Durner

My entire family is interested in taking an Alaskan cruise in August. The issue is that we will have 21 month old that would need to go with us. Can anyone tell me if this is doable from a sanity standpoint? Is this line kid friendly? Any recommendations? The travel agent is discouraging us from taking her on any of the excursions if we do bring her on the cruise. Thanks!

Wednesday

What cruise line ? and some excursions have age minimums....Alaska is not generally a young child destination, but I'm sure they do go...

BudgetQueen

Go prepared- your agent is correct- DO NOT consider any extensive tours that you don't have a way out. Few offer any kids rates and you have no guarantee your child will tolerate anything longer than an hour.

There are plenty of walking tours to consider- bring a stroller. Be prepared to remove the child from dining, if disruptive. It's tough for a toddler to tolerate extended multicourse dining. With an extended family perhaps you can alt with tours and babysitting??

Bottom line this is an expensive destination, with far fewer kids than sailing the Caribbean. Tours are costly, but very worthwhile. It's a mistake to not consider some- you get only half a trip withtout them. But clearly a great deal are not suitable for a toddler.

lmoneylsauce

My fiance's entire family went on an Alaskan cruise several years ago and LOVED it. At the time his sister had two children around 5 & 8 (older than a toddler but hardly "mature&quot and everyone had great fun. First it was great for his sister and their husband because sometimes the parents (or other family members) would watch her kids onboard, so she & husband could get some R&R. Second, there are a lot of fun excursions for everyone--the kids met husky puppies at a dogsledding camp, for instance. And there are so many amenities onboard like the swimming pool, etc. that can entertain both you and your daughter. I don't see why an Alaskan cruise is any harder or easier than a Caribbean cruise w/a small child. Cruising with a small child is NOT for everyone though. Just be prepared to have to "sit some things out" if you do bring her because your daughter is so young. Maybe your mom and dad can help you out on the cruise though so you can sneak away for "adult time!" Or could you leave her with your husband's family??

kfusto

Kids programs in general will not accept kids under 3. And excursions have age limits.

IMO, Alaska is an expensive destination and very much about the excursions. If you cannot participate because of your daughter, it will be a wasted trip.