Cruising to Alaska can be an incredibly fun, leisurely vacation. Cruise lines are well adept in welcoming families, providing a ton of onboard activities and entertainment, and a vast array of excursion options in Alaska’s scenic ports of call.
Exploring Alaska by cruise ship is a great way to travel, making it easy to get from one port to another. No worrying about planes and hotels; just sit back and let the cruise line take care of the details.
Many family-friendly cruise lines sail to Alaska, some of which may not be top of mind when planning a family vacation. Cruise ships are set up to deal with kids with a vast array of kid-approved foods, complimentary kids programs, and family-sized cabins. Port excursions are tailored to a wide range of activities, levels, and interests, making it easy to find something your family will love.
Here are some of the reasons why a cruise to Alaska is a must-do family vacation.
Family-friendly excursions
One of the best reasons why cruising to Alaska is so family-friendly is the sheer number of opportunities to explore nature, including the incredible wildlife that calls Alaska home.
Most ports of call on an Alaska cruise have many excursions that provide the chance to interact and learn about animals. The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage and Sealife Center in Seward are both well known for offering plenty of ways to see animals up close, as well as learn about the local wildlife that makes Alaska so unique.
Another favorite is Fortress of the Bear in Sitka, a sanctuary for orphaned bears. In addition to this, there are tons of whale-watching tours, epic train rides, must-see glaciers, and dog sled tours. While cruise line-organized excursions can be convenient, it is also easy to explore many ports on your own and at your own pace.
Another option many families enjoy is adding time pre or post-cruise to explore the wonders of Alaska in more depth. Cruisers love to visit Denali National Park or try and capture a glance of the famed Northern Lights. How about a visit to the North Pole? Just outside of Fairbanks is the charming town of North Pole, which has festive decorations all year round.
Ship amenities
Not only does cruising to Alaska offer an easy way to explore the Last Frontier, but the multitude of onboard offerings means there is something to do for everyone in the family, even when it is not hot outside.
While you won’t find the biggest of the mega-ships on these Alaska itineraries, that is not to say there isn’t plenty to do while onboard. These ships are set up to cater to families, with great cabin options, entertainment, and activities. Families can enjoy live musical productions, game shows, sports, arcades, movies, and water fun, including pools, waterslides, and much more. With so much fun, kids won’t have time to get bored while hanging out on the ship.
Finding a restaurant everyone likes can be a challenge for families. Cruise lines provide numerous dining options, many of which are included in the price of the cruise fare. Younger sailors can enjoy kid-pleasing menus in the main dining room, huge buffets, and all-day pizza and ice cream. Specialty dining options like teppanyaki are always a fun activity, as well as favorites like Italian, sushi, and steakhouses. Even the pickiest eater will find something to eat on a cruise.
Another benefit of cruising is the complimentary kids' programs. This gives kids the opportunity to meet and have fun with people their own age, while parents can have some time in the spa, casino, or a nice meal. Something for everyone in the family. Another bonus is that many cruises to Alaska feature specific programming to learn more about the region and even try local cuisine.
Top family-friendly cruise lines
With so many choices in the marketplace, it can be tough to narrow down which cruise line is the best for a family-friendly cruise to Alaska. Many offer tons of activities and entertainment, as well as onboard venues geared toward families.
Another factor to consider, many of the major cruise lines offer discounts on kids' cruise fares; some even have kids' sail-free events, which can make it even more affordable. A good travel agent can help find these deals and make planning a cruise easy.
Here are some of the top family-friendly cruise lines that are sailing to Alaska:
Carnival Cruise Line is famous for its fun ships and great prices, and their Alaska sailings are no different. Carnival's ships give families plenty of activities and entertainment. Featured activities include their Waterworks park, Seuss at Sea program, arcades, slides, and plenty of fun food options. With three of its ships sailing to Alaska in 2024, with 7-14 day itineraries, there is a good amount of choice for families who love this fun cruise line.
Disney Cruise Line is known for its theme parks, but their cruise ships have become major attractions in their own right. Disney Wonder is the utmost in a family-friendly cruise with princesses and superheroes. With its Marvel Super Hero Academy, Frozen musical, fantastic kids programs, theme dining, and a range of port excursions, families will have oodles of fun onboard Disney ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line is another popular cruise line for families. Norwegian offers probably one of the most unique Alaska offerings, with the ability to race on its speedway while touring the region's epic glaciers. The cruise line’s free-style approach to cruising makes for a relaxing vacation full of great family activities like laser tag, mini golf, fun times at the waterpark, and kids programs.
Princess Cruises - Although known for adults and its “Love Boat” connection, Princess can be a surprising choice for many. Their partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet channels provides exclusive kids' programming and excursions. One of the highlights is visits from local animals, such as dogs, who come onboard to meet guests. There are lots of other fun events, such as stargazing and youth/teen clubs. The cruise line has one of the largest fleets sailing to Alaska, with 7 ships in 2024, providing a great range of itineraries.
Royal Caribbean is well known for being family-friendly and providing great value for its guests. The cruise line provides a multitude of sailings and ships with amenities to make it a great family cruise. For 2024, they have four ships sailing to Alaska, meaning lots of fantastic options for families. In particular, Quantum of the Seas offers a lot for families with its SeaPlex, surf simulator, and many more activities onboard.
