Family activities on Princess cruise

[LONES]

I’ve sort of asked this question a few times (both on forums and in person), and still don’t really feel like I get it. We’re going on an Alaskan cruise this summer. We have 2 daughters, ages 6 and 8. I’ve never cruised before, and to be perfectly honest… am not terribly excited. When I try to figure out what kinds of things there are to do on the ship, what I’m seeing are wine tastings, art auctions, and casinos. None of those things appeal to me in the least, and certainly aren’t things we could do with the kids. For various reasons, we hope to keep them out of the kids clubs as much as possible. Are there actual organized activities on cruise ships that would appeal to the whole family? What kinds of things do they do? Thanks for any information anyone can give me!

[mseldga]

We're taking our daughters on a cruise in March and one of them we know will want to be w/ us rather than the kids club so I understand your concern. We've taken them on one 3 night cruise before to see how they liked it. On the ship, the things we all enjoyed doing together, or think we'll enjoy on the next cruise, were: seeing the kid appropriate shows together; bingo games; putt putt; scavenger hunts; playing cards or board games in the card room; swimming in the pools; just exploring the ship; and eating together. Our girls couldn't get over the wonder of so many fun food choices always available to them! None of these things are really organized events specifically for families, but were certainly easy to do together.

 

But really, the main thing you will all enjoy together is sightseeing at the ports. Cruising is an easy way to let kids see some beautiful places - especially Alaska!

[paul929207]

Since there is a children's program, there are fewer child oriented activities on the ship.

[caribill]

A park ranger usually has a special program (for those in the kid's clubs) on Glacier Bay day.

[CRUZER2012]

I’ve sort of asked this question a few times (both on forums and in person), and still don’t really feel like I get it. We’re going on an Alaskan cruise this summer. We have 2 daughters, ages 6 and 8. I’ve never cruised before, and to be perfectly honest… am not terribly excited. When I try to figure out what kinds of things there are to do on the ship, what I’m seeing are wine tastings, art auctions, and casinos. None of those things appeal to me in the least, and certainly aren’t things we could do with the kids. For various reasons, we hope to keep them out of the kids clubs as much as possible. Are there actual organized activities on cruise ships that would appeal to the whole family? What kinds of things do they do? Thanks for any information anyone can give me!

 

 

Have you asked yourself: "Why am I going on this cruise or why would I go on any cruise?"

 

Alaska itself is a GREAT reason for a cruise. I have done it and was one of the best cruises I have been on. Just seeing the scenery is reason enough for going.

 

A cruise is not an amusement park. You will probably find that many people are glad for that. The organized programs are the activities planned for cruisers under 18.

 

People cruise for different reasons. What are your reasons for cruising?

[Cruisin' Chick]

Why not let them try out the kids' program on sea days? That way, they can hang out with kids their age and then on port days, they will be exploring the ports with you. If they decide it's not fun for them, you can do things around the ship as mentioned above. On most of the Princess ships that sail the Alaskan itinerary there is a pool that is under a retractable roof. So even if the weather is iffy (you may get some sunny days in July or August, even in Alaska), your family can still go swimming.

 

But seriously, when you get to your cabin, there will be a packet of info for your girls (depending on when you go, they will probably be in two different groups) with a day-by-day listing of activities. There will be a range from arts and crafts, junior Olympics, even some science oriented activities (when my daughter was 7 in 2004, the kids program on the Sapphire featured making models of coral and the solar system; there may have been the most popular activity for these kids: squid dissection). Let them check out the list with you.

 

When your ship does the glacier cruising (sometimes early one morning, sometimes the afternoon), that's when everyone, and I mean everyone, will be outside, either up on deck or on their balcony. A naturalist is onboard to narrate the action. Your children will see waterfalls and maybe even some animals (we saw a bear cavorting on a "beach").

 

There will be shows, some of which are family friendly, at least for our family, as we like music. Just check the Patters (the ship's newsletter) to make sure a show isn't adult-oriented (such as comedians). You can expose your kids to live music in the various lounges -- there's an assortment of styles hopefully on the ship you've booked. Some kids like the trivia matches (there should be plenty during the day and night) -- general subject ones, TV theme music, etc. There's also talent shows (the kids have one, which we watched on our last cruise as the talented daughter of some new friends was singing in it, and it was before Princess Pop Idol -- I was one of the hula performers during the intermission of that).

 

BTW, I'm not into the casino nor bingo nor art auctions, but I've haven't had a boring day at sea on my four Princess cruises. As I said, check out each day's Patters (it'll be left in your cabin the next before) and you should be able to find activities that you two can do together and ones your family can do together.

[cruisingwith4]

My children are 5 & 3 and they will be on their 3rd cruise for this NYE. Alaska was their first cruise.

 

My oldest really did enjoy the kids club (still does and is looking forward to it again - my youngest has never been old enough to use the club until now).

 

We are fine with them participating in the kids club, but we don't go on a family vacation to be separated. A couple hours either in the morning or afternoon.

 

Even though it was chilly, we still had fun hopping in the pool together. There's MUTS. I believe there is usually a scavenger hunt the day of embarkation.

 

Other than the clubs, there really isn't a lot for kids. But it doesn't mean they won't have a good time. Just the idea of being on such a large ship, visiting new lands is exciting to children. And Alaska is beautiful!

 

Good luck and hope you enjoy your trip.