15 Best Alaska Cruises for Families with Kids and or Teens 2024

Table Of Content

• ROYAL CARIBBEAN OVATION OF THE SEAS
• Best for Adventure: Princess Cruises
• ALASKAN CUISINE WILD IS THE WAY

Arriving two days early will give you more time to relax, acclimatize and enjoy the port prior to the cruise. Many flights to Alaska are routed through Seattle and an overnight may be required for return flights to the East Coast. Our Alaska family cruise experts will help you plan flights and pre-cruise or post-cruise overnights. We offer Alaska family cruise packages that include it all, even time staying at wilderness lodges if you wish.

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ROYAL CARIBBEAN OVATION OF THE SEAS

He’s traveled worldwide, but a Walt Disney World trip with two budding princesses is the trip that elicited the family travel wanderlust. Outside the cruise ship port, you’ll get the opportunity to feel the soft, soothing tickle of fur as you get up-close with Alaska’s legendary wolves. If you’ve always wanted to have an encounter with Alaska’s furry residents, such as the reindeer, moose, and bears, the Kroschel Wildlife Center is a walking distance from Haines.

Best for Adventure: Princess Cruises

Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. The landscape and views you’ll experience on an Alaska cruise will be unforgettable, so be sure to pack your binoculars and your best camera to capture the incredible sights to share with friends and family. For photo enthusiasts, an assortment of wide-angle lenses, x-factor lenses, multipurpose lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod can help you capture that perfect shot.

ALASKAN CUISINE WILD IS THE WAY

In partnership with Alaska Native Voices, cruises that sail into Glacier Bay National Park have Cultural Heritage Guides onboard to interpret the 25-million-acre World Heritage Site. If you want to experience Alaska in style, there’s no better cruise line for you than Regent Seven Seas. Booking your cruise vacation with Regent allows you to sample Alaska’s exciting wildlife, majestic glaciers, and charming frontier towns in the utmost luxury. There are plenty of sports and activities to keep the whole family entertained and relaxed during your cruise.

night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise on Royal Princess

Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage.

Best for Diversity of Activities: Carnival Cruise Line

Bucket list family activities include dog sledding and whale watching. While dog sledding on a glacier will set you back more than your cruise at USD 650 pp, you can enjoy a dog mushing camp at a fraction of the price. While the Wonder isn’t one of the largest ships or the newest, there’s no denying it offers one of the best Alaskan cruises for families with small children. For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, only the Ruby Princess, Crown Princess, Carnival Miracle, and Carnival Legend offer roundtrip sailings to Alaska from California. Of the four, the Carnival Miracle is the better option for a family cruise to Alaska.

For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.

One price includes all accommodations, all meals, activities on board the ship, kids programs and entertainment. There is something very special about taking your kids with you on an Alaska cruise. There's nothing like an amazing adventure during an Alaskan vacation, and if you're looking for things to do then dog sledding is a bucket-list experience. Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®.

Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises. If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own. One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road.

Kids MenusSome cruise lines offer menus with all your kid's favorite foods, so you can travel conveniently with even the most finicky eaters. Of course, children are always welcome to order off the main dining menus if they'd like to try something new. And since all of the food is included, you don't' have to worry about sending it back if you get a wrinkled nose. Stateroom and SuitesCruise ships have a number of different types of staterooms for any budget including Suites, Balcony Staterooms, Oceanview Staterooms, and Interior Cabins. Each family can choose which type of stateroom best fits their budget.

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. When it comes to family-friendly cruises, you can’t go wrong with the Princess cruise line. The Discovery Princess boasts large staterooms, plenty of dining options, a kids’ club, teen lounge, and themed events to make your family vacation a stand-out time.

After the morning excursions - they did move the boat to a calmer area - and Matt the bartender made my mom a drink that settled her stomach so she was able to join us for dinner and the evening activities. My daughter loved the skiff rides because she wants to be a photographer and what a great place to get good pictures!! She was in heaven and 14,000 picture or more later - she found her happy place. We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations.

Revel in the beauty of Mother Nature’s masterpiece and listen closely as the scenery whispers secrets of times long ago during your cruise to Alaska. Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®. Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line.

Families love that the shore trips are complimentary for children, and the line offers such up-close adventures. The expedition team is full of scientists, naturalists, and scholars to help you learn all about the Alaskan way of life. 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. The smaller ship offers casual environment that is nevery overcrowded. However, you and your family can still get a solid Alaska experience with shore excursions like watching the lumberjack show, going sea kayaking, or wandering through the rainforest sanctuary.

If you want to take the extended family on an Alaskan cruise, then Celebrity Cruises will provide a wonderful experience that you will remember for decades to come. They have three ships dedicated to Alaskan cruises and offer a multitude of choices. 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.

Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Table Of Content

• Best for Adventure: Princess Cruises
• Alaska: AKA Your Next Adventure
• Types of Cruises
• Glacier & Wildlife Day Cruises
• Best Time to Take a Cruise to Alaska

Most itineraries include this small town, thanks to its proximity to the picturesque Mendenhall Glacier. The majestic Orcas at Juneau are also a sight to behold and make the town a must-visit. All meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the fare on Windstar Cruises. Itineraries include an 11-night Vancouver to Seward trip with stops at Misty Fjords, Juneau, Sitka, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell. So, if you enjoy canoeing, catamaran cruising, or even wilderness safaris, book your upcoming Alaskan vacation with Windstar Cruises. During a typical Alaska cruising season, Windstar offers nine journeys from June to September on four family-centered itineraries.

Best for Adventure: Princess Cruises

The NG Venture onboard specialists offer educational lectures to help your family make the most of thier time in the Last Frontier. We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special.

Alaska: AKA Your Next Adventure

Not only were my husband and I awestruck by Alaska's natural wonders, but so were Alissa, our teen daughter, and Matt, our college-age son. We bonded over dog sledding, flightseeing and whale spotting and enjoyed discussing the day's events over dinner every night. Windstar Cruises is a small ship cruise line consistently rated as one of the best under 500 berths. 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.

Types of Cruises

We could have spent the whole day gliding across the snow, but at the end of the ride we were treated to a visit with the husky puppies in the kennel. Before returning to the ship, we grabbed a seafood dinner in town — crab cakes and grilled shrimp — and picked up some souvenirs for friends back home. Dave Parfitt lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife and two daughters. A runner with a PhD in neuroscience, he lived in numerous Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. cities before taking a college job in the Finger Lakes.

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Trip Planning Help

Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer.

Glacier & Wildlife Day Cruises

This cruise travels round-trip from Juneau over 8 days, featuring glaciers, fjord cliffs, deep valleys, whales, Tlingit culture and Alaska’s backcountry. Plus, children ages 8-17 save $500 per child on all departures except holidays. This is sure to become a bestseller among our best Alaskan cruises for families. Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its presence in Alaska with two ships in 2020 and a third coming in 2021. In 2020, Carnival Spirit sails week-long roundtrip cruises from Seattle, and Carnival Miracle will offer 10- and 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco for the first time ever.

Additionally, there is a water park with plenty of water slides, and there is the added bonus of an open-air tag course. The Jewel, Encore, Joy, Pearl, and Sun are the other four ships that take you to and from Alaska. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to depart from three different locations when they take off on an Alaskan Cruise. The cruise line offers round-trips and one-way cruises, as well as seven night cruises. Only one ship sails from the Disney line during the Alaskan season, and that is the Disney Wonder. Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early.

Alternatively, you can fly to Vancouver, which offers inside passage cruises for calmer seas. Finding Alaskan cruises which appease both adults and kids can be challenging. The best Alaskan cruise for families have kids’ programs and activities to keep your little ones entertained but provide amenities for adults too. Be sure you are familiar with the rules, because even one ship’s main rules might be different in different areas. You want to book early or late in the season if you want to avoid the crowds both on board and at port.

night Glacier Bay cruise on Norwegian Encore

The sheer size of Alaska lends itself to a wide variety of terrain and travel experiences. This diversity means you need to be prepared for a lot of change while traveling. In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour. The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill.

The Sea-Plex fun also includes a pool table and a wall of large screen Xbox One stations. Entourage provides a teen space for kids that combines a hangout zone, dance zone, game zone, and party zone. Program counselors host teen activities and challenges around the ship. 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. We recently posted our Norwegian Bliss review based on a recent Caribbean sailing.

In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve massive icebergs. Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders. For adventure, go on a rafting/hiking adventure on the Chilkoot Trail, rappel and rock climb up a mountain, or go on a self-guided Jeep adventure.

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.

Not only do we specialize in planning small ship Alaska family cruises and custom vacations, we are parents who’ve traveled to Alaska with our own kids. Below are tips and advice from our family to yours, along with our recommended best Alaskan cruises for families. This is the inaugural season for Koningsdam (launched in 2016) in Alaska, sailing seven-day Inside Passage itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver. The luxurious Pinnacle Class ship has outstanding service and dining and a number of entertainment options including Music Walk, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and World Stage, and more. Holland America Line is currently the only cruise line with seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Vancouver that include Glacier Bay National Park.

These cruises offer the benefits of a wider range of itineraries, shore excursions, departure dates, and availability and take you to all of the must-see stops along the way. They feature a wide range of amenities including multiple dining options, on-board entertainment, fitness centers, pools, different room types to choose from, and plenty of room to spread out and explore. Kid's ProgramsFamily-friendly cruise lines offer on-board children's programs staffed by certified youth counselors. Participation in these fun and educational opportunities is optional, but most parents find that it's sometimes hard to get the kids to leave them! Activities are offered on both days at sea and while the ship is in port.

The whole family getting a close few of the Glacier.Hosting multi-generational family members aboard the M/V Sikumi is an excellent opportunity for a family reunion cruise vacation. Our family reunion cruises can accommodate the whole family, from elderly grandparents to the youngest toddler, in complete comfort and safety. Fishing from the Sikumi or on a chartered fishing boat can be fun for members of your family. Your cruise might require a passport for the entire family depending on where your ship embarks, debarks, and where you stop. If you stop for any reason in Canada, whether it’s to get on board the ship or get off of it or just for a few hours to tour, you will need a passport. If you want a slightly more intimate family vacation, try booking a cruise on the Norwegian Sun.