Each suite sleeps up to eight people. Log in. The traditional family cruise isn't like it used to be. We did the Coral Princess a few years back, from Vancouver to Anchorage. All ships feature the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where children are transformed into princesses, pirates, knights and sea captains. The staff spent a lot of time catering to the kids, I suspect since many of them miss their own young children. We booked a balcony room so DH and I could sit outside when the kids napped and went to sleep for the night. Princess Cruises offers a cruise tour where you visit four national parks: Glacier Bay, Denali, the Kenai Fjords and America's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. This bright, whimsical, forest-themed center for children features hands-on activities and programs surrounded by captivating creatures. They still maintain this was their favorite cruise. The Cirque de Soliel at Sea is a fantastic show with circus acts and illusions. In Skagway, we rented a car and drove into the Yukon - this was fabulous! And dont forget to share your adventures on social media with #StanleyAtSea. But what if one person you love is 17, and the other is 71? Royal Caribbeans two newest Oasis-class ships Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas feature even more kid-friendly extras. Dress appropriately. That is of course booking at regular pricing. anywhere on board. We may have to compare costs between Alaska versus Europe; airfare is going to be pricey, either way. And for your detailed review. Discover Our Ultimate Guide To Planning A Family Reunion Cruise, The massive glaciers and stunning marine wildlife provide a unique backdrop for a family cruise. Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! It just means that you need to plan a little more carefully and book a little earlier, to get the best cruise deals for a family of five. The towns are really small in Alaska, so you can easily duplicate the cruise ship excursions booking directly from the vendors to save some money (Temsco was their helicopter provider) and the Alaska forum or trip advisor can help you find other providers. Here you can zipline, play in another waterpark , snorkel or just relax on the beaches. Its usually cheaper than a single-cabin approach, and gives parents what they want: to be in the same room as their kids, without having to sleep in the same room as their kids. Rooms can definitely vary depending on the resort you choose. Book early. There are many factors in choosing an Alaskan cruise, and kids are only a minor one. Royal Caribbeans Oasis-class ships have an impressive selection of family-friendly activities and entertainment multiple pools, a 3D theater, rock-climbing walls, ice skating rink, two FlowRider surf simulators, a zipline and parades in the indoor promenade, as well as a beloved Royal Caribbean kids program. No parents, no little siblings, no official hosts. The natural wildlife both in sea and on land is its own attraction. Even during the summer months, some days can be chilly in Alaska. Our children will be ages 7 - 12 when we cruise in 2017. On Norwegian Escape, the Haven includes two-bedroom family suites that sleep up to six passengers, and there are an additional 40 family mini-suites that feature bathtubs. Alaska salmon season back on after court halts closure that sought to IMHO are really very similar. Best Cruises for a Family of 5 - Cruise Critic Often the decision is made for you depending your budget and ship you sail on, but assuming you have a wide budget and lots of room choices, there are pros and cons to each option. First, I would highly recommend that you book your excursions privately - you will save a LOT of money that way. I've sailed RCCL's Radiance of the Seas to Alaska 2 years ago. To learn more about family cruises with Holland America Line here. Disneys ships also hold a cool Pirates of the Caribbean deck party, complete with fireworks and Jack Sparrow rappelling off the ships funnel. Well there it is, the best Carnival cruises for families! . Disney are known for Deck Parties and themed days such as legendary saga in Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea. Best things to do in Alaska with teenagers and tweenagers. Add a third kid, and families of five find it trickier to accommodate their brood with rental cars, hotel rooms and, yes, cruise cabins. Cruise Critic is the perfect place to plan your . Hours of Operation: Sea days 9:00am to 12:00 pm | 1:00pm - 5:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm. That is great! Royal Caribbean's ships are some of the largest afloat, so they're well prepared to accommodate families of five. Scavenger hunts, group games, basketball tournaments, ping pong competitions, dodgeball, skeeball, dance parties and more! I highly recommend NCL for Alaska. Let me know in the comments below. Don't veer off the trail and be mindful of signs about recent wildlife activity, including bears. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in. Looking for 5-day Alaska cruise from Seattle in 2023? Ship building has come on leaps and bounds and with each company competing for passengers designing the best activities for children onboard is a must. You can explore Alaska in its natural beauty through the eyes of local guides which will allow you to completely view all the variations in animal life that Alaska has to offer. We prefer the 2 bedroom/2 bathroom suite with living room. Quick Tips for Hiking Trails on Alaska Cruise - Holland America Line Enjoy beautiful sceneries, spectacular mountains and glaciers along the amazing Alaska coast from Seattle. Join dance classes and engage in friendly competitions. It is greatly appreciated! Serenade of the Seas 7. This is a luxury all-veranda ship with a selection of staterooms. Alaska Cruises, Alaskan Cruise Deals - Carnival Cruise Line I really appreciate everyone who's responded so far and hope that more people will chime in! The season is short due to weather; cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises. that is not included in the base fare (They don't know since this is their first cruise. I was at the port of Seattle last week and saw the Star. And there is plenty to pack into all of those extra daylight hours. Our three children have cruised before, and we do need the experience on the ship to meet up to previous experiences. The 15-night trip combines a seven-night cruise from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska, with another week on land, ending in Fairbanks. Not all ships have connecting cabinsDon't count on finding them on Princess. Satisfy everyone's personal tastes with a delicious variety of casual dining options, special kids' menus in the Main Dining Room, and the ability to cater to individual dietary preferences upon request. But you can filter your search based on price . These ships have won awards for Best for Entertainment, Best Individual Cruise Ship and Best Large Cruise Ship, and its no wonder as they are packed with thing to do for all ages and you will have an absolute blast! Add Cruise Critic's Community Forums to your iPhone's Home Screen! NG Venture Voyages depart from Seattle, Washington Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia. Having sailed both lines with kids, I'd recommend Princess, although you'd probably be happy on HAL in Alaska too since this itinerary will be filled with kids and families, especially during the summer. Other lines without extensive children's programs can often find female crew members willing to volunteer their time; but if this is the case, the . Celebrate after with playful mocktails for the kids and refreshing cocktails for the parents at our kid-friendly bar area. Zipline Canopy Tour. Of course, if you are sailing to Alaska to see Alaska, you should look primarily at glaciers, ports, times in port, etc. No matter how many times your family cruises to Alaska, youll always. Reviews. In reality, most big cruiselines cater well to families with kidsbut, depending on the ages of your kids or the atmosphere you want, one line may be a better fit than others. Our boys were 8 and 9. Alaska Cruises with Kids and Families Best ship - very subjective & IMHO should not be the determinate for an AK cruise - where/when do they want to go, what do they want to see/do. While adults are relaxing at the spa or sipping a cocktail kids can attend supervised youth programs where they can play with their friends, learn to circus skills, play dodgeball or attend themed parties. Set out for amazing Alaska on your coolest summer vacay yet. When booking a cruise, families of five have lots to consider. Generally, the midnight sun phenomenon, where the sun remains visible even at or after midnight, occurs during the summer in places that are north of the Arctic Circle (or south of the Antarctic Circle). 13 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions for Families When you talk to most families, Alaska is usually one of the top destinations on their travel bucket list. For the adventure seeker, this same area contains a 5,330-foot-long ascent with a 1,300-foot ride on the ZipRider. Princess does the cooking and cleaning so you can spend more time focusing on what matters most. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Just ask the thousands of cruisers who make the trip every year. Prices are cruise only, per person, double occupancy, and are provided by our partners. This was the first trip where either of my kids went to a kids club and they loved the program on Princess. We are a family of five (husband, wife, mother-in-law, 2 boys 9 & 16). Also Check: Which Cruise Is Best For Families. Alaska is a large state and a vacation here can get expensive. We chose an itinerary that included Glacier Bay because of input from here on CC on Glacier Bay v.s. Norwegian Epic has a 303-foot-long corkscrew tube and the Drainpipe, a 104-foot tube that empties into a giant funnel. Anthem of the Seas has a more sophisticated vibe, but many of its attractions are great for families. Imho as a resident. However, participation in our program cannot be guaranteed. Planning an Alaska Cruise with Kids | Holland America Line One thing you may want to look at is cabin configurations. The cruise + direct cross country flights + excursions is making this the most expensive vacation we have ever taken (well over $10K for a single week). The first was a family trip in 2001, when my children were very young. You also need to decide whether you want to do a one way with long flights at each endor a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver. Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! She is the one that worries me the most. They loved the kids program! Top 7 of the Best Alaskan Cruises for Families I'm organizing a family reunion cruise to Alaska for next year, and we'll have four kids, ages 5, 7, 7 and 9, along, plus an elderly grandpa and four parents. Be sure to check out the Alaska Ports of Call board for more information on itineraries, ports, excursions and base your decision on what you want to see and do in Alaska. I hope that it helps in some way. Our first cruise was Alaska, and it was on Princess. When? This suite also has a balcony, large wardrobe, bathroom with combined shower and bath, and a separate bathroom with shower. The good news isas long as they are willing to book "last minute" they can save a LOT of $'s right now. 122 Reviews. Alaska is a great - albeit expensive - vacation for families. 5 Reasons To Cruise Alaska For Awesome Multigenerational Family Travel Cruise Critic offers a variety of Alaska cruises for family . However, the cruise line will still charge daily gratuities, port fees and government taxes for all passengers, even if sailing for free. Infinity has a large number of connecting cabins which would come in handy if there are 6 of you in your immediate family. Best Alaska cruise with kids? - Family Cruises - Cruise Critic These are unique decorated areas to visit and hang out like Central Park, a boardwalk and the Royal Promenade. If that doesnt excite you personally, your kids and/or grand-kids will probably get a huge kick out of it. Whether you're looking for a deal or enough space at any cost, here are the best cruise lines for a family of five. Many loyalists consider it the best cruise line for kids, since it offers a terrific variety of family activities and spaces. Alaska provides a wide range of iconic excursions and experiences to appeal to all ages and activity levels.