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When you get aboard with your family, you’ll love the host of activities and amenities on offer. For starters, the onboard specialists give lectures and tours to ensure you don’t miss out on anything. All ships come equipped with kayaks, so you get to explore places you never imagined. If you’re planning a multigenerational cruising trip to Alaska, Celebrity Cruises will deliver the experience of your lifetime.
Tips for booking your cruise to Alaska
The storied Cunard cruise line, with more than 180 years of seafaring history, returned to Alaska after nearly 30 years when it arrived back in the Great Land in 2019. In addition to more than 140 shore experiences that immerse guests into this magical destination, Cunard invites explorers, travel writers and locals onboard to share their passions and knowledge. The cruise line takes inspiration from Alaska with special local dishes served in its onboard restaurants, and the return of the Ice White Ball, a formal gala affair with a glacial twist. Experts onboard these sailings include naturalists, biologists and other scientists who are members of the expedition team. They lead the outdoor activities and provide passengers with a deeper insight into Alaska.
Princess Cruise Line Alaska Family Cruise Review - Parents
Princess Cruise Line Alaska Family Cruise Review.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Winner: Seabourn
This area contains fewer than 1,000 residents, yet it is an important port of call for the cruise lines. Expeditions involve watching polar bears come so close you can almost touch them, using tandem kayaks, experiencing hands-on science, nature lessons provided by naturalists, and more. They can be immersed in heritage and culture along with various types of folklore. Families can explore Alaska together and create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you are encountering incredible wildlife, going hiking, kayaking, or any other experience, there is something everyone will enjoy. An added benefit of this cruise being so nature-based is that it allows guests to see expansive sea views.
Night Alaska Inside PassageDetails
Carnival Cruises have marketed itself as the “fun ship,” and its fun is suitable for all ages. Guests know them as a budget-friendly line, so if you’re sailing with a family of four to six, this may be a good choice. If your children are young and you’re seeking a kids club and nothing more, you may opt for a budget-friendly smaller vessel and use the savings on excursions. In Alaska, expect to pay more for those bucket list tours than you spent on the cruise. If you have your heart set on visiting Glacier Bay National Park, make sure that your cruise line has it listed on the schedule.
Round-Trip and One-Way Cruises
First-timers to Alaska are often dismayed to learn that excursions also come with shockingly high prices. In fact, the total bill of shore tours could cost than the cruise itself. This is a popular port of call because it is close to Mendenhall Glacier. The orcas are a beautiful site, making this a must-see stop on your Alaskan cruise. Juneau contains inland adventures with panoramic views and large gold mines. There are many activities that families can engage in and at various physical activity levels.
Best for off-the-beaten-path travel: National Geographic Quest
Given the extra distance ships need to travel, Alaska cruises from California range from 10 to 14-day sailings. San Francisco offers the lion’s share of the sailings, and Carnival Miracle has a few 14-day itineraries in the shoulder season. The former travel editor at Parents magazine, Karen Cicero specializes in travel, children's book, lifestyle and food coverage.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC VENTURE
Once guests finish communing with nature, they can indulge in gourmet cuisine in multiple restaurants, enjoy a complimentary cocktail or relax in an upscale spa. Holland America Line has offered Alaska cruises for 75 years and is clearly a market leader. The line tops the list in terms of cruises, as well as cruise tours, which combine time sailing with overnight stays on land. The company operates its own lodges, rail cars and motorcoaches for exploration of Alaska's interior and beyond.
On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its native cultures and Gold Rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. During your stopover, you’ll enjoy sampling the dense rainforests and reliving the iconic Klondike Gold Rush.
Windstar’s smaller vessels can access Alaska fjords, inlets, and coves not available to large ocean liners. While children younger than 8 aren’t allowed on Windstar Cruises, it’s a great choice for families with tweens and teens. These smaller ships jettison the frills of the mega ships to focus on connecting as a family over authentic local experiences such as wildlife watching on deck and enjoying meals together. Activities include beach parties, kayaking and paddle board relays, local history and culture talks, arts and crafts, photography lessons, and more. Voted “Best for Adventure” by Cruise Critic, UnCruise Adventures specializes in off-the-beaten path itineraries. UnCruise zigs when the big ships’ zag, allowing passengers to avoid crowds in ports.
Tracy Arm was the next best day - we loved the feeling of isolation we got by being a small boat where others couldn't get to. Enjoy 2 days venturing farther than 99% of visitors into Glacier Bay National Park. Choose between two 76- & 84-guest Wilderness expedition ships as your home base. Born in south, she spent her childhood hopping around the U.S., even venturing as far away as Kodiak, Alaska. When not bent over her laptop or prancing around on stage, Dara can be found binge-watching Netflix, making endless to-do lists, or reading a sci-fi book. Glide through the waterways on sturdy Zodiacs or sea kayaks for a more intimate experience in the Alaskan fjords.
So, we’re including the Crystal Symphony on our list of best Alaskan cruises for families. Holland America Line is known for its excellent service and family-friendly amenities. They offer a variety of Alaska itineraries that are perfect for families, as well as a youth program that includes activities like scavenger hunts and movie nights. Holland America also offers flexible dining options and a variety of shore excursions. Princess has won multiple industry awards for “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” (11 consecutive years including 2019), and currently has eight ships sailing to Alaska. Current Princess Alaska cruises include round-trip Inside Passage sailings of 14 days from Los Angeles, 10 days from San Francisco, seven days from Seattle, and seven days from Vancouver.
The Norwegian Bliss offers a wide range of family activities including a family circus workshop, a variety of game shows, dance parties and challenges, as well as a circus themed escape room. Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids. Much like Judith, her family shares her enthusiasm for the sea, often accompanying her on cruise adventures and enriching her articles with their unique perspectives. Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships. This varied experience makes her a well-rounded and knowledgeable commentator on everything cruise-related.
6 best Alaska cruises for families - The Points Guy
6 best Alaska cruises for families.
Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Older children or teenagers might prefer sailing with Norwegian Cruise Lines. The Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore are mega-ships offering roundtrip Alaska itineraries from Seattle, Washington. All cruise lines have adjoining cabins, but you’ll need to book early to ensure you can get them. Alternatively, families sometimes book a balcony and an inside across the hall.
The ship stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and either Skagway or Sitka, with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and either College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier, depending on the itinerary. With so many unusual onboard amenities, you may find it hard to get off the ship. The tradeoff between lots of fun activities is sharing them with nearly 5,000 other people. You’ll find stunning ships like Seabourn Odyssey with only 229 suite cabins, guaranteeing a small-ship experience with big-time amenities.
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