Are you planning your next family vacation? Always wondered about Alaska cruises? We asked cruise expert, Melissa Cohn to share her 5 Best Alaska Cruises for Families.
Taking a cruise to Alaska is something I have wanted to do for a very long time. It was my grandfather’s favorite vacation and he would spend hours talking about it and showing me his photo album.
This past summer, myself, my husband and our 3-year old son sailed on a cruise to Alaska. We took a 7-night sailing roundtrip out of Seattle. Alaska is such a beautiful state, and it exudes the calmness of nature. The shore excursions in Alaska appeal to cruisers of all ages, which is why cruising to Alaska is no longer just your grandparents’ cruise. For example, we went on a whale watching cruise, panned for gold, played with sled dog puppies, experienced temperatures 40 degrees below zero and hiked through the rainforest.
One of the main highlights of our cruise was watching the glacier calving in Glacier Bay National Park, it was truly breathtaking. This truly was a vacation of a lifetime! Here are my top 5 best Alaska Cruises for families.
5 Best Alaska Cruises for Families
Ruby Princess: 7-night Alaska Cruise from Seattle
This Princess cruise from Seattle aboard the beautiful Ruby Princess is one of the best Alaska cruises for families. While Princess Cruises is known for their romance, this sailing is very family-friendly! Some great features include Movies Under the Stars, Discovery Channel sponsored Shore Excursions and a wonderful kids club. While in Skagway, Princess brings onboard Sled Dog puppies for everyone to hold. While sailing Glacier Bay, Park Rangers come onboard to educate everyone about Glacier Bay and they go to the Kids Club and make all kids Honorary Park Rangers. My son is still talking about our Alaskan cruise on this ship!
Check the Price and Availability for Ruby Princess Cruises to Alaska
Norwegian Bliss: 7-night Alaska Cruise from Seattle
Norwegian Bliss is a great ship to be on for sailing to Alaska. It is a fairly new ship with lots of family-friendly amenities for days at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle cruising experience is at its best onboard the Bliss. This ship is perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages! There is a two-level electric car racetrack (which can even be used in the damp Alaskan weather), top-deck open-air laser tag course, great kids club, and an awesome Aqua Park complete with a free-fall slide extending over the side of the ship. Kids love to use the waterslides onboard even during cool Alaskan days. Onboard you have shows like Jersey Boys which are not to be missed.
Check the Price and Availability for Norwegian Bliss Cruise to Alaska
Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
Disney Wonder: 7-night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver
Nothing says family-friendly more than Disney! Sailing aboard the Disney Wonder is an amazing way to see Alaska. Kids can see Disney characters throughout the day onboard the ship in their Alaskan outfits. Your child will absolutely love their kids club, the Royal Tea, as well as the royal makeover in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Disney has their own shore excursions which are perfect for every family. Your family will love the musical, Frozen currently onboard. Disney Wonder’s Alaskan-themed menus are delectable! It’s easy to see why I consider this one of the top 5 best Alaska Cruises for families.
Check the Price and Availability for Disney Wonder Cruise to Alaska
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean: Ovation of the Seas Alaska Cruise from Seattle
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas has excitement for the entire family in every corner. Kids will love the Splashaway Bay water park (even when it is chilly). The 360-degree view from North Star is not to be missed. There is skydiving at sea with RipCord by iFly. Kids can ride a bumper car or go roller skating at the Sea Plex. There is a rock-climbing wall as well as a Flow-Rider onboard. While onboard, your kids can go to circus school and have fun with their new friends in the Kids club!
Check Price and Availability for Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Cruise to Alaska
Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Carnival Luminosa: 7-night Alaska Cruise from Seattle
Carnival brings their Fun Ships to Alaska with a sailing onboard Carnival Luminosa. Kids love the WaterWorks onboard with the Green Thunder waterslide as well as Camp Ocean Kids Club, which will keep them entertained for hours with planned daily activities. The whole family will love HASBRO, the Game Show which is a giant version of your favorite HASBRO games that the entire family can compete in. Guy’s Burger Joint is free onboard and your kids will love the endless burger combinations available. Your kids will love the Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea and being able to customize their newest furry friend!
Check the Price and Availability for Carnival Luminosa Cruise to Alaska
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Lines
An Alaskan cruise is a popular vacation option for families of all ages – from toddlers to grandparents – who are looking for a bucket list experience that all can enjoy together. Whichever cruise you select for your family, you are sure to have a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Alaska.
When is the Best Time to Go to Alaska?
The best time to go to Alaska is during the summer months. It coincides with salmon spawning season which will give you a higher chance of seeing bears and salmon during your shore excursions! Plus the weather in Alaska in the summer is milder.
About Melissa Cohn
Melissa attended college at the University of Pittsburgh and Law School at New York Law School. She is admitted to practice law in both New York and New Jersey. She worked as a Deputy County Attorney in Nassau County, New York from 2003 through 2011. She has always helped people plan travel and now gets to do it professionally. Melissa was recently named Travel Agent of the Year by Cruises Inc. and has been the Top Selling Travel Agent the past two years at Cruises Inc., out of more than 500 travel agents nationwide. She currently resides in Dix Hills, NY with her husband and son who both love to travel as much as she does! She makes sure that each client’s vacation is tailored to meet their desired travel. Melissa books all travel – cruises, all-inclusive vacations, custom European itineraries and more. She thoroughly enjoys making sure all of her clients have the trip of a lifetime! Website: www.cruisesinc.com/mcohn
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