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Overall, this ship may be a bit more restrained and adult than some of the other ships on our list. And, it may be better suited for families traveling with older kids or in multigenerational groups. Although the free night time babysitting for infants and toddlers could make it a uniquely good fit for families sailing with kids under 3. The Disney Wonder will be particularly attractive for families cruising with a baby. This ship offers drop-off nursery care for children ages 6 months to 3 years for a fee. And, it also offers a wide range of complimentary baby gear including diaper disposal units, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, cribs and playpens, and strollers.
Blending Tradition With Modernism: Celebrity Cruises
Ovation of the Seas sails round-trip from Seattle on seven-night cruises, but the exact itinerary varies by week. The ship cruises Endicott Arm for scenic views of Dawes Glacier and typically visits three Alaska ports and Victoria. 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.
Best Alaska cruises for families with kids
The standout day on this itinerary is scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, which only a limited number of ships can visit each year. Family-friendly excursions available during an Alaskan cruise include whale watching tours, dog sledding experiences, zip-lining adventures, and hiking trips. These excursions allow families to explore the natural beauty of Alaska and engage in fun outdoor activities together.
Awesome Family Reunion Activities
Each guest also receives one complimentary dinner at each of two specialty restaurants. Ginger products such as tea, candy, and pills can help alleviate the symptoms. I always pack motion sickness patches which work well without making me tired. Holland America attracts an older crowd, so if younger guests might want to steer towards one of the other three. Alternatively, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class vessels are slightly larger, with a capacity of 4,905 passengers.
I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several to Alaska. On this cruise line, there is no shortage of things to do in terms of activity. Guests can choose whether to relax and take in the wildlife and scenery, go on various tours, or experience life at full throttle by taking an adventure tour. Your entire family will enjoy the polished experience aboard the Queen Elizabeth who can accommodate 2,000 cruisers on the 7-night cruise which departs from Vancouver. The ship has three restaurants, a pool, a spa, and a disco for your nightly amusement. Plus, the specialized play area, which is fully equipped and staffed, will be a hit with the kids.
Disney
They offer onboard activities like mini-golf, rock climbing, and water slides, as well as a youth program for kids of all ages. Norwegian also offers flexible dining options, so families can eat when and where they want. Crystal Cruises is known for its upscale luxury cruises, but it typically has relatively limited programming for kids. During holiday and summer sailings, however, the ships become more family-friendly.
With only 312 guests on board, Star Breeze can tuck into the smaller ports like Wrangell or cruise through narrow waterways, giving you a more intimate Alaskan experience. Head ashore to explore the quaint seaside town of Ketchikan and the state’s capital, Juneau. Make sure you bring your camera to capture the stunning vistas surrounding you. Carnival gives you opportunities to enjoy the fjords, glaciers, mountains, and Alaskan wildlife. Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Society partner, delivers adventure and so much more. The cruise line is renowned for its educational, culture-focused Alaskan cruises where nature is, of course, the shining star of the vacation.
Recently, it has introduced the Scenic Alaska itinerary that takes passengers through the Canadian Inside Passage. If you’ve always wanted to go on an intimate Alaskan cruise with your family, there’s no better cruise line to choose than Windstar Cruises. Windstar sails the Star Breeze for its Alaska cruises, a family-friendly ship that combines coastal cruises with memorable overland explorations that will leave your family wanting more. Itineraries include a trip to the ZipRider zipline, fishing excursions, and whale watching. Family-friendly tours into Alaska’s interior can also be organized as part of your itinerary.
Longer sailings from the West Coast
The Family Discoveries program offers summer camp at sea programs with activities for everyone to experience together. 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. In Skagway, guests can explore the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail, a camp nestled beside a waterfall where music, puppetry and panning for gold with classic Disney characters immerse guests in the gold rush era.
It's smaller than many of the megaships catering to families in this part of the world, so guests can view glaciers and enjoy shore excursions without feeling too crowded. If you’re planning a multigenerational cruising trip to Alaska, Celebrity Cruises will deliver the experience of your lifetime. With three ships dedicated to its Alaskan cruises, Celebrity offers more choices than you’ll get anywhere. Whether you prefer round trip or one-way itineraries, you can choose a Vancouver, Seattle, or Seward departure.
While visiting Ketchikan, guests can look on as professional fishermen haul in the catch of the day in 700-pound king crab pots during the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour. A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man. Although most ships on the fleet only offer basic staterooms without balconies, your kids won’t mind it because there’s a lot for them to see and do. The cruise line offers dozens of itineraries in 14-day or seven-day formats, with stopovers in Sitka, Juneau, and the Glacier Bay National Park. Whether you board the 84-passenger Safari Endeavour or the 22-passenger Safari Quest, each voyage with UnCruise Adventures is full of surprises for the entire family.
Their Alaska itineraries include stops in ports such as Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, with opportunities for whale watching, glacier hiking, and more. 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.
With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect excursion for your whole family to enjoy. The duration of an Alaskan cruise can vary depending on the itinerary and cruise line. Most Alaskan cruises range from 7 to 14 days, giving families plenty of time to explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Alaska. Longer cruises may offer more in-depth experiences and the opportunity to visit remote areas, while shorter cruises are perfect for families with limited vacation time.
The cruise line offers round-trips and one-way cruises, as well as seven night cruises. However, what you won’t find on any other Disney Cruise is the Pixar Pals Party. They’ll get to meet characters from their favorite Pixar movies such as Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. which is what makes an Alaska cruise that much more fun. This is when the weather is milder and the days are longer, allowing for more outdoor activities and wildlife sightings. In addition to the shows, there are also other activities and events that the whole family can participate in.
Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cruises: Which sister cruise line should you choose? - The Points Guy
Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cruises: Which sister cruise line should you choose?.
Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You’ll also find more old-school traditional cruise experiences like afternoon tea and ballroom dancing. Ovation of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships and a member of it Quantum class. While not as large as some of the Oasis class ships, this vessel can still hold up to 4900+ passengers. Signature attractions include the extremely popular Go-karts and outdoor laser tag (make reservations before boarding!).
Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to create exclusive family programming. Its National Geographic Global Explorers program is designed for kids and teens to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge of an explorer. Activities include earning a Zodiac boat driver’s license, recording wildlife sightings in their field notebook, and learning to be a storyteller through photos, video, and more. Both Radiance and Serenade of the Seas are much smaller ships compared to Ovation of the Seas (2,100 vs. 4,000 passengers). These mid-sized ships tout ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, allowing breathtaking views of the Last Frontier. Onboard the two Radiance Class ships, families can climb rock-wall towers for panoramic views, enjoy poolside movie nights under the stars, and dine at venues including Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi.
