My wife and I and our 2 year old son (will actually turn two on the cruise) have been invited by my parents to go with them on a 7 day cruise from Vancuver to Alaska. My wife is very concerned about taking our son since he will only be 2. What are the dangers? What is the likeliness that he could climb overboard or fall overboard? What about getting sick? You hear a ton about the norovirous. What about the restaurants? Ecursions?

We will have other family there so I am not concerned about baby sitters as there will be plenty (my 3 sisters are going as well). One of them actually has a 2 year old as well.

Just trying to make sure that we are doing the safest thing, and are very concerned about sickness and health. Any advice that any of you can give would be greatly appreciated.

IMO, the risk of your son climbing/falling overboard seems extremely limited to me. The railings are high. If the worry will make you miserable, don't book a balcony cabin. However, the ones I have had, had a handle that seems too high for a child that age (disclaimer - I am not a child expert) - think sliding patio door. Also, those doors were heavy and not that easy to slide.
From the tone of your post , I feel that you don't plan to ever leave him alone on the balcony or in the cabin. If you want a balcony cabin, it might be worth getting a motion travel alarm for the balcony door for when you are sleeping.

On the getting sick thing. It depends on a random event risk. However, ships try hard to avoid it. If you take advantage of the gel hand cleaner stations many ships have near the dining entrances (or take gel or wipes) it might lessen the risk.

If you go to cruisecritic.com, (I don't know how to post a link) there are loads of ship reviews that will help selecting a cabin and learning if the dining options meet your wants/needs.

The shore trips on my Alaska sailing were either the local color type (cool old "miner" bars w/ entertainment) or more exciting activities for the fit, sporty types (seaplane, glacier helocopter trips, sea kayaks, hiking). In the little towns there is walking and shopping - they are small.

If you are going for family bonding (and your family easily enjoys it's own company), go for it. For me, the ship was pretty dead - too cold for the pools, no bands playing on deck, a lot fewer activities than the caribbean style experience of Love Boat repeats. I felt that everyone was there to see Alaska (and do those sporty trips), so the ship seemed to have very little action in the evenings (few people in the gambling area, bars, disco after dinner). These things did not matter to me. They may not matter to you, if you need to eat early with your son and go to bed early.

With no offence of any kind intended, if the ship has traditional seating (early 6:00ish and late 8:30ish), people who do not enjoy the company of restless 2 yr olds often prefer late seating. It often takes easily over an hr or more to eat at these meals. Some ships do not have set dining times. And most have alternative dining for evening meals - like in the lido (or whatever the ship calls the self serve, area that often is near the pool areas and often has at least breakfast, midday and snack offerings every day).

There is also limited room service (think coffee, tea, OJ, danish breakfast and sandwiches, maybe salads at other times).

When speaking of dangers, be aware the doors (w/ handles) that go onto the open air walking decks. I have seen them slam with great force on windy days and especially nights. I have had the door handle almost ripped from my hand. Nothing that got slammed in that door was going to fare well. Not something to worry over for your son opening - they are too heavy. However not the kind of door to let go of with someone right behind you starting to step onto the deck and not having hold of the door. I only mention it since when you board the ship and stroll on deck the first time, the ship will be sitting still or very gently moving in the harbor. Not all ships have this style door. There are often those sliding glass doors on the large exits from the lido to the pool areas.

The idea of going on this trip with a 2 yr old does not scare me at all. And I am more conservative than the average bear when it comes to safety.

If you go, have a great time.

I agree that the likelihood of your son falling overboard is highly unlikely and I have never read about a single case.

As for the other issues, most lines will not allow a 2 YO to participate in the onboard kids program and he will not be allowed on many excursions. If there is pool, he will not be allowed to swim as no swimmies are allowed (a very few ships have a kiddie wading pool).

You will not personally be able to do very much because your toddler will have to be with you all the time.

If that is all ok with you and you will be content with gorgeous scenery and walking about in port as well as spending time with family, go for it!

Depending the ship, you may be able to opt for open dining instead of assigned seating. And many ships offer a casual dining venue which appeals to families with young children.

Oh, I had another idea regarding your son.

If you like the idea of having a balcony cabin, maybe ask the cabin steward to remove the small table and/or chairs from the balcony. Then your son will have nothing to climb on to even get near the top of the railing - for peace of mind.

Or if you and wife want to sit on the balcony while your son is sleeping (a little romance for the parents and being able to talk and not wake son who is still in sight), keep chairs inside when you don't need them (beware most cabins are small and may not have room to keep them inside).

Only mentioned this since I love having a balcony.

On every cruise, there is a hand sanitizer. Make sure your son uses it. Or bring your own.