children and alaska
 

My in-laws would like to take us on a cruise to Alaska. At the time of the cruise, we would have a 2 1/2 yr. old and a 6 month old. Are there any cruises to Alaska that are kid-friendly? Is it a crazy idea to even go on a cruise with 2 kids this young?

Even with grandma and grandpa's help, I still wouldn't do it. You'd have to bring the baby in a carrier into the already crowded dining room. Someone will have to take the toddler back to the room when he/she gets fussy. You will still have to mess around with diapers and bottles. Doesn't sound like much of a vacation to me.

NO! Leave the kids with a reliable sitter and go to Alaska as a couple. Alaska is too precious a trip to waste on babies (you can take them when they are older, if you must.) With children that young, you and your spouse deserve some "alone time." Enjoy a second honeymoon and thank your in-laws immensely, but remember you need not spend every waking minute with them. They, (and you and spouse) will have a wonderful time. Do some excursions together, do some excursions apart. Then over dinner, you can share your adventures that day, and spend quality time with your in-laws. Everyone benefits. Enjoy! P.S. Holland America has serviced Alaska the longest. They have the upper hand to quality personnel, excursions, and itineraries. The other lines just manage to stay afloat when compared to an Alaska cruise on H.A.

I have to agree that a cruise probably isn't the best way to enjoy a vacation with children that young.

Cabins are so small that I can't imagine any of you getting a decent night's sleep, and I wouldn't want to sit in the cabin supervising nap time. Can you tell that I really need my sleep?

When our kids were that age, renting a two bedroom cabin near a nice lake beach and a playground seemed like the best choice for us.

Even for two adults there's a lot of attire to bring: different shoes, formal wear, casual wear...

Now imagine how much extra you would need for two babies: lots of changes of clothes, carrier, car seat, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, etc., etc.

How much enjoyment would the adults get scheduling things around their sleep times (and if the 2-yr. old doesn't want to sleep in a strange bed, oh boy...)?

When they cry during shows, you'll have to take them out. The 2-yr. old will not like to sit still during the long dinners.

Need I say more?

I agree, this cruise is not a good idea with kids that young. You will be severely limited in what YOU can do - I doubt that any of the wonderful costly excursions would be a consideration??? This is scenery orientated and time consuming viewing and touring opportunities. Not a place to be focused entirely on small children. My opinion only. Leave the kids at home or go somewhere more kid friendly.

I agree with the others. I would not take children that young on a cruise to Alaska. It's just too hard.

Years ago we decided to go on a cruise and were going to bring my then 3 year old son with us. It turned out the Kids Club on the ship didn't take anyone under 5. And you couldn't get any information about babysitting UNTIL you GOT ON THE SHIP. They said MAYBE someone from the ship's crew will babysit for you, but they didn't know what rate they would charge, they didn't know what hours they would work, they didn't know who it would be, etc.
We almost canceled the cruise with all the maybes, but grandma and grandpa said to go on the cruise and they would watch Jr. Then we had a great time and were totally relaxed.
You don't have the luxury of having the in-laws watch the children, however, so the choice will be yours. Just remember all the warnings you've received so far on this post.