cozyfamilyvacationThe Best Alaska Cruise for Families (Part 1)
Choosing the best Alaska cruise for families – namely, your family – will likely come down to factors like budget, specific destinations you have in mind, and which ship amenities are important to you. The “vibe” of the ship, as well as the type of accommodations available, will also be considerations. And of course, there’s the food!
No matter what cruise line you choose, a voyage to Alaska is going to include the chance for your family to experience a rare glimpse of raw, magnificent nature– from stunning mountain and glacier views to unforgettable wildlife sightings and dramatic starry nights.
This post is all about the best Alaskan cruises for families.
A Different Kind of Trip
I love traveling with my little family- and sometimes meeting up with my entire, very big family. And usually? I prefer relaxing, low-key stays (hey, this blog is called COZY family vacation for a reason!). Lazy mornings in the sun. Being warm on the beach. I don’t need exotic locales or adventurous itineraries. That’s more my husband’s deal, and I appreciate it, because he’s led us on some great ventures. But for me, especially as a mom now- easy is key. Comfy beds. Road trips. Enough space to spread out a bit. I love driving to a cute spot with an ocean view, and unwinding for a few days.
So my husband was surprised when I first told him about the one faraway family trip I had been dreaming about since we had our son: a cruise to Alaska.
“Really?” he asked, almost laughing. “Alaska?”
I thought about the pictures I had seen scrolling on websites for Alaska cruises for families: the gorgeous mountain tops; the comfortable cruise accommodations; sightings of orcas and dolphins; the endless, vast natural beauty.
“Yes. A cruise to Alaska.”
Creating Peak Memories
We ended up taking not one, but five cruises to Alaska (one was a family reunion cruise)- and each was an experience I’ll never forget. Alaska was even more breathtaking than I’d imagined, and being able to share such majestic scenes with the people I love most was truly amazing. We’re talking peak memories and some of my favorite family travels.
I’m excited to go back, and I feel like we have a pretty good understanding of the different Alaska family cruises now- both from our experiences and from the extensive research I’ve been doing as I plan another trip. Hopefully, this info will be helpful to you as well. I’ve also included the most helpful and current insights I’ve come across on forums and Reddit, to help further provide some unbiased, real world context.
My number one piece of advice? If you’re considering Alaska at all, do it! It’s such a cool trip for families.
Why choose a family cruise to Alaska?
When many people think of cruises departing from the US, they might think of Caribbean islands, palm trees, and beach locales. They might even think of party vibes: endless tropical drinks, DJ music blasting throughout various areas of the ship, nightclub scenes after dark.
Most cruises to Alaska aren’t quite like that.
Cruises to Alaska offer a very different cruise experience that many of the Caribbean cruises that depart from US ports like Miami, New York, and Boston. While the cruise line (and ship) will play a huge role in your overall voyage and stay, generally Alaskan cruises are more low-key and more about appreciating the surroundings and destinations, rather than partying or getting wild. Which makes sense, if you think about what guests are looking for on a cruise to Alaska vs. Carribean cruise.
A Road Less Traveled
Many travelers on a Caribbean cruise are simply looking to unwind or even let loose on a vacay ship and sunny beaches. An Alaskan cruise doesn’t have that easy, tropical allure. Many Alaskan cruise travelers are looking for something different- something with less commercial appeal, perhaps, but also something more rewarding.
Alaskan cruises are also considered more expensive than Caribbean cruises (though there are many untapped deals on Alaskan cruises, which I’ll get into a bit more later and do a deep dive on in a future post).
[One tip I’ll share right away is that I book cruises with Expedia. I think they’ve got the best and easiest-to-use rewards program, and you get a lot of perks and bonuses (like onboard credits and savings on excursions) when you go through them. Here is a link to their current deals on Alaska cruises]
This perception of Alaska cruises being more expensive also means there’s a higher sense of commitment from people who choose an Alaska cruise- this isn’t a party cruise they’ve signed up for on a whim. They’re committed to an Alaskan adventure.
These are some of the reasons Alaskan cruises are less “rowdy” and party-oriented, and more geared towards truly appreciating the journey and destinations. In my opinion, this makes them an ideal choice for family cruises.
Here’s what a Reddit user said in a 2023 discussion about Alaskan cruises vs Carribean cruises (and many other users agreed):
“Unpopular opinion but whatever… I just got off… a 7 night Alaskan cruise and I gotta say this is probably the best cruise me and my family have ever been on. I’m no stranger to Caribbean cruises, i’ve been on 8 prior to this sailing. But after a while, I think it just gets repetitive. Go to the beach, burn and chafe, go back to the ship stuff your face… but on the Alaskan cruise, there was more to see and do…I can just say with 100% certainty that trying new cruise locations is an AMAZING idea”
Are There Things for Kids to Do on Alaskan Cruises?
Because Alaska cruises are generally more about the excursions and experiencing Alaska, and (some might say), less about ship activities, these voyages might seem light in the “stuff for kids to do” category- especially if you’re used to the big, popular cruise lines that have a ton of kids and play areas.
With that said, the more low-key atmosphere is nice for just relaxing as a family and taking in the amazing surroundings and picturesque views. Like, there might not be an onboard climbing wall, but you might be able to catch a glimpse of an orca or brown bear. And having a somewhat quieter, more mature crowd can make a ship feel more expansive, open, and spacious. When on the sea, we enjoyed having a leisurely breakfast before taking a peaceful walk in the crisp Alaskan air and settling into a lounge area for some reading and quiet hang time (#cozylife)
The Best Alaska Cruise for Families: Our Picks
Best on a Budget: Celebrity Cruises 7 Day Alaska Cruise
Celebrity cruise lines have some of the most affordable Alaska cruises for families, making them a popular pick for those looking to keep costs low and for larger groups (like multi-generation vacations and family reunion cruises). We went on a Celebrity family reunion cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Summit ship, and it was excellent all around.
Celebrity offers a range of trip options, from 6-night excursions to 13-night Cruisetours, each with different excursions and destinations. They also offer one-way cruises that journey past breathtaking forested coastlines along a unique route.
Here are some things to consider about Celebrity Cruises to Alaska:
Activities for Kids
In addition to pool and recreation areas, most Celebrity cruises offer “Camp at Sea” programs, with supervised kids groups and activities, split into different age groups and ship areas. Because the cruiseline’s Alaskan tour-goers do tend to be more mature, there may be fewer kids on board and the groups may be smaller.
This isn’t always a negative, however. As one user on CruiseCritic noted:
“My kids really like the Celebrity kids club precisely BECAUSE there aren’t too many other kids. On Disney it was so loud and overwhelming and pandemonium-ish.”
The Ships
Celebrity Summit: These ships have long been part of Celebrity’s fleet, but underwent a major overhaul and renovation- including new staterooms, an updated spa, and modernized bathrooms- that earned them the coveted “Recommended” rating from Forbes Travel Guide.
Celebrity Solstice: The ship I’m most familiar with. Some of the Solstice features include a fun “grassy” area called the Lawn Club, Concierge Class staterooms, and Persian Garden spa. In addition to the main dining room, which has a rather grand, classic-cruise type feel, the ship has many chef-focused foodie-friendly upgraded dining options. My favorite spot was the Spa Cafe, which featured fresh juices and healthier items (you can check out a sample menu here).
Celebrity Edge: This ship is the first in Celebrity’s “Edge” series, and showcases innovative spaces and design throughout, including 2-story Edge Villas, private plunge pools, and “The Magic Carpet”- a unique floating platform with amazing views.
