Safari Quest is the smallest and most intimate of the UnCruise Alaska fleet, with a 2:1 guest-to-crew ratio, plus luxuries such as heated bathroom floors. The tour is surprisingly family-friendly with even younger children being able to withstand that long drive. Did you know that Humpback whales feed in the cold waters of Alaska during the summer months and Alaska cruise season, then migrate thousands of miles to warm tropical waters in Hawaii and Mexico to mate and breed? There are ranger-led talks or a self-guided cell phone tour to learn more about these towering poles. We also learned the fascinating history, culture, and techniques of sled dog racing, including all about the iconic Iditarod, as well as how the dogs are cared for and trained. With sustainability front and center, expeditions are focused on local culture, regional cuisine and nature. When you reach the beach, your hovercraft will fly right onto the shore as a result of its air-cushion! . Alaska cruise experts share their intel on how to pick the best Alaska cruise. For instance, for the snowless version, Carnival has an excursion for $149.99, Princess has one for $159, and Disney has one for $183. I am often traveling the world or exploring nearby New England, both on my own o with my family. Children of all ages are welcome on the Hovercraft Eco Adventure. With Alaska covering twice the size of Texas, getting there and traveling around is a challenge. There certainly arent many cuter ways to experience Alaska for kids! Located on Baranof Island and surrounded by majestic mountains, it was a very charming and beautiful town to explore with an interesting history, culture and scenic landscape. 15 Best Cruises for Families | U.S. News Travel A 10-day itinerary has lots of port days, so you won't spend much time on the ship. Which one you choose could come down to cost, itinerary, or royalty to one of those lines. and Anchorage as well as cruisetours, which take guests 500 miles into the heart of Alaska . Kids and adults can take advantage of rock climbing and learning to surf on the FlowRider simulator. The larger, newer National Geographic Quest( added in 2016) and National Geographic Venture (launched in 2018) carry 100 passengers apiece. OBC has no cash value, is applicable to cruise only, non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the final night of the cruise. Thanks! We were offered snacks and bottled water and came away with so much wisdom and knowledge about the Tongass Rainforest, its vast wonder, and the habitats held within. The Quantum of the Sea and theOvation, both Quantum-class vessels, offer countless activities onboard for children (and adults) of all ages. Rooms range from 226 to 450 square feet -- they're billed as being among the largest in Alaska. If your only view of Alaska is going to be during your few days in port, you really want to choose wisely when it comes to the best Alaska cruise excursions for families. There's elevator service to all decks, which is a great feature for those with mobility issues. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 9 Best Alaska Cruise Tour Destinations See glaciers? It caters to children 2 to 17 years of age. Maple Leaf has a permit to bring its cruisers to the Pack Creek bear-viewing area on Admiralty Island. For example, in my family we each picked our top thing that we wanted to do: seaplane ride, get to see bears in the wild, and go kayaking. Uncruise offers one of the longest Alaska cruise seasons in the industry, with departures from April through September. Also, whatever you pan, you keep in a miniature bottle. On this spectacular example among Alaska family tours, youll embark on a 25-minute flight to secluded Herbert Glacier, where youll touch down high on the icefield for an exclusive Alaska mushing experience! This once-in-a-lifetime experience took a surprisingly smooth 20-minute flight out to Neets Bay, flying over some beautiful scenery, before arriving at a salmon hatchery. The Norwegian Bliss debuted in 2018. ), where youll learn about the local fishing industry and hear nail-biting firsthand accounts of stormy fishing on the high seas! If you're cruising to Alaska, Hawaii or other adventure-filled destinations, look for excursions that will appeal to younger family members like zip lining tours, seaplane rides, helicopter tours . Its combination of amenities and activities make it one of the best Alaskan cruises for families. feet. If you can narrow down the top experiences you want to have, then you can figure out how to prioritize and fit them in. Its Haven suites have lots to brag about. Best Alaska cruises for families with kids. There were several stopping points including a couple of breathtaking observation platforms where we saw salmon headed upstream and gorgeous waterfalls. The 15-night trip combines a seven-night cruise from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska, with another week on land, ending in Fairbanks. Most people concentrate on the glaciers when in Alaska, and rightfully so, they are fabulous. Learn more and book the Whale Watching tour for your Juneau port date! Learn more and book the Hovercraft tour for your Ketchikan port date! All guests in the same stateroom must choose the same . It was the ideal place to relax, play and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains and the surrounding islands. Disney Cruise Line sends its Disney Wonder to Alaska so families can take advantage of its kid-friendly onboard activities, excursions, and full children's program. While we had many memorable experiences throughout our magical two weeks, meeting the hard-working dogs and adorable puppies melted our hearts and stayed in our memories more than any other. Cruise passengers likely only have a day or two in the park, thus picking the right shore excursion is key. Since most families book when the kids are out of school, you can expect higher prices when cruising in July and August on an Alaska cruise. Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska's amaz . In Sitka, you can view bald eagles and other birds of prey at the Alaska Raptor Center. Discounts are offered and programming is spot-on. Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. AdventureSmith Explorations, Alaska Dream Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Discovery Voyages, Lindblad Expeditions, Oceania, Seabourn, Silversea, UnCruise Adventures, and Windstar Cruises are a few of the small ship cruise operators in the state. Toddlers and grown-ups alike will melt at seeing these future champions while hearing tales of glory and survival from seasoned Iditarod mushers! Departing Sep 02, 2023. Most Family Friendly: Disney Cruise Lines Best for Adventure: Princess Cruises Where Natural Beauty Marries Metropolis: Royal Caribbean International Best Educational Experience: Lindblad. No visit to Sitka is complete without a visit to Fortress of the Bear, a sanctuary on a mission to save orphaned bear cubs in Alaska. #10 in Best Cruises for Families Read More The 6,680-passenger, 2,200-crew-member Symphony of the Seas set sail in 2018 and features 18 decks packed with activities. The Best Alaskan Cruise for Families - Home and Elsewhere But some days are already fully booked. Related: The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month, Lindblad's Alaska ships are known for being family-friendly, with more children onboard than similar small ships. Being a not-for-profit organization they rely solely on admission fees and donations for funding so the public has access to their amazing facilities and is able to view these majestic bears play and communicate with their caregivers in a very intimate setting. Just dress for all weather, including rain, and go. From just six days to more than two weeks, Lindblad has a unique mix of itineraries, including stops like Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, Alert Bay, Haida Gwai, Katmai, Kodiak and Lindblad's signature stop in the Inian Islands, where wildlife is rich. The ship has 12 cabins and a crew of 14, all experts in the area and simply amazing. That has been my experience in other parts of the world. Every port along your cruise will provide wildlife viewing excursions that includes, Choose one of the cruise excursions that includes meaningful time at the, To increase your opportunities to see bears, you can book an excursion in Ketchikan, Skagway, and elsewhere that includes a short plane ride to well known bear viewing spots. Their Camp at Sea programs opens daily from 9 am to 10 pm and offers slumber parties on selected nights from 10 pm to 1 am. Taxes, fees and port expenses $311.35 USD *. Most cruise lines seem to set a minimum age of 16. Whether you're traveling as a couple, a family or solo, we've found the best Alaska cruises just for you. The trip finished off with us catching the train back to Skagway. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? Fortunately for adventurous travelers several cruise lines offer small ship Alaska cruises -- and theyre expanding their fleets, itineraries and excursion offerings. cruise from Vancouver or Seattle, Washington. If you are concerned about the weather, dont be. Excursions are often canceled because of the weather. Alaska Cruises and Cruisetours | Costco Travel Families can explore tide pools and borrow Discovery Pack backpacks that included buckets, digging tools and magnifying glasses. By booking with us, you're helping to ensure a bright future for Alaskan tourism. Jun 29, 2023, 10:43 PM. Thanks! Visit our. The Miracle sails from California, and the Spirit and Luminosa set sail from Seattle. 1. Of the three, the Carnival Miracle is the better option for a family cruise to Alaska. Hi! Thats where one of the top tours in Skagway, the White Pass Train excursion, comes in! combines a tour to the Saxman Village with a visit to the Lumberjack Show (see below). Most ships will have outdoor pools, and some will have water slides, mini-golf, and rock climbing walls. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The ship has two inflatable boats for shore excursions and wildlife-viewing. The 186-passenger ship sails on 12 and 13-day cruises through Alaska's Inside Passage, from Vancouver to Sitka or vice versa. (Note: you need to be 10+ years of age.) If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Princess Cruises won Best Shore Excursions in Cruise Critic's annual Editors' Picks Awards in 2019. Of the three, the Carnival Miracle is the better option for a family cruise to Alaska. A nice feature for which most lines charge an additional cost. Given the extra distance ships need to travel, Alaska cruises from California range from 10 to 14-day sailings. These include mountaineers who have conquered Denali, and the first woman to win the Iditarod race, Libby Riddles. And, outdoor activities can run well past 8:00 p.m. As a result, you may have the opportunity to plan multiple excursions or activities for a single port. Like the Bliss and Encore, they sail from Seattle. Log in. People getting off the ship those two days won't have the chance to book that particular tour. While Norwegian sails to Glacier Bay National Park, Royal Caribbean goes to Endicott Arm. FAQs PoliciesContact UsPrivacy PolicyAbout. Two of the best known Alaska foods are King Crab and wild salmon. The White Pass Scenic Railway is one of the most popular Skagway shore excursions, especially on a clear day. The Treehouse caters to kids 3 to 7, The Lodge 8 to 12, and 13 to 17-year-olds have a group called The Beach House. Find Alaska Cruises with Kids and Families information on AlaskaCruises.com My Favorites | Already Booked | Shore Excursions | Make a Payment US Toll Free: 1-800-201-6937 Seventy-six-passenger Wilderness Discoverer, 60-passenger Wilderness Adventurer, 74-passenger Wilderness Explorer, 90-passenger Wilderness Legacy, 84-passenger Safari Endeavour and 22-passenger Safari Quest (a 120-foot yacht) all have kayaks, standup paddleboards and hot tubs onboard. Costa Cruises Dress Code: Laid-Back, but Prepare for Theme Nights. None of these activities are truly exclusive to any particular cruise line. Experience Alaska as only Princess can show you. Top 7 of the Best Alaskan Cruises for Families Even in August, you can book a mushing excursion from Juneau, Skagway, Denali, and Anchorage, all popular stopovers for Alaska cruises. There is a hot tub on the aft deck, and a cozy lounge that doubles as a dining area. Most of UnCruise small ships in Alaska sail between Ketchikan and Juneau, between Sitka and Juneau, or round trip from Juneau, though repositioning departures from Seattle are also on offer (typically at the start and end of each season). If you have older kids, allowing them to be part of the planning can add to the excitement. From Finnish Lapland to central Alaska, here's where to find endless daylight, thanks to summer's midnight sun. Its a chance for your family to see black bears and coastal brown bears up close. No matter who you sail with, youll create wonderful family memories and fulfill a bucket list vacation! Also, in Sitka, the Fortress of the Bear rescue saves orphaned bears. Their cabins are also roomier than the competition. You asked your most pressing Alaska cruise questions, and today, we're answering each and every one. By and large, Alaska cruise excursions tend to be on the more expensive side compared to other itineraries (for good reason). The larger ships in the line feature built-in docks for kayaks and stand up paddleboards, while the smaller yacht-style ships include drinks and a spa treatment in the fare. For families, you can find a family member using the Ocean Compass Shipmates and message them using a chat feature. If you wait for perfect weather in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you are concerned about the weather, don't be. Recommended Reading: Vancouver Hotels Near Cruise Port. For everything from Northern Lights spotting to fishing, these are the best times to visit Alaska. Youll travel up to the historic White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. Daniel first saw Alaska at age nine, after a weeks-long drive up the Alaska highway in a weathered RV. All Princesss vessels are Medallion Class, which has some handy features. Fares on Ocean Victory include transfers, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, transfer to the ship, unlimited Wi-Fi (when it works; this can be iffy in remote Alaska) as well as dining and beverages and most shore excursions. Guests with Wi-Fi Packages will receive instructions for Wi-Fi access in their staterooms on the first day of the cruise. I understand that there will be many crusiers and excursions sell fast. Skagway train tour to the White Pass Summit, Excursions booked through the cruise line are typically more expensive, as much as $20-30 per person, Cruise lines will typically guarantee that they will wait for you if you are on an excursion booked through them (no such guarantee for things booked on your own), When you book through the cruise line, there is generally a transfer pick-up directly from the pier, whereas if you book direct, you may need to walk or take a taxi to a more central meeting spot, Official tour operators booked through the cruise ship are charged a waiting fee by the cruise line if they get back late, so they are highly motivated to get you back on time anyway, If you book the same excursion that is offered through the cruise directly through the tour operator, chances are you will be on the same trip as people that booked through the cruise so you are likely to get back on time or the boat will be waiting for them too.