What age for Alaska cruise?
Jan 15th, 2011, 06:24 AM
#2
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The Alaska cruises tend to have more of a mature older crowd. That doesn't mean there are not children, but not as many as a Caribbean cruise. You might want to check cruise lines as some tend to draw an older crowd. Go with a line that has more options for childen and a kids club.
Jan 15th, 2011, 04:30 PM
#3
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We took our son at age 11 and he was the only child on board. He did well as he was interested in the sights, as he had studied about Alaska in school the previous year. He also was mature for his age. Personally I would not take children to Alaska that did not want to view scenery as that is what you are paying to see. Remember it is also cool (cold) on the cruise, and swimming in the pool is only for the hearty. We went in August and spent our outdoor time in slacks and jackets. It was a great trip...we did interior first then a cruise, but not really for young children.
Jan 15th, 2011, 05:33 PM
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There is a Disney cruise to Alaska and that should appeal to all ages. I tried to get on a late August cruise with my tweens ( 12 and 13 ), but there were no more outside balcony cabins. We are going on a Princess cruise and I've done a lot of research and I think the kids will like it. It will take days before the kids get sick of exploring every nook of the ship.
May 14th, 2011, 10:44 AM
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We took our kids to Alaska on a Princess cruise when our older daughter was 10 and the younger was a couple of weeks shy of her 4th birthday and had a wonderful time. We were on a 7 day northbound cruise out of Vancouver and followed the cruise with a 5 day cruisetour to Denali and Fairbanks. We had a wonderful time! You might not to be able to do everything that families traveling with older kids can do but that doesn't mean it won't be a fun, meaningful vacation. I believe in taking my kids anywhere that I want to go on vacation. They are only going to be the "ideal age" for a very short period of time and there is a lot of world out there to see beyond theme parks and beaches. Travel is an educational experience that children can only benefit from regardless of their ages. If you want to go to Alaska then you should go - the kids will love it!!
If you would like to view photos of our family adventure in Alaska then feel free to have a look at the Alaska page on my travel blog at www.gonewiththefamily.typepad.com
Lisa
If you would like to view photos of our family adventure in Alaska then feel free to have a look at the Alaska page on my travel blog at www.gonewiththefamily.typepad.com
Lisa
May 14th, 2011, 05:02 PM
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I wonder if kids (even teens) like cruises at all. My kids hated tour of any kind. I think it's a mistake to project adult tastes and behaviors on the young. Some react by being simply insufferable.
May 15th, 2011, 06:28 AM
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I think it often depends on the kids and when they are introduced to travel. Both of mine went on their first trip before they were 4 months old. We travel often with them and they both honestly love to travel. We have been on 4 cruises but mostly we take land-based vacations and the kids love both. My 7 year old keeps a list of countries that she wants to go to that she updates whenever she hears of another interesting place. Tops on her list right now are China and Egypt. My teenager can be insufferable at home but when we are traveling she actually becomes much easier to get along with. I think it's a mistake to presume that because some kids and teens don't like to travel that all kids and teens don't like to travel.
Lisa
Lisa
May 15th, 2011, 05:52 PM
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Mine loves tours (and travel of any kind) and has ever since he was old enough to sit still for any length of time. Now he has an HFA diagnosis and alternates between acting 40 and 10, but it depends a lot on the kid and his/her interests. In the case of teenagers, possibly on their willingness to be seen in public with their parents.
May 18th, 2011, 02:22 PM
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I think it's fine. Lots more to learn, see, and do in Alaska for anyone of any age rather than going to just a beach. The key is to get a ship that offers ample kids' programs so they're not restless on the at-sea days. What you don't want them to come away with is that family vacations are boring. You want them engaged in anything that can keep them occupied and entertained.
Something else to be aware of. Many shore excursions will have a height/weight/age minimum. But you can read up on those beforehand to know what you might be interested in and if it will suit your whole family.
Something else to be aware of. Many shore excursions will have a height/weight/age minimum. But you can read up on those beforehand to know what you might be interested in and if it will suit your whole family.
May 18th, 2011, 09:09 PM
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It really depends on the cruise line. If Disney is entering the Alaska market you can be sure it's a strong family pull. In addition to activities on the ships, there is so much wildlife to see in Alaska that kids can be entertained by nature, which is refreshing. There are family-friendly shore excursions that should easily entertain you and your kids.
I just wrote a blog article about yacht cruising in Alaska, and the company (American Safari Cruises) has specific voyages for families. Your kids (and really all kids) are a great age for Alaska.
http://tinyurl.com/44ys5yr
I just wrote a blog article about yacht cruising in Alaska, and the company (American Safari Cruises) has specific voyages for families. Your kids (and really all kids) are a great age for Alaska.
http://tinyurl.com/44ys5yr
Jun 3rd, 2011, 03:53 PM
#12
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Since I wrote in a few months ago, I booked an Alaskan cruise with my family. My tweens are 12 and 13. I am thankful for the good news from Lisa. I don't worry about my kids being bored although I worry about sharing a family cabin! Oh, wow, that is going to be a challenge.
Jun 4th, 2011, 01:15 PM
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You are going to have a wonderful time! Your kids are old enough that you will be able to try some of the more adventurous activities available in Alaska and that should keep them excited about the vacation. Try to treat the cabin as some place just to sleep and you should be ok. The hardest part is 4 people sharing one bathroom in the morning - particularly if there are teenage girls involved. 
Lisa
Lisa
Jun 8th, 2011, 03:42 PM
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Exploring the use of public washrooms. Most public area washrooms are empty and not used at all early in the morning. You can do the simple stuff (#1 #2 etc) in there so that no one is screaming "are you done yet?" so early in he morning.
An alternative is to schedule the use and change the "habits" or routine. The husband and wife can get up a bit earlier, use the faciliteis while the kids are still sleeping. When you are done, wake the kids up and the two of you can go for a leisurely walk on deck, private time and some fresh air. Came back half an hour later or meet the kids up for breakfast.
I have done it with 4 in a cabin before, it can be done but it will be crowded. However, for the hour of challenge, the savings is incredible. Trust me on this. The kids will not want to spend time in the cabin until well past midnight as there are so much for them to do.
Be aware, though, that they should be careful on the use of the cruise cards. They can easily run up a hugh tab on the card. A young lady I knew loves milkshake so much that she had a few of them everyday, the milkshake tab was over $100 for the 7 days.
An alternative is to schedule the use and change the "habits" or routine. The husband and wife can get up a bit earlier, use the faciliteis while the kids are still sleeping. When you are done, wake the kids up and the two of you can go for a leisurely walk on deck, private time and some fresh air. Came back half an hour later or meet the kids up for breakfast.
I have done it with 4 in a cabin before, it can be done but it will be crowded. However, for the hour of challenge, the savings is incredible. Trust me on this. The kids will not want to spend time in the cabin until well past midnight as there are so much for them to do.
Be aware, though, that they should be careful on the use of the cruise cards. They can easily run up a hugh tab on the card. A young lady I knew loves milkshake so much that she had a few of them everyday, the milkshake tab was over $100 for the 7 days.
Jun 11th, 2011, 05:20 PM
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Kids can do great in Alaska, key is to involve them in the planning. With the big word= plan.
Many go to Alaska for what is outside the ship. IF that isn't what you are going for, heading to the Caribbean may be a better choice?
Do not expect a lot of ship activities, and do make good plans for ports, with advance planning and reservations.
Alaska touring is costly, most tours, no matter what the cost,are usually "worth it". (depending on interests)
With the ship selection= back up first and find out about Alaska, ports, glaciers, routes. THEN look for a ship. It can pay off significantly to have Alaska "knowledge" before jumping into a blind booking.
Many go to Alaska for what is outside the ship. IF that isn't what you are going for, heading to the Caribbean may be a better choice?
Do not expect a lot of ship activities, and do make good plans for ports, with advance planning and reservations.
Alaska touring is costly, most tours, no matter what the cost,are usually "worth it". (depending on interests)
With the ship selection= back up first and find out about Alaska, ports, glaciers, routes. THEN look for a ship. It can pay off significantly to have Alaska "knowledge" before jumping into a blind booking.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 08:47 AM
#17
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I think there is enough to impress children. Besides the ship there is lots of wild life to see. The best excursion that I did with my young teen grandsons was a helicopter to a glacier and then walking on the glacier. I have done that twice.
Feb 16th, 2013, 05:38 AM
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HI People.
We did end up taking a Princess Cruise with our kids. Looking back now, I don't know if I'd want to do a cruise again. I think 4 nights would have been perfect. My teenager daughter became obsessed with the teen club and we never saw her. The starting age for teen club was 13! So, she was hanging around an older crowd. My husband and I were mad at her most of the time and kind of ruined our time. I HATED the cost of the excursions - insanely expensive. WIsh I did the helicopter glacier tour. It would have been better than the $800 whale watching tour. Ugh...$800 for a stupid boat ride with no whales except a fin.
We did end up taking a Princess Cruise with our kids. Looking back now, I don't know if I'd want to do a cruise again. I think 4 nights would have been perfect. My teenager daughter became obsessed with the teen club and we never saw her. The starting age for teen club was 13! So, she was hanging around an older crowd. My husband and I were mad at her most of the time and kind of ruined our time. I HATED the cost of the excursions - insanely expensive. WIsh I did the helicopter glacier tour. It would have been better than the $800 whale watching tour. Ugh...$800 for a stupid boat ride with no whales except a fin.
