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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. An Alaska family cruise has lots of activities onboard, but also include a port-intensive itinerary.
Best for Diversity of Activities: Carnival Cruise Line
From the tram, you can see for miles, with even more expansive vistas from the mountaintop observation deck. The panorama includes the seven hanging glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, the forested Chugach valley and out to the sparkling waters of the Turnagain Arm waterway. Be sure to look down, too, and you may see wildlife ambling across the mountain's slope.
Alaska Ports of Call
Cunard is one of the world’s oldest cruise lines, so it offers some of the most fabulous Alaskan cruises for families. Cunard gives you the chance to cruise the waters of the Last Frontier and take in the wonderous — all with a British flair. 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.
Six Popular Ports of Call on Alaskan Family Cruises
Denali, "The Great One," formerly known as Mt. McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below.
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Alaska is high on the family bucket list and it’s easy to understand why. Alaska is home to rare wildlife, fascinating gold rush lore, and even the North Pole. The Great Land’s incredible coast and thundering glaciers are best experienced by boat, but many parents wonder if an Alaska cruise with kids is as convenient and enjoyable as it sounds. Given the extra distance ships need to travel, Alaska cruises from California range from 10 to 14-day sailings.
Best Small Ship Alaska Cruise: Alaskan Dream Cruises, Chichagof Dream
Cunard mainly uses the 2,000-passenger Queen Elizabeth for its Alaskan cruises. The ship comes with three restaurants, a pool, a spa, and a disco for your nightly entertainment. Onboard, you’ll find everything your family needs to have a fun-filled cruise, from rock climbing and mini golf to wave surfing and ice skating. You’ll also come across familiar restaurants such as Johnny Rocket’s and Ben and Jerry’s. Not only is a cruise to Alaska at the top of many families’ bucket lists, but it’s also a convenient way to sample The Last Frontier. For your convenience, a variety of optional beverage packages are available for sale to accommodate the varied needs of your family.
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Featured Shore Excursions
Each ship has friendly employees who are out to make your experience special and memorable. The employees’ extensive knowledge of Alaska and each port of call is also fantastic. Amenities include the main dining room, casualty dining rooms, specialty restaurants, lounges, and casinos. The ships also feature a kids’ club, two pools, spas, and fitness centers. Whichever ship your family hops onto, you’ll find lots of activities and day-long entertainment for all ages. So, whether you love golf challenges, lounging by the pool, or even karaoke, you’ll find it all on a Holland America Alaska cruise.
For this, you'll need a one-way cruise that begins or ends in an Alaskan port. Carnival Spirit spends summers in Alaska from late April to mid-September. It sails round-trip from Seattle and visits Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC, with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord. Kids can gobble up hot dogs and pizza at themed eateries, while adults can enjoy date night at Wonderland with its imaginative molecular gastronomy or Jamie's Italian, created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
What's the Minimum Age for a Cruise?
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. 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.
San Francisco offers the lion’s share of the sailings, and Carnival Miracle has a few 14-day itineraries in the shoulder season. For those voyagers seeking to sail from Southern California all the way up the Pacific coast to Alaska, try a new 16-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Los Angeles. UnCruise Adventures provides some of the most unforgettable Alaska adventures available. Expeditions offered by the cruise line are aimed to give you a taste of Alaska’s natural beauty.
Many of our award-winning shore excursions also offer reduced pricing for kids. Our exclusive family program is the only one of its kind in Alaska travel. Developed in conjunction with National Geographic Education, it’s designed to help kids and teens develop the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of an explorer. Here are just some of the amazing activities they can do on your memory-making family expedition. Every ship features fine dining restaurants with kids’ menus and half portions available.
The excursion starts with a helicopter ride above an emerald-green forest to the plateau of Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaska's most noted sights. On a vast snow field, the huskies howled excitedly as our guide harnessed our team, explaining how lead dogs steer the sled and wheel dogs add muscle. Floating slabs of ice dotted the sea as we cruised to about a half-mile of the glacier's terminus, a vantage point that gave us a sense of the massive formation that dwarfed our vessel. Soon, we heard cracks and a thunderous roar as the glacier calved huge chunks into the sea.
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. Norwegian Cruise Line will take guests through many Alaskan natural wonders, such as through various glaciers and rainforests.
Portable cribs will be supplied with sheets and a blanket and do not require bumpers, as they have mesh siding. In addition, we have select infant supplies available for purchase by advance order, including diapers, baby wipes, formula and baby food. Put your claustrophobia concerns at ease—there are a variety of configurations to "suite" your needs, from connecting rooms to sofa beds and spacious verandas for when you need a few minutes to yourself. Koningsdam has dedicated family staterooms that accommodate up to five guests, the ideal option for parents plus three. Visit its most popular attractions, such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam is fitting for a cruise to Alaska.
Alaskan-owned and -operated Alaskan Dream Cruises dates back to 1970 when its parent company, Allen Marine, founded by Bob and Betty Allen, launched with the St. Michael. In those days, Bob ran the boat while Betty and her children served treats and tea to their guests. Today, Allen Marine operates 30 vessels, including the five ships that make up the Alaska Dream Cruises fleet, all of which accommodate between 12 and 76 cruise passengers. Take the kids on a weeklong exploration of the 49th State, and you'll have plenty of cruise ships and itineraries to choose from.
Whether you are encountering incredible wildlife, going hiking, kayaking, or any other experience, there is something everyone will enjoy. This area not only boasts North America’s tallest peak but is central to the history of native people who have occupied the land for centuries. This is a great place to explore a rich heritage and observe naturally roaming wildlife.
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