There's nothing quite as exhilarating as a helicopter tour over Alaska's sprawling landscapes. As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. Embark on a thrilling journey with young explorers through breathtaking landscapes. Brilliance of the Seas makes it impossible to feel bored during a vacation!

alaska cruise for families

On all of its Alaska cruises, a Huna Native Interpreter comes aboard Holland America Line ships to share the history of the Tlingit people. Alaska cruises first made their debut in 1881, when the Pacific Coast Steamship Company began cruising the Inside Passage aboard its two ships, the Ancon and the Idaho. Today, with over 20 cruise lines and small ships sailing Alaska’s waterways, there are plenty of options for travelers to choose from during the Alaska cruise season, which runs every year from April through October.

This cruise line caters more to the diversity of families than most others. 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. When booking an Alaska cruise, you will need to consider the ages and tastes of everyone involved.

For instance, the Observation Lounge on deck 15 presents the most striking example of that. It’s an oversized  20,000 square foot lounge with 180-degree panoramic views through its floor-to-ceiling windows. It has an abundance of seating in a wide variety of configurations for guests to relax with enjoy the view with coffee or other preferred beverage. Stepping back from the main forward-facing viewing windows, you’ll find seating areas that wrap down both sides of the ship, as well as several food stations serving breakfast and lunch.

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